Signaling Pathways Involved in Dephosphorylation and Localization of the Actin-Binding Protein Cofilin in Stimulated Human Neutrophils

We have studied activation-induced dephosphorylation of proteins in human neutrophils loaded with [³²P]orthophosphate using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. A major phosphoprotein of 20 kDa in resting neutrophils was markedly dephosphorylated upon activation of cells with chemotactic peptide or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). Using a monoclonal anti-cofilin antibody, this phosphoprotein could be shown to be identical with cofilin, a protein implicated in actin filament remodeling. Signaling pathways leading to this dephosphorylation were further characterized. To define the role of PKC isoforms in cofilin dephosphorylation, we used different PKC inhibitors. Gö 6976 (10 μM), which inhibits preferentially PKC α and β, did not prevent PMA-induced dephosphorylation of cofilin, whereas Ro 31-8220 and CGP 41 251 (10 μM), which act also on Ca²⁺-independent PKC isoforms, almost completely suppressed this event. The lack of effect of Gö 6976 was not due to insufficient entry into the cells, as this drug suppressed PMA-induced increases in protein phosphorylation. Ca²⁺-independent PKC isoforms, rather than PKC α or β, may thus be involved in PMA-induced cofilin dephosphorylation. In contrast, Ro 31-8220 did not inhibit chemotactic peptide-induced cofilin dephosphorylation, suggesting here a PKC-independent pathway. The phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (1–2 μM) attenuated phosphorylation of cofilin in resting cells. This reduced level was not further attenuated by PMA. Phosphatases 1 and/or 2A may thus control cofilin phosphorylation in resting cells and contribute to PMA-induced cofilin dephosphorylation. Dephosphorylation of cofilin induced by PMA, chemotactic peptide, or okadaic acid was always accompanied by a shift of cofilin to the cell periphery into F-actin-rich areas. These findings suggest a role of cofilin in stimulus-dependent actin remodeling in motile neutrophils.     

Role of the C-terminal Extension of Formin 2 in Its Activation by Spire Protein and Processive Assembly of Actin Filaments

Formin 2 (Fmn2), a member of the FMN family of formins, plays an important role in early development. This formin cooperates with profilin and Spire, a WASP homology domain 2 (WH2) repeat protein, to stimulate assembly of a dynamic cytoplasmic actin meshwork that facilitates translocation of the meiotic spindle in asymmetric division of mouse oocytes. The kinase-like non-catalytic domain (KIND) of Spire directly interacts with the C-terminal extension of the formin homology domain 2 (FH2) domain of Fmn2, called FSI. This direct interaction is required for the synergy between the two proteins in actin assembly. We have recently demonstrated how Spire, which caps barbed ends via its WH2 domains, activates Fmn2. Fmn2 by itself associates very poorly to filament barbed ends but is rapidly recruited to Spire-capped barbed ends via the KIND domain, and it subsequently displaces Spire from the barbed end to elicit rapid processive assembly from profilin·actin. Here, we address the mechanism by which Spire and Fmn2 compete at barbed ends and the role of FSI in orchestrating this competition as well as in the processivity of Fmn2. We have combined microcalorimetric, fluorescence, and hydrodynamic binding assays, as well as bulk solution and single filament measurements of actin assembly, to show that removal of FSI converts Fmn2 into a Capping Protein. This activity is mimicked by association of KIND to Fmn2. In addition, FSI binds actin at filament barbed ends as a weak capper and plays a role in displacing the WH2 domains of Spire from actin, thus allowing the association of actin-binding regions of FH2 to the barbed end.     

Expression and subcellular localization of mammalian formin Fhod3 in the embryonic and adult heart

The formin family proteins play pivotal roles in actin filament assembly via the FH2 domain. The mammalian formin Fhod3 is highly expressed in the heart, and its mRNA in the adult heart contains exons 11, 12, and 25, which are absent from non-muscle Fhod3 isoforms. In cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes, Fhod3 localizes to the middle of the sarcomere and appears to function in its organization, although it is suggested that Fhod3 localizes differently in the adult heart. Here we show, using immunohistochemical analysis with three different antibodies, each recognizing distinct regions of Fhod3, that Fhod3 localizes as two closely spaced bands in middle of the sarcomere in both embryonic and adult hearts. The bands are adjacent to the M-line that crosslinks thick myosin filaments at the center of a sarcomere but distant from the Z-line that forms the boundary of the sarcomere, which localization is the same as that observed in cultured cardiomyocytes. Detailed immunohistochemical and immuno-electron microscopic analyses reveal that Fhod3 localizes not at the pointed ends of thin actin filaments but to a more peripheral zone, where thin filaments overlap with thick myosin filaments. We also demonstrate that the embryonic heart of mice specifically expresses the Fhod3 mRNA isoform harboring the three alternative exons, and that the characteristic localization of Fhod3 in the sarcomere does not require a region encoded by exon 25, in contrast to an essential role of exons 11 and 12. Furthermore, the exon 25-encoded region appears to be dispensable for actin-organizing activities both in vivo and in vitro, albeit it is inserted in the catalytic FH2 domain.     

心脏形成关键基因-TBX5在大鼠胚胎心脏中的克隆及表达研究

为了研究心脏形成关键基因-TBX5的表达情况,选择Wistar大鼠作为从分子水平研究心脏发育的实验动物并从胎鼠心脏中克隆了TBX5cDNA全长（GenBank登录号：AY859491）,其cDNA及氨基酸序列不同于GenBank预测序列;随后应用RT-PCR及Northem blot分析TBX5基因在大鼠各组织中的表达情况,发现TBX5为单一转录本,在大鼠各组织均有表达,心脏中表达最强;构建荧光表达载体,转染大鼠肝癌细胞,观察TBX5亚细胞定位,结果证实TBX5基因在细胞核中表达;最后构建原核表达载体,IPTG诱导表达获得了GST-TBX5融合蛋白。以上工作为进一步鉴定心脏发育中TBX5相关转录因子及研究相互间的调控机制奠定了基础。     

A Role for the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Myocardial Cell Growth, Sarcomeric Organization, and Cardiac-specific Gene Expression

Three hallmark features of the cardiac hypertrophic growth program are increases in cell size, sarcomeric organization, and the induction of certain cardiac-specific genes. All three features of hypertrophy are induced in cultured myocardial cells by α₁- adrenergic receptor agonists, such as phenylephrine (PE) and other growth factors that activate mitogen- activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In this study the MAPK family members extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were activated by transfecting cultured cardiac myocytes with constructs encoding the appropriate kinases possessing gain-of-function mutations. Transfected cells were then analyzed for changes in cell size, sarcomeric organization, and induction of the genes for the A- and B-type natriuretic peptides (NPs), as well as the α-skeletal actin (α-SkA) gene. While activation of JNK and/or ERK with MEKK1_COOH or Raf-1 BXB, respectively, augmented cell size and effected relatively modest increases in NP and α-SkA promoter activities, neither upstream kinase conferred sarcomeric organization. However, transfection with MKK6 (Glu), which specifically activated p38, augmented cell size, induced NP and α-Ska promoter activities by up to 130-fold, and elicited sarcomeric organization in a manner similar to PE. Moreover, all three growth features induced by MKK6 (Glu) or PE were blocked with the p38-specific inhibitor, SB 203580. These results demonstrate novel and potentially central roles for MKK6 and p38 in the regulation of myocardial cell hypertrophy.     

Renal Dnase1 Enzyme Activity and Protein Expression Is Selectively Shut Down in Murine and Human Membranoproliferative Lupus Nephritis

Background

Deposition of chromatin-IgG complexes within glomerular membranes is a key event in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. We recently reported an acquired loss of renal Dnase1 expression linked to transformation from mild to severe membranoproliferative lupus nephritis in (NZBxNZW)F1 mice. As this may represent a basic mechanism in the progression of lupus nephritis, several aspects of Dnase1 expression in lupus nephritis were analyzed.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Total nuclease activity and Dnase1 expression and activity was evaluated using in situ and in vitro analyses of kidneys and sera from (NZBxNZW)F1 mice of different ages, and from age-matched healthy controls. Immunofluorescence staining for Dnase1 was performed on kidney biopsies from (NZBxNZW)F1 mice as well as from human SLE patients and controls. Reduced serum Dnase1 activity was observed in both mesangial and end-stage lupus nephritis. A selective reduction in renal Dnase1 activity was seen in mice with massive deposition of chromatin-containing immune complexes in glomerular capillary walls. Mice with mild mesangial nephritis showed normal renal Dnase1 activity. Similar differences were seen when comparing human kidneys with severe and mild lupus nephritis. Dnase1 was diffusely expressed within the kidney in normal and mildly affected kidneys, whereas upon progression towards end-stage renal disease, Dnase1 was down-regulated in all renal compartments. This demonstrates that the changes associated with development of severe nephritis in the murine model are also relevant to human lupus nephritis.

Conclusions/Significance

Reduction in renal Dnase1 expression and activity is limited to mice and SLE patients with signs of membranoproliferative nephritis, and may be a critical event in the development of severe forms of lupus nephritis. Reduced Dnase1 activity reflects loss in the expression of the protein and not inhibition of enzyme activity.     

Heat Shock Protein 70 Expression Is Spatially Distributed in Human Placenta and Selectively Upregulated during Labor and Preeclampsia

Placental oxidative stress is a feature of both human labor and the pregnancy syndrome preeclampsia. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) can be induced in cells as a protective mechanism to cope with cellular stress. We hypothesized that HSP 70 would increase during labor and preeclampsia and that expression would vary in different placental zones. Samples were obtained from 12 sites within each placenta: 4 equally spaced apart pieces were sampled from the inner, middle and outer placental regions. Non-labor, labor and preeclampsia were studied. HSP 70 expression was investigated by Western blot analysis. HSP 70 protein expression was increased in the middle compared with the outer area (p = 0.03) in non-labor and in both the inner and middle areas compared with the outer area (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02 respectively) in labor. HSP 70 was increased in the preeclampsia non-labor group compared to the control non-labor group in the inner region (p = 0.003) and in the control labor group compared with the preeclampsia labor group at the middle area (p = 0.001). In conclusion HSP 70 is expressed in a spatial manner in the placenta. Changes in HSP 70 expression occur during labor and preeclampsia but at different zones within the placenta. The physiological and pathological significance of these remains to be elucidated but the results have important implications for how data obtained from studies in placental disease (and other organs) can be influenced by sampling methods.     

Expression of Rotavirus Capsid Protein VP6 in Transgenic Potato and Its Oral Immunogenicity in Mice

Murine rotavirus gene six encoding the 41 kDa group specific capsid structural protein VP6 was stably inserted into the Solanum tuberosum genome by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The molecular mass of plant synthesized VP6 capsid protein determined by immunoblot was similar to the size of both purified virus VP6 monomeric peptides and partially assembled virus-like particles. The amount of VP6 protein synthesized in transgenic potato leaf and tuber was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to be approximately 0.01% of total soluble protein. Oral immunization of CD-1 mice with transformed potato tuber tissues containing VP6 capsid protein generated measurable titers of both anti-VP6 serum IgG and intestinal IgA antibodies. The presence of detectable humoral and intestinal antibody responses against the rotavirus capsid protein following mucosal immunization provides an optimistic basis for the development of edible plant vaccines against enteric viral pathogens.     

TAT-EDAG融合蛋白的原核表达及其转导活性的研究

HIV-TAT蛋白转导域（PTD）是新近发现的一种在蛋白转导过程中能高效穿过生物膜的结构域,它能将与之连接的多肽、蛋白质及DNA等分子跨膜导入几乎所有的组织和细胞,转导效率高而对细胞没有损伤.构建了TAT-EDAG、TAT-GFP融合蛋白原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）细胞中实现了两种融合蛋白的可溶性原核表达,在非变性条件下进行蛋白纯化,获得了纯度在90%以上的融合蛋白.脱盐处理后,利用TAT-GFP转染体外培养的鼠成纤维细胞证实了TAT转导肽的生物活性;利用TAT-EDAG转染体外培养的HL-60细胞,Western blotting分析表明：TAT-EDAG可以导入HL-60细胞中.这为下一步应用于体外造血干细胞扩增研究奠定了基础.     

Immediate Translation of Formin DIAPH1 mRNA after Its Exiting the Nucleus Is Required for Its Perinuclear Localization in Fibroblasts

DIAPH1 is a formin protein which promotes actin polymerization, stabilizes microtubules and consequently is involved in cytoskeleton dynamics, cell migration and differentiation. In contrast to the relatively well-understood signaling cascades that regulate DIAPH1 activity, its spatial regulation of biogenesis is not understood. A recent report showed that synthesis of DIAPH1 is confined in the perinuclear ER compartment through translation-dependent mRNA targeting. However, the underlying mechanism of DIAPH1 local synthesis is yet to be elucidated. Here, we provide evidence to demonstrate that the 5′-cap-mediated immediate translation of DIAPH1 mRNA upon exiting nucleus is required for localizing the mRNA in the perinuclear ER compartment. This is supported by data: 1) Delayed translation of DIAPH1 mRNA resulted in loss of perinuclear localization of the mRNA; 2) Once delocalized, DIAPH1 mRNA could not be retargeted to the perinuclear region; and 3) The translation of DIAPH1 mRNA is 5′-cap dependent. These results provide new insights into the novel mechanism of DIAPH1 local synthesis. In addition, these findings have led to the development of new approaches for manipulating DIAPH1 mRNA localization and local protein synthesis in cells for functional studies. Furthermore, a correlation of DIAPH1 mRNA and DIAPH1 protein localization has been demonstrated using a new method to quantify the intracellular distribution of protein.     

Osmotic Stress Changes the Expression and Subcellular Localization of the Batten Disease Protein CLN3

Juvenile CLN3 disease (formerly known as juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) is a fatal childhood neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. CLN3 encodes a putative lysosomal transmembrane protein with unknown function. Previous cell culture studies using CLN3-overexpressing vectors and/or anti-CLN3 antibodies with questionable specificity have also localized CLN3 in cellular structures other than lysosomes. Osmoregulation of the mouse Cln3 mRNA level in kidney cells was recently reported. To clarify the subcellular localization of the CLN3 protein and to investigate if human CLN3 expression and localization is affected by osmotic changes we generated a stably transfected BHK (baby hamster kidney) cell line that expresses a moderate level of myc-tagged human CLN3 under the control of the human ubiquitin C promoter. Hyperosmolarity (800 mOsm), achieved by either NaCl/urea or sucrose, dramatically increased the mRNA and protein levels of CLN3 as determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Under isotonic conditions (300 mOsm), human CLN3 was found in a punctate vesicular pattern surrounding the nucleus with prominent Golgi and lysosomal localizations. CLN3-positive early endosomes, late endosomes and cholesterol/sphingolipid-enriched plasma membrane microdomain caveolae were also observed. Increasing the osmolarity of the culture medium to 800 mOsm extended CLN3 distribution away from the perinuclear region and enhanced the lysosomal localization of CLN3. Our results reveal that CLN3 has multiple subcellular localizations within the cell, which, together with its expression, prominently change following osmotic stress. These data suggest that CLN3 is involved in the response and adaptation to cellular stress.     

c-flag-ago3质粒在人293细胞系中的表达及AGO3蛋白复合物的细胞定位

将c-flag-ago3质粒转入人293细胞系中,使c-flag-ago3基因稳定表达,为进一步研究AGO3蛋白复合物的结构、功能奠定了基础.利用亲和标签flag对目标蛋白进行检测和监测,将已合成的c-flag-ago3质粒和用于对照的质粒si-ago3(能使ago3基因沉默的质粒)导入人293细胞系中,在荧光镜下观察转染效果.RT-PCR法检测基因含量,蛋白印迹法(WB)检测人293细胞表达的flag-ago3,并对其蛋白复合物进行细胞定位.结果显示,c-flag-ago3质粒和si-ago3质粒成功地导入人293细胞系中,免疫细胞化学显示c-flag-ago3基因在细胞中高表达、并检测到AGO3复合物定位于细胞质中.AGO3复合物在细胞中可稳定表达,为进一步研究AGO3蛋白复合物的构成及其在人体中的功能奠定了基础.     

Isolation and Identification of Canine Parvovirus Serotype 2a and Its VP2 Protein Expression in Transgenic Tobacco

A strain of canine parvovirus (CPV) was isolated from feces of an ill puppy in an animal hospital in Wuhan, China. It was designated as CPV/WH02/06. This isolate was identified as serotype CPV-2a by the hemagglutination test, CPV Ag detection strip, electron microscopy, and PCR. The vp2 gene was cloned and sequenced and assigned GenBank accession number EU377537. A 1242 bp segment of the 5' region of the vp2 gene was cloned and inserted into the binary vector pBI121 and used for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Transgenic tobacco plants were selected on MS medium supplemented with 100 μg/mL kanamycin and 100 μg/mL timentin. Integration of the vp2 gene into the tobacco genome was confirmed by PCR using T1 progeny plants, and the expression of the VP2 protein was confirmed by Western blotting.