蟾蜍泛素羧基末端水解酶(tUCH)以不依赖其UCH活性的方式参与卵母细胞成熟调控

本实验室已报道中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞的p28蛋白具泛素羧基末端水解酶活性,称作tUCH,它和哺乳类中发现的UCH L1的氨基酸序列具高度同源性,二级结构同源性比较发现,二者可能具类似的功能。本文实验表明:未成熟卵母细胞和成熟卵母细胞的可溶性蛋白中均含有tUCH,约占提取物中蛋白质总量的2%。根据测定所得到的GST-tUCH和GST-UCH L1对底物Ub-AMC的酶动力学参数,说明卵母细胞中tUCH可能与小鼠UCH L1有类似的生物学功能;anti-tUCH单抗可以与原核细胞表达的tUCH和显性失活突变类型tUCH C(90)S特异结合,但不识别小鼠的UCH L1。Anti-tUCH单抗能够和tUCH结合但不能封闭它的UCH活性。当anti-tUCH单抗注入卵母细胞内,则孕酮诱导的生发泡破裂(germinal vesicle breakdown,GVBD)过程受到抑制,足见tUCH参与GVHD调节并不依赖其UCH活性。     

小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟不同阶段对钙的依赖性

本研究旨在探讨小鼠卵母细胞成熟与钙和钙调素的关系。研究发现,20μmol/L W7、50μM BAPTA/AM对GVBD发生没有影响,但阻断了中期Ⅰ的卵母细胞进入中期Ⅱ。通过测定成熟不同阶段细胞内钙的分布,发现GVBD后染色体周围区域有较高水平的钙分布,并且该现象能被加BAPTA/AM而消除。GVBD发生后6h左右高钙分布现象消失。我们还测定了成熟过程中MPF活性的变化,20μmol/L W7、50μmol/L BAPTA/AM对卵母细胞成熟过程中MPF活性的升高没有影响。结果表明:小鼠卵母细胞GVBD的发生不依赖钙和钙调素;钙和钙调素对中期Ⅰ的发育是必需的,并且核周区钙分布可能起着重要作用。     

雌核发育银鲫和两性融合彩鲫卵母细胞体外诱导成熟过程中周期蛋白合成和MPF活性变化的比较研究

采用体外诱导卵母细胞成熟技术 ,比较研究了雌核发育银鲫和两性融合发育彩鲫卵母细胞成熟过程中周期蛋白合成和MPF活性变化情况。结果表明 :1 7α ,2 0 β 二氢孕酮(简称DP)浓度为 0 5μg/ml,温度为 2 4℃ ,光照时间 2 0小时为最适诱导条件。在相同条件下 ,两性生殖彩鲫卵母细胞体外诱导成熟速度明显快于银鲫。相应的细胞学研究表明 ,在体外诱导时 ,银鲫和彩鲫卵母细胞的发育成熟是正常的。银鲫卵母细胞生发泡破裂 (GVBD)时已有周期蛋白的合成 ,但生发泡破裂开始后则呈现合成速度下降直至没有合成的现象。尽管如此 ,卵母细胞中MPF活性却仍保持继续增强之势 ,至GVBD达1 0 0 %时 ,活性最强。而在两性融合发育彩鲫卵母细胞成熟过程中 ,周期蛋白的合成呈现出由较多到无 ,再逐渐到多的变化。GVBD开始时 ,周期蛋白合成较多 ,此后则急剧下降至几无周期蛋白的合成 ,以后随着成熟诱导的进行 ,周期蛋白的合成速度又缓慢回升至GVBD开始时的状态。与此相对应 ,MPF活性也出现从较强变无 ,再逐渐增至最强的变迁。这些结果初步揭示 ,鱼类卵母细胞中周期蛋白的合成和MPF活性的出现与卵母细胞的成熟分裂密切相关 ,雌核发育银鲫卵母细胞生发泡破裂开始以后 ,周期蛋白合成的消失可能与其特殊的三极纺锤体形成及其后的动力     

原癌基因c-erbB2和c-myb经丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和成熟促进因子途径调节卵母细胞的成熟

本研究探讨了原癌基因c-erbB:和c-myb对小鼠卵母细胞成熟的影响及其在调控卵母细胞成熟中与丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)和成熟促进因子(mamration promoting factor,MPF)的上下游关系.c-erbB2反义寡脱氧核苷酸(antisense oligodeoxynucleotide,ASODN)和c.myb ASODN均呈剂量依赖方式抑制卵母细胞的生发泡破裂(germinalvesicle breakdown,GVBD)率和第一极体(first polar body,PBl)排放率,并显著延迟其成熟时间.小鼠卵母细胞显微注射重组人c-erbB2蛋白和c-myb蛋白后,培养6 h其GVBD率分别比对照组上升了23.1%(P<0.05)和32.2%(P<0.05),.培养12 h其PBl排放率分别比对照组上升了17.3%(P<0.05)和23.5%(P<0.05).RT-PCR结果显示,小鼠卵母细胞中存在c-erbB2mRNA和c-myb mRNA表达;c-erbB2ASODN能明显抑制卵母细胞中c-erbB2mRNA和c-myb mRNA的表达,c-myb ASODN能明显抑制卵母细胞中c-myb mRNA的表达,对c-erbB2 mRNA无明显影响;MAPK抑制剂PD98059以及MPF抑制剂roscovitine在抑制卵母细胞成熟的同时,均能阻断显微注射重组人c-erbB:蛋白和重组人c-myb蛋白对卵母细胞成熟的促进作用,但对卵母细胞中c-erbB2mRNA和c-myb mRNA表达无明显影响.Western blot结果显示,c-erbB2ASODN、c-mybASODN、PD98059、roscovitine均使卵母细胞中MAPK磷酸化水平和cyclinB 1含量下降.结果提示,原癌基因c-erbB2、c-myb在卵母细胞成熟中起重要作用,可能是调控卵母细胞成熟中关键蛋白激酶如MAPK、MPF的上游激活物.     

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)在小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中的表达及作用

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)是一种Ser/Thr激酶,属于PIKK超家族,对调节细胞周期、蛋白质合成等具有重要作用,是细胞生长、增殖、分化、凋亡的中心调控器,但在哺乳动物卵母细胞中的研究还未见报道．以小鼠卵母细胞为研究对象,采用免疫荧光为主要研究方法,对mTOR在小鼠卵母细胞中的表达进行研究,并通过mTOR的特异性抑制剂雷帕霉素( rapamycin,RAPA )对卵母细胞进行处理,对mTOR在卵母细胞成熟过程中的作用进行研究．结果显示：小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中,生发泡( germinal vesicle,GV )期mTOR主要集中在核膜处表达,生发泡破裂 ( germinal vesicle breakdown,GVBD )后mTOR伴随染色体分布,第二次减数分裂中期( second metaphase,MⅡ期 ) mTOR伴随纺锤体分布;雷帕霉素处理后,小鼠卵母细胞的成熟受到抑制,且这种抑制作用具有浓度依赖性,同时其mTOR的表达部位和形态也发生变化．研究表明,在小鼠卵母细胞成熟过程中,mTOR在各个时期的表达及分布具有阶段特异性,并对小鼠卵母细胞GVBD的发生和第一极体的排放都具有重要作用．     

Dicer蛋白与Wig-1蛋白的相互作用的研究

Dicer是RNA干扰中起核心作用的一种dsRNase．Wig-1是受p53诱导的、与dsRNA特异结合的一种锌指蛋白。本研究初步证实了Dicer蛋白与Wig-1蛋白存在相互作用。GST pull-down实验表明Dicer蛋白能与GST—Wig-1结合,而Wig-1蛋白能竞争性干扰Dicer与GST—eIF2C1的结合：Far—western分析证实Dicer蛋白可以与结合在硝酸纤维素膜上的GST—Wig-1蛋白结合：进一步发现Wig-1能有效促进重组Dicer的dsRNase酶切活性。这些结果揭示Dicer蛋白和Wig-1蛋白很可能通过相互作用共同参与了dsRNA调控相关的生理过程。     

Spindlin在银鲫卵母细胞中磷酸化修饰分析

Spindlin最早在小鼠中被发现和命名,是MOS/MAP激酶通路的底物。实验室之前在银鲫卵母细胞中克隆并分离鉴定出具有同小鼠相似序列特征和表达特性的Spindlin,命名为CagSpin(Carassius auratus gibelio Spindlin)。CagSpin是一个母源表达的蛋白,存在于卵母细胞生长、减数成熟以及早期胚胎发育过程中。研究结合去磷酸化和Western blot分析,检测到CagSpin在卵母细胞中发生磷酸化。进一步通过毛细管电泳(Capillary Electrophoresis,CE)对蛋白水解后的氨基酸残基进行分析,确定在银鲫卵母细胞中CagSpin蛋白的苏氨酸残基(threonine,Thr)被磷酸化,这一结果为CagSpin在卵母细胞中的磷酸化修饰提供了证据,表明磷酸化的CagSpin在银鲫卵子发生、卵母细胞成熟和卵—胚转换中可能起了重要作用。       

抗小鼠PLRP1多克隆抗体的制备以及特异性鉴定和应用

小鼠胰泡细胞表达和分泌一种被称为胰甘油三脂酶(PTL)的脂肪酶,主要参与食物来源的甘油三脂的消化吸收,胰泡细胞同时也表达胰脂肪酶相关蛋白1(PLRP1),它同PTL具有很高的同源性．为了研究PLRP1的生物学功能,需要制备其抗体．应用谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)表达系统表达了GST融合蛋白,亲和纯化后用以免疫新西兰大白兔,获得了抗PLRP1的多克隆抗体．免疫印迹分析表明,该多克隆抗血清能检测出0.6 ng的融合蛋白抗原以及在3 μg的小鼠胰液提取物中检测出PLRP1蛋白．在证明抗体的特异性方面,尝试了一种新的方法：用PLRP1基因剔除的小鼠作为阴性对照,通过免疫印迹和免疫组化实验证明了该多克隆抗血清具有很高的特异性．进一步的研究发现,进食能促进胰腺中PLRP1的外分泌,这表明PLRP1可能在食物的消化过程中具有一定的生物学功能．     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)参与调节斑马鱼卵母细胞第一次减数分裂的恢复

旨在阐明MAPK的激活在斑马鱼(Danio rerio)卵母细胞第一次减数分裂恢复中的作用。用17α,20β双羟孕酮(17α,20β-DHP)单独作用及17α,20β-DHP与U0126(MAPK上游信号MEK阻断剂)共同作用两种方法,分别培养斑马鱼卵母细胞。采集不同培养时间的卵母细胞,经裂解变性后利用SDS-PAGE电泳和Western Blot蛋白质免疫印迹技术,检测MAPK磷酸化变化,并且观察生发泡破裂(GVBD)发生情况。结果表明,斑马鱼卵母细胞在17α,20β-DHP诱发下6h基本发生GVBD,MAPK活性在2h明显升高,一直到6h都保持在较高水平。而加入U0126后,斑马鱼卵母细胞MAPK活性受到明显抑制,同一时间GVBD发生率均低于对照组斑马鱼卵母细胞。以上结果表明,MAPK参与调节斑马鱼卵母细胞第一次减数分裂的恢复,是斑马鱼卵母细胞GVBD正常发生所必需的。     

以酵母单杂交体系克隆水稻RAPB基因cDNA及其序列测定

在一些真核基因的 5′上游区中存在核心序列为CCAAT的顺式元件 ,CCAAT结合蛋白以异源多聚体的方式结合于该顺式元件并行使转录调控功能 .CCAAT结合复合物至少存在 3个不同的亚基 ,且结合复合物的单个亚基都不具备DNA结合活性 .首次报道以酵母单杂交体系筛选方法 ,结合酵母功能互补法鉴定 ,从水稻中克隆了定名为RAPB的cDNA ,它编码与酵母CCAAT结合复合物中HAP2亚基具类似功能的蛋白 .RAPB蛋白的C端同样存在与HAP2功能域高度保守的区域 ,但其N端与其他HAP2类似蛋白间无明显的顺序同源性 ,且不存在谷氨酰胺丰富区 .根据Southern杂交结果推测 ,在水稻 (OrizasativaL .)基因组中仅存在一个拷贝的RAPB基因 .     

A novel ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase is involved in toad oocyte maturation

p28, a 28kD protein from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) oocytes, was identified by using p13suc1-agaroseaffinity chromatography. Sequence homology analysis of the full-length cDNA of p28 (Gene Bank accessionnumber: AF 314091) indicated that it encodes a protein containing 224 amino-acids with about 55% iden-tities and more than 70% positives to human, rat or mouse UCH-L1, and contains homological functionaldomains of UCH family. Anti-p28 monoclonal antibody, on injecting into the oocytes, could inhibit theprogesterone-induced resumption of meiotic division in a dose-dependent manner. The recombinant proteinp28 showed similar SDS/PAGE behaviors to the native one, and promoted ubiquitin ethyl ester hydrolysis,a classical catalytic reaction for ubiquitin carboxyl terminai hydrolases (UCHs). The results in this paperreveal that a novel protein, p28, exists in the toad oocytes, is a UCH L1 homolog, was engaged in theprocess of progesterone-induced oocyte maturation possibly through an involvement in protein turnover anddegradation.     

A novel ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase is involved in toad oocyte maturation

p28, a 28kD protein from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) oocytes, was identified by using p13(suc1)-agarose affinity chromatography. Sequence homology analysis of the full-length cDNA of p28 (Gene Bank accession number: AF 314091) indicated that it encodes a protein containing 224 amino-acids with about 55% identities and more than 70% positives to human, rat or mouse UCH-L1, and contains homological functional domains of UCH family. Anti-p28 monoclonal antibody, on injecting into the oocytes, could inhibit the progesterone-induced resumption of meiotic division in a dose-dependent manner. The recombinant protein p28 showed similar SDS/PAGE behaviors to the native one, and promoted ubiquitin ethyl ester hydrolysis, a classical catalytic reaction for ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolases (UCHs). The results in this paper reveal that a novel protein, p28, exists in the toad oocytes, is a UCH L1 homolog, was engaged in the process of progesterone-induced oocyte maturation possibly through an involvement in protein turnover and degradation.     

A novel ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase is involved in toad oocyte maturation

p28, a 28kD protein from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) oocytes, was identified by using p13sucl-agarose affinity chromatography. Sequence homology analysis of the full-length cDNA of p28 (Gene Bank accession number: AF 314091) indicated that it encodes a protein containing 224 amino-acids with about 55% identities and more than 70% positives to human, rat or mouse UCH-L1, and contains homological functional domains of UCH family. Anti-p28 monoclonal antibody, on injecting into the oocytes, could inhibit the progesterone-induced resumption of meiotic division in a dose-dependent manner. The recombinant protein p28 showed similar SDS/PAGE behaviors to the native one, and promoted ubiquitin ethyl ester hydrolysis, a classical catalytic reaction for ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolases (UCHs). The results in this paper reveal that a novel protein, p28, exists in the toad oocytes, is a UCH L1 homolog, was engaged in the process of progesterone-induced oocyte maturation possibly through an involvement in prot     

The ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase UCH‐L1 promotes bacterial invasion by altering the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton

Invasion of eukaryotic target cells by pathogenic bacteria requires extensive remodelling of the membrane and actin cytoskeleton. Here we show that the remodelling process is regulated by the ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase UCH‐L1 that promotes the invasion of epithelial cells by Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica. Knockdown of UCH‐L1 reduced the uptake of both bacteria, while expression of the catalytically active enzyme promoted efficient internalization in the UCH‐L1‐negative HeLa cell line. The entry of L. monocytogenes involves binding to the receptor tyrosine kinase Met, which leads to receptor phosphorylation and ubiquitination. UCH‐L1 controls the early membrane‐associated events of this triggering cascade since knockdown was associated with altered phosphorylation of the c‐cbl docking site on Tyr1003, reduced ubiquitination of the receptor and altered activation of downstream ERK1/2‐ and AKT‐dependent signalling in response to the natural ligand Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF). The regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics was further confirmed by the induction of actin stress fibres in HeLa expressing the active enzyme but not the catalytic mutant UCH‐L1_C90S. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized involvement of the ubiquitin cycle in bacterial entry. UCH‐L1 is highly expressed in malignant cells that may therefore be particularly susceptible to invasion by bacteria‐based drug delivery systems.     

Mechanistic studies of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs) cleave Ub-X bonds (Ub is ubiquitin and X an alcohol, an amine, or a protein) through a thioester intermediate that is produced by nucleophilic attack of the Cys residue of a Cys-SH/His-Im catalytic diad. We are studying the mechanism of UCH-L1, a UCH that is implicated in Parkinson's disease, and now wish to report our initial findings. (i) Pre-steady-state kinetic studies for UCH-L1-catalyzed hydrolysis of Ub-AMC (AMC, 7-amido-4-methylcoumarin) indicate that k(cat) is rate-limited by acyl-enzyme formation. Thus, K(m) = K(s), the dissociation constant for the Michaelis complex, and k(cat) = k(2), the rate constant for acyl-enzyme formation. (ii) For K(assoc) (=K(s)(-)(1)), DeltaC(p) = -0.8 kcal mol(-)(1) deg(-)(1) and is consistent with coupling between substrate association and a conformational change of the enzyme. For k(2), DeltaS(++) = 0 and suggests that in the E-S, substrate and active site residues are precisely aligned for reaction. (iii) Solvent isotope effects are (D)K(assoc) = 0.5 and (D)k(2) = 0.9, suggesting that the substrate binds to a form of free enzyme in which the active site Cys exists as the thiol. In the resultant Michaelis complex, the diad has tautomerized to ion pair Cys-S(-)/His-ImH(+). Subsequent attack of thiolate produces the acyl-enzyme species. In contrast, isotope effects for association of UCH-L1 with transition-state analogue ubiquitin aldehyde suggest that an alternative mechanistic pathway can sometimes be available to UCH-L1 involving general base-catalyzed attack of Cys-SH by His-Im.     

Structure of the ubiquitin hydrolase UCH-L3 complexed with a suicide substrate

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs) comprise a family of small ubiquitin-specific proteases of uncertain function. Although no cellular substrates have been identified for UCHs, their highly tissue-specific expression patterns and the association of UCH-L1 mutations with human disease strongly suggest a critical role. The structure of the yeast UCH Yuh1-ubiquitin aldehyde complex identified an active site crossover loop predicted to limit the size of suitable substrates. We report the 1.45 A resolution crystal structure of human UCH-L3 in complex with the inhibitor ubiquitin vinylmethylester, an inhibitor that forms a covalent adduct with the active site cysteine of ubiquitin-specific proteases. This structure confirms the predicted mechanism of the inhibitor and allows the direct comparison of a UCH family enzyme in the free and ligand-bound state. We also show the efficient hydrolysis by human UCH-L3 of a 13-residue peptide in isopeptide linkage with ubiquitin, consistent with considerable flexibility in UCH substrate size. We propose a model for the catalytic cycle of UCH family members which accounts for the hydrolysis of larger ubiquitin conjugates.     

Characterization of the testis in congenitally ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-1 (Uch-L1) defective (gad) mice.

The gracile axonal dystrophy (gad) mice are known to have a deletion within the gene encoding ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-1 (Uch-L1) and show hereditary sensory deterioration and motor paresis. Expression of Uch-L1 is reported to be almost limited to the nervous system and testis. To understand whether Uch-L1, one of the major ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase (UCH) isozymes in the testis, affects spermatogenesis and other UCH isozymes (Uch-L3, L4 and L5) expression in the testis, we compared the testis between gad, hetero and wild type mice by histological, immunohistochemical analyses and RT-PCR. Histological analysis in 25-week-old gad mice showed shrinking of seminiferous tubules, decreasing total number of cells and enlargement of remaining cells in seminiferous tubules. By immunohistochemistry, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells was observed. Expression of other UCH isozyme mRNAs was not apparently affected by Uch-L1 deficiency in 25-week-old gad mice. This study is the first report on the testis of gad mutant mouse.     

Ubiquitin editing enzyme UCH L1 and microtubule dynamics: Implication in mitosis

Microtubules are essential components of the cytoskeleton and are involved in many aspects of cell responses including cell division, migration, and intracellular signal transduction. Among other factors, post-translational modifications play a significant role in the regulation of microtubule dynamics. Here, we demonstrate that the ubiquitin-editing enzyme UCH L1, abundant expression of which is normally restricted to brain tissue, is also a part of the microtubule network in a variety of transformed cells. Moreover, during mitosis, endogenous UCH L1 is expressed and tightly associated with the mitotic spindle through all stages of M phase, suggesting that UCH L1 is involved in regulation of microtubule dynamics. Indeed, addition of recombinant UCH L1 to the reaction of tubulin polymerization in vitro had an inhibitory effect on microtubule formation. Unexpectedly, Western blot analysis of tubulin fractions after polymerization revealed the presence of a specific ~50 kDa band of UCH L1 (not the normal ~25 kDa) in association with microtubules, but not with free tubulin. In addition, we show that along with 25 kDa UCH L1, endogenous high molecular weight UCH L1 complexes exist in cells, and that levels of 50 kDa UCH L1 complexes are increasing in cells during mitosis. Finally, we provide evidence that ubiquitination is involved in tubulin polymerization: the presence of ubiquitin during polymerization in vitro by itself inhibited microtubule formation and enhanced the inhibitory effect of added UCH L1. The inhibitory effects of UCH L1 correlate with an increase in ubiquitination of microtubule components. Since besides being a deubiquitinating enzyme, UCH L1 as a dimer has also been shown to exhibit ubiquitin ligase activity, we discuss the possibility that the ~50 kDa UCH L1 observed is a dimer which prevents microtubule formation through ubiquitination of tubulins and/or microtubule-associated proteins.     

Winter Hibernation and UCHL1-p34cdc2 Association in Toad Oocyte Maturation Competence

Currently, it is believed that toad oocyte maturation is dependent on the physiological conditions of winter hibernation. Previous antibody-blocking experiments have demonstrated that toad ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (tUCHL1) is necessary for germinal vesicle breakdown during toad oocyte maturation. In this paper, we first supply evidence that tUCHL1 is highly evolutionarily conserved. Then, we exclude protein availability and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase enzyme activity as factors in the response of oocytes to winter hibernation. In the context of MPF (maturation promoting factor) controlling oocyte maturation and to further understand the role of UCHL1 in oocyte maturation, we performed adsorption and co-immunoprecipitation experiments using toad oocyte protein extracts and determined that tUCHL1 is associated with MPF in toad oocytes. Recombinant tUCHL1 absorbed p34^cdc2, a component of MPF, in obviously larger quantities from mature oocytes than from immature oocytes, and p13^suc1 was isolated from tUCHL1 with a dependence on the ATP regeneration system, suggesting that still other functions may be involved in their association that require phosphorylation. In oocytes from hibernation-interrupted toads, the p34^cdc2 protein level was significantly lower than in oocytes from toads in artificial hibernation, providing an explanation for the different quantities isolated by recombinant tUCHL1 pull-down and, more importantly, identifying a mechanism involved in the toad oocyte’s dependence on a low environmental temperature during winter hibernation. Therefore, in toads, tUCHL1 binds p34^cdc2 and plays a role in oocyte maturation. However, neither tUCHL1 nor cyclin B1 respond to low temperatures to facilitate oocyte maturation competence during winter hibernation.