Calpain 1在水杨酸钠诱导耳鸣大鼠的下丘脑神经元中的表达及对听力的影响

为了考察Calpain 1在水杨酸钠诱导耳鸣大鼠的下丘脑神经元中的表达及对听力的影响,本研究通过腹腔注射水杨酸钠建立耳鸣大鼠模型,并腹腔注射钙蛋白酶抑制剂ALLN来处理大鼠。听性脑干反应(ABR)测试显示,水杨酸钠可显著升高大鼠的的听力阈值和Ⅰ、Ⅲ和Ⅴ波潜伏期、Ⅰ~Ⅴ和Ⅲ~Ⅴ波间潜伏期,而钙蛋白酶抑制剂可明显抑制这种变化。免疫组化、RT-PCR和Western blotting检测结果均显示,水杨酸钠可明显上调大鼠下丘组织中Calpain 1的表达,而钙蛋白酶抑制剂可显著抑制Calpain 1的上调。此外,钙蛋白酶抑制剂可显著抑制水杨酸钠诱导的大鼠下丘组织中NMDA受体亚型NR2A的上调。水杨酸钠上调了大鼠耳蜗核组织中炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的表达,而钙蛋白酶抑制剂可显著抑制炎症因子的表达。本研究提示,水杨酸钠可损伤大鼠的听觉功能,上调Calpain 1、NMDA受体和促炎细胞因子的表达。钙蛋白酶抑制剂可显著改善大鼠的听觉功能,其机制与抑制Calpain 1、NMDA受体和促炎细胞因子的表达有关。     

水杨酸钠对螺旋神经节Caspase 3mRNA及蛋白表达的影响

目的：水杨酸是阿司匹林的活性成分,是导致耳鸣的主要原因。而本实验主要探讨水杨酸钠对耳蜗螺旋神经节（SGN）调亡相关基因Caspase 3的mRNA及蛋白表达水平的影响,并初步探讨水杨酸钠对耳蜗毒性的机制。方法：分离取出大鼠蜗轴螺旋管,用酶消化后原代培养SGN,采用荧光定量PCR法检测5 mM水杨酸钠处理前后（1 h,3 h,6 h）Caspase 3 mRNA的变化,WesternBlot检测其蛋白的变化情况。结果：5 mM水杨酸钠处理细胞后1 h,Caspase 3 mRNA表达水平没有明显改变（P〉0.05）,但是当水杨酸钠处理3 h后,其表达水平明显上调（P〈0.05）,并呈时间依赖关系。而其蛋白表达水平也同样明显升高（P〈0.05）。结论：本实验取蜗轴螺旋管进行原代培养,获得较多的SGN,而水杨酸钠能上调这些原代培养SGN的Caspase 3 mRNA及蛋白的表达,导致SGN调亡,这对水杨酸钠耳蜗毒性的研究有一定应用价值。     

Differential expression of VGLUT3 in laboratory mouse strains: Impact on drug‐induced hyperlocomotion and anxiety‐related behaviors

The atypical vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT3 is present in subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons in the cortex and the hippocampus, in subgroups of serotoninergic neurons in raphe nuclei, and in cholinergic interneurons in the striatum. C56BL/6N mice that no longer express VGLUT3 (VGLUT3^?/?) display anxiety‐associated phenotype, increased spontaneous and cocaine‐induced locomotor activity and decreased haloperidol‐induced catalepsy. Inbred mouse strains differ markedly in their sensitivity to anxiety and behavioral responses elicited by drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate strain differences in VGLUT3 expression levels and its potential correlates with anxiety and reward‐guided behaviors. Five inbred mouse lines were chosen according to their contrasted anxiety and drugs sensitivity: C57BL/6N, C3H/HeN, DBA/2J, 129/Sv, and BALB/c. VGLUT3 protein expression was measured in different brain areas involved in reward or mood regulation (such as the striatum, the hippocampus, and raphe nuclei) and genetic variations in Slc17a8, the gene encoding for VGLUT3, have been explored. These five inbred mouse strains express very different levels of VGLUT3, which cannot be attributed to the genetic variation of the Slc17a8 locus. Furthermore, mice behavior in the open field, elevated plus maze, spontaneous‐ and cocaine‐induced locomotor was highly heterogeneous and only partially correlated to VGLUT3 levels. These data highlight the fact that one single gene polymorphism could not account for VGLUT3 expression variations, and that region specific VGLUT3 expression level variations might play a key role in the modulation of discrete behaviors.     

Characteristics of [3H]GBR 12935 Binding in the Human and Rat Frontal Cortex

Binding characteristics of the selective dopamine uptake inhibitor [3H]GBR 12935 have been described for the striatum but not for the frontal cortex. We have developed assay conditions for quantifying [3H]GBR 12935 binding in the frontal cortex. In both the rat and human frontal cortex, the assay required four times more tissue (8 mg/ml) than in the striatum (2 mg/ml). [3H]GBR 12935 binding in the frontal is complex, as it involves multiple binding sites. The high-affinity binding site is sodium dependent and is inhibited by sodium. In human but not in rat frontal cortex, addition of K+ reversed the sodium inhibition. The pharmacological profile of the high-affinity [3H]GBR 12935 binding site is consistent with that of the dopamine transporter, because drugs with the most selective dopamine reuptake blocking activities are the most potent displacers of [3H]GBR 12935 binding. There is a positive correlation between the rat and human inhibitory constants, a finding indicating that there are similar pharmacological profiles across at least these two species. Rats with a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion had a 47% decrease in number of [3H]GBR 12935 binding sites, a result indicating that at least a portion of these sites had been on presynaptic dopamine terminals.     

Identification of Endophilins 1 and 3 as Selective Binding Partners for VGLUT1 and Their Co-Localization in Neocortical Glutamatergic Synapses: Implications for Vesicular Glutamate Transporter Trafficking and Excitatory Vesicle Formation

1. Selective protein–protein interactions between neurotransmitter transporters and their synaptic targets play important roles in regulating chemical neurotransmission. We screened a yeast two-hybrid library with bait containing the C-terminal amino acids of VGLUT1 and obtained clones that encode endophilin 1 and endophilin 3, proteins considered to play an integral role in glutamatergic vesicle formation.2. Using a modified yeast plasmid vector to enable more cost-effective screens, we analyzed the selectivity and specificity of this interaction. Endophilins 1 and 3 selectively recognize only VGLUT1 as the C-terminus of VGLUT2 and VGLUT3 do not interact with either endophilin isoform. We mutagenized four conserved stretches of primary sequence in VGLUT1 that includes two polyproline motifs (Pro1, PPAPPP, and Pro2, PPRPPPP), found only in VGLUT1, and two conserved stretches (SEEK, SYGAT), found also in VGLUT2 and VGLUT3. The absence of the VGLUT conserved regions does not affect VGLUT1–endophilin association. Of the two polyproline stretches, only one (Pro2) is required for binding specificity to both endophilin 1 and endophilin 3.3. We also show that endophilin 1 and endophilin 3 co-localize with VGLUT1 in synaptic terminals of differentiated rat neocortical neurons in primary culture. These results indicate that VGLUT1 and both endophilins are enriched in a class of excitatory synaptic terminals in cortical neurons and there, may interact to play an important role affecting the vesicular sequestration and synaptic release of glutamate.     

家蚕Bms3a基因真核表达载体的构建及其在家蚕细胞和蚕体中的表达

Bms3a基因可能在家蚕Bombyx mori抗病或细胞凋亡中有一定的作用。将融合有绿色荧光蛋白的Bins3a基因克隆到杆状病毒转移载体pFastBac1中获得了pFastBac-IE1-Bms3a-EGFP真核表达载体,利用杆状病毒(Bac-to-Bac)表达系统筛选重组杆状病毒,以重组病毒感染家蚕BmN细胞和五龄幼虫,分别在感染24h和48h检测到有绿色荧光蛋白的表达,Western blot证明表达的融合蛋白在相对分子量约57kD处出现特异条带,与预计的蛋白理论值相符。结果表明BmS3A-EGFP融合蛋白在家蚕细胞BmN及幼虫体中得到高效表达。研究结果为进一步研究BmS3A蛋白的功能奠定了基础。     

N-Acetylaspartylglutamate Stimulates Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 3 to Regulate Expression of the GABAAα6 Subunit in Cerebellar Granule Cells

Abstract: We have shown that the vertebrate neuropeptide N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) meets the criteria for a neurotransmitter, including function as a selective metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 3 agonist. Short-term treatment of cerebellar granule cells with NAAG (30 µM) results in the transient increase in content of GABA_Aα6 subunit mRNA. Using quantitative PCR, this increase was determined to be up to 170% of control values. Similar effects are seen following treatment with trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate and glutamate and are blocked by the mGluR antagonists (2S,3S,4S)-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine and (2S)-α-ethylglutamic acid. The effect is pertussis toxin-sensitive. The increase in α6 subunit mRNA level can be simulated by activation of other receptors negatively linked to adenylate cyclase activity, such as adenosine A1, α2-adrenergic, muscarinic, and GABA_B receptors. Forskolin stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels abolished the effect of NAAG. The change in α6 levels induced by 30 µM NAAG can be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by simultaneous application of increasing doses of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol. The increase in α6 mRNA content is followed by a fourfold increase in α6 protein level 6 h posttreatment. Under voltage-clamped conditions, NAAG-treated granule cells demonstrate an increase in the furosemide-induced inhibition of GABA-gated currents in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating an increase in functional α6-containing GABA_A receptors. These data support the hypothesis that NAAG, acting through mGluR3, regulates expression of the GABA_Aα6 subunit via a cAMP-mediated pathway and that cAMP-coupled receptors for other neurotransmitters may similarly influence GABA_A receptor subunit composition.     

Long-term Exposure to Low Lithium Concentrations Stimulates Proliferation,Modifies Stress Protein Expression Pattern and Enhances Resistance to Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Cells

SH-SY5Y cells, derived from a human neuroblastoma, were submitted to short- or long-term exposures to lithium carbonate concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 mM. Short-term exposures (4 days) to concentrations higher than 6 mM were found to reduce cell growth rate while exposure to 8 mM resulted in significant cell mortality. These ranges of concentrations induced an overexpression of (1) the HSP27 stress protein, (2) a 108 kDa protein (P108) recognized by an anti-phospho-HSP27(Ser78) antibody, and probably corresponding to a phosphorylated HSP27 tetramer, (3) a 105 kDa protein (P105), possible glycosylated or phosphorylated form of the GRP94 stress protein and (4) a phosphorylated (inactivated) form of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3α/β) SH-SY5Y cells, when cultured in the presence of 0.5 mM lithium for 25 weeks, displayed interesting features as compared to controls: (1) higher cell growth rate, (2) increased resistance toward the inhibitory effects of high lithium concentrations on cell proliferation, (3) lower basal level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and improved tolerance to oxidative stress induced by high lithium concentrations, (5) reduced expression of monomeric HSP27 versus an increase of corresponding tetrameric protein (P108) and (6) overexpression of a 105 kDa protein (P105). In conclusion, our study suggests that chronic treatment (over several months) by therapeutic relevant lithium concentrations could favour neurogenesis, decrease the vulnerability of neuronal cells to oxidative stress and induce posttranslational changes of molecular chaperones.     

Regional Decreases in α-[3H]Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methylisoxazole-4-Propionic Acid ([3H]AMPA) and 6-[3H]Cyano-7-Nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ([3H]CNQX) Binding in Response to Chronic Low-Level Lead Exposure: Reversal Versus Potentiation by Chronic Dopamine Agonist Treatment

Abstract: This study evaluated the hypotheses that in vivo lead (Pb) exposure would alter α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor binding and, based on known glutamate-dopamine interactions and Pb-induced changes in dopamine (DA) systems, that AMPA binding might be differentially influenced by DA agonist treatment under conditions of Pb exposure. Alterations in high-affinity ([³H]AMPA) versus total AMPA [6-[³H]cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ([³H]CNQX)] receptor binding were determined in medial frontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and nucleus accumbens of rats exposed to 0, 50, or 150 ppm of Pb acetate for 2 weeks or 8 months. Additional 8-month groups received chronic intermittent treatment with saline, the D₁ agonist SKF82958, or the general DA agonist apomorphine. Two-week exposures increased AMPA receptor densities, whereas robust decreases occurred after 8 months of Pb; at the latter time point changes were more pronounced for high-affinity than total AMPA receptor binding, with high-affinity effects expressed preferentially in dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. DA agonist treatments almost fully reversed Pb-related declines in [³H]AMPA binding but either had no effect (apomorphine) or even further potentiated (SKF82958) the decreases in [³H]CNQX binding. One possible basis for the long-term (8-month) decrease in AMPA binding is a postsynaptic glutamatergic stimulation of non-NMDA receptors.     

Ca2+ signaling,apoptosis and autophagy in the developing cochlea: Milestones to hearing acquisition

In mammals, the sense of hearing arises through a complex sequence of morphogenetic events that drive the sculpting of the auditory sensory epithelium into its terminally functional three-dimensional shape. While the majority of the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, it has become increasingly clear that Ca²⁺ signaling is at center stage and plays numerous fundamental roles both in the sensory hair cells and in the matrix of non-sensory, epithelial and supporting cells, which embed them and are tightly interconnected by a dense network of gap junctions formed by connexin 26 (Cx26) and connexin 30 (Cx30) protein subunits. In this review, we discuss the intricate interplay between Ca²⁺ signaling, connexin expression and function, apoptosis and autophagy in the crucial steps that lead to hearing acquisition.     

The JAK2/STAT3 Signal Pathway Regulates the Expression of Genes Related to Skeletal Muscle Development and Energy Metabolism in Mice and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Cells

The gene encoding a β-galactosidase from Entevobacter cloacae GAO was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of the insert of a positive clone had an open reading frame of 3084 bp that encoded a polypeptide of 1028 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 116,677 daltons. The amino acid sequence of β-galactosidase deduced from the nucleotide sequence, especially the sequence around the putative active site and of the fourteen regions, showed significant homology to β-galactosidases of other microorganisms, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Clostridium acetobutylicum.     

Neonatal Persistent Exposure to 6‐Propyl‐2‐thiouracil,a Thyroid‐Disrupting Chemical,Differentially Modulates Expression of Hepatic Catalase and C/EBP‐β in Adult Rats

Persistent exposure of rats to 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU) from birth resulted in decreases in plasma thyroid hormone (TH) levels and hepatic expression of catalase and CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (C/EBP‐β). Catalase promoter region (–185 to +52) that contains binding sites for C/EBP‐β showed an augmentation in the methylation level along with a change in methylation pattern of CpG islands in response to PTU treatment. PTU withdrawal on 30 days of birth restored TH levels and C/EBP‐β to control rats in adulthood. Although catalase expression was restored to some extent in adult rats in response to PTU withdrawal, a permanent change in its promoter CpG methylation pattern was recorded. The results suggest that downregulation of adult hepatic catalase gene in response to persistent neonatal PTU exposure may not solely be attributed to thyroid‐disrupting properties of PTU. It is possible that besides thyroid‐disrupting behavior, PTU may impair expression of hepatic catalase by altering methylation pattern of its promoter.