The docking stage of yeast vacuole fusion requires the transfer of proteins from a cis-SNARE complex to a Rab/Ypt protein

The homotypic fusion of yeast vacuoles requires Sec18p (NSF)-driven priming to allow vacuole docking, but the mechanism that links priming and docking is unknown. We find that a large multisubunit protein called the Vam2/6p complex is bound to cis-paired SNAP receptors (SNAREs) on isolated vacuoles. This association of the Vam2/6p complex with the cis-SNARE complex is disrupted during priming. The Vam2/6p complex then binds to Ypt7p, a guanosine triphosphate binding protein of the Rab family, to initiate productive contact between vacuoles. Thus, cis-SNARE complexes can contain Rab/Ypt effectors, and these effectors can be mobilized by NSF/Sec18p-driven priming, allowing their direct association with a Rab/Ypt protein to activate docking.     

TBC domain family, member 15 is a novel mammalian Rab GTPase-activating protein with substrate preference for Rab7

Ypt/Rabs are Ras-related GTPases that function as key regulators of intracellular vesicular trafficking. Their slow intrinsic rates of GTP hydrolysis are catalyzed by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Ypt/Rab-GAPs constitute a family of proteins that contain a TBC (Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16) domain. Only three of the 51 family members predicted in the human genome are confirmed Ypt/Rab-GAPs. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel mammalian Ypt/Rab-GAP, TBC domain family, member 15 (TBC1D15). TBC1D15 is ubiquitously expressed and localized predominantly to the cytosol. The TBC domain of TBC1D15 exhibits relatively high homology with that of Gyp7p, a yeast Ypt/Rab-GAP. Furthermore, TBC1D15 stimulates the intrinsic GTPase activity of Rab7, and to a lesser extent Rab11, but is essentially inactive towards Rab4 or Rab6. These data increase the number of mammalian TBC domain family members with demonstrated Rab-GAP activity to four, and suggest that TBC1D15 may be involved in Rab7-mediated late endosomal trafficking.     

SCF泛素连接酶靶蛋白识别组分FBW7

FBW7（F-box and WD repeat domain-containing7）是F-box蛋白家族成员,为SCF（SKP1-CUL1-F-box）型泛素连接酶的靶蛋白识别组分。FBW7通过靶降解周期蛋白E、Myc、Jun等多种癌蛋白,对细胞周期进程、细胞生长、分化起重要调控作用。在多种人类肿瘤中已发现FBW7突变,FBW7功能缺失会引起染色体不稳定及肿瘤发生,表明FBW7是一种肿瘤抑制因子。在FBW7缺失所致的肿瘤发生过程中,周期蛋白E、Myc等靶蛋白活性升高、p53功能缺失有重要作用。     

Circular RNA ciRS‐7 promotes tube formation in microvascular endothelial cells through downregulation of miR‐26a‐5p

Atherosclerosis is one of the most common and crucial heart diseases involving the heart and brain. At present, atherosclerosis and its major complications comprise the leading causes of death worldwide. Our purpose was to identify the role of ciRS‐7 in atherosclerosis. Tubulogenesis of HMEC‐1 cell was evaluated utilizing tube formation assay. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and flow cytometry were utilized to test viability and apoptosis. Migration assay was utilized to determine the migration capacity of experimental cells. Western blot was applied to examine apoptosis and tube formation‐associated protein expression. In addition, the above experiments were repeated when silencing ciRS‐7, overexpressing ciRS‐7, and upregulating miR‐26a‐5p. HMEC‐1 cells formed tube‐like structures over time. Silencing ciRS‐7 suppressed viability, migration, and tube formation but promoted apoptosis. Oppositely, overexpressing ciRS‐7 reversed the effect in HMEC‐1 cells. miR‐26a‐5p expression was elevated by silencing ciRS‐7 and reduced by overexpressing ciRS‐7. Moreover, overexpressing ciRS‐7 facilitated viability, migration, and tube formation via upregulating miR‐26a‐5p. Conclusively, overexpressing ciRS‐7 mobilized phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway and suppressed c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 pathway. ciRS‐7 exerted influence on apoptosis, viability, migration, and tube formation through mediating PI3K/AKT and JNK/p38 pathways by miR‐26a‐5p downregulation in HMEC‐1 cells.     

Chemokine CCL20 enhances the growth of HuH7 cells via phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK in vitro

CCR6 is the receptor of chemokine CCL20. In the present study, we demonstrated that the surface expression of CCR6 was enhanced on the human HCC cell lines (HuH7, PLC/PRF/5, and HepG2) especially on HuH7 cells, but not on HLE or HLF cells. These HCC cell lines (HuH7, PLC/PRF/5, and HepG2) especially the HuH7 cells secreted a significant amount of CCL20 spontaneously, whereas HLE or HLF did not. Stimulation by CCL20 up-regulated the mRNA expression of CCR6 in HuH7 cells and significantly enhanced the growth of HuH7 cells. CCL20-stimulated growth of HuH7 cells was abrogated by the inhibition of downstream signal transduction pathway mediated by p44/42 MAPK, but not by p38 MAPK or SAPK/JNK. CCR6 expression in human HCC tissues was confirmed by RT-PCR. These results indicate that the growth of a proportion of human HCC cells may be mediated by CCL20-CCR6 axis, like HuH7 cells, in an autocrine or paracrine manner.     

靶向性非病毒载体介导p21WAF-1基因对肝癌细胞的抑制作用

利用研制开发的靶向性非病毒载体GE7基因导入系统转导外源基因pCEP-p21WAF-1,检验其介导p21WAF-1基因进入肝癌细胞后,在体内外抑制肝癌细胞的生长的效率.体外实验证明,导入外源基因后,SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞的生长受到抑制,第8天抑制率分别达到56%和66.7%.而体内实验结果是,荷SMMC-7721裸鼠皮下瘤周注射该基因导入系统,转导pCEP-p21WAF-1 3周后,实验组肿瘤的重量(平均为(0.083 ± 0.043)g)与对照组(平均为(0.281± 0.173) g)相比明显减小,且在统计学上有显著差别(P<0.05).以上结果表明,GE7基因导入系统可以介导外源基因pCEP-p21WAF-1进入细胞内,并在体内外抑制肝癌细胞的生长.     

G1 arrest and expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in tamoxifen-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Treatment of exponentially growing MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells with tamoxifen (TAM) inhibits cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. However, the molecular basis for the drug's activity and its relationship to the cell cycle have not yet been clearly established. In this study, we analyzed cell cycle-related proteins used for immunoblotting and flow cytometry in TAM-treated MCF-7 cells. In addition, the ratio of apoptosis in the cell was analyzed using labeling of DNA strand breaks (TdT assay). In flow-cytometric DNA distribution analysis, the S-phase fraction showed a marked decrease and a concomitant increase in G1- and G2-phase cells accompanying the inhibitory effect of TAM; these changes were time- and dose-dependent. Immunoblotting revealed that the levels of p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) in TAM-treated cells increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas those of p27(KIP1) and p16 slightly increased or remained unchanged. Furthermore, cyclin D3 and B showed sharp decreases, in contrast with p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) DNA-apoptosis dual analysis using flow cytometry revealed that the TAM-treated samples contained apoptotic cells, the majority of which were arrested in G1 or G2 and showed suppression of Bcl-2 protein. These results suggest that the tumorigenic effect of TAM on MCF-7 cells arises through antitumor effects that are due to the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, especially p21(WAF1/CIP1) and these are regulated by the decrease of wild-type p53. The proposed mechanism is similar to that underlying the cytotoxic effects of other agents and ionizing irradiation that cause DNA damage.     

Splicing and splice factor SRp55 participate in the response to DNA damage by changing isoform ratios of target genes

Alternative splicing is an important source of protein diversity, and is an established but not yet fully understood mechanism for gene regulation in higher eukaryotes. Its regulation is governed by a variety of mechanisms, including variation in the expression levels of splicing factors engaged in spliceosome formation. SRp55 is one of the most ubiquitous splicing factors and one that can be up-regulated by DNA damage in the absence of p53, and we had previously found that depletion of its activity increased resistance to DNA damage in p53-dependant manner. To assess its influence on the splicing patterns of genes involved in apoptosis, we performed splice-specific microarray analysis of cells treated with siRNA specific for this gene. This analysis, backed by RT-PCR verification, identified three genes, KSR1, ZAK and mda7/IL24, which are sensitive to SRp55 depletion. We also analyzed the splice patterns of apoptosis-related genes in p53-deficient U2OS cells following treatment with the genotoxic drug mitomycin C. This analysis revealed that DNA damage resulted in changes in splicing activity that modified the splicing pattern of Fas, a key pro-apoptotic, p53-inducible death receptor. Interestingly, this modification led to an enrichment of the anti-apoptotic soluble Fas isoform, and this secreted isoform was detected in the media surrounding cells subjected to DNA damage. These findings show that modulation of splicing activity in p53-deficient cells during the early response to sub-lethal DNA damage results in a change in the splicing of target genes, thus modifying the cellular response to genotoxic agents.     

增强p53、p21及抑制c-myc表达对MCF-7细胞增殖的协同抑制作用

为了探讨增强p53、p21基因表达水平和降低c-myc基因表达水平对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的协同抑制作用,以及这些基因对细胞产生效应时的相互关系,本研究中首先构建了正义的p53、p21和反义的c-myc3种真核细胞表达载体,并根据析因实验设计三种载体不同剂量组合。按照组合用质粒转染细胞,然后对转染细胞的增殖抑制率进行检测,并采用金正均Q值法、单因素方差分析中的LSD法、聚类分析法等统计学方法对结果进行统计分析。结果显示,不同量的p53、p21反义c-myc对MCF-7细胞的增殖均有抑制作用,抑制的程度各基因间存在差异。在各基因组合中,p21与反义c-myc,p53与反义c-myc联用具有协同作用,对MCF-7细胞的增殖产生更强的抑制,而p53与p21之间未显示出协同作用。对三基因协同结果进行聚类分析后,发现第一类组合协同作用最明显,第九类组合的抑制率最高。由此推测,作为抑癌基因的p53或CDK抑制基因p21高表达,同时原癌基因c-myc表达受到抑制,可相互协同显著增强对MCF-7细胞增殖的抑制作用。     

A soluble SNARE drives rapid docking, bypassing ATP and Sec17/18p for vacuole fusion

Membrane fusion requires priming, the disassembly of cis-SNARE complexes by the ATP-driven chaperones Sec18/17p. Yeast vacuole priming releases Vam7p, a soluble SNARE. Vam7p reassociation during docking allows trans-SNARE pairing and fusion. We now report that recombinant Vam7p (rVam7p) enters into complex with other SNAREs in vitro and bypasses the need for Sec17p, Sec18p, and ATP. Thus, the sole essential function of vacuole priming in vitro is the release of Vam7p from cis-SNARE complexes. In 'bypass fusion', without ATP but with added rVam7p, there are sufficient unpaired vacuolar SNAREs Vam3p, Vti1p, and Nyv1p to interact with Vam7p and support fusion. However, active SNARE proteins are not sufficient for bypass fusion. rVam7p does not bypass requirements for Rho GTPases,Vps33p, Vps39p, Vps41p, calmodulin, specific lipids, or Vph1p, a subunit of the V-ATPase. With excess rVam7p, reduced levels of PI(3)P or functional Ypt7p suffice for bypass fusion. High concentrations of rVam7p allow the R-SNARE Ykt6p to substitute for Nyv1p for fusion; this functional redundancy among vacuole SNAREs may explain why nyv1delta strains lack the vacuole fragmentation seen with mutants in other fusion catalysts.     

Upregulated microRNAs in membranous glomerulonephropathy are associated with significant downregulation of IL6 and MYC mRNAs

Membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN) is a glomerulopathy characterized by subepithelial deposits of immune complexes on the extracapillary side of the glomerular basement membrane. Insertion of C5b-9 (complement membrane-attack complex) into the membrane leads to functional impairment of the glomerular capillary wall. Knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of MGN is actually scanty. MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling in MGN and unaffected tissues was performed by TaqMan Low-Density Arrays. Expression of miRNAs and miRNA targets was evaluated in Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vitro transient silencing of miRNAs was achieved through transfection with miRNA inhibitors. Ten miRNAs (let-7a-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7c-5p, let-7d-5p, miR-107, miR-129-3p, miR-423-5p, miR-516-3p, miR-532-3p, and miR-1275) were differentially expressed (DE) in MGN biopsies compared to unaffected controls. Interleukin 6 (IL6) and MYC messenger RNAs (mRNAs; targets of DE miRNAs) were significantly downregulated in biopsies from MGN patients, and upregulated in A498 cells following let-7a-5p or let-7c-5p transient silencing. Gene ontology analysis showed that DE miRNAs regulate pathways associated with MGN pathogenesis, including cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. A significant correlation between DE miRNAs and mRNAs and clinical parameters (i.e., antiphospholipid antibodies, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration, proteinuria, and serum cholesterol) has been detected. Based on our data, we propose that DE miRNAs and their downstream network may be involved in MGN pathogenesis and could be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers of MGN.     

防己水煮液逆转MCF-7/ADM多药耐药细胞的初步研究

目的：观察中药防己水煮液对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转作用,并对防己水煮液的逆转MCF-7多药耐药细胞株的有效组分作初步追踪。方法：用SRB显色法观察防己水煮液对MCF-7野生型细胞的毒性作用及对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转作用,并用相同方法跟踪防己水煮液不同分离组分逆转MCF-7多药耐药细胞株的作用,确定有效组分。结果：对耐2．0μg／mLADM的MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞,当阿霉素浓度降到0．25μg／mL时,防己水煮液对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转效果比较明显,即0．25μg／mL阿霉素为防己水煮液逆转MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的敏感浓度点;对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞起逆转作用的有效成分大部分集中在经正丁醇萃取所得相和水相中,而极性低的有机溶剂相中基本不合可以逆转MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的有效组分。     

β-榄香烯乳剂逆转多药耐药细胞株MCF-7/ADM对阿霉素耐药性研究

目的：测定中药β-榄香烯乳剂对MCF-7/ADM细胞的无毒剂量,并检测此无毒剂量是否有逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞对化疗药物阿霉素（ADM）的多药耐药（multidrug resistance,MDR）性。方法：采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝（MTT）法测定药物的细胞毒性及耐药细胞逆转倍数;荧光分光光度法测定细胞内药物浓度。结果：无毒剂量的β-榄香烯乳剂(6μg/ml）能显著降低化疗药物ADM对乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7/ADM细胞的IC50,明显增加耐药细胞内药物浓度。结论：初步研究表明β-榄香烯乳剂具有逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞MDR的作用。