Characterisation of the Glycine Modulatory Site of the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor-Ionophore Complex in Human Brain

[3H]Glycine binding and glycine modulation of [3H]MK-801 binding have been used to study the glycine allosteric site associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex in postmortem human brain. The effect of glycine on [3H]MK-801 binding appeared sensitive to duration of terminal coma, and possibly postmortem delay. Thirty percent of the binding occurred in a subfraction of brain tissue and did not show enhancement by glycine and glutamic acid. [3H]Glycine binding to a subfraction free from this component was studied and showed high specific binding. KD and Bmax values showed considerable intersubject variability which did not appear to be due to demographic features or to tissue content of amino acids with an affinity for this site. The pharmacological characteristics of binding in this subfraction and a correlation between Bmax values and the maximal enhancement of [3H]MK-801 binding by glycine are consistent with [3H]glycine binding occurring to an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex associated site. Further support for this is provided by a significantly lower Bmax value for [3H]glycine binding in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and reduced glycine enhancement of [3H]MK-801 binding. However, the effect of perimortem factors makes it difficult to confidently attribute this solely to a disease-related change in the receptor. The possible role of the glycine allosteric site in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders is discussed.     

稳定表达重组小鼠FAPα蛋白细胞株的构建

采用RT-PCR方法从BALB/c胚鼠成纤维细胞克隆FAPα基因,将其连接至表达栽体pTd-FL-N,转化Stbl3感受态.筛选重组质粒,经酶切、PCR检测及测序鉴定,证实表达质粒构建正确.将表达载体转染HEK293细胞,经G418筛选单克隆阳性细胞,采用Western blot技术证实稳定表达FAPα细胞株构建成功.通过流式细胞术确定FAPa蛋白可定位表达于细胞膜上.     

丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白稳定表达肝癌细胞株的构建及生物学研究

旨在构建稳定表达HCV核心蛋白的稳定细胞系Huh7-Core并进行初步的生物学功能研究.利用PCR技术扩增HCV核心蛋白基因,通过酶切连接反应将目的基因克隆至载体pSEB-3Flag中,将重组质粒pSEB-3F-Core和辅助质粒pAmpho共转染Huh7细胞,经过Blasticidine抗性筛选,建立稳定表达HCV核心蛋白的肝癌细胞系Huh7-Core.采用RT-PCR、Western blot鉴定Huh7-Core细胞株中核心蛋白的稳定表达并采用MTS、结晶紫试验观察Huh7-Core稳定细胞株的增殖情况.结果显示,成功构建了表达HCV核心蛋白的稳定细胞株Huh7-Core.结晶紫、MTS试验证实Huh7-Core细胞较Huh7-3Flag细胞增殖速度增快,表达HCV核心蛋白的Huh7-Core稳定细胞株构建成功,Core稳定表达后可促进Huh7细胞生长速度.     

Development of Stable Cell Lines Expressing Different Subtypes of GabaA Receptors

Abstract

The experiments reported here were motivated by our interest to express in stably-transfected cells large amounts of recombinant rat GABA_A receptors. For this, we developed an original two step selection strategy, in which the first step consisted of transfecting HEK 293 cells with rat GABA_A receptor α and β subunits. G 418 resistant colonies isolated at this step were screened for [³H] muscimol binding to select for those that coexpressed α- and β-subunits. The best α and β subunit expressing colony was then supertransfected with a plasmid coding for the γ rat GABA_A receptor subunit and a mutant DHFR gene. After a second round of selection, this time in presence of methotrexate, those colonies that coexpressed ternary αβγ GABA_A receptor combinations were distinguished using [³H] flumazenil as a probe. This strategy was applied to the isolation of 3 GABA_A receptor clones, α₁β₂γ_2S, α₁β₂γ_2S and α₁β₂γ_2S, that expressed relatively high levels of these proteins. These 3 cell lines exhibited pharmacological and functional properties similar to cells transiently-transfected with equivalent subunit combinations. These cell lines therefore provide attractive models with which to evaluate the intrinsic activity and potency of compounds at recombinant GABA_A receptor subtypes.     

Cloning, Functional Coexpression, and Pharmacological Characterisation of Human cDNAs Encoding NMDA Receptor NR1 and NR2A Subunits

Abstract: Using expression cloning, and more recently using polymerase chain reaction cloning approaches, a family of rat N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit cDNAs has been described (NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, and NR2D). Here we report cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding isoforms of the human NR1 subunit (NR1a, NR1d, and NR1e) that differ at their C-terminal end as a result of alternative splicing and also of a cDNA encoding the human NR2A subunit. The deduced amino acid sequences of the human NR1 subunit isoforms differed from the published rat NR1 subunit sequences at only eight positions, all of which were N-terminal to the alternatively spliced domains. The human NR2A subunit deduced amino acid sequence differed from the published rat NR2A subunit sequence at 81 of the 1,464 amino acids, with most of the substitutions being located in the C-terminal half of the subunit. The gene for NR2A has been localised to human chromosome 16. We also report the expression and pharmacological characterisation of recombinant human NR1a/NR2A heteromeric receptors in Xenopus oocytes. These receptors had EC₅₀ values of 2.14 and 2.05 μ M for glutamate and glycine, respectively, and an IC₅₀ of 46.8 μ M for Mg²⁺. Responses were antagonised by d -2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, L-689,560, pH 6.3, zinc, and MK-801. No modulatory effect was observed on application of ifenprodil, confirming previous observations with rat NR1 + NR2A recombinant receptors.     

Structural Dynamics of the Glycine-binding Domain of the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor

N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors mediate the slow component of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. These receptors are obligate heteromers containing glycine- and glutamate-binding subunits. The ligands bind to a bilobed agonist-binding domain of the receptor. Previous x-ray structures of the glycine-binding domain of NMDA receptors showed no significant changes between the partial and full agonist-bound structures. Here we have used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to investigate the cleft closure conformational states that the glycine-binding domain of the receptor adopts in the presence of the antagonist 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid (DCKA), the partial agonists 1-amino-1-cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (ACBC) and l-alanine, and full agonists glycine and d-serine. For these studies, we have incorporated the unnatural amino acid p-acetyl-l-phenylalanine for specific labeling of the protein with hydrazide derivatives of fluorophores. The single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer data show that the agonist-binding domain can adopt a wide range of cleft closure states with significant overlap in the states occupied by ligands of varying efficacy. The difference lies in the fraction of the protein in a more closed-cleft form, with full agonists having a larger fraction in the closed-cleft form, suggesting that the ability of ligands to select for these states could dictate the extent of activation.     

表达人去唾液酸糖蛋白受体分子细胞系的建立

目的构建稳定表达人肝细胞表面分子去唾液酸糖蛋白受体（asialoglycoprotein receptor,ASGPR）的细胞系。方法逆转录PCR扩增人肝组织ASGPR大亚基H1全编码序列,插入到真核表达载体plRES2EGFP中,重组质粒pIRES2EGFP／ASGPRH1转染HeLa细胞,G418筛选,RT—PCR,Western印迹及免疫荧光检测ASGPRH1的表达。结果成功构建了pIRES2EGFP／ASGPRH1重组质粒,该质粒转染HeLa细胞后,Western印迹及免疫荧光均检测到ASGPRHI蛋白的表达。结论成功建立了稳定表达人ASGPRH1的细胞系,为进一步研究ASGPR分子奠定了基础。     

Solubilization of Rat Brain Phencyclidine Receptors in an Active Binding Form That Is Sensitive to N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Ligands

Phencyclidine (PCP) receptors were successfully solubilized from rat forebrain membranes with 1% sodium cholate. Approximately 58% of the initial protein and 20-30% of the high-affinity PCP binding sites were solubilized. The high affinity toward PCP-like drugs, the stereo-selectivity of the sites, and the sensitivity to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ligands were preserved. Binding of the potent PCP receptor ligand N-[3H][1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl] piperidine ([3H]TCP) to the soluble receptors was saturable (KD = 35 nM), and PCP-like drugs inhibited [3H]TCP binding in a rank order of potency close to that observed for the membrane-bound receptors; the most potent inhibitors were TCP (Ki = 31 nM) and the anticonvulsant MK-801 (Ki = 50 nM). The NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid inhibited binding of [3H]TCP to the soluble receptors; glutamate or NMDA diminished this inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the results indicate that the soluble PCP receptor preparation contains the glutamate recognition sites and may represent a single receptor complex for PCP and NMDA, as suggested by electrophysiological data. The successful solubilization of the PCP receptors in an active binding form should now facilitate their purification.     

稳定表达人SidT2基因细胞系的建立及其dsRNA转运功能的研究

目的:构建稳定表达人SidT2基因的BHK及MDCK细胞系,探讨SidT2基因过表达与细胞转运双链RNA(dsRNA)能力的关系。方法:根据人SidT2基因序列设计引物,克隆其编码区序列,经双酶切后与pEGFP-N3载体连接,构建其真核表达载体,分别瞬时转染BHK及MDCK细胞,并使用G418筛选稳定表达细胞系;在此基础上,体外转录合成绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)dsRNA,以GFP基因为报告基因,进一步分析过表达人SidT2基因对BHK及MDCK细胞转运dsRNA能力的影响。结果:经基因克隆、酶切、连接后,构建了人SidT2基因真核表达载体pEGFP-SidT2;经瞬时转染及G418筛选,获得稳定过表达人SidT2基因的BHK及MDCK细胞系,实时荧光定量RT-PCR分析表明,其SidT2基因转录水平分别提高71、64.5倍;稳定表达SidT2基因后,在培养液中添加GFP dsRNA,GFP荧光强度较对照细胞分别降低88.1%、73.7%,表明稳定表达SidT2基因的BHK、MDCK细胞转运dsRNA的能力显著增强。结论:构建了稳定表达人SidT2基因的BHK及MDCK细胞系,SidT2基因过表达可显著提高外源性dsRNA的转运能力。     

Calcium-Independent Release of Acetylcholine from Stable Cell Lines Expressing Mouse Choline Acetyltransferase cDNA

Abstract: Stably transfected cells expressing mouse choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) cDNA were established, and the synthesis and release of acetylcholine (ACh) were examined. A cDNA clone coding for mouse ChAT was inserted into an expression vector (pEF321) containing a promoter for human elongation factor 1α to construct pEFmChAT. Neuronal (NG108-15, NS20Y, N1E115, and Neuro2A) and nonneuronal cell lines (L cells and NIH3T3) were transfected with pEFmChAT, and the cell lines that stably expressed high ChAT activity were selected. These cells expressed the 66-kDa ChAT protein and accumulated ACh mostly in the cytosol. The concentration of intracellular ACh in the cells increased upon raising the choline level in the medium. The cells continuously released ACh in a Ca²⁺-independent fashion. Neither high K⁺ nor calcium ionophore stimulated release of ACh from the cells.     

Effect of Glutamate Analogues on Brain Tumor Cell Lines

Glutamate analogues have been used in many different experimental approaches in neurobiology. A small number of these analogues have been classified as gliotoxic. We have examined the effect of seven glutamate analogues (five gliotoxic and two neurotoxic) on the growth and viability of four human glioma cell lines, one human medulloblastoma cell line, and one human sarcoma cell line. Aminoadipic acid and homocysteic acid predominantly affected the growth of two glioma cell lines in the presence of 4 mM glutamine. Phosphonobutyric acid predominantly affected the other two glioma cell lines and the medulloblastoma cell line in the presence of 4 mM glutamine. In medium containing no glutamine, all three analogues had marked effects on all the cell lines except the sarcoma cell line. These effects were dose dependent. We postulate that these results can in part be explained on the basis of metabolic compartmentalization.     

Developmental and Regional Expression of NMDA Receptor Subtypes Containing the NR2D Subunit in Rat Brain

Abstract: The regional and developmental expression of NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit was analyzed on the level of the subunit mRNA and protein in rat brain. RNase protection experiments indicated that among two proposed splice variants of the NR2D subunit, only the NR2D-2 subunit is expressed. The regional distribution of the NR2D subunit protein was visualized with a newly developed NR2D-2 subunit-specific antiserum on brain sections using the histoblot technique. In adult brain, NR2D immunoreactivity was mainly restricted to diencephalic, mesencephalic, and brainstem structures. During postnatal development, the NR2D subunit was detected transiently in certain regions, such as the ventro-basal complex of the thalamus, hippocampus, inferior colliculus, and brainstem reticular formation, suggesting that NR2D subunit-containing receptors play a role in these brain areas only during development. The level of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein decreased during late postnatal development. However, significant levels of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein were present in adulthood, in particular, in the globus pallidus, thalamus, subthalamic nuclei, and superior colliculus. These results indicate a functional relevance for NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit in the developing and adult brain, although its expression in the adult brain is less prominent and restricted to a few brain areas.     

The Human N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor 2C Subunit: Genomic Analysis, Distribution in Human Brain, and Functional Expression

Abstract: cDNAs encoding four isoforms of the human NMDA receptor (NMDAR) NMDAR2C (hNR2C-1, -2, -3, and -4) have been isolated and characterized. The overall identity of the deduced amino acid sequences of human and rat NR2C-1 is 89.0%. The sequences of the rat and human carboxyl termini (Gly⁹²⁵-Val^1,236) are encoded by different exons and are only 71.5% homologous. In situ hybridization in human brain revealed the expression of the NR2C mRNA in the pontine reticular formation and lack of expression in substantia nigra pars compacta in contrast to the distribution pattern observed previously in rodent brain. The pharmacological properties of hNR1A/2C were determined by measuring agonist-induced inward currents in Xenopus oocytes and compared with those of other human NMDAR subtypes. Glycine, glutamate, and NMDA each discriminated between hNR1A/2C-1 and at least one of hNR1A/2A, hNR1A/2B, or hNR1A/2D subtypes. Among the antagonists tested, CGS 19755 did not significantly discriminate between any of the four subtypes, whereas 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid distinguished between hNR1A/2C and hNR1A/2D. Immunoblot analysis of membranes isolated from HEK293 cells transiently transfected with cDNAs encoding hNR1A and each of the four NR2C isoforms indicated the formation of heteromeric complexes between hNR1A and all four hNR2C isoforms. HEK293 cells expressing hNR1A/2C-3 or hNR1A/2C-4 did not display agonist responses. In contrast, we observed an agonist-induced elevation of intracellular free calcium and whole-cell currents in cells expressing hNR1A/2C-1 or hNR1A/2C-2. There were no detectable differences in the macroscopic biophysical properties of hNR1A/2C-1 or hNR1A/2C-2.     

Swim Stress Increases the Potency of Glycine at the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Complex

Abstract: We have previously demonstrated that chronic administration of antidepressants results in a reduction in the potency of glycine to displace 5,7-[³H]dichlorokynurenic acid (5,7-[³H]-DCKA) from the strychnine-insensitive glycine recognition site of the NMDA receptor complex. We now report that exposure of rats to the forced swim test results in a 56% increase in the potency of glycine to displace 5,7-[³H]DCKA from frontal cortical homogenates. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the forced swim test, a preclinical screen sensitive to acute administration of antidepressant drugs and NMDA receptor antagonists, also results in adaptation of the NMDA receptor complex. Moreover, these data lend further support to the hypothesis that glutamatergic pathways are involved in the neurobiological response to stress and, potentially, in the pathophysiology of depression.     

稳定表达人Fhit突变体细胞系的建立

目的:构建人脆性组氨酸三联体(Fhit)突变体真核表达载体并建立稳定表达人Fhit突变体的细胞株,以便进一步研究Fhit与复制蛋白A(RPA)在体内的相互作用。方法:将3种人Fhit突变体cDNA克隆至带有HA标签的真核表达载体pREP10上,构建人Fhit突变体真核表达载体,转染HeLa细胞,经潮霉素B加压筛选阳性克隆,用Western印迹鉴定稳定表达Fhit突变体蛋白FhitA、FhitD和FhitF的阳性细胞株。结果:经PCR鉴定及序列分析,Fhit突变体基因真核表达载体pREP10/FhitA/D/F-HA构建正确,转染人HeLa细胞,筛选出Fhit突变体表达较高的细胞株。结论:建立了3株稳定表达Fhit突变体的细胞株HeLa-FhitA/D/F,为研究Fhit与RPA的相互作用在DNA损伤应答中发挥的作用奠定了基础。     

稳定表达HLA-A33蛋白细胞系的建立

旨在构建能稳定表达HLA-A33蛋白的细胞系,并观察其在细胞中的表达水平.首先克隆取得HLA-A33基因,并将其插入慢病毒载体,经酶切和测序鉴定,确定载体构建正确.通过慢病毒系统感染正常RD细胞,将HLA-A33基因整合进RD细胞的基因组.提取构建细胞系的基因组做PCR鉴定,并通过免疫荧光和蛋白免疫印迹法检测,结果显示,HLA-A33基因成功整合入RD细胞基因组中,且在重组细胞系中成功表达.该细胞系可为A33等位基因与HBV感染后的慢性化以及EV71感染的相关研究提供试验参考.     

Stereoselectivity for the (R)-Enantiomer of HA-966 (l-Hydroxy-3-Aminopyrrolidone-2) at the Glycine Site of the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Complex

HA-966 (1-hydroxy-3-aminopyrrolidone-2) is an antagonist at the glycine allosteric site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ionophore complex. Unlike presently known glycine antagonists, HA-966 is chiral. We report stereoselectivity for the (R)-enantiomer at the glycine antagonist site. In [3H]glycine binding, the (R)-enantiomer has an IC50 of 4.1 +/- 0.6 microM. The racemic mixture has an IC50 of 11.2 +/- 0.5 microM, whereas (S)-HA-966 has an IC50 greater than 900 microM. In glycine-stimulated [3H]1-[1-(2- thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine binding, the (R)-enantiomer inhibits with an IC50 of 121 +/- 61 microM, whereas the racemic mixture has an IC50 of 216 +/- 113 microM and (S)-HA-966 is inactive. The inhibition by (R)-HA-966 can be prevented by the addition of glycine. (R)-HA-966 and racemic HA-966, but not (S)-HA-966, also prevent N-methyl-D-aspartate cytotoxicity in cortical cultures. The (R)-enantiomer and, less potently, the (S)-enantiomer inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release from rat hippocampal slices (IC50 values of about 0.3 mM and 1.6 mM, respectively), but only the inhibition by (R)-HA-966 is reversed by added glycine. In glutamate-evoked contractions of the guinea pig ileum, (R)-HA-966 causes a glycine-reversible inhibition (IC50 of about 150 microM), whereas (S)-HA-966 is much less potent (IC50 of greater than 1 mM). These results demonstrate stereoselectivity of the glycine antagonist site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex in a variety of tissues and assays. The stereoselectivity also confirms the specificity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in glutamate-evoked contractions of the guinea pig ileum, and supports their similarity to central N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.     

重组人类生长激素对胃癌细胞的体外增殖研究

目的：通过体外实验,研究重组人类生长激素对胃癌细胞的增殖的影响。方法：实验分为空白组,重组人类生长激素组,奥沙利铂组和重组人类生长激素＋奥沙利铂组。用不同浓度的重组人类生长激素处理SGC．7901细胞,采用MTT法和流式细胞仪检测人胃癌细胞株的细胞抑制率,细胞周期和DNA抑制率。结果：体外实验结果表明,重组人类生长激素对SGC．7901细胞株增殖没有明显的促进作用,重组人类生长激素组和空白组以及重组人类生长激素＋奥沙利铂组和奥沙利铂组之间没有统计显著性（P〉0．05）,细胞抑制率和停止生长的细胞在G0-G1期明显增加（P〈0．01）,同时重组人类生长激素＋奥沙利铂组和空白组以及奥沙利铂组在S期,细胞数依次下降,DNA抑制率依次增加。重组人类生长激素＋奥沙利铂组与奥沙利铂组相比,细胞抑制率有明显上升趋势。结论：体外实验表明,重组人类生长激素并不加快人类胃癌细胞的增殖,与抗癌药物一同使用时,有增加治疗功效的作用。     

Generation of Recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Lines by Microinjection

Microinjection is a gene transfer technique enabling partial control of plasmid delivery into the nucleus or cytoplasm of cultured animal cells. Here this method was used to establish various recombinant mammalian cell lines. The injection volume was estimated by fluorescence quantification of injected fluorescein isothyocynate (FITC)-dextran. The DNA concentration and injection pressure were then optimized for microinjection into the nucleus or cytoplasm using a reporter plasmid encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Nuclear microinjection was more sensitive to changes in these two parameters than was cytoplasmic microinjection. Under optimal conditions, 80–90% of the cells were GFP-positive 1 day after microinjection into the nucleus or the cytoplasm. Recombinant cell lines were recovered following microinjection or calcium phosphate transfection and analyzed for the level and stability of recombinant protein production. In general, the efficiency of recovery of recombinant cell lines and the stability of reporter protein expression over time were higher following microinjection as compared to CaPi transfection. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using microinjection as a method to generate recombinant cell lines. Revisions requested 27 October 2005; Revisions received 12 December 2005     

FBXO22 Protein Is Required for Optimal Synthesis of the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Coagonist d-Serine

d-Serine is a physiological activator of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the nervous system that mediates several NMDAR-mediated processes ranging from normal neurotransmission to neurodegeneration. d-Serine is synthesized from l-serine by serine racemase (SR), a brain-enriched enzyme. However, little is known about the regulation of d-serine synthesis. We now demonstrate that the F-box only protein 22 (FBXO22) interacts with SR and is required for optimal d-serine synthesis in cells. Although FBXO22 is classically associated with the ubiquitin system and is recruited to the Skip1-Cul1-F-box E3 complex, SR interacts preferentially with free FBXO22 species. In vivo ubiquitination and SR half-life determination indicate that FBXO22 does not target SR to the proteasome system. FBXO22 primarily affects SR subcellular localization and seems to increase d-serine synthesis by preventing the association of SR to intracellular membranes. Our data highlight an atypical role of FBXO22 in enhancing d-serine synthesis that is unrelated to its classical effects as a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway.