小鼠受精卵早期发育过程中PKA在M/G1期进程中的作用

为研究小鼠体内l-细胞期受精卵蛋白激酶A(PKA)对M/G1期进程的影响,应用热稳定性抑制剂PKI显微注射入l-细胞期受精卵内,观察M期促进因子(MPF)及PKA活性变化以及MPF调节亚基Cyclin B含量情况。发现PKI显微注射后PKA活性低,而MPF活性在hCG后27．5h即达高峰,较对照组提前30分钟。PKI达一定浓度则MPF活性不下降,出现M/G1阻滞;与此同时Western blotting法显示PKI注射后Cyclin B含量在M末期相当于M中期水平。结果表明,PKI显微注射抑制PKA活性后MPF活性呈高峰值,高浓度PKI显微注射可引起M/Gl阻滞,其机制与PKI干扰了Cyclin B降解有关。     

dbcAMP通过Cdc25B蛋白调控小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育

为了研究PKA激活剂dbcAMP通过调控小鼠Cdc25B蛋白S149和S321位点磷酸化状态影响 小鼠1-细胞期受精卵的发育,将质粒pBSK-Cdc25B-WT、pBSK-Cdc25B-S149A、pBSK- Cdc25B-S321A和pBSK-Cdc25B-S149A/S321A体外转录成mRNA;显微注射入S期受精卵中 ,在2 mmol/L dbcAMP的M16培养基中培养,观察其对受精卵发育、MPF活性及CDC2- pTyr15磷酸化状态的影响. 结果显示,在有dbcAMP存在时,各组受精卵卵裂时间延迟 ,但Cdc25B-S/A mRNAs注射组受精卵卵裂率明显高于Cdc25B-WT mRNA注射组,MPF 活性提前达到高峰;CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态和MPF活性变化相一致. 因此,在小鼠1- 细胞期受精卵有丝分裂过程中,PKA对小鼠Cdc25B蛋白S149位点与S321位点的磷酸化 修饰是控制受精卵G2/M转换的重要方式.     

PKC对小鼠受精卵发育的调控作用

为研究 TPA及 PKC的反义寡核苷酸对 1 -细胞期鼠受精卵发育的影响 ,采用免疫细胞化学法标记 PKC(α及 β亚型 ) ,并用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定卵内 PKC荧光强度 ;同时利用显微注射法注射 PKC的反义寡核苷酸 ,观察其对受精卵分裂的影响 . 1 0 0 μg/ L TPA对 1 -细胞期受精卵的发育具有完全抑制作用 .TPA处理 1 2 h后 ,对照组受精卵停留在 1 -细胞期 ,而未经 TPA处理的1 -细胞期卵可以分裂到 2 -细胞期 .共焦激光显示实验组与对照组相比 ,PKC(α、β亚型 )荧光强度均有下降 (P<0 .0 1 ) .显微注射 PKC antisenseα及 antisenseβ的受精卵 ,分别只有 1 4 .2 %和 3.33%的卵可以发育到 2 -细胞期 .与对照组 (注射 M2培养液 )差异显著 (P<0 .0 1 ) .结果表明 ,(1 ) TPA长期处理 1 -细胞期受精卵 ,抑制 1 -细胞期卵分裂到 2 -细胞期 ;(2 ) PKC的反义寡核苷酸 (α及β亚型 )可以抑制小鼠 1 -细胞期卵的发育     

Wee1B蛋白S15位点突变抑制小鼠1-细胞期受精卵的发育

为研究小鼠Wee1B蛋白S15位点磷酸化状态对小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育的影响,构建pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO-Wee1B-S15A（Ser突变成Ala）/D（Ser突变成Asp）突变体,体外转录成mRNAs. 对小鼠进行超排卵后当晚与雄鼠1∶1合笼,第2 d早取受精卵后培养至S期,显微注射Wee1B-WT(野生型)/KD（激酶失活型)-mRNAs和突变体Wee1B-S15A/D-mRNAs,观察其对受精卵发育、有丝分裂促进因子（MPF）活性及CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态的影响.结果表明,过表达Wee1B -WT和Wee1B-S15A/D可有效抑制受精卵有丝分裂进程,明显降低卵裂率. 过表达模拟磷酸化的突变明显抑制MPF的活性,CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态和MPF活性变化相一致. 因此,在小鼠1-细胞期受精卵有丝分裂过程中,PKA对小鼠Wee1B蛋白S15位点的磷酸化修饰是控制受精卵G2/M转换的重要方式.     

小鼠受精卵微注射Cdc25b mRNA可提高卵裂率并促进受精卵发育

为了观察Cdc25B蛋白及PKA/Cdc25B 信号途径在小鼠受精卵发育中的作用,将突变型和野生型Cdc25b转录成 mRNA,显微注射到小鼠受精卵中,放入含有或不含有dbcAMP的M16中,相差显微镜下观察受精卵卵裂情况;用蛋白激酶活性测定方法检测MPF的活性;利用Western 印迹检测Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态.结果显示,未加dbcAMP的Cdc25b- S321A mRNA注射组与Cdc25b-WT组相比,能够提前使受精卵发生G ₂/M期转变,导致卵裂,并明显提高卵裂率;MPF的活性测定和Cdc2-Tyr15磷酸化状态的检测结果也显示,Cdc25b-S321A组先于Cdc25b-WT组提前激活MPF.此外, Cdc25b-S321A mRNA注射组可以有效恢复由PKA引起的受精卵G ₂期阻滞,显著增加卵裂率;MPF的活性测定和Cdc2-Tyr15磷酸化状态的检测结果也显示,在PKA持续激活的情况下,对比于Cdc25b-WT组,Cdc25b-S321A组提前激活MPF.因此,在小鼠受精卵发育过程中PKA主要通过磷酸化Cdc25B的321位丝氨酸,从而调控MPF的激活与失活来控制有丝分裂进程.     

小鼠受精卵早期发育过程中PKC对cdc2和cdc25C活性的影响

为研究小鼠受精卵细胞早期发育过程中PKC对cdc2和cdc2 5C活性的影响 ,采用免疫印迹和电泳迁移率差异分析的方法 ,观察PKC的激活剂TPA及其抑制剂星形孢子素对小鼠受精卵一细胞期cdc2和cdc2 5C活性的影响 .10nmol L的TPA作用 10min后 ,小鼠受精卵一细胞期卵裂率明显大于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而星形孢子素作用后卵裂率显著下降 (P <0 0 1) .TPA处理后 ,受精卵中呈去磷酸化状态的活性cdc2明显增加 ,没有活性呈磷酸化状态的cdc2 5C明显减少 ;而星形孢子素处理的受精卵中没有活性的cdc2明显增加 ,有活性的cdc2 5C明显减少 .结果表明 ,TPA短时间作用可以促进小鼠一细胞期受精卵分裂 ,星形孢子素抑制受精卵的分裂 ;TPA可以促进cdc2的去磷酸化以及cdc2 5C的磷酸化 ,从而促进G2 M转换 ,星形孢子素则抑制cdc2和cdc2 5C的活性 ,阻止受精卵由G2 期进入M期     

雷帕霉素靶在小鼠受精卵早期发育中的作用研究

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶(mTOR)是细胞生长的中心调控因子,应用RT-PCR、免疫印迹、放射性同位素体外测定酶活性等方法,研究mTOR在小鼠受精卵第一次有丝分裂过程中在卵中的表达、活性变化以及对卵裂的影响.研究发现mTOR在小鼠卵母细胞和受精卵中都有表达,在mRNA水平,mTOR从G2期开始降解,在蛋白水平,则各期没有明显变化;mTOR的激酶活性在受精后明显升高,并且在整个1-细胞期保持较高活性;mTOR的特异性抑制剂雷帕霉素能抑制卵裂,并且能抑制成熟促进因子MPF的调节亚基cyclin B的表达,从而抑制了MPF的活性.结果表明mTOR可能通过促进MPF的激活而促进小鼠受精卵的分裂.     

cAMP/PKA诱导卵母细胞减数分裂停滞的机制

大多数物种的卵母细胞在减数分裂前都要经历长时间停滞,其中cAMP对卵母细胞减数分裂停滞具有重要作用,本研究关注c AMP对卵母细胞减数分裂的影响及其机制。本研究通过将卵母细胞与cAMP预孵育,再用胰岛素刺激研究胰岛素诱导的卵母细胞成熟的影响,接着本研究通过显微注射和Zeiss 100TV显微镜分析cAMP对PKA在卵母细胞中定位的影响,并且本研究用Western blotting的方法研究cAMP/PKA对mos蛋白的表达和MAPK蛋白磷酸化的影响。结果显示,本研究通过亲和层析得到了高纯度的PKA蛋白,且cAMP/PKA能够抑制卵母细胞的成熟,而PKA的热稳定抑制剂PKI能够解除PKA对卵母细胞减数分裂的抑制,cAMP/PKA也能够影响mos的积累以及MAPK的磷酸化。cAMP能够影响PKA在卵母细胞中的定位,cAMP/PKA能够通过影响mos积累抑制卵母细胞的减数分裂,这可能与cAMP能够抑制MAPK磷酸化有关。     

Cdc25B蛋白过表达可使小鼠胚胎突破2-细胞期阻滞

目的：探讨Cdc25B蛋白过表达对小鼠2-细胞期胚胎发育的影响。方法：利用体外转录试剂盒将Cdc25B转录成mRNA,将mRNA显微注射入小鼠2-细胞期胚胎中,观察胚胎发育情况和卵裂率。用蛋白激酶活性测定方法和Western印迹分别检测Cdc25B蛋白过表达小鼠胚胎MPF的活性及Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态。结果：hCG后48 h,mRNA注射组有超过40%的2-细胞期胚胎分裂到4-细胞期而对照组仍停留在2-细胞期;激酶活性测定显示注射Cdc25B mRNA后,MPF的活性显著升高;Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态变化与激酶活性测定结果一致。结论：Cdc25B蛋白过表达可以激活有丝分裂促进因子（MPF）,从而使小鼠2-细胞期胚胎突破2-细胞期阻滞,发育到4-细胞期。     

转基因小鼠技术中获得原核期受精卵最适时间的研究

显微注射法是制备转基因动物的首选方法,而原核清晰受精卵的获得是影响显微注射成败的关键。本文对小鼠HCG超排注射后大最原核期受精卵获得的最佳时间进行了研究,以提高显微注射成功率。结果显示采集雄性原核清晰受精卵的最佳时间段为注射HCG后25～27h。     

Regulation of cAMP on the first mitotic cell cycle of mouse embryos

Mitosis promoting factor (MPF) plays a central role during the first mitosis of mouse embryo. We demonstrated that MPF activity increased when one-cell stage mouse embryo initiated G2/M transition following the decrease of cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity. When cAMP and PKA activity increases again, MPF activity decreases and mouse embryo starts metaphase-anaphase transition. In the downstream of cAMP/PKA, there are some effectors such as polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), Cdc25, Mos (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase), MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wee1, anaphase-promoting complex (APC), and phosphoprotein phosphatase that are involved in the regulation of MPF activity. Here, we demonstrated that following activation of MPF, MAPK activity was steady, whereas Plk1 activity fluctuated during the first cell cycle. Plk1 activity was the highest at metaphase and decreased at metaphase-anaphase transition. Further, we established a mathematical model using Gepasi algorithm and the simulation was in agreement with the experimental data. Above all the evidences, we suggested that cAMP and PKA might be the upstream factors which were included in the regulation of the first cell cycle development of mouse embryo.     

Xenopus M phase MAP kinase: isolation of its cDNA and activation by MPF.

MAP kinase is activated and phosphorylated during M phase of the Xenopus oocyte cell cycle, and induces the interphase-M phase transition of microtubule dynamics in vitro. We have carried out molecular cloning of Xenopus M phase MAP kinase and report its entire amino acid sequence. There is no marked change in the MAP kinase mRNA level during the cell cycle. Moreover, studies with an anti-MAP kinase antiserum indicate that MAP kinase activity may be regulated posttranslationally, most likely by phosphorylation. We show that MAP kinase can be activated by microinjection of MPF into immature oocytes or by adding MPF to cell-free extracts of interphase eggs. These results suggest that MAP kinase functions as an intermediate between MPF and the interphase-M phase transition of microtubule organization.     

Regulation of a major microtubule-associated protein by MPF and MAP kinase.

The interphase-M phase transition of microtubule dynamics is thought to be induced by phosphorylation reactions mediated by MPF and by MAP kinase functioning downstream of MPF. We have now identified and purified from Xenopus eggs a major microtubule-associated protein, p220, that may be a target protein for these two M phase-activated kinases. p220, when purified from interphase cells, potently bound to microtubules and stimulated tubulin polymerization, whereas p220 purified from M phase cells showed little or no such activities. Cell staining with a monoclonal anti-p220 antibody revealed that p220 is localized on cytoplasmic microtubule networks during interphase, while it is distributed rather diffusely throughout the cell during M phase. We have further found that p220 is phosphorylated specifically in M phase. Moreover, p220 purified from interphase cells served as a good substrate for MAP kinase and MPF in vitro, and two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping pattern of the p220 phosphorylated in vitro was very similar to that of p220 phosphorylated at M phase in vivo. These results suggest that the drastic change in p220 activity during the transition from interphase to M phase may be induced by its phosphorylation in M phase probably catalyzed by MAP kinase and MPF.     

Roles of GRK and PDE4 activities in the regulation of beta2 adrenergic signaling

An important focus in cell biology is understanding how different feedback mechanisms regulate G protein-coupled receptor systems. Toward this end we investigated the regulation of endogenous beta(2) adrenergic receptors (beta2ARs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) by measuring cAMP signals in single HEK-293 cells. We monitored cAMP signals using genetically encoded cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. This high resolution approach allowed us to make several observations. (a) Exposure of cells to 1 muM isoproterenol triggered transient increases in cAMP levels near the plasma membrane. Pretreatment of cells with 10 muM rolipram, a PDE4 inhibitor, prevented the decline in the isoproterenol-induced cAMP signals. (b) 1 muM isoproterenol triggered a sustained, twofold increase in phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) activity. (c) The decline in isoproterenol-dependent cAMP levels was not significantly altered by including 20 nM PKI, a PKA inhibitor, or 3 muM 59-74E, a GRK inhibitor, in the pipette solution; however, the decline in the cAMP levels was prevented when both PKI and 59-74E were included in the pipette solution. (d) After an initial 5-min stimulation with isoproterenol and a 5-min washout, little or no recovery of the signal was observed during a second 5-min stimulation with isoproterenol. (e) The amplitude of the signal in response to the second isoproterenol stimulation was not altered when PKI was included in the pipette solution, but was significantly increased when 59-74E was included. Taken together, these data indicate that either GRK-mediated desensitization of beta2ARs or PKA-mediated stimulation of PDE4 activity is sufficient to cause declines in cAMP signals. In addition, the data indicate that GRK-mediated desensitization is primarily responsible for a sustained suppression of beta2AR signaling. To better understand the interplay between receptor desensitization and PDE4 activity in controlling cAMP signals, we developed a mathematical model of this system. Simulations of cAMP signals using this model are consistent with the experimental data and demonstrate the importance of receptor levels, receptor desensitization, basal adenylyl cyclase activity, and regulation of PDE activity in controlling cAMP signals, and hence, on the overall sensitivity of the system.     

Constitutive steroidogenesis in ovine large luteal cells may be mediated by tonically active protein kinase A

The mechanisms responsible for the increased basal rates of progesterone secretion from large steroidogenic luteal cells (LLC) relative to small steroidogenic luteal cells (SLC) have not been clearly defined. To determine if protein kinase A (PKA) is tonically active in LLC, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and a specific PKA inhibitor (PKI) were utilized in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment with each steroidogenic cell type. Progesterone and cAMP production were quantified after the different treatments. In addition, the effects of the treatments on the concentrations and relative phosphorylation status of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein in the two cell types were determined as a measure of PKA activity. Treatment with PKI blocked forskolin-induced increases in progesterone secretion by SLC without affecting the production of cAMP. The treatment of LLC with PKI significantly decreased basal progesterone secretion in the presence or absence of forskolin, indicating that the high level of steroidogenesis in this cell type requires PKA activity. There were no differences in the steady-state concentrations of STAR protein in either cell type after treatment. However, the percentage of relative STAR phosphorylation was higher in the LLC than in SLC, and PKI treatment significantly decreased the phosphorylation of STAR in the LLC. The relative phosphorylation status of STAR and the concentrations of progesterone in the media were significantly correlated with the treatments in both cell types. The amount of progesterone secreted per picogram of cAMP was higher in the LLC than in the SLC, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in the ratio of relative STAR phosphorylation to the steady-state concentration of STAR protein. These data are compatible with the theory that LLC are constitutively steroidogenic, partly because they have tonically active PKA. In addition, the phosphorylation of STAR appears to be a primary activity of PKA in both types of ovine steroidogenic luteal cells.     

Concerning stimulation by high external potassium and calcium injection of the ouabain-insensitive sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers

The behavior of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux in barnacle muscle fibers toward external high K and injection of Ca2+ has been further investigated. Raising Ke to 100 mM after the injection of 0.25 M or 0.1 M GTPNa2 results in a biphasic stimulatory response: the initial response is prompt in onset and small but transitory, whereas the delayed response is large and sustained. This second stimulatory phase is reduced markedly by injecting EGTA but not by PKI. Raising Ke to 100 mM in the presence of the 2 xanthine derivatives, viz. PMX and IAX, leads to a sustained stimulatory response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux which is halved by injecting PKI but unaffected by injecting EGTA. Injection of 0.1 M or 0.5 M CaCl2 in the presence of PMX and IAX leads to a sustained stimulatory response, which is almost completely abolished by injecting PKI but unaffected by injecting EGTA. These results confirm the earlier finding that the response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to high Ke in fibers preinjected with GTPNa2 is biphasic and that the delayed second stimulatory phase is sustained rather than transitory. The ability of injected EGTA to only partially reverse the delayed response suggests that a fall in myoplasmic pCa is not the sole factor governing the kinetic picture. The experiments with PMX and IAX strongly suggest that cAMP is involved in the termination of the Ca2+ message.     

Biochemical characterization of extracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase as a tumor marker

In a recent report (Cho et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97, 835-840, 2000), we showed that cancer cells of various cell types secrete cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) into the conditioned medium and that in the serum of cancer patients this extracellular PKA (ECPKA) is upregulated 10-fold as compared with normal serum. Here, we characterized the enzymatic properties of ECPKA that is present in the conditioned medium of PC3M prostate cancer cells and in the serum of cancer patients, and we compared ECPKA with PKA found in the cell extracts of PC3M cells. ECPKA present in the conditioned medium and human serum was not activated by cAMP addition, but intracellular PKA activity was totally dependent on the addition of cAMP. This indicates that the ECPKA is present in active, free C subunit form, whereas intracellular PKA is present in inactive holoenzyme form. ECPKA activity increased in a substrate concentration- and time-dependent manner, as did intracellular PKA. Both ECPKA and intracellular PKA activities were specifically inhibited by the PKA inhibitor protein, PKI. However, ECPKA activity was more temperature-sensitive than intracellular PKA; after two cycles of freezing/thawing, only 20% of initial ECPKA activity was detected compared with over 40% of intracellular PKA activity. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of a 40 kDa C(alpha) subunit of PKA in both conditioned medium and in the serum of cancer patients. These results suggest that ECPKA, out of the context of cAMP regulation, may function as a growth factor promoting cell growth and transformation; thus, it may serve as a tumor biomarker.     

Cyclic AMP delays G2 progression and prevents efficient accumulation of cyclin B1 proteins in mouse macrophage cells

In mouse macrophage cells, the increase of the intracellular cAMP level activates protein kinase A (PKA) and results in inhibition of cell cycle progression in both G1 and G2/M phases. G1 arrest is mediated by a cdk inhibitor, p27Kip1, which prevents G1 cyclin/cdk complexes from being activated in response to colony stimulating factor-1, whereas inhibition of G2/M progression has not been fully elucidated. In this report we analyzed the effect of cAMP on G2/M progression in a mouse macrophage cell line, BAC1.2F5A. Flow cytometric analysis and mitotic index measurement using both synchronized and asynchronized cells revealed that addition of cAMP-elevating agents (8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate and 3-isobutyl-methyl-xanthine), although they did not affect S phase progression or M/G1 transition, temporarily arrested cells in G2 but eventually the cells proceeded to M phase, resulting in about 4 hours delay of G2 progression. Timing of cyclin B1/Cdc2 kinase activation was also retarded by about 4 hours, which was accompanied by inhibition of efficient accumulation of cyclin B1 proteins. Initial induction and accumulation of cyclin B1 mRNA were not hampered, but the half life of cyclin B1 proteins was significantly shorter during G2 phase in the presence of cAMP-elevating agents compared with that of the cells blocked from progressing through M phase by nocodazole. These results imply that the cAMP/PKA pathway regulates G2 phase progression by altering the stability of a crucial cell cycle regulator.     

Cellular mechanisms underlying prostaglandin-induced transient cAMP signals near the plasma membrane of HEK-293 cells

We have previously used cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels as sensors to measure cAMP signals in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells. We found that prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) triggered transient increases in cAMP concentration near the plasma membrane, whereas total cAMP levels rose to a steady plateau over the same time course. In addition, we presented evidence that the decline in the near-membrane cAMP levels was due primarily to a PGE₁-induced stimulation of phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, and that the differences between near-membrane and total cAMP levels were largely due to diffusional barriers and differential PDE activity. Here, we examine the mechanisms regulating transient, near-membrane cAMP signals. We observed that 5-min stimulation of HEK-293 cells with prostaglandins triggered a two- to threefold increase in PDE4 activity. Extracellular application of H89 (a PKA inhibitor) inhibited stimulation of PDE4 activity. Similarly, when we used CNG channels to monitor cAMP signals we found that both extracellular and intracellular (via the whole-cell patch pipette) application of H89, or the highly selective PKA inhibitor, PKI, prevented the decline in prostaglandin-induced responses. Following pretreatment with rolipram (a PDE4 inhibitor), H89 had little or no effect on near-membrane or total cAMP levels. Furthermore, disrupting the subcellular localization of PKA with the A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) disruptor Ht31 prevented the decline in the transient response. Based on these data we developed a plausible kinetic model that describes prostaglandin-induced cAMP signals. This model has allowed us to quantitatively demonstrate the importance of PKA-mediated stimulation of PDE4 activity in shaping near-membrane cAMP signals. G protein signaling; protein kinase A; phosphodiesterase; A-kinase anchoring protein; CNG channel