大鼠神经元凋亡相关碱性蛋白ARBP cDNA的克隆和功能

利用cDNA末端快速扩增 (RACE)方法 ,得到凋亡相关碱性蛋白 (ARBP)的全长序列 ,进而构建了其真核表达体系以了解其功能 .ARBP的全长cDNA序列为 90 1bp ,其开放读码框架编码 10 9个氨基酸残基 .免疫组化分析表明 ,ARBP蛋白在大鼠体内有广泛的分布 .在R2L1细胞中转染ARBP反义cDNA表达载体后 ,既可以促进细胞增殖 ,又可以抑制去血清诱导的细胞凋亡 .因而 ,ARBP蛋白对神经元细胞的凋亡具有重要的调节作用 .     

gcm蛋白的表达、纯化及多克隆抗体的制备

gcm(glial cells missing)是调控神经元细胞和神经胶质细胞相互转化的一个基因开关.在gcm功能缺损的突变体中,预期的神经胶质细胞发育成神经元细胞;而在gcm过表达的突变体中,预期的神经元细胞转化为神经胶质细胞.此外,gcm还调控血浆细胞发育.为了进一步研究gcm在发育中的功能,需要获得gcm蛋白并制备其抗体.根据已报道的gcm基因序列,以果蝇cDNA文库为模板进行PCR扩增得到gcm部分编码区序列,然后将其连接到pET-28a载体以获得原核表达载体.重组载体经酶切测序鉴定确认后,转化大肠杆菌(E.coli)BL21,并用IPTG诱导融合蛋白表达.采用Ni-IDA凝胶柱亲和纯化蛋白,将纯化的His-gcm融合蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体,并用Western Blot检测抗体效价.获得的gcm原核表达重组融合蛋白及高效价的特异性兔抗gcm多克隆抗体,为gcm功能的进一步研究奠定了基础.     

p21 RNAi的pSUPER载体的构建及功能鉴定

目的:构建抑制p21基因表达的pSUPER RNAi载体(pSUPER-p21)并鉴定其功能.方法:化学合成一对编码短发夹RNA序列的、靶向大鼠p21基因的寡核苷酸链,各60个碱基,退火,克隆到经Bg1 Ⅱ、HindⅢ双酶切的pSUPER质粒上,构建重组RNAi质粒(pSUPER-p21).通过双酶切鉴定及测序分析验证构建效果.将正确构建的质粒转染大鼠原代培养皮质神经元,western blotting检测经红藻氨酸处理的神经元中p21蛋白表达.结果:pSUPER-p21载体经双酶切鉴定及测序分析,结果表明60个碱基成功插入到预计位点,并且序列完全一致.Western blotting结果证实pSUPER-p21载体可特异性抑制红藻氨酸诱导的原代培养皮质神经元中p21蛋白表达的上调.结论:靶向p21的pSUPER RNAi载体构建成功,该载体可特异性抑制p21基因表达.     

人p17.3基因及其推导蛋白的结构和功能分析

用生物信息学技术研究人类神经元蛋白p17.3的基因结构、染色体定位、组织表达特征及其推导蛋白的理化特性、空间结构和功能等。以高通量基因组序列(HTGS)数据库及SAGE文库为基础对p17.3基因进行染色体定位及组织表达谱分析。通过DAS和TMpred等程序预测其蛋白质结构及功能。利用PDB程序模拟其三维空间结构。研究表明p17.3基因定位于人类染色体Xp11.2-3,在多种组织中广谱表达,但在前列腺表达量最高。其编码蛋白含有一个PEST区域、一个线粒体靶向序列和一个潜在“跨膜螺旋”结构。p17.3基因可能是一个参与神经元发育调控的基因。     

含蛋白质转导域的Ngb融合蛋白的原核表达、纯化及其生物学活性的初步研究

以SD大鼠脑组织RNA为模板,利用RT-PCR技术,将HIV-1反式激活蛋白(TAT)中具有蛋白质转导功能的9个氨基酸序列,即蛋白质转导域(PTD)基因与脑红蛋白(Ngb)基因融合,应用T-A克隆技术将融合基因与pMD19-Tsimple载体连接,经测序正确后克隆至表达载体pET28b中,转化感受态E.coli BL21(DE3)plysS,得到的转化子经IPTG诱导后获得可溶性表达,并经蛋白质印迹检测进一步鉴定.表达产物经Ni2 亲和纯化层析、脱盐后在原代培养的大鼠皮质神经元进行生物学活性检测,结果显示,TATPTD-Ngb融合蛋白可以转运入皮质神经元内,在48h内可检测到其存在,并能提高缺氧条件下皮质神经元存活率、减少缺氧诱导的皮质神经元的凋亡.这一结果为进一步研究TATPTD-Ngb的神经保护机制提供了线索,并可能为神经系统疾病尤其是脑血管疾病、神经系统退行性疾病提供一个新的治疗策略.     

神经元限制性沉默因子研究进展

神经元限制性沉默因子（ＮＲＳＦ）是神经元发育中的一个负调探因子。它与靶序列神经元限制性沉默子（ＮＲＳＥ）相互作用,主要调控神经元特异性基因,防止神经元基因在非神经元组织中的异位表达以及防止神经发生中神经元表型的提前表达。最近的研究表明,ＮＲＳＦ还可调控神经元转录编码基因和某些非神经元基因,暗示它在胚胎发育中可能起着更为广泛的作用。     

LASS1基因克隆及其在大鼠脑皮层的表达与神经元衰老的相关性初步研究

长寿保障基因LAG1是从酵母中克隆的与酵母寿命相关的基因,随酵母生命衰老而表达发生变化.对大鼠中同源基因LASS1进行克隆、测序和序列分析,发现其mRNA序列不同于GenBank中的预测序列,开放阅读框包含1 053碱基对,编码蛋白由350个氨基酸组成,内含Lag1蛋白家族保守的Lag1p motif和TLC结构域.从新生、1月龄、6月龄、12月龄和24月龄大鼠脑顶叶皮质提取总RNA,用半定量RT-PCR及RNA印迹方法对LASS1在大鼠脑皮质中的表达随年龄变化情况进行分析.结果表明,出生后LASS1表达量随年龄增加而增高,至6月龄达高峰,然后随年龄增加而逐渐下降,至24月老龄鼠达最低.衰老相关β半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-gal)对鼠脑皮层染色发现,神经元阳性染色随年龄增长明显增加.大鼠LASS1基因表达在正常衰老过程中发生变化,为进一步研究该基因的作用奠定了基础.     

067朊病毒蛋白的信号转导作用

近年来朊病毒蛋白(PrPsc)在传染性脑海绵样病变(TSEs)中作用的研究取得较大的进展,但其胞内非病理性同型体蛋白的PrPc的功能依然不清.PrPc是神经元普遍显著表达的糖蛋白,PrPc缺失的小鼠可存活而且发育正常,而表达截去N端PrPc的小鼠在出生后神经元退化.这给人提示PrPc在调节和维持神经元功能方面起重要作用.     

中华蜜蜂Orco嗅觉受体基因的克隆、表达及亚细胞定位

【目的】克隆鉴定中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的Orco嗅觉受体基因, 并对其在工蜂触角上进行免疫荧光定位。【方法】利用RT-PCR技术克隆中华蜜蜂Orco基因, 并对其编码的氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析, 使用Real-time PCR技术鉴定其在中华蜜蜂不同发育时期及不同组织的表达谱; 利用免疫荧光定位技术在中华蜜蜂工蜂触角中对Orco进行亚细胞定位。【结果】获得中华蜜蜂Orco基因的全长cDNA序列, 命名为AcerOrco (GenBank登录号： JF968610.1), 其全长为1 434 bp, 编码477个氨基酸, 预测其含7个跨膜结构以及4个位于细胞膜外的亲水区。表达谱分析显示, AcerOrco在卵、 幼虫和蛹期呈低丰度表达, 1日龄及内勤蜂时期主要在触角和足中表达, 且在1日龄的触角中表达量最高; 采集蜂时期的触角、 头(去除触角)、 胸、 腹和翅中均有较高丰度的表达。亚细胞定位结果显示, AcerOrco不仅在采集蜂触角鞭节上大量表达（尤其在触角鞭节第1亚节中表达量较高）, 而且常成对出现, 并且发现AcerOrco可能主要在触角毛形感器的外部神经元(outer dendrite, OD)以及板形感器的树突神经元中表达。【结论】成功克隆了AcerOrco基因全长, 获得了其表达谱, 且将其定位于工蜂采集蜂的触角感器神经元上, 最终推测AcerOrco与中蜂嗅觉发育和触角感器功能密切相关。     

棉铃虫感觉神经元膜蛋白基因克隆和表达

从棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera触角中克隆了一条全长1 690 bp的cDNA序列,该序列阅读框全长1 572 bp,编码523个氨基酸残基,序列中有2个跨膜区,具有昆虫感觉神经元膜蛋白（sensory neuron membrane protein, SNMP）的典型特征。SNMP与已报道的其他昆虫的感觉神经元蛋白的氨基酸序列有很高的同源性。半定量RT-PCR研究结果显示,SNMP在棉铃虫中不仅在触角中表达,也在去掉触角的头、足中表达。但是在触角中的表达量最高,在雌雄触角中的表达量差异不显著。在喙、下颚须和下唇须中也有表达。SNMP在卵、蛹和成虫体内也都有表达,但在卵中表达量相对较低。将SNMP编码区克隆到表达载体pET21b中,成功地进行了原核表达,表达出带有6个组氨酸标签的重组蛋白。     

Cyclic strain modulates migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via Rho‐GDIα, Rac1, and p38 pathway

Cyclic strain is an important inducer of proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) which are involved in vascular remodeling during hypertension. However, its mechanism remains to be elucidated. VSMCs of rat aorta were exposed to cyclic strains in vitro with defined parameters, the static, 5%‐strain (physiological) and 15%‐strain (pathological), at 1.25 Hz for 24 h respectively. Then the possible signaling molecules participated in strain‐induced VSMC migration and proliferation were investigated. The results showed that 15%‐strain significantly increased VSMC migration and proliferation in comparison with 5%‐strain. Expression of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (Rho‐GDIα) was repressed by 15%‐strain, but expressions of phospho‐Rac1 and phospho‐p38 were increased. Expressions of phospho‐Akt and phospho‐ERK1/2 were similar between the static, 5%‐strain and 15%‐strain groups. Rho‐GDIα “knock‐down” by target siRNA transfection increased migration and proliferation of VSMCs, and up‐regulated phosphorylation of Rac1 and p38 in all groups. Rac1 “knock‐down” repressed migration and proliferation of VSMCs, down‐regulated phosphorylation of p38, but had no effect on Rho‐GDIα expression. When siRNAs of Rho‐GDIα and Rac1 were co‐transfected to VSMCs, the expressions of Rho‐GDIα and phospho‐Rac1 were both decreased, and the effects of Rho‐GDIα “knock‐down” were blocked. Rho‐GDIα “knock‐down” promoted while Rac1 “knock‐down” postponed the assembly of stress fibers and focal adhesions in static. The results demonstrate that the pathological cyclic strain might induce migration and proliferation of VSMCs via repressing expression of Rho‐GDIα, which subsequently verified phosphorylations of Rac1 and p38. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 906–914, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Mammalian lin-7 stabilizes polarity protein complexes

Mammalian Lin-7 forms a complex with several proteins, including PALS1, that have a role in polarity determination in epithelial cells. In this study we have found that loss of Lin-7 protein from the polarized epithelial cell line Madin-Darby canine kidney II by small hairpin RNA results in defects in tight junction formation as indicated by lowered transepithelial electrical resistance and mislocalization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 after calcium switch. The knock down of Lin-7 also resulted in the loss of expression of several Lin-7 binding partners, including PALS1 and the polarity protein PATJ. The effects of Lin-7 knock down were rescued by the exogenous expression of murine Lin-7 constructs that contained the L27 domain, but not the PDZ domain alone. Furthermore, exogenously expressed PALS1, but not other Lin-7 binding partners, also rescued the effects of Lin-7 knock down, including the restoration of PATJ protein in rescued cell lines. Finally, the effects of Lin-7 knock down appeared to be due to instability of PALS1 protein in the absence of Lin-7, as indicated by an increased rate of PALS1 protein degradation. Taken together, these results indicate that Lin-7 functions in tight junction formation by stabilizing its membrane-associated guanylate kinase binding partner PALS1.     

Crosstalk between Smad2/3 and specific isoforms of ERK in TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression in rat chondrocytes

This study investigated the roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐3 (TIMP‐3) expression in rat chondrocytes, and the specific roles of ERK1 and ERK2 in crosstalk with Smad2/3 were investigated to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of ERK1/2 regulation of TGF‐β1 signalling. To examine the interaction of specific isoforms of ERK and the Smad2/3 signalling pathway, chondrocytes were infected with LV expressing either ERK1 or ERK2 siRNA and stimulated with or without TGF‐β1. At indicated time‐points, TIMP‐3 expression was determined by real‐time PCR and Western blotting; p‐Smad3, nuclear p‐Smad3, Smad2/3, p‐ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 levels were assessed. And then, aggrecan, type II collagen and the intensity of matrix were examined. TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression was significantly inhibited by ERK1 knock‐down, and the decrease in TIMP‐3 expression was accompanied by a reduction of p‐Smad3 in ERK1 knock‐down cells. Knock‐down of ERK2 had no effect on neither TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression nor the quantity of p‐Smad3. Moreover, aggrecan, type II collagen expression and the intensity of matrix were significantly suppressed by ERK1 knock‐down instead of ERK2 knock‐down. Taken together, ERK1 and ERK2 have different roles in TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression in rat chondrocytes. ERK1 instead of ERK2 can regulate TGF‐β/Smad signalling, which may be the mechanism through which ERK1 regulates TGF‐β1‐induced TIMP‐3 expression.     

Regulation of N-WASP and the Arp2/3 complex by Abp1 controls neuronal morphology

Polymerization and organization of actin filaments into complex superstructures is indispensable for structure and function of neuronal networks. We here report that knock down of the F-actin-binding protein Abp1, which is important for endocytosis and synaptic organization, results in changes in axon development virtually identical to Arp2/3 complex inhibition, i.e., a selective increase of axon length. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that Abp1 interacts directly with N-WASP, an activator of the Arp2/3 complex, and releases the autoinhibition of N-WASP in cooperation with Cdc42 and thereby promotes N-WASP-triggered Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization. In line with our mechanistical studies and the colocalization of Abp1, N-WASP and Arp2/3 at sites of actin polymerization in neurons, we reveal an essential role of Abp1 and its cooperativity with Cdc42 in N-WASP-induced rearrangements of the neuronal cytoskeleton. We furthermore show that introduction of N-WASP mutants lacking the ability to bind Abp1 or Cdc42, Arp2/3 complex inhibition, Abp1 knock down, N-WASP knock down and Arp3 knock down, all cause identical neuromorphological phenotypes. Our data thus strongly suggest that these proteins and their complex formation are important for cytoskeletal processes underlying neuronal network formation.     

The RNA-binding protein IMP-3 is a translational activator of insulin-like growth factor II leader-3 mRNA during proliferation of human K562 leukemia cells

IMP-3, a member of the insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) mRNA-binding protein (IMP) family, is expressed mainly during embryonic development and in some tumors. Thus, IMP-3 is considered to be an oncofetal protein. The functional significance of IMP-3 is not clear. To identify the functions of IMP-3 in target gene expression and cell proliferation, RNA interference was employed to knock down IMP-3 expression. Using human K562 leukemia cells as a model, we show that IMP-3 protein associates with IGF-II leader-3 and leader-4 mRNAs and H19 RNA but not c-myc and beta-actin mRNAs in vivo by messenger ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation analyses. IMP-3 knock down significantly decreased levels of intracellular and secreted IGF-II without affecting IGF-II leader-3, leader-4, c-myc, or beta-actin mRNA levels and H19 RNA levels compared with the negative control siRNA treatment. Moreover, IMP-3 knock down specifically suppressed translation of chimeric IGF-II leader-3/luciferase mRNA without altering reporter mRNA levels. Together, these results suggest that IMP-3 knock down reduced IGF-II expression by inhibiting translation of IGF-II mRNA. IMP-3 knock down also markedly inhibited cell proliferation. The addition of recombinant human IGF-II peptide to these cells restored cell proliferation rates to normal. IMP-3 and IMP-1, two members of the IMP family with significant structural similarity, appear to have some distinct RNA targets and functions in K562 cells. Thus, we have identified IMP-3 as a translational activator of IGF-II leader-3 mRNA. IMP-3 plays a critical role in regulation of cell proliferation via an IGF-II-dependent pathway in K562 leukemia cells.     

HIV-1 Tat activates dual Nox pathways leading to independent activation of ERK and JNK MAP kinases

Human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 Tat is known to exert pleiotropic effects on the vascular endothelium through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, although the signaling pathways leading to MAP kinase activation are incompletely understood. We focused on proximal pathways potentially governing downstream MAP kinase activity by Tat. Within 2 min, Tat activated both Ras and Rho GTPases in endothelial cells, leading to ERK phosphorylation by 10 min. Notably, Rac1 was necessary for downstream activation of RhoA and both Rac1 and RhoA acted upstream of the Ras/ERK cassette. Antioxidants and the oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium blocked ERK phosphorylation, but specific interference with the canonical Nox2 oxidase had no effect on ERK. Instead, knock down of the novel oxidase Nox4 completely suppressed Tat-dependent Ras and ERK activation downstream of Rac1 and RhoA. Conversely, interference with Rac1, PAK1, and Nox2 blocked JNK phosphorylation, whereas RhoA(N19) and Nox4 knock down did not. Further, knock down of Nox2, but not Nox4, blocked Tat-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement, whereas knock down of Nox4, but not Nox2, blocked Tat-dependent proliferation. Rac1, therefore, bifurcates Tat signaling, leading to concurrent but separate Nox4-dependent Ras/ERK activation, and Nox2-dependent JNK activation. Tat signaling, therefore, provides an example of Nox-specific differential control of MAP kinase pathways.     

Essential role for Csk upstream of Fyn and Yes in zebrafish gastrulation

Morphogenetic cell movements during gastrulation shape the vertebrate embryo bodyplan. Non-canonical Wnt signaling has been established to regulate convergence and extension cell movements that mediate anterior-posterior axis elongation. In recent years, many other factors have been implicated in the process by modulation of non-canonical Wnt signaling or by different, unknown mechanisms. We have found that the Src family kinases, Fyn and Yes, are required for normal convergence and extension cell movements in zebrafish embryonic development and they signal in parallel to non-canonical Wnts, eventually converging on a common downstream factor, RhoA. Here, we report that Csk, a negative regulator of Src family kinases has a role in gastrulation cell movements as well. Csk knock down induced a phenotype that was similar to the defects observed after knock down of Fyn and Yes, in that gastrulation cell movements were impaired, without affecting cell fate. The Csk knock down phenotype was rescued by simultaneous partial knock down of Fyn and Yes. We conclude that Csk acts upstream of Fyn and Yes to control vertebrate gastrulation cell movements.     

PRAS40 and PRR5-like protein are new mTOR interactors that regulate apoptosis

TOR (Target of Rapamycin) is a highly conserved protein kinase and a central controller of cell growth. TOR is found in two functionally and structurally distinct multiprotein complexes termed TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TOR complex 2 (TORC2). In the present study, we developed a two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS) based proteomic strategy to identify new mammalian TOR (mTOR) binding proteins. We report the identification of Proline-rich Akt substrate (PRAS40) and the hypothetical protein Q6MZQ0/FLJ14213/CAE45978 as new mTOR binding proteins. PRAS40 binds mTORC1 via Raptor, and is an mTOR phosphorylation substrate. PRAS40 inhibits mTORC1 autophosphorylation and mTORC1 kinase activity toward eIF-4E binding protein (4E-BP) and PRAS40 itself. HeLa cells in which PRAS40 was knocked down were protected against induction of apoptosis by TNFalpha and cycloheximide. Rapamycin failed to mimic the pro-apoptotic effect of PRAS40, suggesting that PRAS40 mediates apoptosis independently of its inhibitory effect on mTORC1. Q6MZQ0 is structurally similar to proline rich protein 5 (PRR5) and was therefore named PRR5-Like (PRR5L). PRR5L binds specifically to mTORC2, via Rictor and/or SIN1. Unlike other mTORC2 members, PRR5L is not required for mTORC2 integrity or kinase activity, but dissociates from mTORC2 upon knock down of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) and TSC2. Hyperactivation of mTOR by TSC1/2 knock down enhanced apoptosis whereas PRR5L knock down reduced apoptosis. PRR5L knock down reduced apoptosis also in mTORC2 deficient cells. The above suggests that mTORC2-dissociated PRR5L may promote apoptosis when mTOR is hyperactive. Thus, PRAS40 and PRR5L are novel mTOR-associated proteins that control the balance between cell growth and cell death.     

AUF1 cell cycle variations define genomic DNA methylation by regulation of DNMT1 mRNA stability

DNA methylation is a major determinant of epigenetic inheritance. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the enzyme responsible for the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns during cell division, and deregulated expression of DNMT1 leads to cellular transformation. We show herein that AU-rich element/poly(U)-binding/degradation factor 1 (AUF1)/heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D interacts with an AU-rich conserved element in the 3' untranslated region of the DNMT1 mRNA and targets it for destabilization by the exosome. AUF1 protein levels are regulated by the cell cycle by the proteasome, resulting in cell cycle-specific destabilization of DNMT1 mRNA. AUF1 knock down leads to increased DNMT1 expression and modifications of cell cycle kinetics, increased DNA methyltransferase activity, and genome hypermethylation. Concurrent AUF1 and DNMT1 knock down abolishes this effect, suggesting that the effects of AUF1 knock down on the cell cycle are mediated at least in part by DNMT1. In this study, we demonstrate a link between AUF1, the RNA degradation machinery, and maintenance of the epigenetic integrity of the cell.     

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecules (CEACAM) 1, 5 and 6 as Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer

Background

Aim of this study was to assess the biological function in tumor progression and metastatic process carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAM) 1, 5 and 6 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Experimental Design

CEACAM knock down cells were established and assessed in vitro and in a subcutaneous and intraperitoneal mouse xenograft model. Tissue and serum expression of patients with PDAC were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Presence of lymph node metastasis was correlated with CEACAM 5 and 6 expression (determined by IHC) and tumor recurrence exclusively with CEACAM 6. Patients with CEACAM 5 and 6 expression showed a significantly shortened OS in Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Elevated CEACAM6 serum values showed a correlation with distant metastasis and. Survival analysis revealed a prolonged OS for patients with low serum CEACAM 1 values. In vitro proliferation and migration capacity was increased in CEACAM knock down PDAC cells, however, mice inoculated with CEACAM knock down cells showed a prolonged overall-survival (OS). The number of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis was increased in the CEACAM knock down group.

Conclusion

The effects mediated by CEACAM expression in PDAC are complex, though overexpression is correlated with loco-regional aggressive tumor growth. However, loss of CEACAM can be considered as a part of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and is therefore of rather importance in the process of distant metastasis.