谷胱甘肽-硫-转移酶M2基因在小鼠生殖器官中的表达

利用半定量RT-PCR和原位杂交的方法检测Gstm2基因在成年雄性和雌性小鼠生殖器官中的表达,并初步评价其在生殖过程中的作用。在雄性小鼠的睾丸、附睾、输精管和雌性小鼠的卵巢、输卵管、子宫、胎盘中,半定量RT-PCR的方法均检测到Gstm2的表达,在胎盘中表达水平较低,其余组织表达水平较高。利用原位杂交的方法在睾丸的间质细胞检测出较强的信号,在附睾中有微弱的信号,而输精管上皮细胞没有检测到信号;在输卵管上皮细胞和妊娠第3d的子宫上皮细胞中检出较强的信号。由于Gstm2在RNA水平在小鼠的生殖器官中广泛表达,因此我们推测Gstm2可能在小鼠精子发生、睾酮合成、精子的成熟和运输、卵子的发生和运输、胚胎着床等生殖过程中发挥作用,此结果为深入研究Gstm2在生殖生理中的功能打下基础。     

MTNR1a和MTNR1b在牦牛不同组织中的表达及其在睾丸中的定位

褪黑素对调节季节性繁殖哺乳动物的生殖具有重要调节作用。其受体MTNR1a（Melatonin receptor 1a,褪黑素受体1a）主要参与昼夜节律和生殖调控,MTNR1b（Melatonin receptor 1b,褪黑素受体1b）与多种疾病发生密切相关。为了探讨褪黑素受体基因的生物学功能,本实验对牦牛不同组织中MTNR1a、MTNR1b基因的表达与定位情况进行了研究。采用qRT-PCR (Quantitative Real-Time PCR, qRT-PCR) 检测成年雄性牦牛各组织及不同发育阶段（30日龄,2岁、4岁、6岁和8岁龄）牦牛睾丸组织中MTNR1a、MTNR1b mRNA的表达规律,并运用免疫组化技术对不同年龄牦牛睾丸中MTNR1a、MTNR1b蛋白进行了定位研究。结果发现,MTNR1a mRNA在松果体组织中表达量最高,肺脏、肌肉和睾丸次之;随着年龄增加,MTNR1a mRNA在睾丸中的表达量逐渐升高,到4岁后表达量趋于平稳;MTNR1a蛋白在不同发育阶段牦牛睾丸组织中均有表达,圆形精子呈现较强的免疫阳性,其次为初级精母细胞;MTNR1b mRNA在松果体表达量最高（P<0.05）,肾脏、肝脏和下丘脑次之;在不同年龄牦牛睾丸中MTNR1b mRNA均有表达,且随着年龄的增加表达量逐渐增加,在8岁时表达量最高;MTNR1b蛋白主要定位在圆形精子细胞中。MTNR1a、MTNR1b基因在牦牛不同组织及不同发育阶段睾丸中的广泛表达,揭示了其在雄性牦牛生殖等生理过程中的重要作用。     

牦牛和雄性不育犏牛睾丸ERK1、ERK2、P38基因mRNA水平的比较

MAPK信号通路对哺乳动物的精子发生与凋亡有重要的调节作用,被认为是精子发生的重要决定因素之一。本研究通过比较MAPK信号通路中ERK1、ERK2、P38基因在牦牛及其杂交后代犏牛睾丸组织中的相对表达量,探索犏牛雄性不育的分子机制。实验从成年雄性牦牛(n=10)和犏牛(n=7)的睾丸组织中提取总RNA,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测牦牛和犏牛睾丸组织中ERK1、ERK2、P38基因mRNA水平。结果表明:牦牛睾丸中ERK1、ERK2基因的表达量极显著高于犏牛(P0.01),P38基因在牦牛和犏牛睾丸中均有表达,但差异无统计学意义。提示ERK1、ERK2基因作为MAPK信号通路的重要成员,可能与犏牛睾丸精子发生障碍有一定关联。     

牦牛Eppin基因CDS的克隆及其在附睾不同区段中的表达研究

为了研究牦牛附睾组织中精子成熟的相关机理,并为探讨高原动物的生殖机制提供基本数据。本研究运用基因克隆技术对牦牛附睾Eppin基因CDS全长序列进行克隆,采用生物信息学方法进行分析,Eppin基因和编码序列特征进行了预测和分析。结果表明,牦牛Eppin基因的CDS含有一个405 bp长度的片段,由134个氨基酸编码;牦牛Eppin基因对应的蛋白分子量和理论等电点分别为15.09 ku和8.67 ku,其对应的氨基酸没有跨膜结构,归于近水性蛋白;25个α-螺旋、27个延伸链、2个β-折叠及80个无规则卷曲构成其蛋白质二级结构;牦牛Eppin基因编码氨基酸序列与黄牛、藏羚羊、绵羊等物种间同源性较高,系统进化情况与其亲缘关系远近一致。本研究应用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析Eppin基因在附睾组织3个不同区段(头部,颈部和尾部)中的表达情况,荧光定量PCR结果显示,Eppin基因在牦牛附睾组织3个不同区段中均有不同程度的表达,在附睾头部中表达最高,颈部和尾部表达较低。本研究将为牦牛附睾精子成熟的机制和Eppin基因在牦牛附睾上皮细胞中的功能提供一定的基础数据。     

藏绵羊和小尾寒羊雄性生殖器官组织结构比较

通过比较绵羊(Ovis aries)的两个品种,生活于高海拔(4500 m)地区的藏绵羊与相对低海拔(2080m)地区小尾寒羊雄性生殖器官的组织结构特征,以探讨哺乳动物生殖器官适应高原环境的组织结构基础。采集成年藏绵羊与小尾寒羊的睾丸、附睾、输精管,运用大体解剖、石蜡切片及常规H.E,染色方法,比较二者生殖器官的组织结构差异。结果显示,藏绵羊附睾头和附睾体管腔内的纤毛较长,而附睾尾管腔内的纤毛较短,呈清晰的刷状缘结构,输精管平滑肌细胞较多,固有膜和黏膜层粘连紧密,且形成较明显的不规则皱襞。与小尾寒羊相比,藏绵羊曲细精管的横切面直径、面积和生精上皮的厚度均显著降低(P<0.05);精原细胞和初级精母细胞的直径及面积显著降低(P<0.05),且支持细胞数也显著减少(P<0.05);附睾头、附睾体、附睾尾的管腔内径和外径及纤毛长度均显著减小(P<0.05);附睾体的柱状上皮厚度显著增高(P<0.05),而输精管管腔直径、平滑肌厚度均显著降低(P<0.05)。研究认为,藏绵羊在高海拔低氧环境的长期适应过程中,其生殖器官的组织结构发生了--定的适应性改变,可能与其在高原环境下正常繁殖性能的维持有关。     

赤链蛇不同组织Sox基因表达的RT-PCR分析

采用RT-PCR技术,研究了赤链蛇不同组织Sox基因的表达。通过PCR产物直接克隆法和SSCP技术筛选阳性克隆,分析了雄性睾丸和雌性卵巢组织中的Sox基因序列。结果显示,在赤链蛇雌雄成体组织中,Sox基因在睾丸、卵巢、脑和脾组织中均有不同程度的表达,而在雌雄成体肌肉组织中均无表达,显示该基因表达有一定的组织特异性。序列分析显示睾丸组织中表达的是DRSox3,卵巢组织中表达的是DRSox22。在Sox家族中,Sox3表达于中枢神经系统和尿生殖嵴的发育过程中;Sox22则表达于多种组织和神经系统中,可横跨CNS和PNS的整个过程。此结果表明Sox基因不仅在性别决定中起作用,还可能在胚胎发育过程中担负重要功能。     

不同发育阶段雄性小鼠睾丸组织mEppin基因mRNA的表达差异研究

目的实时荧光定量PCR检测雄性小鼠不同发育阶段睾丸组织中m Eppin基因的mRNA表达差异,为探究m Eppin基因表达与雄性生殖相关性提供生物学数据。方法分别选取胚胎期、50日龄、90日龄雄性ICR小鼠各6只,共18只,取各组小鼠睾丸组织提取总RNA,实时荧光定量PCR方法检测m Eppin基因mRNA表达水平。结果不同发育阶段小鼠睾丸m Eppin基因表达水平差异明显。胚胎组小鼠中没有检测到m Eppin基因mRNA表达,50日龄小鼠和90日龄小鼠中均检测到m Eppin基因mRNA有较高表达水平。其中,90日龄小鼠睾丸中m Eppin基因mRNA的相对表达水平是50日龄小鼠的2.65倍。结论本研究结果表明m Eppin基因mRNA的表达在小鼠睾丸组织中具阶段特异性。     

纤溶酶原激活因子与猕猴精子运动力的关系及其在附睾和附性腺中的表达调节

用11酸睾酮诱导猕猴少精子症和弱精子症及单侧隐睾手术诱导单侧少精子症和弱精子症模型,观察对附睾头、附睾体、附睾尾、前列腺和精囊组织型PA（tPA）、尿激酶型PA（uPA）及抑制因子-1（PAI-1）mRNA表达的影响。原位杂交的结果表明11酸睾酮诱导少精子症和弱精子症,tPA mRNA的表达在附睾头、精囊及前列腺减少,而在附睾体升高,附睾尾表达基本无变化;uPA mRNA的表达在附睾头、附睾体、前列腺减少,而在精囊升高,附睾尾表达基本无变化;PAI-1 mRNA的表达在附睾头、附睾体、精囊下降,而在前列腺升高,附睾尾表达无显著变化。单侧隐睾手术不影响tPA、uPA和PAI-1 mRNA的表达。这些结果提示附睾头和附睾体分泌的uPA可能与精子前向运动能力的获得相关。tPA、uPA和PAI-1 mRNA在猕猴附睾头部和体部、前列腺和精囊中的表达可能受睾酮的调节,但不受睾丸分泌因子及温度的影响,且在不同部位睾酮的调节具不同的特征,而附睾尾tPA、uPA和PAI-1的表达则可能是组成性表达。     

VEGF、VEGFR2在青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾及附睾精子上的表达

目的通过对血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体VEGFR2在青春期大鼠睾丸及附睾表达的研究,探讨其在雄性生殖器官中的作用。方法采用免疫组化法检测VEGF、VEGFR2在SD大鼠睾丸和附睾的表达定位,用免疫荧光法检测它们在大鼠附睾精子上的表达定位。结果VEGF及VEGFR2在青春期大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中均有表达。在睾丸中,VEGF主要表达于精原细胞胞质、精子细胞发育中的顶体、Sertoli细胞胞质及精子残余体内,Leydig细胞胞质也有阳性表达;VEGFR2主要表达于精子细胞发育中的顶体和间质细胞胞质。在附睾中,VEGF表达于附睾管上皮所有主细胞胞质内;而VEGFR2表达于附睾管头段和尾段上皮主细胞胞质内,体段免疫染色阴性。免疫荧光显示,VEGF与VEGFR2都与精子头部顶体、尾部颈段、中段和主段相结合,末段未见阳性荧光。结论VEGF及VEGFR2在大鼠的睾丸和附睾中均有表达,其表达定位具有细胞特异性和区域特异性,提示其可能在大鼠睾丸精子发生和附睾精子成熟中发挥重要作用。     

沙眼衣原体感染活化NOD1信号通路的研究

目的:探索沙眼衣原体(Chlamydia trachomatis,Ct)持续感染状态下,NOD1、IL-6及STAT3分子的表达情况和相互关系。方法:利用HeLa229细胞或STAT3基因沉默的HeLa229细胞,分别建立沙眼衣原体的急性感染和持续感染模型;应用Western Blot及ELISA等方法检测不同感染状态下STAT3及NOD1蛋白表达水平以及细胞因子IL-6的分泌水平。结果:HeLa229细胞在Ct感染状态下,STAT3和NOD1以及IL-6表达水平均升高,且于持续感染状态下的升高较急性感染状态下的升高更明显;沉默STAT3基因后,Ct感染的细胞NOD1及IL-6的表达水平下降明显。结论:HeLa229细胞在Ct持续感染状态下,STAT3能上调NOD1及IL-6表达水平,上述分子间存在NOD1-IL-6-STAT3正反馈信号通路。     

Signalling pathways and molecular interactions of NOD1 and NOD2

The NOD (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain) proteins NOD1 and NOD2 have important roles in innate immunity as sensors of microbial components derived from bacterial peptidoglycan. The importance of these molecules is underscored by the fact that mutations in the gene that encodes NOD2 occur in a subpopulation of patients with Crohn's disease, and NOD1 has also been shown to participate in host defence against infection with Helicobacter pylori. Here, we focus on the molecular interactions between these NOD proteins and other intracellular molecules to elucidate the mechanisms by which NOD1 and NOD2 contribute to the maintenance of mucosal homeostasis and the induction of mucosal inflammation.     

Identification of indole scaffold-based dual inhibitors of NOD1 and NOD2

NOD1 and NOD2 are important members of the pattern recognition receptor family and play a crucial role within the context of innate immunity. However, overactivation of NODs, especially of NOD1, has also been implicated in a number of diseases. Surprisingly, NOD1 remains a virtually unexploited target in this respect. To gain additional insight into the structure–activity relationships of NOD1 inhibitors, a series of novel analogs has been designed and synthesized and then screened for their NOD1-inhibitory activity. Selected compounds were also investigated for their NOD2-inhibitory activity. Two compounds 4 and 15, were identified as potent mixed inhibitors of NOD1 and NOD2, displaying a balanced inhibitory activity on both targets in the low micromolar range. The results obtained have enabled a deeper understanding of the structural requirements for NOD1 and NOD2 inhibition.     

Ubiquitination and phosphorylation in the regulation of NOD2 signaling and NOD2-mediated disease

The immune system is exquisitely balanced. It has the ability to effectively respond to and control infections while at the same time preventing inappropriate responses to self and environmental antigens. When this response goes awry, either through a failure to activate the immune response, or failure to terminate it, inflammatory pathology results. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as ubiquitination and phosphorylation help ensure that the delicate balance underlying immune signal transduction is maintained. Ubiquitination and phosphorylation affect localization, activity, stability, and interactions of various components of the immune signal transduction machinery. Moreover, ubiquitination and phosphorylation are tightly linked, with one PTM affecting the other. Therefore, in order to find potential therapies for many immune-related pathologies, it is necessary to understand not only how the immune response is activated by ubiquitination and phosphorylation, but also how it is regulated by these PTMs at different stages of the response. An excellent system to study such activation and regulation is the NOD2 pathway. Dysregulation of NOD2 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory disorders including Crohn's disease, early onset sarcoidosis, and Blau syndrome. More recently NOD2 has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease, allergy and asthma. This review will focus on what is currently known about how ubiquitination and phosphorylation regulate NOD2 signaling with particular emphasis on novel in vitro substrates which may serve as potential in vivo therapeutic targets for hyperactive NOD2 states. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin Drug Discovery and Diagnostics.     

Detection of peptidoglycans by NOD proteins

Mechanisms of innate immune defense are based on the recognition of invariant microbial molecular patterns by specific receptors, followed by the activation of signaling pathways and the expression of effector molecules that will defeat the invading microorganism. Two recent reports add to the growing list of these pattern-recognition receptors by showing that the intracellular nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) protein recognizes a diaminopimelate-containing muropeptide, a cell-wall component of Gram-negative bacteria.     

Mutational analysis of human NOD1 and NOD2 NACHT domains reveals different modes of activation

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD)1 and NOD2 are intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing (NLR) gene family involved in innate immune responses. Their centrally located NACHT domain displays ATPase activity and is necessary for activation and oligomerization leading to inflammatory signaling responses. Mutations affecting key residues of the ATPase domain of NOD2 are linked to severe auto-inflammatory diseases, such as Blau syndrome and early-onset sarcoidosis. By mutational dissection of the ATPase domain function, we show that the NLR-specific extended Walker B box (DGhDE) can functionally replace the canonical Walker B sequence (DDhWD) found in other ATPases. A requirement for an intact Walker A box and the magnesium-co-ordinating aspartate of the classical Walker B box suggest that an initial ATP hydrolysis step is necessary for activation of both NOD1 and NOD2. In contrast, a Blau-syndrome associated mutation located in the extended Walker B box of NOD2 that results in higher autoactivation and ligand-induced signaling does not affect NOD1 function. Moreover, mutation of a conserved histidine in the NACHT domain also has contrasting effects on NOD1 and NOD2 mediated NF-κB activation. We conclude that these two NLRs employ different modes of activation and propose distinct models for activation of NOD1 and NOD2.     

Interaction between NOD2 and CARD9 involves the NOD2 NACHT and the linker region between the NOD2 CARDs and NACHT domain

NOD2 activation by muramyl dipeptide causes a proinflammatory immune response in which the adaptor protein CARD9 works synergistically with NOD2 to drive p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling. To date the nature of the interaction between NOD2 and CARD9 remains undetermined. Here we show that this interaction is not mediated by the CARDs of NOD2 and CARD9 as previously suggested, but that NOD2 possesses two interaction sites for CARD9; one in the CARD–NACHT linker and one in the NACHT itself.     

Circulating NOD1 Activators and Hematopoietic NOD1 Contribute to Metabolic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

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Modulation of the NOD-like receptors NOD1 and NOD2: A chemist’s perspective

The innate immune system is the body’s first defense against invading microorganisms, relying on the recognition of bacterial-derived small molecules by host protein receptors. This recognition event and downstream immune response rely heavily on the specific chemical features of both the innate immune receptors and their bacterial derived ligands. This review presents a chemist’s perspective on some of the most crucial and complex components of two receptors (NOD1 and NOD2): starting from the structural and chemical characteristics of bacterial-derived small molecules, to the specific proposed models of molecular recognition of these molecules by immune receptors, to the subsequent post-translational modifications that ultimately dictate downstream immune signaling. Recent advances in the field are discussed, as well as the potential for the development of targeted therapeutics.     

Ubiquitin Regulates Caspase Recruitment Domain-mediated Signaling by Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain-containing Proteins NOD1 and NOD2

NOD1 and NOD2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing proteins) are intracellular pattern recognition receptors that activate inflammation and autophagy. These pathways rely on the caspase recruitment domains (CARDs) within the receptors, which serve as protein interaction platforms that coordinately regulate immune signaling. We show that NOD1 CARD binds ubiquitin (Ub), in addition to directly binding its downstream targets receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIP2) and autophagy-related protein 16-1 (ATG16L1). NMR spectroscopy and structure-guided mutagenesis identified a small hydrophobic surface of NOD1 CARD that binds Ub. In vitro, Ub competes with RIP2 for association with NOD1 CARD. In vivo, we found that the ligand-stimulated activity of NOD1 with a mutant CARD lacking Ub binding but retaining ATG16L1 and RIP2 binding is increased relative to wild-type NOD1. Likewise, point mutations in the tandem NOD2 CARDs at positions analogous to the surface residues defining the Ub interface on NOD1 resulted in loss of Ub binding and increased ligand-stimulated NOD2 signaling. These data suggest that Ub binding provides a negative feedback loop upon NOD-dependent activation of RIP2.