H2-calponin在细胞力学信号感知中的作用

H2-calponin是一种肌动蛋白细胞骨架结合蛋白,在平滑肌细胞和一些非肌肉细胞中均有表达,并且在发育及重建的组织中高表达。H2-calponin作为一种机械应力的胞内应答因子,受机械应力调节,通过与细胞骨架F-肌动蛋白(F-actin)及多种粘着斑蛋白相互作用,参与细胞力学信号感受与传导,在调节细胞增殖、分化、迁移以及胞质分裂等生理活动中起着重要作用。本文在介绍H2-calponin生化特征的基础上,对其在细胞应力感受及力学信号转导中的作用做一综述。     

肌动蛋白相关蛋白2/3复合体的结构、功能与调节

微丝参与了细胞形态维持及细胞运动等多种重要的细胞过程。微丝由肌动蛋白单体组装而成 ,肌动蛋白相关蛋白 2 / 3(Arp2 /Arp3,Arp2 / 3)复合体在微丝形成过程中起重要作用。Arp2 / 3复合体由 7个亚单位组成 ,在细胞内受到多种核化促进因子的调节 ,并与这些因子协同作用来调节肌动蛋白的核化。Arp2 / 3复合体结构、功能及调节的研究对于阐明微丝形成机制及细胞骨架与某些信号分子的关系有重要意义。     

酿酒酵母GPCR蛋白Ste2亚细胞定位信号探索

G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptor,GPCR)家族蛋白在细胞感受各种胞外信号过程中发挥重要作用。Ste2是酵母细胞中GPCR蛋白之一。大量文献报道了Ste2蛋白突变体对其功能和表达的影响,但关于Ste2亚细胞定位的研究相对较少。这项工作的目的在于确定Ste2亚细胞定位,探究Ste2不同跨膜域、胞内外环状结构域和N端、C端对其亚细胞定位的影响。构建了一系列结构域删除或替换突变体,通过荧光显微镜观察判断不同结构区域对Ste2亚细胞定位的影响,并通过与已知的细胞器标记蛋白共定位观察验证亚细胞定位判读结果。结果显示:野生型Ste2荧光信号出现在质膜和液泡内腔; C端缺失突变体荧光信号出现在质膜和内质网。在N端、C端、各环状结构域序列采用动物GPCR蛋白ORI7、OR17-40相应结构域替换的突变体中,C端替换导致液泡内腔信号消失,质膜信号强于野生型; N端和部分环状结构域替换不同程度减弱或消除了质膜定位,液泡腔内信号类似于野生型;部分突变体在胞内出现点状分布的荧光信号。由此推断:Ste2 N端,第一、第二胞外环状结构域和第三胞内环状结构域可能具有影响Ste2运输定位到质膜的功能;而C端则可能在Ste2离开细胞膜进入液泡的过程中发挥作用。初步确定了Ste2的不同结构区域对其定位的影响,为深入研究GPCR蛋白的亚细胞定位机制奠定基础。     

决定细胞形状和运动性的蛋白质 palladin

Palladin 是肌动蛋白结合蛋白家族的新成员,广泛分布于平滑肌、中枢神经系统和胚胎的各种组织中,其主要的生物功能是参与构建肌动蛋白骨架系统,并在细胞骨架的动态变化中起作用 . 在肌动蛋白细胞骨架中 palladin 与 alpha- 辅肌动蛋白共存在 . 目前发现, palladin 在决定细胞的形态和迁移或运动等过程中起关键的作用 . 在转移性癌细胞和中枢神经受损伤后的星形胶质细胞中,都有 palladin 的特殊表达 . Palladin 的表达使星形胶质细胞形成了神经胶质疤痕 .     

新基因Nischarin生物信息学分析及初步验证

目的:对新基因Nischarin进行生物信息学分析,探索其新功能特征,并通过实验进行初步验证。方法:用生物信息学方法对Nischarin进行初步分析,阐明了它的基因结构、染色体定位、编码蛋白质的理化性质、相互作用基因、相互作用蛋白、亚细胞定位、蛋白质功能域等信息。最后采用细胞免疫荧光对其DNA结合位点进行初步验证。结果:对新基因Nischarin的上述性质进行了有效的预测,分析表明该基因结构复杂,相互作用基因或蛋白多,亚细胞分布预测复杂。验证了Nishcarin存在的DNA结合位点。结论:通过生物信息学分析,表明新基因Nischarin是一个复杂的基因,可能存在的多种蛋白表达形式、这些不同的蛋白可能存在不同的亚细胞分布,且该蛋白可能与多种蛋白存在相互作用,上述基因和蛋白特性可能是Ⅰ型咪唑啉受体(Imidazoline-1 receptor,I1R)复杂药理学作用的分子基础。     

Calponin蛋白家族在细胞骨架重构中的作用

Calponin蛋白家族包括calponin(CaP)和平滑肌(SM)22α,此家族的重要结构特征是由单一CH结构域和CLR结构域组成。CaP和SM22α属于肌动蛋白细胞骨架结合蛋白,可通过与F-肌动蛋白相互作用来调节肌动蛋白细胞骨架重构,影响细胞的生物学行为,进而影响相关疾病的发生与发展。     

细胞增殖抑制基因HSG/Mfn2

细胞增殖抑制基因(HSG,又称线粒体融合蛋白-2,Mfn2)是我国学者陈光慧利用差异显示技术得到的一个新基因,其编码产物HSG/Mfn2可通过抑制ERK/MAPK信号转导途径使细胞周期停滞在G0/G1期,抑制细胞增殖;还可与平滑肌α肌动蛋白相互作用参与血管平滑肌细胞再分化,在血管平滑肌细胞表型调节中起重要作用。另外,HSG/Mfn2具有促进线粒体融合的功能,与线粒体形态、结构和功能有着密切关系。HSG/Mfn2对血管增殖紊乱和其他过度增殖性疾病的发病及治疗具有重要的意义。     

Bcl-2/Beclin-1复合体在自噬中的调节作用

自噬(autophagy)是一种进化保守的溶酶体依赖性分解代谢途径,是细胞维持自稳态的重要机制之一,并参与多种疾病的发生. Beclin-1作为自噬体成核的关键分子之一,是1个调节自噬的关键靶点. Beclin-1有1个BH3结构域,Bcl-2、Bcl-XL等可以通过这个BH3结构域与Beclin-1结合而影响其活性. 抗凋亡Bcl-2家族蛋白和Beclin-1的表达水平、磷酸化、分子的亚细胞定位以及BH3-only蛋白等,均可调节Beclin-1蛋白和Bcl-2家族蛋白结合水平,进而调控自噬的发生,并可能对细胞最终走向自噬还是凋亡起着关键作用.     

拟南芥膜联蛋白2的亚细胞定位研究

膜联蛋白(annexin)是一类依赖钙离子的多功能磷脂结合蛋白家族,在进化上高度保守,但不同的膜联蛋白基因的表达模式和蛋白质的亚细胞定位具有特异性。拟南芥中已经鉴定出8个编码膜联蛋白的基因,在生长发育和对逆境胁迫响应过程中起作用。已知拟南芥膜联蛋白2参与根的分泌活动和生长素介导的根的向地性反应,但作用机制不清楚。蛋白质的亚细胞定位能为研究其功能和作用机制提供重要参考信息。将编码膜联蛋白2的序列克隆到植物双元表达载体p CAMBIA1300-m Cherry上,在拟南芥中表达Ann At2-m Cherry。利用荧光蛋白技术、m Cherry与绿色荧光蛋白标记的细胞器标记物共定位技术以及细胞器特异性荧光染料染色技术,作者研究了膜联蛋白2的亚细胞定位。结果显示,膜联蛋白2定位于细胞质、细胞核、高尔基体和内质网中,表明该蛋白质可能具有非常重要的功能和复杂的蛋白质翻译与转运调控机制。更多结果发现,转基因拟南芥中膜联蛋白2与绿色荧光蛋白标记的微丝骨架存在共定位现象,推测该蛋白可能通过微丝骨架调节及微丝骨架介导的囊泡运输参与细胞分泌活动。该文为进一步研究膜联蛋白2蛋白质的翻译与转运调控以及作用机制提供了实验依据。     

Phosphorylation-dependent subcellular redistribution of small myosin light chain kinase

BackgroundMyosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is a Ca²⁺-calmodulin-dependent enzyme dedicated to phosphorylate and activate myosin II to provide force for various motile processes. In smooth muscle cells and many other cells, small MLCK (S-MLCK) is a major isoform. S-MLCK is an actomyosin-binding protein firmly attached to contractile machinery in smooth muscle cells. Still, it can leave this location and contribute to other cellular processes. However, molecular mechanisms for switching the S-MLCK subcellular localization have not been described.MethodsSite-directed mutagenesis and in vitro protein phosphorylation were used to study functional roles of discrete in-vivo phosphorylated residues within the S-MLCK actin-binding domain. In vitro co-sedimentation analysis was applied to study the interaction of recombinant S-MLCK actin-binding fragment with filamentous actin. Subcellular distribution of phosphomimicking S-MLCK mutants was studied by fluorescent microscopy and differential cell extraction.ResultsPhosphorylation of S-MLCK actin-binding domain at Ser25 and/or Thr56 by proline-directed protein kinases or phosphomimicking these posttranslational modifications alters S-MLCK binding to actin filaments both in vitro and in cells, and induces S-MLCK subcellular translocation with no effect on the enzyme catalytic properties.ConclusionsPhosphorylation of the amino terminal actin-binding domain of S-MLCK renders differential subcellular targeting of the enzyme and may, thereby, contribute to a variety of context-dependent responses of S-MLCK to cellular and tissue stimuli.General significanceS-MLCK physiological function can potentially be modulated via phosphorylation of its actin recognition domain, a regulation distinct from the catalytic and calmodulin regulatory domains.     

Lasp-2 expression, localization, and ligand interactions: a new Z-disc scaffolding protein

The nebulin family of actin-binding proteins plays an important role in actin filament dynamics in a variety of cells including striated muscle. We report here the identification of a new striated muscle Z-disc associated protein: lasp-2 (LIM and SH3 domain protein-2). Lasp-2 is the most recently identified member of the nebulin family. To evaluate the role of lasp-2 in striated muscle, lasp-2 gene expression and localization were studied in chick and mouse tissue, as well as in primary cultures of chick cardiac and skeletal myocytes. Lasp-2 mRNA was detected as early as chick embryonic stage 25 and lasp-2 protein was associated with developing premyofibril structures, Z-discs of mature myofibrils, focal adhesions, and intercalated discs of cultured cardiomyocytes. Expression of GFP-tagged lasp-2 deletion constructs showed that the C-terminal region of lasp-2 is important for its localization in striated muscle cells. Lasp-2 organizes actin filaments into bundles and interacts directly with the Z-disc protein alpha-actinin. These results are consistent with a function of lasp-2 as a scaffolding and actin filament organizing protein within striated muscle Z-discs.     

Caldesmon: a common actin-linked regulatory protein in the smooth muscle and nonmuscle contractile system

Caldesmon was originally purified from gizzard smooth muscle as a major calmodulin-binding protein which also interacts with actin filaments. It has an alternative binding ability to either calmodulin or actin filaments depending upon the concentration of Ca2+ ("flip-flop binding"). Two forms of caldesmon (Mr's in the range of 120-150 kDa and 70-80 kDa) have been demonstrated in a wide variety of smooth muscles and nonmuscle cells. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that caldesmon is colocalized with actin filaments in vivo. Considering its abundance, the Ca2+-dependent flip-flop binding ability to either calmodulin or actin filaments, and its intracellular localization, caldesmon is expected to be involved in contractile events. Recent results from our laboratory have led to the conclusion that caldesmon regulates the smooth muscle and nonmuscle actin-myosin interaction and the smooth muscle actin-high Mr actin-binding protein (ABP or filamin) interactin in a flip-flop manner. It might function in cell motility by regulating the contractile system.     

Interaction of purified actin-binding protein with the platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib-IX complex

The interaction of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex with the cytoplasmic membrane skeleton is potentially of major importance in regulating platelet function. Indirect evidence suggested that this interaction is mediated by actin-binding protein, but it is not known whether GP Ib-IX and actin-binding protein associate directly. To examine more closely the nature of this association, purified GP Ib-IX complex was specifically bound and oriented on the surface of impermeable polymer beads via a monoclonal antibody, AK 2, directed against the extracytoplasmic domain of GP Ib alpha (glycocalicin). Binding was specific since 1) it was abolished by excess unlabeled actin-binding protein; 2) there was no detectable specific binding of radiolabeled actin-binding protein to beads coated with glycocalicin, the major extracytoplasmic proteolytic fragment of GP Ib alpha; and 3) unlike actin-binding protein, there was no specific binding of bovine serum albumin or human platelet vinculin to the GP Ib-IX complex-coated beads. Binding of actin-binding protein to the GP Ib-IX complex-coated beads, but not to the glycocalicin-coated beads, was saturable and reversible (apparent Kd = 1 x 10(-7) M). These experiments provide direct evidence that actin-binding protein can bind to the cytoplasmic domain of a membrane glycoprotein. Because actin-binding protein is found submembranously in cells other than the platelet, it is possible that this protein may link actin filaments to the plasma membrane in those cells.     

Analysis of the actin-binding domain of alpha-actinin by mutagenesis and demonstration that dystrophin contains a functionally homologous domain

To define the actin-binding site within the NH2-terminal domain (residues 1-245) of chick smooth muscle alpha-actinin, we expressed a series of alpha-actinin deletion mutants in monkey Cos cells. Mutant alpha-actinins in which residues 2-19, 217-242, and 196-242 were deleted still retained the ability to target to actin filaments and filament ends, suggesting that the actin-binding site is located within residues 20-195. When a truncated alpha-actinin (residues 1-290) was expressed in Cos cells, the protein localized exclusively to filament ends. This activity was retained by a deletion mutant lacking residues 196-242, confirming that these are not essential for actin binding. The actin-binding site in alpha-actinin was further defined by expressing both wild-type and mutant actin-binding domains as fusion proteins in E. coli. Analysis of the ability of such proteins to bind to F-actin in vitro showed that the binding site was located between residues 108 and 189. Using both in vivo and in vitro assays, we have also shown that the sequence KTFT, which is conserved in several members of the alpha-actinin family of actin-binding proteins (residues 36-39 in the chick smooth muscle protein) is not essential for actin binding. Finally, we have established that the NH2-terminal domain of dystrophin is functionally as well as structurally homologous to that in alpha-actinin. Thus, a chimeric protein containing the NH2-terminal region of dystrophin (residues 1-233) fused to alpha-actinin residues 244-888 localized to actin-containing structures when expressed in Cos cells. Furthermore, an E. coli-expressed fusion protein containing dystrophin residues 1-233 was able to bind to F-actin in vitro.     

The PDZ Domain of the LIM Protein Enigma Binds to β-Tropomyosin

PDZ and LIM domains are modular protein interaction motifs present in proteins with diverse functions. Enigma is representative of a family of proteins composed of a series of conserved PDZ and LIM domains. The LIM domains of Enigma and its most related family member, Enigma homology protein, bind to protein kinases, whereas the PDZ domains of Enigma and family member actin-associated LIM protein bind to actin filaments. Enigma localizes to actin filaments in fibroblasts via its PDZ domain, and actin-associated LIM protein binds to and colocalizes with the actin-binding protein alpha-actinin-2 at Z lines in skeletal muscle. We show that Enigma is present at the Z line in skeletal muscle and that the PDZ domain of Enigma binds to a skeletal muscle target, the actin-binding protein tropomyosin (skeletal beta-TM). The interaction between Enigma and skeletal beta-TM was specific for the PDZ domain of Enigma, was abolished by mutations in the PDZ domain, and required the PDZ-binding consensus sequence (Thr-Ser-Leu) at the extreme carboxyl terminus of skeletal beta-TM. Enigma interacted with isoforms of tropomyosin expressed in C2C12 myotubes and formed an immunoprecipitable complex with skeletal beta-TM in transfected cells. The association of Enigma with skeletal beta-TM suggests a role for Enigma as an adapter protein that directs LIM-binding proteins to actin filaments of muscle cells.     

Caldesmon-induced polymerization of actin from profilactin

We have investigated the effect of caldesmon, a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated actin-binding protein, on the complex between profilin and G-actin (profilactin). We found that smooth muscle caldesmon dissociates this complex rapidly and induces the polymerization of the released actin. Native profilactin (e.g. the complex isolated from calf thymus) proved more resistant to the attack of caldesmon than a heterologous complex reconstituted from calf thymus profilin and skeletal muscle actin. The mode of caldesmon-induced profilactin dissociation was similar to that described for Mg2+, and 2 mM MgCl2 potentiated the caldesmon effect. Since both caldesmon and profilin have been found enriched in ruffling membranes of animal cells, our in vitro findings may be relevant to the regulation of actin filaments in living cells.     

Purification of mammalian filamin. Similarity to high molecular weight actin-binding protein in macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts, and other tissues

We have purified the high molecular weight actin-binding protein, filamin from guinea pig vas deferens. We find this mammalian filamin is very similar to chicken gizzard filamin in subunit molecular weight, amnio acid composition, actin-binding properties, immunological cross-reactivity, and the ability to be phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Anti-filamin antibodies cross-react with a high molecular weight macrophage actin-binding protein, and with a high molecular weight protein in platelets and fibroblasts. Furthermore like filamin, these proteins are also phosphorylated and cyclic AMP stimulates their phosphorylation. Anti-filamin antibodies do not cross-react with the erythrocyte membrane protein spectrin or with high molecular weight proteins in brain extracts. We conclude that filamin from avian and mammalian smooth muscle are very similar proteins and furthermore that many, but not all, non-muscle cells contain a protein closely related to filamin.     

Three-dimensional structure of actin filaments and of an actin gel made with actin-binding protein

Purified muscle actin and mixtures of actin and actin-binding protein were examined in the transmission electron microscope after fixation, critical point drying, and rotary shadowing. The three-dimensional structure of the protein assemblies was analyzed by a computer-assisted graphic analysis applicable to generalized filament networks. This analysis yielded information concerning the frequency of filament intersections, the filament length between these intersections, the angle at which filaments branch at these intersections, and the concentration of filaments within a defined volume. Purified actin at a concentration of 1 mg/ml assembled into a uniform mass of long filaments which overlap at random angles between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. Actin in the presence of macrophage actin-binding protein assembled into short, straight filaments, organized in a perpendicular branching network. The distance between branch points was inversely related to the molar ratio of actin-binding protein to actin. This distance was what would be predicted if actin filaments grew at right angles off of nucleation sites on the two ends of actin-binding protein dimers, and then annealed. The results suggest that actin in combination with actin-binding protein self-assembles to form a three- dimensional network resembling the peripheral cytoskeleton of motile cells.     

Protease activity associated with loss of adhesiveness in mouse teratocarcinoma

Actin-binding proteins were assayed in various tissues using an 125I-actin overlay procedure. Four major G actin-binding proteins of 90000, 65000, 58000 and 40000 Mr have been identified. The 90K protein is present in all tissues and binds labelled actin in a calcium-sensitive manner with binding increasing 3-4-fold in the presence of Ca2+. The distribution of the 58K and 65K protein which are not Ca2+-sensitive was more variable. These proteins were present in different ratios in different tissues. 125I-actin binding to all four actin-binding proteins is specific and can be displaced by preincubation of the gels with unlabelled actin. The interaction of actin with these proteins does not appear to involve ionic forces, since binding is not diminished by varying the salt concentration. Skeletal muscle glycolytic enzymes, the lens crystallins and the histones also bind 125I-actin. This binding cannot be displaced by preincubation with unlabelled actin and is presumably non-specific. The calcium sensitivity of two highly purified actin-binding proteins, the 90K human platelet protein and villin was compared using 125I-actin. The platelet 90K protein binds actin at less than 10(-7) M free calcium, but detectable binding to villin does not occur below 10(-6) M free calcium. The ubiquity of these actin-binding proteins is clear and we conclude that the calcium-sensitive 90K actin-binding protein in all of these tissues is the same as the platelet protein.