Arachidonic Acid Binds 14-3-3ζ, Releases 14-3-3ζ from Phosphorylated BAD and Induces Aggregation of 14-3-3ζ

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, like arachidonic acid, can bind proteins and affect their function. The 14-3-3 proteins bind phosphorylated sites on a diverse array of client proteins and, in this way, are involved in many intracellular signaling pathways. In this study, we used a novel approach to discover that 14-3-3ζ is able to directly bind arachidonic acid. Furthermore, arachidonic acid, at physiological concentrations, reduced the binding of 14-3-3ζ to phosphorylated BAD, an interaction that is important in regulating apoptosis. In addition, high concentrations of arachidonic acid caused the polymerization of 14-3-3ζ, an event observed in neurodegenerative disorders. Taken together, these results indicate that arachidonic acid directly interacts with 14-3-3ζ and that this interaction may be important in both normal and pathological cellular events. If so, then factors that mediate the release, metabolism and reacylation of arachidonic acid into membranes represent key points of regulation.     

Synthesis of the 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy and 2′-,3′-Dideoxy Derivatives of 6-Azauridine and a New Route to 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine

Abstract

The 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) and 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine and 2′,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-5-chlorouridine were synthesized from the parent nucleosides by reaction with 4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, respectively, followed by treatment with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole. Introduction of a 2′-,3′-double bond into the sugar ring by reaction of the 5′-protected 2′-,3′-O-thionocarbonates with 1, 3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1, 3, 2-diazaphospholidiine was unsuccessful, but could be accomplished satisfactorily with trimethyl phosphite. Reactions were generally more successful with the 5′-silylated than with the 5′-tritylated nucleosides. Formation of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl derivatives proceeded in higher yield with 5′-protected 6-azauridines than with the corresponding 5-chlorouridines because of the propensity of the latter to form 2,2′-anhydro derivatives. In the reaction of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine with trimethyl phosphite, introduction of the double bond was accompanied by N³-methylation. However this side reaction was not a problem with 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-O-thioarbonyl-5-chlorouridine. Treatment of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by hydrogenation afforded 2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine. Deprotection of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine yielded 2′-,3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dide-oxy-5-chlorouridine.     

Synthesis of β-1, 3-Glucan and β-1, 3 and β-1, 4-Mixed Glucan from UDP-α-d-Glucose

A particulate enzyme preparation from Phaseolus aureus (mung bean) seedlings catalyzed the synthesis of a water insoluble β-1,3-glucan from UDP-α-d-glucose (UDPG) at high concentrations (0.4~20 mm) and an alkaline insoluble β-1,3 and β-1,4-mixed glucan from UDPG at a low concentration (8.5 µm).

Furthermore, the two kinds of β-glucan synthetases which were investigated with two reaction systems at high and low concentrations of UDPG had different properties in optimal pH, stability of enzyme activity, and metallic ion requirement.     

14-3-3 蛋白

介绍了14－3－3蛋白的基本结构和功能,并简要概述了14－3－3蛋白在信号转导,细胞周期调控以及前体蛋白的折叠与运输过程中的作用机理。     

MMP-2, -9, -14及其抑制剂TIMP-1, -2, -3在恒河猴周期黄体中的时空表达

用原位杂交和免疫组织化学方法研究了基质金属蛋白酶MMP-2, -9, -14及其组织抑制因子TIMP-1, -2, -3在恒河猴周期黄体发育不同阶段的协同表达. 结果显示: MMP-2 mRNA及其蛋白主要表达在早中期发育黄体的内皮细胞上, 在晚期黄体发生萎缩时则大量表达于黄体细胞; MMP-9, -14及其TIMP-1, -2, -3主要表达于黄体细胞; MMP-14 mRNA在早期和晚期黄体中高表达, MMP-9蛋白只在晚期黄体中高表达; TIMP-3蛋白在早、中、晚三期黄体中表达均较高, 但很明显晚期表达降低. 结果提示: MMP/TIMP系统参与灵长类黄体发育的调控, MMP-2, -14及其TIMP-1, -3可能参与黄体的形成和功能维持, 同时MMP-2, -9, -14及其TIMP-1, -2, -3在黄体萎缩期的协同表达, 提示它们可能在黄体发生萎缩时发挥作用.     

Heat-Melt of β-1, 3-d-Glucan Gel

Six new products of oxidation of indolyl-3-acetic add catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase were isolated, along with four known ones, 3-hydroxymethyloxindole (1), 3-methyleneoxindole (2), indolyl-3-aldehyde (4), and 3,3-diindolylmethane (10). Based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence, the new products were identified as 3-acetoxyindole (3), 3-(indol-3-ylmethyl)oxindole (6), 3-[(2-mdol-3-ylmethyl)indol-3-ylmethyl]oxindole (9), the 3-hydroxymethyl compounds of 6 and 9 (5 and 7), and 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)indolyl-3-acetic acid (8), respectively.     

14-3-3蛋白研究进展

14-3-3蛋白是高度保守的、所有真核生物细胞中都普遍存在的、在大多数生物物种中由一个基因家族编码的一类蛋白调控家族。它几乎参与生命体所有的生理反应过程,人们在各种组织细胞中发现了各种不同的14-3-3蛋白。作为与磷酸丝氨酸／苏氨酸结合的第一信号分子,14-3-3蛋白在细胞的信号转导中起着至关重要的作用,尤其是它直接参与调节蛋白激酶和蛋白磷酸化酶的活性,被称为蛋白质与蛋白质相互作用的”桥梁蛋白”;它可以与转录因子结合形成复合体,调节相关基因的表达。一些研究表明,14-3-3蛋白调控机制的紊乱可以直接导致疾病的发生,在临床上14-3-3蛋白常常可以作为诊断的标志物。     

(2R,3S,4S)-2-(N,N-二乙氨基)甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺的合成及工艺研究

目的：通过对黄皮酰胺全合成中间体（2R,3S,4S）-2-羟基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺（化合物A）2位羟基的酯化,提高脂水分配系数（kP）,考察对谷丙转氨酶活性的影响。方法：以化合物A为原料,通过酰化反应合成（2R,3S,4S）-2-（N,N-二乙氨基）甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺（化合物B）,重点考察了摩尔比、反应温度、反应时间等条件对反应的影响。化合物B结构已经元素分析、红外光谱、质谱及核磁共振氢谱确证。结果：化合物A和酰化剂以摩尔比2：3,在160℃下反应1h,目标化合物B。收率78．42％。结论：本合成路线及具体反应方法,具有试剂廉价易得、反应条件温和、后处理简便等优点,是一种较为实用的合成方法。     

3′-3′,3′-5′ and 5′-5′ TpT-Amides: Synthesis,Characterization and Alkaline Hydrolysis

Abstract

A simple procedure is described for the preparation of the title compounds 1, 8 and 9. 3′-3′ or 3′-5′ or 5′-5′ TpT was reacted with a twofold molar excess of TPS in anhydrous DMF, at room temperature, for 5 min, followed by a 1 min in situ treatment of the reaction mixture with excess 7.0 N NH₄OH, at 0°C. The alkaline hydrolysis of 1, 8 and 9 proceeds without the assistance of 3′- and 5′-hydroxyl groups resulting in equimolar mixtures of thymidine (4) and thymidine 3′-phosphoramidate (6) (for the 3′-3′ isomer) or thymidine 5′-phosphoramidate (7) (for the 5′-5′ isomer) or 6 and 7 in equal quantities (for the 3′-5′ isomer).     

TIMP-1, -2, -3, and -4 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A prevailing nondegradative lung microenvironment?

Fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation characterize idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We evaluated the presence of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, -2, -3, and -4; collagenase-1, -2, and -3; gelatinases A and B; and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in 12 IPF and 6 control lungs. TIMP-1 was found in interstitial macrophages and TIMP-2 in fibroblast foci. TIMP-3 revealed an intense staining mainly decorating the elastic lamina in vessels. TIMP-4 was expressed in IPF lungs by epithelial and plasma cells. TIMP-2 colocalized with Ki67 in fibroblasts, whereas TIMP-3 colocalized with p27 in inflammatory and epithelial cells. Collagenase-1 was localized in macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells, collagenase-2 was localized in a few neutrophils, and collagenase-3 was not detected. MMP-9 was found in neutrophils and subepithelial myofibroblasts. Myofibroblast expression of MMP-9 was corroborated in vitro by RT-PCR. MMP-2 was noticed in myofibroblasts, some of them close to areas of basement membrane disruption, and membrane type 1 MMP was noticed in interstitial macrophages. These findings suggest that in IPF there is higher expression of TIMPs compared with collagenases, supporting the hypothesis that a nondegrading fibrillar collagen microenvironment is prevailing.     

Wrestling Rules in Transrepression: As Easy as SUMO-1, -2, -3?

A recent study in Molecular Cell uncovered parallel yet distinct SUMOylation pathways that provide insights into molecular mechanisms of transrepression mediated by activated nuclear receptors LXRalpha/beta and PPARgamma, thereby clarifying receptor, signal, and gene specificity of transrepression in inflammatory processes.     

植物14-3-3蛋白研究进展

14-3-3蛋白是真核生物中许多信号传导级联反应的主要调节分子,易于与具有磷酸化的丝氨酸和苏氨酸残基的靶蛋白互作进而调节碳氮代谢、三羧酸循环、莽草酸合成等多种生理过程中的多种酶活性。该文根据近年来国内外对14-3-3蛋白的研究进展,对植物中14-3-3蛋白的发现、基因鉴定、结构和功能以及14-3-3蛋白与其靶蛋白的互作机制进行综述,并对14-3-3蛋白的研究提出了进一步的展望。     

14-3-3 proteins,red light and photoperiodic flowering: A point of connection?

The 14-3-3 family of proteins is well known for participating in signal transduction by binding specifically phosphorylated proteins, thereby completing their kinase-induced transition in activity or localization. This interaction-based modulation of signal flux through metabolic pathways is a critical feature of many important eukaryotic signal transduction cascades. Only recently, however, have studies in Arabidopsis thaliana described that some of the most fundamental plant signal transduction pathways, including the photoperiodic flowering pathway, are functionally affected by 14-3-3s. There are pivotal points in the photoperiod pathway that are characterized by the accumulation, localization and stability of critical protein factors, all of which are strongly affected by light quality and photoperiod duration. These mechanisms (localization, phosphorylation, regulated proteolysis) are the same as those regulated by 14-3-3 proteins in other systems. Yet it is only recently that well characterized 14-3-3 genetic tools have become available in sufficient diversity to make it possible to truly tie 14-3-3 interactions to light signaling and flowering. This review presents an overview of photoperiodic flowering signaling and direct 14-3-3 participation in the process, coupled with a discussion of the overlapping and specific roles of 14-3-3s which present confounding issues in the functional dissection of this family of signaling proteins.Key words: isoform specificity, protein interaction, phosphorylation, signaling     

Neurturin, RET, GFRα-1 and GFRα-2, but not GFRα-3, mRNA are expressed in mice gonads

The gonads are known to produce numerous hormones and also neurotrophins and their receptors. Here we demonstrate expression of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands and related receptors in adult mice gonads by in situ hybridization. GDNF mRNA was expressed in the ovary, but was not detectable in testis. Neurturin (NTN), another ligand in this family, gave rise to strong mRNA hybridization signals in a mosaic pattern in the seminiferous tubules of the testis at stages IX-XII and I-II of the cycle. NTN mRNA signals were also found in uterus and the oviduct. In testis, the transducing receptor RET as well as GDNF receptor alpha-1 (GFR)alpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 were distributed in complementary and overlapping patterns, the former at stages XI-XII-I and the latter at stages VII and VIII. GFRalpha-3 could not be detected. Expression of these trophic molecules suggests involvement of GDNF family ligands and related receptor components in reproduction.     

(2R,3S,4S)-2-(N,N-二乙氨基)甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-Y-内酰胺的合成及工艺研究

目的:通过对黄皮酰胺全合成中间体(2R,3s,4S)-2-羟基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-Y-内酰胺(化合物A)2位羟基的酯化,提高脂水分配系数(1gP),考察对谷丙转氨酶活性的影响。方法:以化合物A为原料,通过酰化反应合成(2R,3S,4S)-2-(N,N-二乙氨基)甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-Y-内酰胺(化合物B),重点考察了摩尔比、反应温度、反应时间等条件对反应的影响。化合物B结构已经元素分析、红外光谱、质谱及核磁共振氢谱确证。结果:化合物A和酰化剂以摩尔比2:3,在160℃下反应1h,目标化合物B,收率78．42%。结论:本合成路线及具体反应方法,具有试剂廉价易得、反应条件温和、后处理简便等优点,是一种较为实用的合成方法。     

Cholesterol metabolite, 5-cholesten-3β-25-diol-3-sulfate, promotes hepatic proliferation in mice

Oxysterols are well known as physiological ligands of liver X receptors (LXRs). Oxysterols, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) and 27-hydroxycholesterol as endogenous ligands of LXRs, suppress cell proliferation via LXRs signaling pathway. Recent reports have shown that sulfated oxysterol, 5-cholesten-3β-25-diol-3-sulfate (25HC3S) as LXRs antagonist, plays an opposite direction to oxysterols in lipid biosynthesis. The present report was to explore the effect and mechanism of 25HC3S on hepatic proliferation in vivo. Following administration, 25HC3S had a 48h half life in the circulation and widely distributed in mouse tissues. Profiler? PCR array and RTqPCR analysis showed that either exogenous or endogenous 25HC3S generated by overexpression of oxysterol sulfotransferase (SULT2B1b) plus administration of 25HC significantly up-regulated the proliferation gene expression of Wt1, Pcna, cMyc, cyclin A, FoxM1b, and CDC25b in a dose-dependent manner in liver while substantially down-regulating the expression of cell cycle arrest gene Chek2 and apoptotic gene Apaf1. Either exogenous or endogenous administration of 25HC3S significantly induced hepatic DNA replication as measured by immunostaining of the PCNA labeling index and was associated with reduction in expression of LXR response genes, such as ABCA1 and SREBP-1c. Synthetic LXR agonist T0901317 effectively blocked 25HC3S-induced hepatic proliferation. Conclusions: 25HC3S may be a potent regulator of hepatocyte proliferation and oxysterol sulfation may represent a novel regulatory pathway in liver proliferation via inactivating LXR signaling.     

Ordering the Cytochrome c–initiated Caspase Cascade: Hierarchical Activation of Caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10 in a Caspase-9–dependent Manner

Exit of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol has been implicated as an important step in apoptosis. In the cytosol, cytochrome c binds to the CED-4 homologue, Apaf-1, thereby triggering Apaf-1–mediated activation of caspase-9. Caspase-9 is thought to propagate the death signal by triggering other caspase activation events, the details of which remain obscure. Here, we report that six additional caspases (caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10) are processed in cell-free extracts in response to cytochrome c, and that three others (caspases-1, -4, and -5) failed to be activated under the same conditions. In vitro association assays confirmed that caspase-9 selectively bound to Apaf-1, whereas caspases-1, -2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10 did not. Depletion of caspase-9 from cell extracts abrogated cytochrome c–inducible activation of caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -10, suggesting that caspase-9 is required for all of these downstream caspase activation events. Immunodepletion of caspases-3, -6, and -7 from cell extracts enabled us to order the sequence of caspase activation events downstream of caspase-9 and reveal the presence of a branched caspase cascade. Caspase-3 is required for the activation of four other caspases (-2, -6, -8, and -10) in this pathway and also participates in a feedback amplification loop involving caspase-9.