Inhibition of thimet oligopeptidase by siRNA alters specific intracellular peptides and potentiates isoproterenol signal transduction

Mammalian cells have a large number of intracellular peptides that are generated by extralysosomal proteases. In this study, the enzymatic activity of thimet oligopeptidase (EP24.15) was inhibited in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells using a specific siRNA sequence. The semi-quantitative intracellular peptidome analyses of siRNA-transfected HEK293 cells shows that the levels of specific intracellular peptides are either increased or decreased upon EP24.15 inhibition. Decreased expression of EP24.15 was sufficient to potentiate luciferase gene reporter activation by isoproterenol (1-10 μM). The protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720 (1 μM) reduced the positive effect of the EP24.15 siRNA on isoproterenol signaling. Thus, EP24.15 inhibition by siRNA modulates the levels of specific intracellular peptides and isoproterenol signal transduction.     

Free ATP inhibits thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) activity, induces autophosphorylation in vitro, and controls oligopeptide degradation in macrophage.

The fate of the proteasome-generated peptides depends upon the cytosolic peptidases whose activities ought to be regulated. One of the most important oligopeptide-degrading and -binding proteins in the cytosol is the thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15), ubiquitously found in mammalian tissues. To date, there is no indication whether thimet oligopeptidase activities are physiologically regulated. Here, we present evidences suggesting that the concentration of unbound ATP in the cytosol regulates the thimet oligopeptidase activities both, in vitro and ex vivo. To perform these studies two oligopeptides were used: a quenched fluorescent peptide, which is susceptible to thimet oligopeptidase degradation, and the ovalbumin257-264 (MHC class I ovalbumin epitope), which displays high affinity to the thimet oligopeptidase without being degraded. We also showed that the thimet oligopeptidase undergoes autophosphorylation by ATP, a modification that does not affect the peptidase activity. The autophosphorylation is abolished in the presence of the thimet oligopeptidase substrates, as well as by the effect of a site directed inhibitor of this enzyme, and by the substitution of Glu474 for Asp at the metallo-peptidase motif. Altogether, the results presented here suggest that Zn2+ at the active center of the thimet oligopeptidase is the target for the ATP binding, leading to the inhibition of the enzyme activity, and inducing autophosphorylation. These effects, which depend upon the concentration of the unbound ATP, may help to explain the fate of the proteasomal-generated oligopeptides in the cytosol.     

Thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15), a novel protein on the route of MHC class I antigen presentation

The initial processing of antigens leading to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigenic peptides is carried out by the proteasome. However, how the final epitopes are generated and protected from degradation by cytosolic peptidases remains unknown. Coincidentally, peptides associated with the MHC class I molecules range from 8 to 13 amino acid residues, similarly to the optimum substrate size required for the cytosolic thimet oligopeptidase. Here we have investigated the putative intracellular function of thimet oligopeptidase related to antigen presentation. Using a well-characterized antigen-presenting cell system, we were able to demonstrate either inhibition or stimulation of CD8 T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity, manipulating intracellular thimet oligopeptidase levels with its specific inhibitor cFP-Ala-Ala-Tyr-pAb or loading the enzyme itself into the antigen-presenting cells. Our results suggest that thimet oligopeptidase should take an important function in the pathway of antigen presentation via MHC class I through a mechanism yet unknown.     

Impact of Cell Type and Epitope Tagging on Heterologous Expression of G Protein-Coupled Receptor: A Systematic Study on Angiotensin Type II Receptor

Despite heterologous expression of epitope-tagged GPCR is widely adopted for functional characterization, there is lacking of systematic analysis of the impact of expression host and epitope tag on GPCR expression. Angiotensin type II (AT2) receptor displays agonist-dependent and -independent activities, coupling to a spectrum of signaling molecules. However, consensus has not been reached on the subcellular distributions, signaling cascades and receptor-mediated actions. To examine the contributions of host cell and epitope tag on receptor expression and activity, epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants were transiently or stably expressed in HEK293, CHO-K1 and PC12 cells. The epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants were detected both on the cell membrane and in the perinuclear region. In transiently transfected HEK293 cells, Myc-AT2 existed predominantly as monomer. Additionally, a ladder of ubiquitinated AT2 receptor proteins was detected. By contrast, stably expressed epitope-tagged AT2 receptor variants existed as both monomer and high molecular weight complexes, and the latter was enriched in cell surface. Glycosylation promoted cell surface expression of Myc-AT2 but had no effect on AT2-GFP in HEK293 cells. In cells that stably expressed Myc-AT2, serum starvation induced apoptosis in CHO-K1 cells but not in HEK293 or PC12 cells. Instead, HEK293 and PC12 cells stably expressing Myc-AT2 exhibited partial cell cycle arrest with cells accumulating at G1 and S phases, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that expression levels, subcellular distributions and ligand-independent constitutive activities of AT2 receptor were cell type-dependent while posttranslational processing of nascent AT2 receptor protein was modulated by epitope tag and mode of expression.     

Thimet oligopeptidase and the stability of MHC class I epitopes in macrophage cytosol

In this study we investigated the fate of a class of proteasome-generated oligopeptides, exposing them to the crude cytosol of macrophages or to the purified recombinant thimet oligopeptidase. Among the proteasome products of known sequences are MHC class I epitopes, 13 of which were randomly chosen to be used as putative substrates. Surprisingly, our results clearly showed that the majority of the peptides were poorly or not degraded, either by the purified enzyme or by the crude macrophage cytosol. The peptides, which were resistant to hydrolysis, displayed high affinity for the thimet oligopeptidase as competitive inhibitors. Regardless of the fact that our data do not allow prediction of whether or not a specific peptide would be degraded, it seems very likely that the structural features, which rule out the stability of the MHC class I peptides in the cytosol, may have implications in an optimized repertoire selection for antigen presentation.     

Natural intracellular peptides can modulate the interactions of mouse brain proteins and thimet oligopeptidase with 14-3-3ε and calmodulin

Protein interactions are crucial for most cellular process. Thus, rationally designed peptides that act as competitive assembly inhibitors of protein interactions by mimicking specific, determined structural elements have been extensively used in clinical and basic research. Recently, mammalian cells have been shown to contain a large number of intracellular peptides of unknown function. Here, we investigate the role of several of these natural intracellular peptides as putative modulators of protein interactions that are related to Ca(2+) -calmodulin (CaM) and 14-3-3ε, which are proteins that are related to the spatial organization of signal transduction within cells. At concentrations of 1-50 μM, most of the peptides that are investigated in this study modulate the interactions of CaM and 14-3-3ε with proteins from the mouse brain cytoplasm or recombinant thimet oligopeptidase (EP24.15) in vitro, as measured by surface plasmon resonance. One of these peptides (VFDVELL; VFD-7) increases the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in a dose-dependent manner but only if introduced into HEK293 cells, which suggests a wide biological function of this peptide. Therefore, it is exciting to suggest that natural intracellular peptides are novel modulators of protein interactions and have biological functions within cells.     

PDF receptor signaling in Drosophila contributes to both circadian and geotactic behaviors

The neuropeptide Pigment-Dispersing Factor (PDF) is a principle transmitter regulating circadian locomotor rhythms in Drosophila. We have identified a Class II (secretin-related) G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is specifically responsive to PDF and also to calcitonin-like peptides and to PACAP. In response to PDF, the PDF receptor (PDFR) elevates cAMP levels when expressed in HEK293 cells. As predicted by in vivo studies, cotransfection of Neurofibromatosis Factor 1 significantly improves coupling of PDFR to adenylate cyclase. pdfr mutant flies display increased circadian arrhythmicity, and also display altered geotaxis that is epistatic to that of pdf mutants. PDFR immunosignals are expressed by diverse neurons, but only by a small subset of circadian pacemakers. These data establish the first synapse within the Drosophila circadian neural circuit and underscore the importance of Class II peptide GPCR signaling in circadian neural systems.     

Support for a potential role of E. coli oligopeptidase A in protein degradation

Protein degradation is an essential quality control and regulatory function in organisms ranging from bacteria to eukaryotes. In bacteria, this process is initiated by ATP-dependent proteases which digest proteins to short peptides that are subsequently hydrolyzed to smaller fragments and free amino acids. While the entire genome of Escherichia coli has been sequenced, identification of endopeptidases that perform this downstream hydrolysis remains incomplete. However, in eukaryotes, thimet oligopeptidases (TOP) has been shown to hydrolyze peptides generated by the degradation of proteins by the 26S proteasome. These findings motivated us to investigate whether E. coli oligopeptidase A (OpdA), a homolog of TOP might play a similar general role in bacterial protein degradation. Herein, we provide initial support for this hypothesis by demonstrating that OpdA efficiently cleaves the peptides generated by the activity of the three primary ATP-dependent proteases from E. coli-Lon, HslUV, and ClpAP.     

Properties of secretin receptor internalization differ from those of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor.

The endocytic pathway of the secretin receptor, a class II GPCR, is unknown. Some class I G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR), internalize in clathrin-coated vesicles and this process is mediated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), beta-arrestin, and dynamin. However, other class I GPCRs, for example, the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT(1A)R), exhibit different internalization properties than the beta(2)-AR. The secretin receptor, a class II GPCR, is a GRK substrate, suggesting that like the beta(2)-AR, it may internalize via a beta-arrestin and dynamin directed process. In this paper we characterize the internalization of a wild-type and carboxyl-terminal (COOH-terminal) truncated secretin receptor using flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging, and compare the properties of secretin receptor internalization to that of the beta(2)-AR. In HEK 293 cells, sequestration of both the wild-type and COOH-terminal truncated secretin receptors was unaffected by GRK phosphorylation, whereas inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediated phosphorylation markedly decreased sequestration. Addition of secretin to cells resulted in a rapid translocation of beta-arrestin to plasma membrane localized receptors; however, secretin receptor internalization was not reduced by expression of dominant negative beta-arrestin. Thus, like the AT(1A)R, secretin receptor internalization is not inhibited by reagents that interfere with clathrin-coated vesicle-mediated internalization and in accordance with these results, we show that secretin and AT(1A) receptors colocalize in endocytic vesicles. This study demonstrates that the ability of secretin receptor to undergo GRK phosphorylation and beta-arrestin binding is not sufficient to facilitate or mediate its internalization. These results suggest that other receptors may undergo endocytosis by mechanisms used by the secretin and AT(1A) receptors and that kinases other than GRKs may play a greater role in GPCR endocytosis than previously appreciated.     

Biochemical and pharmacological aspects of two bradykinin-potentiating peptides obtained from tryptic hydrolysis of casein

Peptides that display bradykinin-potentiating activity have been obtained from a number of distinct sources, such as snake venoms, fibrinogen, and casein. This paper describes the characterization of two new peptides generated by tryptic hydrolysis of casein. No homology was found with other known vasoactive or vasopotentiating peptides, especially by the lack of Ile-Pro-Pro motif. The peptides EMPFPK and YPVEPFTE, corresponding to the gamma casein sequence (108-113 and 114-121, respectively), displayed a selective potentiating activity on isolated guinea pig ileum for bradykinin. Besides, the octapeptide YPVEPFTE showed an in vitro competitive inhibitor effect on angiotensin-converting enzyme and thimet oligopeptidase and presented an opiate-like activity, increasing two times the latence time in the hot-plate assay. The results suggest that the isolated bioactive peptides act on conversion and/or inactivation of endogenous peptides by enzymes such as angiotensin-converting enzyme and thimet oligopeptidase by modifying several systemic responses such as blood-pressure regulation and in pain response.     

Cell-type-specific pathways of neurotensin endocytosis

The neurotensin receptor subtype 1 (NTS1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mediating a large number of central and peripheral effects of neurotensin. Upon stimulation, NTS1 is rapidly internalized and targeted to lysosomes. This process depends on the interaction of the phosphorylated receptor with β–arrestin. Little is known about other accessory endocytic proteins potentially involved. Here, we investigated the involvement of dynamin, amphiphysin, and intersectin in the internalization of NTS1 receptor-ligand complexes in transfected COS-7 and HEK 293 cells, by using the transferrin receptor as an internal control for the constitutive endocytic pathway. We found that NTS1 endocytosis was not only arrestin–dependent, but also dynamin–dependent in both COS-7 and HEK 293 cells, whereas internalization of the transferrin receptor was independent of arrestin but required dynamin. Overexpression of the SH3 domain of amphiphysin II had no effect on receptor internalization in either cell type. By contrast, overexpression of full-length intersectin or of its SH3 domain (but not of its EH domain) inhibited NTS1 internalization in COS-7 but not in HEK 293 cells. This difference between COS-7 and HEK 293 cells was not attributable to differences in endogenous intersectin levels between the two cell lines. Indeed, the same constructs inhibited transferrin endocytosis equally well in COS-7 and HEK 293 cells. However, immunogold electron microscopy revealed that internalized NTS1 receptors were associated with clathrin-coated pits in COS-7 cells but with smooth vesicles in HEK 293 cells, suggesting that NTS1 internalization proceeds via different endocytic pathways in these two cell types. This work was supported by grants to A.B. from CIHR and FRSQ.     

Ligands and signaling of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR14, expressed in human kidney cells.

Activation of the urotensin II (U-II) receptor, GPR14, leads to an increase in Ca(2+), activation of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and an increase in arachidonic acid. The signaling pathway for guanylin peptides in the kidney involves an unknown G-protein coupled receptor which activates PLA(2) and increases arachidonic acid as well. To test if guanylin peptides could be, as U-II, agonists for the GPR14 receptor in the kidney, we used HEK293 and CHO cells transfected with hGPR14 (HEK293+hGPR14, CHO+hGPR14, respectively). Effects of guanylin peptides and U-II were studied by slow-whole-cell patch-clamp analysis and microfluorimetric measurements of intracellular Ca(2+). Guanylin peptides and U-II depolarized HEK293+hGPR14 significantly more than wild type cells. These effects were inhibited in the presence of Ba(2+) or PLA(2) inhibition (AACOCF(3)), suggesting that guanylin peptides and U-II increase arachidonic acid and inhibit ROMK channels in these cells. However, only U-II was capable to increase the cellular Ca(2+), suggesting different mechanism of GPR14 activation by guanylin peptides and U-II. This signaling pathway of U-II involves PKC, because U-II effects in HEK293+hGPR14 cells were inhibited by calphostin C. Guanylin peptides activate PLA(2) and inhibit ROMK channels in HEK293 cells transfected with the human GPR14 receptor. Since GPR14 is present in mouse and human CCD it is a candidate for the guanylate cyclase independent receptor for guanylin peptides.     

cAMP反应元件萤光素酶报告基因载体的构建简

目的：构建含有cAMP反应元件（CRE）的萤光素酶报告基因载体。方法：以含有ga14位点的萤光素酶报告基因质粒为模板,利用PCR方法,在去除ga14位点的同时,连入4个CRE元件得到pCRE-luc;将该载体与G蛋白偶联受体（GPCR）共转染人胚肾细胞HEK293,测定萤光素酶活性;应用蛋白激酶A（PKA）抑制剂确认CRE的活性是否与Gs通路相关。结果：pCRE-luc的活性直接相关于GPCR的激活程度,并依赖Gs信号通路。结论：CRE萤光素酶报告基因载体构建成功,可用于检测Gs偶联GPCR的活性,为基于GPCR的高通量药物筛选奠定了基础。     

Differential pathways of angiotensin II-induced extracellularly regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation in specific cell types: role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor

Stimulation of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1-R) causes phosphorylation of extracellularly regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) transactivation-dependent or -independent pathways in Ang II target cells. Here we examined the mechanisms involved in agonist-induced EGF-R transactivation and subsequent ERK1/2 phosphorylation in clone 9 (C9) hepatocytes, which express endogenous AT1-R, and COS-7 and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells transfected with the AT1-R. Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation was attenuated by inhibition of Src kinase and of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in C9 and COS-7 cells, but not in HEK 293 cells. Agonist-mediated MMP activation in C9 cells led to shedding of heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF) and stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Blockade of HB-EGF action by neutralizing antibody or its selective inhibitor, CRM197, attenuated ERK1/2 activation by Ang II. Consistent with its agonist action, HB-EGF stimulation of these cells caused marked phosphorylation of the EGF-R and its adapter molecule, Shc, as well as ERK1/2 and its dependent protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase, in a manner similar to that elicited by Ang II or EGF. Although the Tyr319 residue of the AT1-R has been proposed to be an essential regulator of EGF-R transactivation, stimulation of wild-type and mutant (Y319F) AT1-R expressed in COS-7 cells caused EGF-R transactivation and subsequent ERK1/2 phosphorylation through release of HB-EGF in a Src-dependent manner. In contrast, the noninvolvement of MMPs in HEK 293 cells, which may reflect the absence of Src activation by Ang II, was associated with lack of transactivation of the EGF-R. These data demonstrate that the individual actions of Ang II on EGF-R transactivation in specific cell types are related to differential involvement of MMP-dependent HB-EGF release.     

The mechanism of angiotensin II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation is independent of angiotensin AT(1A) receptor internalisation

The aim of this study was to determine whether internalisation of the angiotensin II (Ang II) AT(1A) receptor (AT(1A)R) was a prerequisite for Ang II-induced activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, ERK-1/2. The human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line stably transfected with either the wild-type rat AT(1A)R or an internalisation-deficient C-terminal truncated mutant of the AT(1A)R (AT(1A)T318R) was used as a model for these studies. Inhibition of AT(1A)R internalisation by treatment with an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Concanavalin A (Con A), did not inhibit Ang II-induced ERK-1/2 activation. Furthermore, cells transfected with the internalisation-deficient AT(1A)T318R mutant readily activated ERK-1/2 in response to Ang II. Ang II activated ERK-1/2 via two distinct signalling pathways in HEK-AT(1A)R cells. Approximately half of Ang II-induced ERK-1/2 activation was protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent, and the remainder was calcium- and c-Src-dependent and involved transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In summary, Ang II-induced activation of ERK-1/2 occurs via two distinct pathways in HEK293 cells, neither of which requires AT(1A)R internalisation.     

Extracellular ATP causes ROCK I-dependent bleb formation in P2X7-transfected HEK293 cells

The P2X7 ATP receptor mediates the cytotoxic effect of extracellular ATP. P2X7-dependent cell death is heralded by dramatic plasma membrane bleb formation. Membrane blebbing is a complex phenomenon involving as yet poorly characterized intracellular pathways. We have investigated the effect of extracellular ATP on HEK293 cells transfected with the cytotoxic/pore-forming P2X7 receptor. Addition of ATP to P2X7-transfected, but not to wt P2X7-less, HEK293 cells caused massive membrane blebbing within 1-2 min. UTP, a nucleotide incapable of activating P2X7, had no early effects on cell shape and bleb formation. Bleb formation triggered by ATP was reversible and required extracellular Ca2+ and an intact cytoskeleton. Furthermore, it was completely prevented by preincubation with the P2X blocker oxidized ATP. It was recently observed that the ROCK protein is a key determinant of bleb formation. Preincubation of HEK293-P2X7 cells with the ROCK blocker Y-27632 completely prevented P2X7-dependent blebbing. Although ATP triggered cleavage of the ROCK I isoform in P2X7-transfected HEK293 cells, the wide range caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fluoromethylketone had no effect. These observations suggest that P2X7-dependent plasma membrane blebbing depends on the activation of the serine/threonine kinase ROCK I.     

Differential regulation of corticotropin releasing factor 1alpha receptor endocytosis and trafficking by beta-arrestins and Rab GTPases

The corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) type 1alpha receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subfamily B, is involved in the aetiology of anxiety and depressive disorders. In the present study, we examined the internalization and trafficking of the CRF1alpha receptor in both human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells and primary cortical neurons. We found that CRF1alpha receptor activation leads to the selective recruitment of beta-arrestin2 in both HEK293 cells and neurons. We observed distinct distribution patterns of CRF1alpha receptor and beta-arrestin2 in HEK293 cells and cortical neurons. In HEK293 cells, beta-arrestin2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) co-localized with CRF1alpha receptor in vesicles at the plasma membrane but was dissociated from the receptor in endosomes. In contrast, in primary cortical neurons, beta-arrestin2 and CRF1alpha receptor were internalized in distinct endocytic vesicles. By bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrated that beta-arrestin2 association with CRF1alpha receptor was increased in cells transfected with G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)3 and GRK6 and decreased in cells transfected with GRK2 and GRK5. In both HEK293 cells and cortical neurons, internalized CRF1alpha receptor transited from Rab5-positive early endosomes to Rab4-positive recycling endosomes and was not targeted to lysosomes. However, CRF1alpha receptor resensitization was blocked by the overexpression of wild-type, but not dominant-negative, Rab5 and Rab4 GTPases. Taken together, our results suggest that beta-arrestin trafficking differs between HEK293 cells and neurons, and that CRF1alpha receptor resensitization is regulated in an atypical manner by Rab GTPases.     

EP24.15 interacts with the angiotensin II type I receptor and bradykinin B2 receptor

The carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) is known to interact with several classes of intracellular proteins that may modulate receptor function. Employing yeast two-hybrid screening of a human embryonic kidney cDNA library with the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the AT1 receptor as a bait, we have isolated EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15, thimet oligopeptidase) as a potentially interacting protein. EP24.15 is widely distributed and is known to degrade bioactive peptides such as angiotensin I and II and bradykinin. In addition, EP24.15 was previously identified as a putative soluble angiotensin II binding protein. Two-hybrid screening also determined that EP24.15 can interact with the B2 bradykinin receptor. Transient expression of EP24.15 in a porcine kidney epithelial cell line stably expressing full length AT1 and full length B2 followed by affinity chromatography and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed EP24.15 association with both AT1 and B2 receptors. EP24.15 was also co-immunoprecipitated with AT1 and B2 in rat kidney brush border membranes (BBM) and basolateral membranes (BLM). Both AT1 and B2 undergo ligand-induced endocytosis. Analysis of endosomal fractions following immunoprecipitation with AT1 or B2 antibodies detected strong association of EP24.15 with the receptors in both light and heavy endosomal populations. Therefore, the present study indicates that EP24.15 associates with AT1 and B2 receptors both at the plasma membrane and after receptor internalization and suggests a possible mechanism for endosomal disposition of ligand that may facilitate receptor recycling.     

用Rnase Ⅲ制备的小干涉RNA降解SARS冠状病毒基因的细胞内转录物

SARS冠状病毒是引起重症急性呼吸综合症的主要原因,目前尚没有特效药物或疫苗对抗这种新病毒。RNA干涉是指双链RNA可以特异地降解细胞内同源基因的Mrna。在哺乳动物细胞中,<30bp的小双链RNA能引起RNA干涉,又可以避免干扰素反应。通过体外转录得到SARS病毒3种基因RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶、刺突蛋白及核衣壳蛋白部分片段的长双链RNA,然后用Rnase Ⅲ有限切割成长度<30bp的小干涉RNA。同时把上述3种基因片段分别连接到质粒Pgl3-Control中,得到的3个质粒Pgl-R、Pgl-S和Pgl-N可以分别在细胞内转录出荧光素酶RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶、刺突蛋白、核衣壳蛋白的杂合Mrna。上述质粒分别和相应的小干涉RNA共转染HEK293F细胞,测定荧光素酶活性,结果小干涉RNA使相应质粒表达荧光素酶的活性显著下降;用逆转录定量PCR反应测量Mrna丰度,结果表明上述小干涉RNA可以特异地降解相应的病毒基因转录物。     

Angiotensin AT4 ligands are potent,competitive inhibitors of insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP)

Angiotensin IV (Ang IV) exerts profound effects on memory and learning, a phenomenon ascribed to its binding to a specific AT4 receptor. However the AT4 receptor has recently been identified as the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP). In this study, we demonstrate that AT4 receptor ligands, including Ang IV, Nle1-Ang IV, divalinal-Ang IV, and the structurally unrelated LVV-hemorphin-7, are all potent inhibitors of IRAP catalytic activity, as assessed by cleavage of leu-beta-naphthylamide by recombinant human IRAP. Both Ang IV and divalinal-Ang IV display competitive kinetics, indicating that AT4 ligands mediate their effects by binding to the catalytic site of IRAP. The AT4 ligands also displaced [125I]-Nle1-Ang IV or [125I]-divalinal1-Ang IV from IRAP-HEK293T membranes with high affinity, which was up to 200-fold greater than in the catalytic assay; this difference was not consistent among the peptides, and could not be ascribed to ligand degradation. Although some AT4 ligands were subject to minor cleavage by HEK293T membranes, none were substrates for IRAP. Of a range of peptides tested, only vasopressin, oxytocin, and met-enkephalin were rapidly cleaved by IRAP. We propose that the physiological effects of AT4 ligands result, in part, from inhibition of IRAP cleavage of neuropeptides involved in memory processing.