Localization and diurnal variations of carbonic anhydrase mRNA expression in the inner ear of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Physiological studies have suggested that carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays a central role in otolith biomineralization via ion transport. However, the presence and exact function of CA in the inner ear have not been determined. In the present study, to investigate the localization of CA and its involvement in otolith calcification, we cloned two cDNAs encoding CAs from the rainbow trout sacculus. These two cDNAs, designated rainbow trout CAa (rtCAa) and rtCAb, both had an open reading frame encoding 260 amino acids with a sequence identity of 78%. Remarkably, rtCAb has a high degree of homology (82%) with “high activity CA” in the zebrafish, and its mRNA expression showed variation in the range 1.9–11.4 × 10⁴ copies/ng total RNA in the sacculus. In contrast, rtCAa mRNA was constantly expressed at approximately 3 × 10⁴ copies/ng total RNA. In situ hybridization revealed that rtCAb mRNA was strongly expressed in the distal squamous epithelial cells and transitional epithelial cells, except the mitochondria-rich cells, whereas, rtCAa was localized in extrasaccular tissue. These results suggest that the rtCAb isozyme is involved in the daily increment formation and calcification of otoliths via phase and spatial differences of the bicarbonate supply to the endolymph.     

Relationship of saccular ultrastructure to otolith growth in the teleost Oreochromis niloticus

The sacculus of Oreochromis niloticus is anatomically separated from the utriculus and semicircular canals. The saccular wall is composed of the sensory epithelium, transitional epithelia, and squamous epithelium. Cellular granules are abundant in the sensory and transitional epithelia but scarce in the squamous epithelium. Over the dorsal side of the dorsal transitional epithelium there exists an oval patch of cells with distinctive microvilli. New finding is a shallow groove which extends from the anterior end of the sensory epithelium approximately halfway down along the ventral perimacular transitional epithelium. Small vesicles, which appear “empty” under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), are aggregated in the posterior region of the groove. These small vesicles are also present in both the sensory and transitional epithelia. A second kind of vesicle is comparatively large and appears filled with stainable contents. These vesicles are restricted to the sensory region. Both kinds of vesicles appear to be involved in apical secretion and possibly provide the otolithic membrane with fibers. The otolithic membrane is composed of a gelatinuous layer and subcupular meshwork. The meshwork appears to contribute to the formation of the otolith. The small empty vesicles appear to originate in sensory and transitional epithelial cells and may form the subcupular meshwork. The larger filled vesicles are derived predominantly from sensory cells in the sensory epithelium and appear to contribute to the gelatinuous layer of otoliths. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

糖原合成酶激酶3在猪气道上皮细胞鳞状分化中作用的初步探讨

为探讨糖原合成酶激酶3（glycogen synthase kinase 3,GSK3）在气道（气管和支气管）上皮细胞鳞状分化中的作用,培养原代猪气道上皮细胞,用GSK3的高度选择性抑制剂氯化锂处理,观察细胞形态变化,用Western blot检测β-连环素、磷酸化GSK3和鳞状分化标记物外皮蛋白的表达、RT-PCR检测鳞状分化标记物小脯氨酸丰富蛋白mRNA的表达、荧光素酶报告基因分析β-连环素／Tcf信号的激活状态。结果显示,锂能诱导猪气道上皮细胞出现鳞状形态、增加小脯氨酸丰富蛋白mRNA和外皮蛋白的表达、促进GSK3的抑制性丝氨酸磷酸化和β-连环素的细胞核内转位;锂能激活β-连环素／Tcf信号,但该作用出现于鳞状分化标记物增加之后。上述结果提示,GSK3可能参与猪气道上皮细胞的鳞状分化。     

Fish otolith contains a unique structural protein, otolin-1.

A collagen-like protein was identified from the otoliths of the chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. The otolith, composed mainly of calcium carbonate with small amount of organic matrices, is formed in the inner ear and serves as a part of the hearing and balance systems. Although the organic matrices may play important roles in the growth of otolith, little is known about their chemical nature and physiological function. In this study, a major organic component of the otolith, designated otolin-1, which may serve as a template for calcification, was purified. The sequences of two tryptic peptides from otolin-1 revealed high homology with parts of a saccular collagen which had been described previously [Davis, J.G., Oberholtzer, J.C., Burns, F.R. & Greene, M.I. (1995) Science 267, 1031-1034]. Cloning of a cDNA coding for otolin-1 revealed that the deduced amino-acid sequence contained a collagenous domain in the central part of the protein. Although collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the animal body, otolin-1 mRNA was expressed specifically in the sacculus. Immunohistochemical studies showed that otolin-1 is synthesized in the transitional epithelium and transferred to the otolith and otolithic membrane. This is the first report concerning characterization of a structural protein containing many tandem repeats of the sequence, Gly-Xaa-Yaa, typical for collagen from the biomineral composed of calcium carbonate.     

Presence of Na-K-ATPase in mitochondria-rich cells in the yolk-sac epithelium of larvae of the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus

The purpose of this study is to provide biochemical evidence for the functions of the mitochondria-rich cell (MR cell) in the yolk-sac epithelium of the developing larvae of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. Western blotting with the antibody (6F) raised against avian Na-K-ATPase alpha1 subunit demonstrated the presence of Na-K-ATPase in yolk-sac epithelium of tilapia larvae and about 1. 46-fold more of the enzyme in seawater larvae than in freshwater ones. The yolk-sac MR cells were immunoreacted to the antibody (alpha5) against the alpha subunit of avian Na-K-ATPase and were double-labeled with anthroylouabain and dimethylaminostyrylethyl-pyridiniumiodine, suggesting the existence and activity of Na-K-ATPase in these cells. Binding of 3H-ouabain in the yolk sac of seawater larvae was much higher than in that of freshwater larvae (4.183+/-0.143 pmol/mg protein versus 1.610+/-0. 060 pmol/mg protein or 0.0508+/-0.0053 pmol/yolk sac versus 0. 0188+/-0.0073 pmol/yolk sac). These biochemical results are further evidence that yolk-sac MR cells are responsible for a major role in the osmoregulatory mechanism of early developmental stages before the function of gills is fully developed.     

Role of protein kinase C in the translational regulation of lipoprotein lipase in adipocytes

The hypertriglyceridemia of diabetes is accompanied by decreased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in adipocytes. Although the mechanism for decreased LPL is not known, elevated glucose is known to increase diacylglycerol, which activates protein kinase C (PKC). To determine whether PKC is involved in the regulation of LPL, we studied the effect of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on adipocytes. LPL activity was inhibited when TPA was added to cultures of 3T3-F442A and rat primary adipocytes. The inhibitory effect of TPA on LPL activity was observed after 6 h of treatment, and was observed at a concentration of 6 nM. 100 nM TPA yielded maximal (80%) inhibition of LPL. No stimulation of LPL occurred after short term addition of TPA to cultures. To determine whether TPA treatment of adipocytes decreased LPL synthesis, cells were labeled with [35S]methionine and LPL protein was immunoprecipitated. LPL synthetic rate decreased after 6 h of TPA treatment. Western blot analysis of cell lysates indicated a decrease in LPL mass after TPA treatment. Despite this decrease in LPL synthesis, there was no change in LPL mRNA in the TPA-treated cells. Long term treatment of cells with TPA is known to down-regulate PKC. To assess the involvement of the different PKC isoforms, Western blotting was performed. TPA treatment of 3T3-F442A adipocytes decreased PKC alpha, beta, delta, and epsilon isoforms, whereas PKC lambda, theta, zeta, micro, iota, and gamma remained unchanged or decreased minimally. To directly assess the effect of PKC inhibition, PKC inhibitors (calphostin C and staurosporine) were added to cultures. The PKC inhibitors inhibited LPL activity rapidly (within 60 min). Thus, activation of PKC did not increase LPL, but inhibition of PKC resulted in decreased LPL synthesis by inhibition of translation, indicating a constitutive role of PKC in LPL gene expression.     

脂质体介导人β防御素2基因转染膀胱上皮的实验研究

目的 探讨脂质体介导人β防御-2（humaβ-defensin2,hBD2）基因体内、外转染膀胱上皮细胞的可行性。方法采用脂质体法体外转染人膀胱上皮细胞株T24及膀胱灌注大鼠体内转染,ELISA检测细胞上清及大鼠尿液中hBD：的表达;RT—PCR及Western印迹检测细胞及大鼠膀胱中hBD：的表达;组织免疫荧光检测hBD,在膀胱黏膜的表达。结果RT—PCR及Western印迹检测显示,脂质体介导pCAGG—hBD2体、内外转染膀胱上皮细胞后均可表达重组hBD2;转染细胞上清及大鼠尿液中hBD2浓度分别为（36．5±3．2）ng／10。细胞和（4．77±1．4）ng／ml;转基因hBD2主要表达于膀胱黏膜上皮层。结论脂质体介导hBD2基因体内、外转染膀胱上皮细胞后均能获得高效表达,为泌尿系感染的防御素基因治疗提供了实验依据。     

Cytogenetic peculiarities of the cervical epithelium in inflammatory diseases

The functional status of epithelial cells in inflammatory diseases of the cervix has been studied with the use of cytogenetic methods of detection of chromosome nucleolar organizers. The highest level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was detected in cylindrical epithelial cells using indexes of compact and transitional nucleolonemic types of nuclear organizer regions; an elevated level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was found in the squamous epithelial cells of the intermediate layer, and a low level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was found in the squamous epithelial cells of the superficial layer.     

Oviduct-specific expression of tissue plasminogen activator in laying hens

Egg-laying hens are important candidate bioreactors for pharmaceutical protein production because of the amenability of their eggs for protein expression. In this study, we constructed an oviduct-specific vector containing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) protein and green fluorescent protein (pL-2.8OVtPAGFP) and assessed its expression in vitro and in vivo. Oviduct epithelial and 3T3 cells were cultured and transfected with pL-2.8OVtPAGFP and pEGP-N1 (control vector), respectively. The pL-2.8OVtPAGFP vector was administered to laying hens via a wing vein and their eggs and tissues were examined for tPA expression. The oviduct-specific vector pL-2.8OVtPAGFP was expressed only in oviduct epithelial cells whereas pEGP-N1 was detected in oviduct epithelial and 3T3 cells. Western blotting detected a 89 kDa band corresponding to tPA in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells, thus confirming expression of the protein. The amount of tPAGFP in eggs ranged 9 to 41 ng/mL on the third day after vector injection. The tPA expressed in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells showed fibrinolytic activity, indicating that the protein was expressed in active form. GFP was observed only in oviducts, with no detection in heart, muscle, liver and intestine. This is the first study to report the expression of tPA in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells using an oviduct-specific vector.     

Cytogenetic characteristics of the uterine cervical epithelium in inflammatory diseases

Functional status of epithelial cells at inflammatory cervical pathologies has been studied with the use of cytogenetic method of detection of chromosome nucleolar organizer regions. The highest level of rRNA proliferation and synthesis has been detected in cylindrical epithelial cells using the indexes of compact and transitional nucleolonemic types of nucleolar organizer regions, a higher level--in squamous cells of intermediate type, and the lowest one in squamous epithelium of superficial type.     

Overexpression of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines: effects on apoptosis,migration and adhesion of cells

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) is the sole enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in methylation reaction. Previous studies have shown that its inhibition or deficiency leads to several human disorders such as severe coagulopathy, hepatopathy and myopathy. However, the effects of SAHH on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells have not been explored so far. To determine whether SAHH is involved in carcinogenesis of the esophagus, we investigated the expression of SAHH in ESCC and normal esophageal epithelial cells and found that SAHH was downregulated in ESCC cells compared with normal esophageal epithelial cells (P < 0.05). The overexpressed SAHH in ESCC cells promoted cell apoptosis, inhibited cell migration and adhesion, but did not affect the cell proliferation and cell cycle. Furthermore, an interaction of SAHH with receptor of activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) protein was detected by coimmunoprecipitation and an increased RACK1, which is caused by overexpression of SAHH, was verified by Western blotting. The findings mentioned above demonstrate that SAHH can promote apoptosis, inhibit migration and adhesion of ESCC cells suggesting that it may be involved in carcinogenesis of the esophagus.     

OCT4 介导卵泡刺激素对永生化人卵巢上皮细胞株增殖、 凋亡和侵袭能力的影响

目的:探讨OCT4基因对卵泡刺激素作用下的永生化人卵巢上皮细胞株(Moody细胞)增殖、凋亡和侵袭能力影响。方法:将不同浓度的FSH(0、25、50、100mIU/ml)作用于Moody细胞48小时,应用Western-blot技术检测OCT4表达情况。采用慢病毒介导将重组质粒OCT4稳定转染至人卵巢上皮细胞株中,应用Western-blot法鉴定OCT4蛋白表达情况。FSH以50 mIU/ml作为工作浓度,实验对象分为4组:①siCon组,转染空载体的阴性对照组;②OCT4组:稳定转染OCT4基因的Moody细胞组;③FSH+siCon组:以FSH处理的siCon组;④FSH+OCT4组:以FSH处理的OCT4组。采用MTT比色法检测各组细胞的增殖情况,流式细胞仪检测各组细胞凋亡情况,Transwell侵袭实验检测各组细胞侵袭能力的变化。结果:(1)随着FSH浓度的增加,Moody细胞中OCT4蛋白表达逐渐增高,在FSH浓度为50 mIU/ml时达最高;(2)OCT4基因成功转染至Moody细胞中,经Western-blot检测该基因在细胞中进行蛋白高表达;(3)FSH+OCT4组细胞增殖活性明显增高,同时凋亡率降低,与另外三组相比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);(4)在FSH作用下,转染OCT4后明显增强了细胞的侵袭能力,与另外三组相比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:OCT4介导了FSH对人卵巢上皮细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭活性的调控。     

Secretion of prosaposin, a multifunctional protein, by breast cancer cells.

Western blotting and immunodetection with three antibodies were used to probe conditioned media of breast cancer cells (MDA231, MDA435, MCF-7) for prosaposin, a lysosomal protein that occurs in milk. It was readily detected in media from these cells, and from that of an sv40-transformed mammary epithelial cell, HBL100, but not from medium of human neural tumor cells (SK-N-MC). In cultures of MCF-7 cells, the prosaposin pattern of secretion over time closely resembled that of procathepsin D, another lysosomal protein occurring in milk. Supplementing medium with 17beta-estradiol (0. 1-100 nM) dose dependently increased secretion of both proteins after 48 h without changes in cell viability. The influence of 17beta-estradiol on secretion could play a role in the trophic activity of prosaposin in cellular differentiation and cell death protection. In concert with other lysosomal proteins in the tumor environment, such as procathepsin D, prosaposin may be a factor in eliminating barriers to tumor metastasis by facilitating hydrolysis of membrane glycolipids. The number of milk proteins known to be secreted by breast cancer cells is growing. There is evidence that at least some of these may be secreted in an endocrine manner in the normal, non-lactating breast.     

Gs protein-coupled receptor agonists induce transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in T84 cells: implications for epithelial secretory responses

We have previously shown that Gq protein-coupled receptor (GqPCR) agonists stimulate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) transactivation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in colonic epithelial cells. This constitutes a mechanism by which Cl- secretory responses to GqPCR agonists are limited. In the present study we examined a possible role for the EGFr in regulating Cl- secretion stimulated by agonists that act through GsPCRs. All experiments were performed using monolayers of T84 colonic epithelial cells grown on permeable supports. Protein phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions were analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Cl- secretion was measured as changes in short-circuit current (DeltaIsc) across voltage-clamped T84 cells. The GsPCR agonist, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP; 100 nM), rapidly stimulated EGFr phosphorylation in T84 cells. This effect was mimicked by a cell-permeant analog of cAMP, Bt2cAMP/AM (3 microM), and was attenuated by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89 (20 microM). The EGFr inhibitor, tyrphostin AG1478 (1 microM), inhibited both Bt2cAMP/AM-stimulated EGFr phosphorylation and Isc responses. VIP and Bt2cAMP/AM both stimulated ERK MAPK phosphorylation and recruitment of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to the EGFr in a tyrphostin AG1478-sensitive manner. The PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin (50 nM), but not the ERK inhibitor, PD 98059 (20 microM), attenuated Bt2cAMP/AM-stimulated secretory responses. We conclude that GsPCR agonists rapidly transactivate the EGFr in T84 cells by a signaling pathway involving cAMP and PKA. Through a mechanism that likely involves PI3K, transactivation of the EGFr is required for the full expression of cAMP-dependent Cl- secretory responses.     

Ca^2+介导肾小管ICAM-1高表达参与肾结石的形成

本研究旨在探讨细胞间黏附分子1 (intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1)在高钙尿肾结石(genetic hypercalcium renal stones, GHS)大鼠中的表达以及Ca^2+对肾小管上皮细胞ICAM-1的影响。取GHS大鼠和SD大鼠,荧光定量PCR检测肾组织ICAM-1 mRNA表达水平,免疫组化检测ICAM-1蛋白表达。比色法检测大鼠肾组织SOD活力和MDA水平。通过ICAM-1 siRNA转染大鼠肾小管上皮细胞系NRK-52E构建ICAM-1低表达细胞模型,Ca^2+(5 mmol/L)处理NRK-52E细胞,检测细胞SOD活力和MDA水平,通过Western blotting检测细胞ICAM-1蛋白表达水平。荧光定量PCR结果显示,与SD对照组相比,GHS组大鼠肾组织ICAM-1 mRNA水平显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);免疫组化结果显示,ICAM-1蛋白在GHS大鼠肾组织中呈阳性表达;氧化应激检测结果显示,与SD对照组比较,GHS组大鼠肾组织SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01)。Western blotting结果显示,与对照组比较,Ca^2+组NRK-52E细胞ICAM-1表达蛋白显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与Ca^2+处理NC-siRNA组比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞ICAM-1表达蛋白显著降低;与ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞后ICAM-1表达蛋白水平无显著性变化(p>0.05)。细胞氧化应激检测结果显示,与对照组比较,Ca^2+组NRK-52E细胞SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与Ca^2+处理NC-siRNA组比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组SOD活性显著升高,MDA含量显著降低,差异均具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞SOD活力和MDA含量无显著性变化(p>0.05)。ICAM-1在GHS肾小管上皮细胞中高表达,Ca^2+诱导肾小管上皮细胞ICAM-1高表达,促进细胞氧化应激水平。     

Distribution and coexistence of chromogranin A-, serotonin-and pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in endocrine-like cells of the human anal canal

Summary The comparative distribution and coexistence of chromogranin A (CGA)-, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)- and pancreastatin (PST)-like immunoreactivity in endocrine-like cells of the human anal canal was investigated by light-microscopic immunocytochemistry. The largest population of colorectal endocrine-like cells consisted of CGA-immunoreactive (ir) cells, followed by the 5-HT-ir and PST-ir cell population. In the anal transitional zone (ATZ), CGA-and 5-HT-immunoreactivity was equally distributed; ir-PST was confined to a smaller endocrine-like cell population. In the squamous zone and the perianal skin, Merkel cells in the basal layer of the epidermis and hair follicles exhibited ir-CGA and ir-PST but no ir-5-HT. Double immunofluorescence on identical sections revealed distinct coexistence patterns. In the colorectal zone, about 2/3 of the CGA-ir endocrine-like cells also stained for 5-HT, whereas in the ATZ epithelium, CGA- and 5-HT-immunoreactivity completely overlapped. No 5-HT-immunoreactivity could be detected in CGA-ir Merkel cells of the squamous zone of the anal canal and the perianal skin. PST-immunoreactivity was present in about 1/3 of the CGA-ir colorectal and anal transitional endocrine-like cells and in about 1/4 of the Merkel-cell population staining for CGA. These chemically heterogeneous phenotypes of the anal endocrine-like and Merkel cells may reflect a specific regulatory role of these cells in the various epithelial linings of the human anal canal and the perianal skin.     

雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299增殖与凋亡的影响

目的：研究雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299的杀伤作用及相关调控机制。方法：用细胞计数法测定不同浓度雷公藤红素对H1299细胞增殖的影响;用流式细胞仪检测H1299细胞的细胞周期;用Western blotting检测剪切的（cleaved）聚ADP核糖聚合酶（PARP）、cleaved caspase-3和低氧诱导因子-1（HIF-1）的表达水平;用DCF-DA染色和荧光显微镜检测细胞内的活性氧（ROS）水平;用萤光素酶活性测定法检测NFκB的活性。结果：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并使细胞阻滞在G2/M期。同时,雷公藤红素显著上调cleaved PARP和cleaved caspase-3的表达,提高细胞内的ROS水平,并且抑制NFκB的活性。结论：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并诱导caspase依赖性的细胞凋亡,具体机制与细胞内ROS的积累和NFκB的活性抑制有关。     

Inhibition of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 phosphorylation by the S100 MRP-8/14 protein complex

The human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 is a major viral oncoprotein that is phosphorylated by casein kinase II (CKII). Two S100 family calcium-binding proteins, macrophage inhibitory-related factor protein 8 (MRP-8) and MRP-14, form a protein complex, MRP-8/14, that inactivates CKII. The MRP-8/14 protein complex may inhibit CKII-mediated E7 phosphorylation and therefore may alter its interaction with cellular ligands and reduce E7 oncogenic activity. We examined the inhibitory effect of the MRP-8/14 complex on CKII activity and HPV16 E7 phosphorylation. We have shown that CKII activity and HPV16 E7 phosphorylation were inhibited by uptake of exogenous MRP-8/14 and activation of endogenous MRP-8/14. MRP-8/14-mediated inhibition of E7 phosphorylation occurred at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Analysis of MRP expression in primary keratinocytes and in HPV16- and 18-transformed cervical and foreskin epithelial cell lines showed that expression of MRP-8, MRP-14, and the MRP-8/14 complex was detected only in primary untransformed keratinocytes and not in the HPV-infected immortalized epithelial cells. CKII activity in HPV-immortalized keratinocytes was approximately fourfold higher than in HPV-negative primary keratinocytes. Treatment of HPV-positive immortalized epithelial cells with exogenous MRP-8/14 resulted in E7 hypophosphorylation and complete inhibition of cell growth within 2 weeks, compared with HPV-negative primary and immortalized HPV-negative cervical epithelial cells, which showed 25 and 40% growth inhibition, respectively. Together these results suggests that the MRP-8/14 protein complex in HPV-infected epithelial cells may play an important role in regulation of CKII-mediated E7 phosphorylation and inhibition of its oncogenic activity.