缺氧缺糖对培养海马神经细胞中一氧化氮和钙离子的影响

在缺血性脑损伤中 ,NO起着重要作用。研究了原代培养的海马神经细胞中 ,缺氧缺糖对NO合成的影响。利用激光共聚焦显微镜和荧光指示剂 ,对胞内钙离子和NO的变化进行实时检测 ,并用HPLC检测了缺氧缺糖导致的谷氨酸释放。结果表明 ,缺氧缺糖引起胞内钙离子浓度升高和NO合成增加。经过 2 0min缺氧缺糖处理后 ,胞外谷氨酸的浓度比对照组高出约10 0 %。N 甲基 D 天冬氨酸 (N methyl D aspartate,NMDA)的拮抗剂MK 80 1对缺氧缺糖引起的细胞内钙离子和NO的升高有明显抑制作用。去除细胞外液的钙离子和加入钙调蛋白抑制剂三氟拉嗪都可以抑制缺氧缺糖引起的NO升高。以上结果提示 ,缺氧缺糖引起神经细胞NO合成增加 ,这种合成受谷氨酸释放 ,胞内钙离子浓度和钙调蛋白的调控。     

牛磺酸对大鼠脑神经细胞内钙稳态的影响

目的和方法 :利用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜和双波长荧光分光光度计 ,分别观察牛磺酸对无血清培养的单个海马神经细胞和分散的新生大鼠脑神经细胞内Ca2 浓度 ([Ca2 ]i)的影响 ,并探讨牛磺酸调节神经细胞内钙稳态的作用机理。结果 :牛磺酸主要通过刺激细胞内钙库释放 ,在一定剂量范围内 (0 .0 2～ 6 .4mmol/L)使神经细胞[Ca2 ]i 轻微升高 ,在 0 .4mmol/L时的升钙作用最大 (升钙百分率为 12 .2 0 %± 1.2 4% )。在测定介质中加入钙离子载体A2 3187(10 μmol/L) ,使神经细胞内的钙离子浓度升高 ,若此时加入牛磺酸 (1.6mmol/L) ,则神经细胞内钙离子的浓度下降。结论 :牛磺酸对细胞内钙离子有双向调节作用 ,牛磺酸可能是通过对钙稳态的调节作用来阻止细胞内钙超载 ,保护神经细胞、并发挥其增强动物学习记忆等方面功能的。     

植物机械响应中的钙通信北大核心CSCD

以胞质钙离子浓度变化(钙信号)为核心的钙通信系统在植物机械响应中发挥着不可替代的作用。本文综述了机械刺激诱导的植物细胞钙信号及其生理作用、植物机械敏感钙通道,以及TCH基因编码的钙调蛋白和钙调蛋白类似蛋白等的研究进展,总结了该领域尚待解决的问题,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

MED烟粉虱钙结合蛋白的鉴定及表达分析

【目的】钙结合蛋白作为钙信号传导途径的组分,通过与钙离子结合实现其生物学功能,调控细胞信号传导和细胞生命周期等过程,且钙结合蛋白可以通过与植物中钙离子结合降低钙离子浓度来保持昆虫的持续摄取。为明确钙结合蛋白在MED (Mediterranean)烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci体内的时空表达模式,烟粉虱取食后钙结合蛋白的表达特征及取食不同寄主的烟粉虱体内钙结合蛋白的表达量变化情况。【方法】利用RT-PCR和基因克隆得到烟粉虱钙结合蛋白cDNA序列,并通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术分析其在烟粉虱不同组织、不同龄期、不同寄主以及烟粉虱饥饿诱导取食后不同时间点的表达模式。【结果】生物信息学分析结果显示:烟粉虱钙结合蛋白基因的开放阅读框为669bp,编码一个由222个氨基酸组成的蛋白,其N端包含一段长为22个AA的信号肽序列,C末端具有钙离子结合位点。系统进化分析表明:烟粉虱钙结合蛋白与半翅目昆虫关系最近,分属同支。荧光定量PCR结果显示:钙结合蛋白在烟粉虱头部的表达量显著高于胸部、腹部、足和翅的表达量;钙结合蛋白在烟粉虱整个发育阶段均有表达,4龄若虫的表达量最高,卵期表达量最低,1-2龄、3龄、4龄和成虫期的表达量分别为卵期表达量的4.38倍、5.47倍、16.76倍和5.03倍;钙结合蛋白在取食棉花、辣椒和番茄3种不同寄主的烟粉虱中的表达量无显著性差异;饥饿诱导取食后1 h的烟粉虱成虫钙结合蛋白的表达量显著高于取食0 h,为取食0h的2.12倍。【结论】本研究克隆了烟粉虱钙结合蛋白基因并对其在烟粉虱中的表达模式进行分析,为进一步明确烟粉虱钙结合蛋白功能研究奠定基础。     

构建钙荧光探针细胞用于探究胞浆和线粒体钙对ATP刺激的响应

目的:构建表达基因编辑钙探针(GECIs)的细胞系HeLa-GECIs,探究细胞应答外界ATP刺激中钙离子在细胞内的响应和变化。方法:分别用能够直接通过荧光强度反映细胞胞浆内和线粒体内钙离子相对浓度的2种钙探针cyto-GCaMP6和4mt-GCaMP6感染HeLa细胞,获得2种表达钙离子探针的HeLa细胞系;在感染了2种腺病毒探针24 h后,用共聚焦荧光显微镜检测荧光探针在HeLa细胞内的表达情况;在表达2种钙探针的细胞的培养基中加入外源ATP,用Time-lapse成像动态观测技术观察HeLa细胞内钙离子对外环境中ATP的响应。结果:共聚焦荧光显微镜观察,确定95%以上的细胞表达了对应的钙离子指示荧光探针;Time-lapse成像动态观测技术观察发现,在细胞培养基中加入ATP后,细胞胞浆钙探针荧光强度瞬时(3～6 s)升至10倍,200 s后逐渐降低到基础水平;线粒体钙到达峰值(4倍)的时间稍滞后(5～8 s),并且回落更慢,300 s时至1.5倍。在ATP受体P2X7抑制剂A438079预处理的实验组,上述胞浆钙和线粒体钙浓度上升不明显。结论:构建了能在活体细胞内通过荧光探针实时监测钙离子响应胞外ATP刺激的细胞实验体系,为进一步深入探究ATP等危险信号导致细胞的炎性损伤机制奠定了基础。     

高三尖杉酯碱对兔红细胞膜钙调蛋白的抑制作用

本实验显示高三尖杉酯碱能在>5μg/ml浓度以上抑制兔红细胞膜上钙调蛋白活性(P<0.05).推测高三尖杉酯碱能通过影响癌细胞钙调蛋白活性干扰细胞钙代谢和减少阿霉素和长春新碱的抗药性.     

果蝇TRP离子通道C端一个新钙调蛋白结合位点的鉴定和分析

瞬时受体电位(TRP)通道是一类钙离子透过性的阳离子通道蛋白家族,参与了视觉、味觉、温度感受等重要的生物学过程。之前的研究表明,钙离子既能够正反馈也能够负反馈地调节瞬时受体电位通道的活性,而这种调节可能是通过钙调蛋白（calmodulin,CaM）与TRP通道的相互作用来进行的。为了阐明这一调控机制,我们首先需要对钙调蛋白与瞬时受体电位通道之间的相互作用进行详细的生化研究。在此项研究中,通过大肠杆菌表达系统,表达和纯化了果蝇瞬时受体电位通道羧基末端不同长短的蛋白片段,并发现了一个新的钙调蛋白结合位点。通过快速蛋白液相色谱、静态光散射以及等温量热滴定技术,鉴定了这一钙调蛋白结合位点与果蝇瞬时受体电位通道之间的相互作用,发现它们在钙离子依赖的条件下,可以形成亲和力非常强的稳定的蛋白复合物（解离常数在01～1微摩尔范围）。此外,通过合成多肽的方法,鉴定了果蝇瞬时受体电位通道913～939片段为该钙调蛋白结合位点的核心区域。最后,通过突变实验,进一步明确了果蝇瞬时受体电位通道922位的酪氨酸以及923位的缬氨酸为其钙调蛋白结合位点的关键氨基酸。总而言之,本研究发现和鉴定了果蝇瞬时受体电位通道上一个新的钙依赖的钙调蛋白结合位点,这一发现将为研究瞬时受体电位通道的体内功能提供生化基础,为阐明钙离子通过钙调蛋白调节瞬时受体电位通道的分子机制做出贡献。     

白念珠菌细胞内钙离子稳态和钙离子/钙调磷酸酯酶信号途径的调控机理研究进展

钙离子稳态和钙离子/钙调磷酸酯酶信号途径在真核细胞中高度保守。与最简单的模式真核生物(酿酒酵母菌)一样,人体病原真菌白念珠菌的细胞中存在各种钙通道、钙泵和钙交换器以及完整的钙离子/钙调磷酸酯酶信号途径成员,它们在维持白念珠菌胞内钙离子稳态以及应答外界环境压力、耐药性、形态发生和致病性等方面有着至关重要的作用。对白念珠菌钙离子稳态和钙离子/钙调磷酸酯酶信号途径调控机理的认知,有助于了解其致病过程和耐药机理,同时可以为发现和开发新的抗真菌药物提供研究基础。该文结合所在实验室相关研究工作对这一领域的最新研究进展作了综述。     

酸枣仁皂甙A与钙调蛋白相互作用的荧光光谱研究

文中报导了本实验室最近发现的一种新型钙调蛋白(CaM)天然拮抗剂——酸枣仁皂甙A,它能显著地抑制CaM活化PDE的活力.为研究它与CaM间的相互作用,本实验还制备了与天然CaM具有相同激活PDE能力的丹磺酰钙调蛋白(D-CaM).D-CaM的荧光光谱研究表明,酸枣仁甙A的加入诱导CaM分子的疏水位点更加暴露,从而增强丹磺酰基团的荧光发射量子产率.桔抗剂与CaM间的结合是绝对依赖Ca~(2 )的.荧光滴定的结果证明此结合的解离常数为2.8μM.酸枣仁皂甙A能进一步加强三氟啦嗪(TFP)所诱导的D-CaM荧光增强.这结果暗示,它不与TFP竞l争CaM上相同的结合位点.     

蝙蝠葛碱拮抗缓激肽引起的钙稳态改变 及细胞骨架蛋白的异常磷酸

为研究蝙蝠葛碱 (dauricine , Dau) 拮抗缓激肽 (bradykinin , BK) 诱导的 Alzheimer 样钙稳态失衡及细胞骨架蛋白异常磷酸化的作用,采用双波长荧光分光光度计测定细胞内钙离子浓度 ([Ca2+] i) ,用 MTT 法检测细胞代谢水平,用免疫组织化学方法观察 tau 蛋白表达和磷酸化 . 结果表明,Dau (3 μmol/L , 6 μmol/L) 可抑制 BK 诱导的 [Ca2+]i 升高,保护 BK 引起的神经元代谢降低,拮抗 BK 引起的 tau 蛋白异常磷酸化和聚集 . 结果提示： Dau 可拮抗 BK 诱导的 Alzheimer 样钙稳态失衡及细胞骨架蛋白异常磷酸化的作用 .     

Calmodulin-dependent activation of calcineurin by chlorogenic acid

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been proved to be an activator of calcineurin (CN) in our previous research. In this study, the activation mechanism of CN by CGA was further explored. The results showed that although the purified CN was inactive in vitro if only Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) existed without Mn(2+)/Ni(2+), CGA activated the inactive CN potently. It was found that CN's activity increased as the concentration of CGA increased and reached a plateau of 4- to 6-fold higher activity using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) or phosphopeptide (32)P-RII as substrate. And the activation was CaM-dependent. Moreover, the fluorescent emission of CN had a 17 nm red shift in the presence of 128 muM CGA, and the quenching constant was 1.21x10(12) M(-1) . s(-1), which indicated that CGA bound to CN statically and changed its conformation. According to the kinetic analysis, CGA preferred to activate CN in a substrate noncompetitive manner. When Mn(2+) or Ni(2+) presented, CGA also activated CN with CaM-dependency by improving CN's affinity for Mn(2+) or Ni(2+). In addition, the inhibition of CN by Zn(2+) was partially eliminated by CGA chelation. Our findings suggested the activation of CN by CGA was in a CaM-dependent and substrate noncompetitive manner. This might provide the basis for the further study of CN-targeted activators.     

Biophysical characterization of the interaction of p21 with calmodulin: a mechanistic study

p21 is a protein with important roles in cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Several studies have demonstrated that its intracellular localization plays an important role in the functional regulation and binding of calmodulin favors its nuclear translocation. However, the detail mechanism of the interaction with p21 and calmodulin is not well understood. In this report, peptides derived from the C-terminal of p21 that cover the binding domain of calmodulin were used to investigate the association of p21 with calmodulin. We found p21(141-164) interaction with Ca(2+)-saturated dansyl-labelled calmodulin caused a significant increase in dansyl fluorescence intensity and a blue shift of the maximum emission from 510 to 475 nm. The Trp fluorescence intensities of mutated p21(141-164) peptides (F150W, Y151W and F159W) increased upon binding to Ca(2+)-saturated calmodulin and fluorescence maxima were blue shifted from 350 nm to 330 nm. The results suggested p21(141-164) is most likely buried in the hydrophobic binding tunnel of calmodulin. Both dansyl and Trp fluorescence titrations generated dissociation constants around 0.1 muM and a stoichiometry of 1:1, which was further confirmed by nondenaturing gel band shift electrophoresis. Fluorescence titrations and Trp fluorescence quenching results indicated electrostatic interaction is involved in this association. Upon binding to calmodulin, p21(141-164) remained largely unstructured and showed only about 15% alpha-helix. In contrast to other calmodulin binding peptide, the dominant force in the association of p21(141-164) with calmodulin may be electrostatic interaction. Our results would be helpful for understanding the molecular details of p21 and calmodulin interaction.     

A fluorescent variant of a protein from the stony coral Montipora facilitates dual-color single-laser fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy

Dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) is a promising technique for quantifying protein-protein interactions. In this technique, two different fluorescent labels are excited and detected simultaneously within a common measurement volume. Difficulties in aligning two laser lines and emission crossover between the two fluorophores, however, make this technique complex. To overcome these limitations, we developed a fluorescent protein with a large Stokes shift. This protein, named Keima, absorbs and emits light maximally at 440 nm and 620 nm, respectively. Combining a monomeric version of Keima with cyan fluorescent protein allowed dual-color FCCS with a single 458-nm laser line and complete separation of the fluorescent protein emissions. This FCCS approach enabled sensitive detection of proteolysis by caspase-3 and the association of calmodulin with calmodulin-dependent enzymes. In addition, Keima and a spectral variant that emits maximally at 570 nm might facilitate simultaneous multicolor imaging with single-wavelength excitation.     

Regulation by calmodulin of the calcium affinity of the calcium-transport ATPase in human erythrocytes

The Ca2+ affinity of (Mg2+ + Ca2+)-ATPase in human red blood cells is regulated by a number of intracellular factors, including the association of the enzyme with the cytosolic Ca2+ binding protein, calmodulin. Ghosts prepared by hypotonic lysis in the presence of 0.1 mM CaCl2, or by a gradual stepwise hemolysis procedure, contain an EDTA-extractable protein whose effects are mimicked by calmodulin, whereas ghosts prepared by extensive washes in the absence of added CaCl2 lack calmodulin and contain only a high molecular weight heat stable activator. Purified calmodulin from human red cells or bovine brain shifts the apparent Ca2+ affinity of (Mg2+ + Ca2+)-ATPase activity in extensively washed ghosts to a high Ca2+ affinity state. The shift was most apparent in ghosts in which the Ca2+ affinity was decreased by EDTA treatment. Calmodulin increased the velocity of (Mg2+ + Ca2+)-ATPase in the EDTA-treated ghosts about 36-fold at a low (1.4 microM) Ca2+ concentration, compared with 6-fold before EDTA treatment. The maximum shift in apparent Ca2+ affinity occurred only in the presence of saturating concentrations of calmodulin. It is concluded that red cell calmodulin confers to the Ca2+ transport ATPase the ability to increase its apparent Ca2+ affinity, as well as its maximum velocity, in response to increases in intracellular Ca2+.     

Intracellular coupling via limiting calmodulin

Measurements of cellular Ca2+-calmodulin concentrations have suggested that competition for limiting calmodulin may couple calmodulin-dependent activities. Here we have directly tested this hypothesis. We have found that in endothelial cells the amount of calmodulin bound to nitric-oxide synthase and the catalytic activity of the enzyme both are increased approximately 3-fold upon changes in the phosphorylation status of the enzyme. Quantitative immunoblotting indicates that the synthase can bind up to 25% of the total cellular calmodulin. Consistent with this, simultaneous determinations of the free Ca2+ and Ca2+-calmodulin concentrations in these cells performed using indo-1 and a fluorescent calmodulin biosensor (Kd = 2 nm) indicate that increased binding of calmodulin to the synthase is associated with substantial reductions in the Ca2+-calmodulin concentrations produced and an increase in the [Ca2+]50 for formation of the calmodulin-biosensor complex. The physiological significance of these effects is confirmed by a corresponding 40% reduction in calmodulin-dependent plasma membrane Ca2+ pump activity. An identical reduction in pump activity is produced by expression of a high affinity (Kd = 0.3 nm) calmodulin biosensor, and treatment to increase calmodulin binding to the synthase then has no further effect. This suggests that the observed reduction in pump activity is due specifically to reduced calmodulin availability. Increases in synthase activity thus appear to be coupled to decreases in the activities of other calmodulin targets through reductions in the size of a limiting pool of available calmodulin. This exemplifies what is likely to be a ubiquitous mechanism for coupling among diverse calmodulin-dependent activities.     

Application of Hormetic UV-C for Delayed Ripening and Reduction of Rhizopus Soft Rot in Tomatoes: the Effect of Tomatine on Storage Rot Development

The application of ultraviolet-light C (UV-C, 254 nm) hormesis on tomato fruits to stimulate beneficial responses is a new method of inducing host resistance to Rhizopus soft rot, with maximum protection at 72 h following artificial inoculation with Rhizopus stolonifer and delay fruit ripening. In the tomato-Rhizopus soft rot pathosystem, UV-C induced resistance of tomatoes to soft rot was reversed by fluorescent light, and not by storage under dark condition. The present study was aimed at finding a possible fungal toxic mechanism that was involved in the control of Rhizopus soft rot. The development of carotenoids, loss of chlorophyll and ethylene production were significantly retarded during storage after treatment with hormetic doses of UV-C. The delayed ripening of UV-C treated fruits was attributed in part to the high level of putrescine and spermine polyamines. In a time-control study, it was found that the resistance of UV-C-treated tomatoes artificially inoculated with R. stolonifer correlated with a high concentration of tomatine which accumulated up to 72 h after UV-C treatment. However, there was a higher tomatine content in UV-C-treated fruits compared to untreated fruits where it was transitory at 96 h after treatment in the time-course study.     

番茄碱对人红细胞膜Na+-K+-ATPase活性影响的研究

以低渗法从新鲜健康人红细胞中制得膜Na^ -K^ -ATPase,研究了番茄碱(tomatine)X~人红细胞膜Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性的影响。实验结果表明,反应体系中的tomatine浓度低于1mmol／L时,对不依赖钙调蛋白(CAM)激活的Na^ -K^ -ATPase(称之为基本酶活)影响不大,浓度达1mmol／L时,该酶活性仍保持在95％左右;而在此浓度范围内,tomatine对依赖CaM的Na^ -K^ -ATPase有明显的抑制作用,其IC50值为0．16mmol／L．说明tomatine对膜酶Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性的影响可能是通过阻断CaM激活的途径而起作用,从而为进一步研究番茄碱的作用机制奠定了基础。     

Combined effects of night-time temperature and allelochemicals on performance of a generalist insect herbivore

To assess the pattern of temperature influencing the effect of allelochemicals on growth of insect herbivores and to examine the potential effect of warmer nights due to global warming, we examined the simultaneous effects of allelochemicals and warmer night-time temperatures on an insect herbivore (Spodoptera exigua; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Dietary chlorogenic acid, rutin and tomatine levels reflected those occurring naturally in the leaves of tomato, a hostplant of this herbivore. We compared the effects of four thermal regimes having a daytime temperature of 26 °C , with the night-time temperature increased from 14 to 26 °C by increments of 4 °C . The effect of a particular allelochemical on developmental rate was similar among the four thermal regimes. Chlorogenic acid and tomatine each reduced final larval weight, but there was no effect of night-time temperature. In contrast, rutin had no effect on final weight, whereas final weight declined with increasing night-time temperature. Night-time temperature did not influence amount eaten. Larvae ate less when chlorogenic acid or tomatine was in the diet. For each allelochemical, there were no allelochemical by thermal regime interactions. In addition, we compared the effects of allelochemicals and the thermal regime of 26:14 °C and constant 20 °C , which was the average temperature of the 26:14 °C regime. Developmental rate was lower at the constant 20 °C regime, chlorogenic acid and tomatine each depressed developmental rate, and there were no allelochemical by thermal regime interactions. Thus, regardless of the specific allelochemical or amount, the pattern of response at the fluctuating regime was similar to that at the constant temperature. In contrast, comparison of the thermal regime of 26:22 °C and constant 24 °C , which was the average temperature of the 26:22 °C regime, showed several allelochemical by thermal regime interactions. At the 26:22 °C regime, developmental rate was disproportionatly higher at the maximal rutin concentration compared to that at constant 24 °C . At the constant 24 °C , final larval mass was disproportionately lower at the moderate tomatine concentration compared to that at the 26:22 °C regime. Because these results differ from that of other studies examining another species, it appears that the response to incremental changes in night-time temperature will reflect the allelochemicals and insect species tested. The contrast between the constant 24 °C and 26:22 °C regimes indicates that even small fluctuations (±2 °C ) in temperature over 24 h can yield differences in the response to an allelochemical.     

Calmodulin inhibitors, W-7 and TFP, block the calmodulin-independent activation of NADPH-oxidase by arachidonate in a cell-free system

The calmodulin inhibitor, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7), or trifluoperazine inhibited not only Fc gamma-receptor mediated cytosolic free Ca2+ increase and O2- generation in macrophages, but also an arachidonate-induced activation of NADPH-oxidase in a cell-free system. Although these results suggested the involvement of Ca2+-calmodulin system, the cell-free activation of NADPH-oxidase occurred in the presence of EGTA and addition of calmodulin had no effect. Furthermore W-7 shifted the optimal concentration of arachidonate required for the activation to a higher level, suggesting that W-7 may block the interaction between arachidonate and NADPH-oxidase system rather than inhibiting a Ca2+-calmodulin system.     

Effects of some divalent metal ions on the aging phenomenon of hematoporphyrin and photofrin II

Dilute aqueous solutions of hematoporphyrin (Hp) and its derivative (Hpd or PF II) have been found to undergo a transformation (aging) on keeping at room temperature leading to (i) shift of the Soret band from 395 nm to 405 nm, (ii) disappearance of visible bands I (610 nm) and IV (503 nm) and (iii) shift of the first emission band from 615 nm to 580 nm. The transformation was concentration dependent. The effects of concentration and temperature on the absorption spectra were much more pronounced in Hp than in Photofrin II (PF II). Variation of pH resulted in changes in the relative intensities of the absorption bands, possibly due to formation of different ionic species at different pH. The rate of transformation was accelerated in the presence of Zn ions (0.01 microM) and considerably increased at higher (50 microM) concentration. The effect of Cu ions was different from the effect of aging. It formed the metal-chelate even when present in very small amounts. The results (absorption and fluorescence analysis) suggest that in dilute solutions (conc. less than or equal to 2 microM) of Hp and PF II, Zn ions present in glass and water as impurity, deform the porphyrin nucleus leading to changes in the conjugated ring symmetry and hence changes in the absorption and fluorescence spectra, while in higher concentrations (greater than 2 microM) it forms the metal chelate as evidenced by their absorption and fluorescence spectra.