视黄素受体结构及其一些生物学特性

近年来,视黄素(retinoid)对癌细胞生长的抑制作用,以及临床上治疗癌症的效果引起人们的极大关注。视黄素的作用主要由其受体:视黄酸受体(retinoic acid receptor,RAR)和视黄素X受体(retinoid X receptor,RXR)介导,这些受体作为配体激活的转录因子,通过结合     

软体动物维甲酸X受体研究进展

维甲酸X受体(retinoid X receptor,RXR)作为配体依赖的转录因子,是核受体超家族重要的一员.脊椎动物RXR与配体及其辅调节因子相互作用,调控基因的协调表达,在胚胎发育、细胞分化、新陈代谢等许多生理过程中起着重要作用.软体动物RXR的研究因其与腹足类性畸变的关系越来越受到关注.本文综述了目前获得的软体动物RXR基因的结构,比较了软体动物RXR基因各功能结构域与人类和其他动物RXR的相似性.以RXR编码区的氨基酸序列为基础,构建了系统进化树,发现软体动物RXR与脊索动物而不是其他无脊椎动物的RXR聚成一支.软体动物和甲壳动物不同RXR亚型的氨基酸序列比较发现,两类动物可能存在不同的剪切酶或剪切位点.此外论文还针对软体动物RXR的配体、二聚体伙伴以及生理功能等方面的研究进行了综述.     

视黄酸相关孤儿核受体RORα在脂质代谢调控中的作用

核受体是一类配体依赖的转录因子超家族。视黄酸相关孤儿核受体(retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptors,RORs)由于在基因序列上与视黄酸受体(retinoic acid receptor,RAR)和类维甲酸X受体(retinoid X receptor,RXR)相似而得名。近年来研究陆续发现,核受体RORα不仅在一些代谢组织中表达,而且在脂质代谢,以及动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中扮演关键角色。因此,深入了解RORα与脂质代谢的关系,将为肥胖、2型糖尿病和动脉粥样硬化等疾病提供新的治疗靶点。     

维甲酸β受体在肿瘤中表达的研究进展

对维甲酸抑制肿瘤细胞生长的机制研究中,发现维甲酸β受体（RARβ）起关键作用。本文着重阐述了RARβ生物学性质,RARβ在肿效率 的表达状况及由RARβ介导的抑制肿瘤细胞生长的作用和机制。     

全反式维甲酸在平滑肌细胞中上调apelin基因表达的分子机制

本文旨在研究全反式维甲酸(all-trans retinoic acid,ATRA)在血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cell,VSMC)中对apelin基因表达的影响及分子机制。我们用RT-PCR、实时定量PCR和免疫印迹分析检测ATRA对VSMC中apelin基因表达的影响,然后在VSMC中用小干扰RNA转染下调内源性维甲酸受体α(retinoic acid receptorα,RARα)或用腺病毒载体过表达RARα后,检测ATRA对apelin基因表达的影响。结果显示ATRA能以时间和浓度依赖的方式诱导apelin基因的表达,同时RARα表达水平也显著升高,但RARβ和RARγ表达水平无显著变化。利用小干扰RNA下调内源性RARα或用RARα选择性抑制剂Ro 41-5253抑制RARα活性后,再用ATRA刺激VSMC,ATRA对apelin基因表达的诱导作用受到显著抑制,而过表达RARα,则可促进apelin的表达升高。以上结果表明,ATRA可以上调VSMC中apelin基因表达水平,其分子机制是通过其核受体RARα介导完成的。     

孕烷X受体在内源物质代谢中的功能

核受体(nuclear receptor, NR)超家族成员孕烷X受体(pregnane X receptor, PXR)是一个配体激活型转录因子,高表达于肝脏和肠组织,在其它某些组织器官中也存在表达。PXR与维甲酸X受体(retinoid X receptor, RXR)形成异源二聚体,在招募大量共活化因子后,与特异性DNA响应元件结合发挥转录调控功能。PXR是一个公认的外源物质感受器,因此,PXR最初被认为是一种调节药物代谢酶和转运体的NR。但目前已知PXR也是同等重要的内源物质受体。最近的研究显示PXR激活可以调节体内葡萄糖代谢、脂质代谢、类固醇内分泌稳态、胆酸和胆红素去毒化、骨矿物质平衡和免疫炎症反应等,本文就这几个方面对PXR作一个综述。     

三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体G1的研究进展

三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体G1 ( ABCG1 ) 是近年来发现的一种介导胆固醇和磷脂流出的整合膜蛋白半转运体,是三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体超家族成员.ABCG1与三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体A1(ABCA1)在介导胆固醇和磷脂流出至高密度脂蛋白 ( HDL ) 中起协同作用.ABCG1的表达主要受肝X受体/维甲酸X受体 ( LXR/RXR ) 系统调节.尽管ABCG1在平衡胆固醇和磷脂中有重要作用,但在动物实验中,ABCG1在动脉粥样硬化疾病中的作用具有争议.本文从ABCG1的结构、功能、调节及其在动脉粥样硬化疾病中的作用做一综述.     

腺病毒介导siRNA抑制全反式维甲酸诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞RARβ表达

构建携带针对大鼠维甲酸受体β(Retinoic acid receptorβ,RARβ)基因的siRNA重组腺病毒,并感染全反式维甲酸(All-trans retinoic acid,ATRA)处理的骨髓间充质干细胞(Mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs),检测其对RARβ的表达及MSCs成神经分化的影响。设计针对大鼠RARβ的4对siRNA的DNA序列,体外退火形成双链,定向克隆至含有U6/H1双启动子的腺病毒穿梭质粒pSES-HUS,随后与腺病毒骨架质粒pAd-Easy1在BJ5183细菌中同源重组,并在HEK293细胞中包装获得重组腺病毒Ad-siRARβ。腺病毒感染大鼠MSCs后经ATRA处理24 h,Real-time、Western blotting及免疫荧光检测RARβ的表达情况。改良神经诱导培养基(Modified neuronal induction medium,MNM)诱导MSCs神经分化,Real-time PCR及免疫荧光检测神经相关蛋白表达。PCR、酶切及测序鉴定均证实siRNA正确克隆至腺病毒质粒中,腺病毒感染大鼠MSCs后可观察到60%以上的细胞有红色荧光蛋白(Red fluorescent protein,RFP)表达。经ATRA处理24 h,Real-time、Westernblotting及免疫荧光检测发现RARβ表达定位于细胞核,ATRA作用后MSCs中RARβ表达增高16.5±2.34倍(P<0.05),有3组siRNA能有效抑制ATRA诱导的RARβ表达增强,抑制率分别为(66.26±9.12)%、(48.70±5.78)%、(64.09±0.53)%(P<0.05),且以pool组效果最强,抑制率为(78.09±4.24)%(P<0.01)。ATRA联合MNM诱导MSCs成神经样细胞,表达相关神经特异蛋白Nestin、NSE、MAP-2、Tau,免疫荧光结果显示神经标志蛋白Nestin、NSE、Tju1表达阳性细胞率为(50-88)%,而腺病毒介导的siRARβ能有效抑制MSCs的神经标志物表达水平及阳性细胞率(P<0.05)。成功构建了携带针对大鼠RARβ基因的siRNA重组腺病毒,能有效感染MSCs并显著抑制ATRA诱导的RARβ表达增强和MSCs的神经分化。     

维甲酸及其受体与肿瘤关系的研究进展

维甲酸(retinoic acid,RA)是维生素A的活性代谢产物,全反式维甲酸(all-trans-retinoic acid,ATRA)、13-顺式维甲酸(13-cis-retinoic acid,13-cRA)和9-顺式维甲酸(9-cis-retinoic acid,9-cRA)等是其同分异构体。维甲酸通过与其受体包括维甲酸受体和维甲酸X受体结合调控靶基因表达,在胚胎发育和细胞的生长及分化过程中发挥重要作用。全反式维甲酸治疗急性早幼粒白血病开创了分子靶向药物诱导肿瘤细胞分化治疗的先河,目前研究发现,维甲酸及其受体与肿瘤细胞的分化、增殖或凋亡等密切相关。就维甲酸及其受体与肿瘤关系的研究进展进行综述,为进一步研究奠定基础。     

全反式维甲酸下调肝癌细胞HepG2内AFP结合蛋白的表达

当成人肝细胞发生癌变,甲胎蛋白(alpha-fetoprotein,AFP)在血清中的含量会急剧增加.AFP可与细胞表面AFP结合蛋白(AFP binding protein,ABP)结合促使细胞增殖分化.全反式维甲酸(al1-trans retinoic acid,ATRA)通过与特异性维甲酸受体(retinoic acid receptor,RAR)结合发挥抑制肿瘤生长的作用.Western印迹检测肝癌细胞HepG2和HLE中ABP的表达.结果显示,ABP在HepG2细胞中高表达,在HLE细胞中无明显表达.这一结果与2种细胞AFP的表达情况一致.激光扫描共聚焦显微镜定位分析显示,ABP存在于HepG2细胞胞膜和胞浆,用80μmol/L ATRA处理HepG2细胞4 h,可导致RAR入核增加.用不同浓度(20～160μmol/L)ATRA处理HepG2细胞后培养36 h.Western印迹结果表明,细胞ABP的表达随着ATRA浓度的增高而越少,ATRA浓度达80μmol/L时,HepG2细胞的ABP表达减少,ATRA浓度为160μmol/L时,ABP几乎无表达;加入80μmol/L ATRA后,随着作用时间延长,HepG2细胞ABP表达逐渐减少,当作用时间为12 h时,ABP表达明显减少.结果表明,ABP的表达对ATRA的反应呈剂量和时间依赖性.免疫共沉淀结果表明,AFP、ABP及RAR这3种蛋白质具有互相结合的作用.这些结果为进一步深入研究AFP在肝癌发生过程中的作用机制提供了依据.     

Retinoid metabolism and nuclear receptor responses: New insights into coordinated regulation of the PPAR-RXR complex

Retinoids, naturally-occurring vitamin A derivatives, regulate metabolism by activating specific nuclear receptors, including the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR). RXR, an obligate heterodimeric partner for other nuclear receptors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), helps coordinate energy balance. Recently, many groups have identified new connections between retinoid metabolism and PPAR responses. We found that retinaldehyde (Rald), a molecule that can yield RA through the action of retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Raldh), is present in fat in vivo and can inhibit PPAR gamma-induced adipogenesis. In vitro, Rald inhibits RXR and PPAR gamma activation. Raldh1-deficient mice have increased Rald levels in fat, higher metabolic rates and body temperatures, and are protected against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Interestingly, one specific asymmetric beta-carotene cleavage product, apo-14'-carotenal, can also inhibit PPAR gamma and PPAR alpha responses. These data highlight how pathways of beta-carotene metabolism and specific retinoid metabolites may have direct distinct metabolic effects.     

Localization of retinoid binding proteins, retinoid receptors, and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase in the chick eye

Retinoids have many functions in the eye, including, perhaps, the visual guidance of ocular growth. Therefore, we identified where retinoid receptors, binding proteins, and biosynthetic enzymes are located in the ocular tissues of the chick as a step toward discovering where retinoids are generated and where they act. Using antibodies to interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP), cellular retinol binding protein (CRBP), cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP), cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH), and retinoic acid receptors (RAR and RXR), we localized these proteins to cells in the retina, retinal pigmented epithelium, choroid and sclera of the chick eye. IRBP was detected in the photoreceptor layer and pigmented epithelium; CRBP was in the pigmented epithelium; CRABP was in amacrine and bipolar cells in the retina; CRALBP was in Müller cells, pigmented epithelium, choroid, and fibrous sclera; RALDH was in retinal amacrine cells, pigmented epithelium, and choroid; RAR was in amacrine cells, choroid, and chondrocytes and fibroblasts in the sclera; and RXR was in amacrine and ganglion cells, bipolar cell nuclei, choroid, and chondrocytes. We also found that the growth-modulating toxins colchicine and quisqualate destroyed selectively different subsets of CRABP-containing amacrine cells. We conclude that the distribution of proteins involved in retinoid metabolism is consistent with a role of retinoids not only in phototransduction, but also in maintenance of cellular phenotype and visual guidance of ocular growth.     

The role of the retinoid receptor,RAR/RXR heterodimer,in liver physiology

Activated by retinoids, metabolites of vitamin A, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) play important roles in a wide variety of biological processes, including embryo development, homeostasis, cell proliferation, differentiation and death. In this review, we summarized the functional roles of nuclear receptor RAR/RXR heterodimers in liver physiology. Specifically, RAR/RXR modulate the synthesis and metabolism of lipids and bile acids in hepatocytes, regulate cholesterol transport in macrophages, and repress fibrogenesis in hepatic stellate cells. We have also listed the specific genes that carry these functions and how RAR/RXR regulate their expression in liver cells, providing a mechanistic view of their roles in liver physiology. Meanwhile, we pointed out many questions regarding the detailed signaling of RAR/RXR in regulating the expression of liver genes, and hope future studies will address these issues.     

Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Its Membrane Receptor STRA6 Control Adipogenesis by Regulating Cellular Retinoid Homeostasis and Retinoic Acid Receptor α Activity

Retinoids are vitamin A (retinol) derivatives and complex regulators of adipogenesis by activating specific nuclear receptors, including the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). Circulating retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and its membrane receptor STRA6 coordinate cellular retinol uptake. It is unknown whether retinol levels and the activity of RAR and RXR in adipocyte precursors are linked via RBP4/STRA6. Here, we show that STRA6 is expressed in precursor cells and, dictated by the apo- and holo-RBP4 isoforms, mediates bidirectional retinol transport that controls RARα activity and subsequent adipocyte differentiation. Mobilization of retinoid stores in mice by inducing RBP4 secretion from the liver activated RARα signaling in the precursor cell containing the stromal-vascular fraction of adipose tissue. Retinol-loaded holo-RBP4 blocked adipocyte differentiation of cultured precursors by activating RARα. Remarkably, retinol-free apo-RBP4 triggered retinol efflux that reduced cellular retinoids, RARα activity, and target gene expression and enhanced adipogenesis synergistically with ectopic STRA6. Thus, STRA6 in adipocyte precursor cells links nuclear RARα activity to the circulating RBP4 isoforms, whose ratio in obese mice was shifted toward limiting the adipogenic potential of their precursors. This novel cross talk identifies a retinol-dependent metabolic function of RBP4 that may have important implications for the treatment of obesity.     

Retinoids as chemopreventive agents

Retinoids are promising agents for cancer chemoprevention. The myriad effects of retinoids on biological processes including development, differentiation, homeostasis, carcinogenesis and apoptosis are mediated through their molecular targets, the retinoid and rexinoid receptors. Tissue specific expression patterns, ligand specificities, receptor numbers, their distinct functions and functional redundancy make retinoid signaling highly complex. The cross-talks of these receptors with cell surface receptors signaling pathways, as well as their interactions with multiple co-activators and co-repressors further add to the complexity of the pleiotropic effects of retinoids. Elucidation of retinoid signaling pathways and indepth understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the anti-proliferative and apoptotic action of retinoids has paved the way for designing synthetic retinoids for effective chemoprevention and therapy of cancer. Development of receptor selective synthetic retinoids is a major focus of molecular retinoid development. Other new avenues encompass identification of novel retinoid regulated genes, orphan-receptor ligands/functions, novel retinoid mechanisms involving receptor-independent apoptosis inducing activity and synergistic combinations with other agents for cancer prevention and therapy. This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the action of retinoids and retinoid molecular targeting studies designed primarily to develop retinoids with reduced toxicity, while maintaining or enhancing activity in context of chemoprevention. The clinical efficacy of retinoid based chemoprevention trials is discussed.