HMG盒转录因子1(HBP1)参与H2O2诱导的细胞衰老过程

为探讨HMG盒转录因子1 (HBP1)在过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导的细胞衰老中所起的作用,通过慢病毒感染得到稳定表达HBP1的MDA-MB-231细胞,以H2O2处理细胞．采用Western免疫印迹杂交试验和实时PCR检测HBP1、p16和细胞周期蛋白D1（cyclinD1）表达水平的变化．用荧光免疫试验检测H2O2对HBP1表达的影响,以及HBP1在H2O2的诱导下对于p16和细胞周期蛋白D1启动子的影响．用细胞增殖试验检测H2O2对于细胞增殖的影响． 用基因敲减实验和衰老相关β半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色检测在H2O2诱导的细胞衰老中HBP1所起的作用．Western和免疫荧光实验结果显示,细胞经H2O2处理后,HBP1表达增高的同时促进了p16的表达,降低了细胞周期蛋白D1的表达．细胞增殖实验结果显示,H2O2显著抑制了细胞的增殖．基因敲减实验和SA-β-Gal染色实验说明,H2O2可诱导HBP1表达正常的MDA-MB-231细胞衰老,而HBP1的敲减则抑制了H2O2诱导的细胞衰老过程．本研究结果提示,在H2O2诱导的衰老中,HBP1的表达显著增加,并通过促进衰老相关基因p16的表达和抑制生长因子cyclinD1的表达来阻碍细胞增殖,促进细胞衰老．HBP1在H2O2诱导的细胞衰老过程中起着重要作用,H2O2诱导的细胞衰老必须在HBP1存在的情况下才能发生．     

转录因子HBP1调控H2O2诱导的骨肉瘤细胞生长阻滞过程

为探讨氧化应激对人骨肉瘤细胞增殖的影响及其作用机理,首先用H2O2处理U2OS细 胞,采用Western印迹和real-time PCR检测HMG盒转录因子1 (HBP1)及其下游靶基因 DNMT1和p16表达水平的变化. 用荧光素酶报告基因实验检测在H2O2诱导下, HBP1对于DNMT1 和p16启动子的影响. 用细胞增殖试验（BrdU掺入,细胞生长曲线）检测 H2O2对细胞增殖的影响以及HBP1的作用. 用衰老相关β半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色 检测在H2O2诱导的细胞衰老中HBP1所起的作用. Western 印迹, real-time PCR及荧光素酶报告基因实验结果显示,细胞经H2O2处理后,明显增高HBP1表达水平,转录抑制DNMT1的表达, 促进p16蛋白的表达. 细胞增殖实验结果显示, H2O2显著抑制了细胞的增殖,HBP1 knockdown可部分逆转这种抑制作用. SA-β-Gal染色实验说明, H2O2可诱导HBP1表达正常的U2OS细胞衰老,而HBP1 knockdown使这种促衰老作用减弱. 研究结果说明, H2O2可抑制人骨肉瘤细胞增殖,诱导细胞衰老. 其作用机制是通过上调转录因子HBP1的表达,转录抑制或促进其下游靶基因DNMT1或p16的表达来抑制细胞增殖,促进细胞衰老.     

拟南芥血红蛋白1(AtGLB1)与过氧化氢的相互作用

拟南芥的血红蛋白1(AtGLB1)属于非共生的血红蛋白。在低氧胁迫中对植物细胞中过氧化氢(H2O2)内稳态的维持起了很重要的作用。为了检测AtGLB1与H2O2能否直接相互作用,我们扩增了拟南芥的AtGLB1基因,并将其克隆到原核表达质粒pET32a中,测序鉴定正确后转化大肠杆菌BL21。IPTG诱导目的蛋白表达后,镍离子亲和层析柱(Ni2+-NTA)纯化了靶蛋白。体外表达的氧合的AtGLB1能与H2O2直接相互作用。因此,与H2O2反应可能是AtGLB1清除低氧胁迫下产生的H2O2的一种方式。     

NO和H2O2在光/暗调控蚕豆气孔运动中的作用及其相互关系

借助表皮条分析和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜技术,对NO和H2O2在光/暗调控蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)气孔运动中的作用及其相互关系进行了探索.结果显示,光下外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP)和H2O2促进气孔关闭的效应明显大于暗中,暗中NO专一性清除剂2,4-羧基苯-4,4,5,5-四甲基咪唑-1-氧-3-氧化物(cPTIO)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)抑制剂NG-氮-L-精氨酸-甲酯(L-NAME)和H2O2清除剂抗坏血酸(Vc)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)对气孔开度的效应明显大于光下,而且光下蚕豆保卫细胞NO和H2O2水平比暗中明显降低.上述结果表明,光/暗通过影响保卫细胞NO和H2O2的水平调控气孔运动.研究还发现,光下H2O2既诱导NO水平增加,也诱导气孔关闭,cPTIO和L-NAME有效地逆转H2O2的这些效应;光下SNP既诱导H2O2水平增加,也诱导气孔关闭,SNP的上述效应又被Vc和CAT有效逆转.这些结果表明,NO和H2O2在生成及效应上均存在明显的相互作用.另外,L-NAME显著逆转暗和光下H2O2处理对气孔关闭和NO生成的效应表明,蚕豆保卫细胞中可能存在NOS,暗和光下H2O2处理可能通过提高NOS的活性促进NO水平增加,进而诱导气孔关闭.     

Ca2+-CaM对过氧化氢诱导玉米幼苗耐冷性的影响

H2O2预处理可提高玉米幼苗的耐冷性及其体内钙调素(CaM)活性。阻断胞内Ca2 库的动员(钌红处理)、降低细胞中Ca2 水平(EGTA处理)及抑制CaM活性(TFP和CPZ处理)均可完全消除H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗的耐冷性。阻止胞外Ca2 跨膜进入胞内(La3 处理)并不抑制、甚至还能轻微地提高H2O2诱导的耐冷性。高Ca2 (20mmol.L^-1)处理削弱H2O2诱导的耐冷性。这些结果表明,CaM及胞内Ca2 库在H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐冷性的形成过程中起重要作用,而质外体中高浓度Ca2 和跨膜进入胞内会削弱H2O2诱导的耐冷性。     

H2O2参与水杨酸诱导丹参培养细胞中丹酚酸B合成的信号转导

过氧化氢(Hydrogen peroxide,H2O2)为活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)的一种,存在于许多生物体系中并介导植物中多种生理和生化过程。为了探讨H2O2作为信号分子在水杨酸(Salicylic acid,SA)诱导丹参培养细胞合成丹酚酸B(Salvianolic acid B,Sal B)过程中的作用,分别考察了SA和H2O2、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)、二甲基硫脲(2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide,DMTU)及咪唑(Imidazole,IMD)对苯丙氨酸解氨酶(Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase,PAL)和酪氨酸氨基转移酶(Tyrosine aminotransferase,TAT)的活性及Sal B含量的影响。结果表明,SA处理可有效地诱导丹参培养细胞中H2O2产生、PAL和TAT活性升高以及Sal B合成积累量的增加;外源施加10～30 mmol/L H2O2也可以有效促进PAL、TAT活性升高和Sal B合成积累量的增加;用H2O2的清除剂CAT处理发现,CAT对SA或外源H2O2诱导的Sal B合成积累具有消除作用,说明H2O2可能作为SA诱导Sal B积累过程中的上游信号分子起作用;用H2O2淬灭剂DMTU处理,可以有效抑制SA对Sal B合成的促进作用;用质膜烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(Nicotinamide vadenine dinucleotide phosphate,NADPH)氧化酶(H2O2来源的主要酶)抑制剂IMD处理,可以抑制Sal B的合成,但这种抑制效果可以部分被外源施加的SA削弱,说明通过HADPH氧化酶产生的H2O2受阻时,SA诱导的Sal B合成积累也会受到抑制。表明H2O2是介导SA诱导丹参培养细胞中Sal B合成积累的信号分子。     

H2O2诱导的线粒体损伤神经元内硫氧还蛋白mRNA水平的变化

线粒体缺陷和氧化应激参与了神经退行性疾病的发病机制。叠氮钠(NaN3)是线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)的特异性抑制剂,能诱导线粒体缺陷。本实验通过细胞活性检测(MTT法),形态学观察,分析H2O2对原代培养的正常神经元及NaN3诱导的线粒体缺陷神经元的损伤作用的差异。并通过RT-PCR半定量法检测H2O2损伤后两类神经元内硫氧还蛋白(Thioredoxin,Trx)mRNA水平的变化,以阐明细胞内这一重要氧化还原调节蛋白在神经元损伤时的作用机制。实验表明,在正常神经元内,H2O2的损伤对Trx表达量的改变似乎不明显;而线粒体缺陷神经元内Trx的表达量下降,且对于H2O2的损伤具有浓度、时间依赖性。提示：在线粒体功能缺陷神经元中,Trx似乎发挥更重要的作用。     

H2O2诱导的线粒体损伤神经元内硫氧还蛋白 mRNA水平的变化

线粒体缺陷和氧化应激参与了神经退行性疾病的发病机制.叠氮钠(NaN3)是线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)的特异性抑制剂,能诱导线粒体缺陷.本实验通过细胞活性检测(MTT法),形态学观察,分析H2O2对原代培养的正常神经元及NaN3诱导的线粒体缺陷神经元的损伤作用的差异.并通过RT-PCR半定量法检测H2O2损伤后两类神经元内硫氧还蛋白(Thioredoxin,Trx)mRNA水平的变化,以阐明细胞内这一重要氧化还原调节蛋白在神经元损伤时的作用机制.实验表明,在正常神经元内,H2O2的损伤对Trx表达量的改变似乎不明显;而线粒体缺陷神经元内Trx的表达量下降,且对于H2O2的损伤具有浓度、时间依赖性.提示在线粒体功能缺陷神经元中,Trx似乎发挥更重要的作用.     

不同ω-3/ω-6构成比的配伍红花籽油对SH-SY5Y细胞氧化损伤的预防效应

探讨不同ω-3/ω-6构成比的配伍红花籽油(Compatibility Safflower Seed Oil,CSSO)预防神经细胞氧化损伤的作用。通过过氧化氢(hydrogen peroxide,H2O2)氧自由基供体诱导,建立人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞氧化损伤模型;以不同浓度和ω-3/ω-6构成比的CSSO进行细胞药物干预,利用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(methyl thiazolyltetrazolium,MTT)和流式细胞仪检测细胞活力变化和细胞凋亡率。我们建立了H2O2诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞氧化损伤模型,其IC50值为1089.54μmol/L H2O2;随着ω-3相对含量递减,CSSO预防细胞氧化损伤的效应增加,且当ω-3/ω-6比例为1∶6.68和有效浓度范围为375～750μg CSSO/mL时,其药物干预组细胞活力(84.1%)显著高于模型组(61.1%),而药物干预组细胞凋亡率(12.6%)明显低于模型组(25.9%)。从以上结果可以推测,CSSO能够保护细胞并预防氧自由基诱导的细胞损伤,其效果可能与CSSO中ω-3/ω-6构成比密切相关。     

DUSP1在药物诱导的肝癌细胞衰老中的表达变化及其作用研究

目的:在肝癌的治疗中,化学疗法是重要的治疗手段,尤其在结合外科手术切除的联合治疗中,化疗被广泛的应用于临床。而体内试验证实,化疗药物诱导的细胞衰老在治疗肿瘤的过程中,普遍存在并发挥重要作用,我们着重探讨在药物诱导的人肝癌细胞衰老中,细胞内重要信号途径的变化,发现并利用对细胞衰老有重要意义的蛋白,增强化学治疗肿瘤的效果。在本课题中,我们利用化疗药物阿霉素(doxorubicin)和蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132诱导的人衰老肝癌细胞模型,对MAPK信号途径的负调控因子DUSP家族的表达变化进行检测,筛选表达水平发生显著变化的双特异性磷酸酶(DUSP)家族成员,并初步探讨其在细胞衰老中的作用。方法:利用低剂量的阿霉素和蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132诱导人肝癌细胞衰老;通过Real time RT-PCR和Western blotting检测DUSP家族基因mRNA和蛋白质水平的变化;利用siRNA干扰技术敲降DUSP1,检测药物诱导肝癌细胞衰老水平的变化。结果:经低剂量的阿霉素和蛋白酶体抑制剂短时间处理后,人肝癌细胞系Huh7和SMMC-7721细胞发生明显的细胞衰老;在诱导的衰老细胞中,DUSP1mRNA和蛋白质水平呈显著升高。在敲降DUSP1后,MG132诱导的细胞衰老得到显著的缓解。结论:DUSP1在药物诱导的人肝癌细胞衰老中具有重要的作用,为研究临床治疗中化疗药物引起肿瘤细胞衰老的具体机制带来启发。     

靶向E2F1的shRNA抑制眼内视网膜母细胞瘤生长

视网膜母细胞瘤(retinoblastoma,RB)中由于Rb基因缺失或失活,转录调控因子E2F1始终处于活化状态,细胞不断增殖,E2F1活性增加是恶性肿瘤的普遍现象．根据人E2F1基因设计了3段shRNA,构建RNA干扰表达载体pSilencer-shE2F1,瞬时转染人视网膜母细胞瘤细胞株HXO-Rb-44和人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721,通过荧光定量PCR检测E2F1表达水平的变化,PI (碘化丙锭)染色检测细胞周期各时相细胞数量以检测其对细胞周期的影响．根据筛选出的有效shRNA序列构建腺病毒载体并包装出腺病毒Ad-shE2F1,在裸鼠前房模型中,体外按50 moi的感染系数感染稳定表达绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的人视网膜母细胞瘤细胞株48 h后,收集细胞,将2×10⁵细胞注射到裸鼠眼前房内,连续观察眼内肿瘤细胞生长情况并拍照记录．通过转染肿瘤细胞株检测E2F1转录水平,筛选到1个能明显抑制肿瘤细胞内E2F1表达的shRNA序列,并使细胞周期中S期细胞数减少．经Ad-shE2F1感染的RB肿瘤细胞与对照相比较,其在裸鼠眼前房内肿瘤生长减缓．结果说明,有效抑制hE2F1表达的shRNA具有抑制体内外人视网膜母细胞瘤生长的作用．     

Conditional knockdown of hMRS2 results in loss of mitochondrial Mg(2+) uptake and cell death

The human gene MRS2L encodes a mitochondrial protein distantly related to CorA Mg²⁺ transport proteins. Constitutive shRNA-mediated knockdown of hMRS2 in human HEK-293 cell line was found here to cause death. To further study its role in Mg²⁺ transport, we have established stable cell lines with conditionally expressing shRNAs directed against hMRS2L . The cells expressing shRNA for several generations exhibited lower steady-state levels of free mitochondrial Mg²⁺ ([Mg²⁺]_m) and reduced capacity of mitochondrial Mg²⁺ uptake than control cells. Long-term expression of shRNAs resulted in loss of mitochondrial respiratory complex I, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death. We conclude that hMrs2 is the major transport protein for Mg ⁺ uptake into mitochondria and that expression of hMrs2 is essential for the maintenance of respiratory complex I and cell viability.     

Synthesis of AZT analogues: 7-(3-azido-2hydroxypropyl)-, 7-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-, 7-(3-triazolyl-2-hydroxypropyl)theophyllines

Nucleophilic displacement of the tosyloxy group in 7-(2-hydroxy-3-p-toluenesulfonyloxypropyl)theophylline (1) with azide anion afforded 7-(3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl)theophylline (2). Reduction of the 3-azido group in 2 with Ph₃P/Py/NH₄OH afforded the 3-amino derivative 4, alternatively obtained by regioselective amination of 7-(2,3-epoxypropyl)theophylline (3). Selective acetylation of 4 gave the N-acetyl derivative 5. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of the azide group in 2 with N¹-propargyl thymine (6) afforded the regioisomeric triazole 7.     

Isolation and identification of urinary metabolites of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) in rabbits

After oral administration of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) to rabbits, the two unique metabolites, M-I and M-II, were isolated from the urine. M-I, yellow needles of mp 117°, was identified as a new type metabolite of nitrofuran derivative, 2-(β-carboxypropionyl)-3-(5-methylthio-2-furyl) acrylamide by its mass, ir and nmr spectrometries. M-II, yellow solid, appears to be cis-trans isomer of M-I considering from its uv and mass spectral data, and the behavior on tlc.     

shRNA interference for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 can inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer cell line Eca109

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common digestive tract cancers with 5-year survival rate less than 10% owing to its poor prognosis. Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway has been mainly involved in the pathogenesis of various cancers. In present study, we investigated the role of ERK2 in human esophageal cancer cell line Eca109.

Methods: Short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference vector targeted ERK2 was constructed using pGeneclip U1 hairpin cloning systems, then transfected into Eca109 cell line. The transfection efficiency was observed by fluorescence microscope and cell growth after transfection with shRNA-ERK2 vector was determined by methylthiazolyl blue tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The ERK2 expression after transfection was detected by western-blotting. The cell apoptosis and cell-cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The role of p-ERK2 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and soft agar colony formation assay.

Results: The growth of Eca109 transfected with shRNA-ERK2 vector was obviously inhibited compared to control group via MTT analysis. The inhibition rate after transfection with shRNA-ERK2 for 96?h was 10.45%, the expression of ERK2 was obviously reduced compared to the control analyzed by western-blot, cell apoptosis was 9.7% (compared to control, P?<?0.05), and cell-cycle was arrested at G1 phase.

Conclusions: In present study we demonstrated for the first time that transfection with shRNA-ERK2 targeted ERK2 into Eca109 cells can inhibit growth of Eca109, inducing cell apoptosis and influencing cell-cycle. Together, these results we obtained suggested that ERK2 plays an important role in cell growth of Eca109.     

shRNA-mediated silencing of Gli2 gene inhibits proliferation and sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells towards TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been reported in various cancer types including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a key effector of this signaling, Gli2 plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, including the activation of genes encoding apoptosis inhibitors and cell-cycle regulators. In this study, we examined the role of Gli2 proliferation and survival of HCC cells. First, the expression levels of Hh pathway components were detected in a subset of HCC cell lines. To establish the role of Gli2 in maintaining the tumorigenic properties of HCC cells, we developed small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Gli2 and transfected it into SMMC-7721 cell, which was selected with high level of Hh signaling expression. Next, effects of Gli2 gene silencing, on cell proliferation and on the expression of cell cycle-related proteins were evaluated, then, whether down-regulation of Gli2 renders HCC cell susceptible to TRAIL was examined in vitro. Knockdown of Gli2 inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1 phase arrest of cell cycle in SMMC-7721 cell through down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclinE2, and up-regulation of p21-WAF1. Also, Gli2 gene siliencing sensitized SMMC-7721 cell to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis by reducing the expression of the long and short isoform of c-FLIP and Bcl-2, and then augmented the activation of initiator caspases-8/-9 and effector caspases-3, which induces PARP cleavage. In conclusion, our data suggest that Gli2 plays a predominant role in the proliferation and apoptosis resistance of HCC cells, and that knockdown of Gli2 may be a novel anticancer strategy for the treatment of HCC.     

CaMKK2 is inactivated by cAMP-PKA signaling and 14-3-3 adaptor proteins

The calcium-calmodulin–dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CaMKK2) is a key regulator of cellular and whole-body energy metabolism. It is known to be activated by increases in intracellular Ca²⁺, but the mechanisms by which it is inactivated are less clear. CaMKK2 inhibition protects against prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metabolic derangements induced by a high-fat diet; therefore, elucidating the intracellular mechanisms that inactivate CaMKK2 has important therapeutic implications. Here we show that stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling in cells inactivates CaMKK2 by phosphorylation of three conserved serine residues. PKA-dependent phosphorylation of Ser⁴⁹⁵ directly impairs calcium-calmodulin activation, whereas phosphorylation of Ser¹⁰⁰ and Ser⁵¹¹ mediate recruitment of 14-3-3 adaptor proteins that hold CaMKK2 in the inactivated state by preventing dephosphorylation of phospho-Ser⁴⁹⁵. We also report the crystal structure of 14-3-3ζ bound to a synthetic diphosphorylated peptide that reveals how the canonical (Ser⁵¹¹) and noncanonical (Ser¹⁰⁰) 14-3-3 consensus sites on CaMKK2 cooperate to bind 14-3-3 proteins. Our findings provide detailed molecular insights into how cAMP-PKA signaling inactivates CaMKK2 and reveals a pathway to inhibit CaMKK2 with potential for treating human diseases.     

小鼠Dppa2基因shRNA载体的构建及干扰效果的检测

目的:构建有效的针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA(short hairpin RNA)干扰载体。方法:设计合成2对针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA序列以及1对与哺乳动物基因组无同源性的shRNA序列作为对照,构建pSUPER.Retro.puro干扰载体并进行PCR,酶切和测序验证。进一步将各干扰载体分别转染小鼠胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ESCs),RT-PCR检测干扰效率。结果:PCR,酶切和测序验证均表明各shRNA载体构建成功。将空载体及各重组载体分别转染小鼠ESCs发现,干扰组Dppa2基因表达水平相对于空载体对照组和阴性shRNA载体对照组明显下调。结论:成功构建了有效的针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA干扰载体,为进一步研究Dppa2基因在维持小鼠ESCs不分化过程中的作用提供了基础。     

Characterization of (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-[3H]-Dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine Binding in Rat Brain

Abstract: [(2S,2′R,3′R)-2-(2′,3′-[³H]Dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine ([³H]DCG IV) binding was characterized in vitro in rat brain cortex homogenates and rat brain sections. In cortex homogenates, the binding was saturable and the saturation isotherm indicated the presence of a single binding site with a K_D value of 180 ± 33 nM and a B_max of 780 ± 70 fmol/mg of protein. The nonspecific binding, measured using 100 µM LY354740, was <30%. NMDA, AMPA, kainate, l (?)-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid, and (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine were all inactive in [³H]DCG IV binding up to 1 mM. However, several compounds inhibited [³H]DCG IV binding in a concentration-dependent manner with the following rank order of potency: LY341495 = LY354740 > DCG IV = (2S,1′S,2′S)-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine > (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid > (2S,1′S,2′S)-2-methyl-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine > l -glutamate = ibotenate > quisqualate > (RS)-α-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine = l (+)-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid > (S)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine > (2S)-α-ethylglutamic acid > l (+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid. N-Acetyl-l -aspartyl-l -glutamic acid inhibited the binding in a biphasic manner with an IC₅₀ of 0.2 µM for the high-affinity component. The binding was also affected by GTPγS, reducing agents, and CdCl₂. In parasagittal sections of rat brain, a high density of specific binding was observed in the accessory olfactory bulb, cortical regions (layers 1, 3, and 4 > 2, 5, and 6), caudate putamen, molecular layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, subiculum, presubiculum, retrosplenial cortex, anteroventral thalamic nuclei, and cerebellar granular layer, reflecting its preferential (perhaps not exclusive) affinity for pre- and postsynaptic metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptors. Thus, the pharmacology, tissue distribution, and sensitivity to GTPγS show that [³H]DCG IV binding is probably to group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat brain.     

Identification of Mu-Class Glutathione Transferases M2-2 and M3-3 as Cytosolic Prostaglandin E Synthases in the Human Brain

Cytosolic prostaglandin (PG) E synthase was purified from human brain cortex. The N-terminal amino acid sequence, PMTLGYXNIRGL, was identical to that of the human mu-class glutathione transferase (GST) M2 subunit. Complementary DNAs for human GSTM2, GSTM3, and GSTM4 subunits were cloned, and recombinant proteins were expressed as homodimers in Escherichia coli. The recombinant GSTM2-2 and 3-3 catalyzed the conversion of PGH₂ to PGE₂ at the rates of 282 and 923 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, at the optimal pH of 8, whereas GSTM4-4 was inactive; although all three enzymes showed GST activity. The PGE synthase activity depended on thiols, such as glutathione, dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol, or L-cysteine. Michaelis-Menten constants and turnover numbers for PGH₂ were 141 M and 10.8 min^–1 for GSTM2-2 and 1.5 mM and 130 min^–1 for GSTM3-3, respectively. GSTM2-2 and 3-3 may play crucial roles in temperature regulation, nociception, and sleep-wake regulation by producing PGE₂ in the brain.