小分子RNA在植物激素信号通路中的调控功能

植物激素是调控植物生长发育的信号分子。近年来的研究发现,小分子RNA作为基因表达调控网络的组分,参与植物激素信号途径,在植物生长发育和胁迫反应方面发挥重要作用。本文综述了miRNA和次级siRNA(Short interfering RNAs)介导的基因调控与植物激素信号通路相互作用的研究进展,主要包括生长素、赤霉素、油菜素内酯和脱落酸途径涉及的miRNA及其功能,并对不同发育过程中miRNA参与的不同激素信号通路的交叉和互作进行了讨论。     

Notch信号通路对神经干细胞增殖分化的作用

神经干细胞作为一种具有自我更新能力和多向分化潜能的细胞,它的增殖和分化受到多种源于自身或外在、邻近或远程细胞信号通路的调控,各种细胞因子及胞间通讯在神经干细胞的增殖和分化中发挥着重要的作用。近年来的多种研究表明,Notch信号通路正是这样一种可以通过相邻细胞的配体与受体相互作用,从而传递信号,进一步发挥其生物学功能的重要信号通路。该通路参与了神经干细胞维持自我形态及向多种具有不同功能的神经细胞分化的过程．对于研究神经干细胞的增殖和分化具有巨大的意义。该文将就当前Notch信号通路对神经干细胞增殖分化影响的相关研究进行简要综述。     

泛素化修饰对疾病信号通路的调控

蛋白质在生物体的生理调控过程中发挥着重要的功能。在体内,蛋白质的合成、降解、活性与功能受到多种翻译后修饰的调控,其中泛素化修饰尤为重要。发现和阐明一些关键蛋白质的泛素化调控机制对理解蛋白质功能、细胞信号调控、疾病发病机理等都有着重要的作用。在这篇综述中,我们围绕与疾病相关的m TORC1和Hippo等关键信号通路,综述泛素化修饰在疾病相关信号通路中的重要作用。理解和阐明这些信号通路中关键蛋白的翻译后修饰调控机制将会进一步拓展我们对于细胞信号网络的认知。     

Rho蛋白和细胞骨架的关系

Rho蛋白作为细胞信号转导的分子开关之一,在细胞骨架动态变化中发挥着极其重要的作用。Rho蛋白对细胞骨架动态变化的调节是一个复杂的信号传递过程,涉及到Rho蛋白介导的信号通路中不同效应物间和Rho蛋白介导的多条信号通路间的相互作用。在Rho蛋白介导的信号通路中,上游调控因子、Rho蛋白、效应物在细胞中的正确定位对信号传递有着决定性的作用。     

乳腺癌致病microRNA调控网络的识别与生物信息学分析

目的:构建并解析乳腺癌致病microRNA(miRNA)调控网络,探究其在乳腺癌发生发展中的调控机制。方法:整合TCGA、ENCODE、Fantom等公共数据库资源,得到miRNA、转录因子和基因候选调控关系数据,结合差异表达、变异系数与PCA,构建乳腺癌miRNA调控网络,解析调控网络的度中心性与聚类系数,使用DAVID进行功能富集分析,构建Cox回归模型作生存曲线。结果:共识别miRNA调控网络262个,其中包含5个显著差异表达miRNA,8个转录因子和130个基因。通过功能富集分析发现这些miRNA靶基因显著参与细胞周期、细胞分化、细胞生长、转移等转录后调控的肿瘤生物进程,并与FoxO信号通路、p53信号通路、基因监测通路等信号通路高度相关。通过分析生存曲线发现hsa-mir-144与hsa-mir-133a-2显著与乳腺癌患者生存相关。结论:识别的乳腺癌致病miRNA调控网络中miRNA之间有相互作用,且网络整体功能不仅受hub网络影响,也受元件自身特性影响,这些miRNA靶基因显著富集于肿瘤相关生物学进程与信号通路中。     

雌激素受体信号通路在乳腺癌发生和治疗中的作用

雌激素受体信号通路在调控乳腺细胞增殖和凋亡等生理机能中发挥重要功能,该通路出现调控异常时可导致乳腺癌发生。雌激素受体在乳腺癌发生中的作用机制包括核受体介导的基因组信号通路和膜受体介导的非基因组信号通路以及二者的相互作用。基于雌激素受体信号通路及其关键信号分子的靶向治疗是开展乳腺癌治疗的重要策略与有效途径。对雌激素受体结构以及雌激素受体信号通路在乳腺癌发生和治疗中的作用作一综述。     

人（Homo sapiens）海马神经元microRNA调控网络的构建及其基本性质研究

目的：建立人海马神经元中的分子相互作用调控网络,研究miRNA在这个网络中是如何与其他信号通路相互作用并形成更复杂的生物网络,以及miRNA对网络中其靶点的调控如何影响生物网络的性质。方法：通过对已发表文献实验数据的挖掘分析,获得了哺乳动物海马神经元中主要信号通路的580个组分的一组相互作用数据,以及海马神经元中的miRNA表达谱。使用PITA,Miranda,TargetScan三个miRNA靶点预测软件计算出了这580个组分中的345个miRNA靶点。使用cytoscape对这些相互作用数据建立网络并对其性质进行计算分析。结果：建成了海马神经元中一个包含633个节点1653条边的miRNA调控网络,该网络中转录因子,adapter,酶更多的受到miRNA调控。结论：人海马神经元中,miRNA主要通过对转录因子,adapter和酶进行调控,与其他信号通路相互作用形成了一个更加复杂的网络,新形成的网络的集群系数,网络异质性,网络中心化程度,平均最短路径长度,平均邻点数都发生了变化。     

Notch信号通路的研究现状

Notch信号通路是一条进化上十分保守的信号转导系统。Notch受体通过与配体的相互作用转导细胞信号,从而在细胞增殖、分化、凋亡中发挥重要的调控作用。Notch信号通路平衡细胞增殖、分化、凋亡的重要性提示其可能与肿瘤细胞的异常调控相关。近来研究发现,在许多肿瘤细胞系中存在notch基因的异常活化,且失控的Notch信号与肿瘤细胞的生长调控相关。文章综述了就新近有关Notch信号通路的生理功能及其对肿瘤细胞的调控作用。     

果蝇微小RNA及其在衰老过程中的作用

微小RNA（microRNA, miRNA）是一类长度在22 nt左右的内源非编码小RNA,广泛存在于动物、植物、病毒等多种有机体中,是机体正常衰老与疾病的重要调控因子。本文对果蝇不同生长时期miRNA的表达模式、主要衰老相关信号通路以及与衰老相关的miRNA进行了综述。在果蝇的不同发育时期均有特定的miRNA发挥重要作用,其表达模式与功能相关;miRNA参与了主要衰老分子信号通路的调控,如胰岛素/胰岛素样生长因子（IIS）通路和雷帕霉素靶蛋白（TOR）通路。研究表明,miRNA通过调控衰老相关信号通路中的靶基因,进而促进或延缓果蝇衰老,如miR-34, miR-8, miR-14, miR let7和miR-277等。因此,研究参与衰老调控的miRNA,为阐明衰老机制及抗衰老药物的设计奠定了基础。     

小分子G蛋白R-Ras介导的细胞信号转导通路及其生物学功能

R-Ras属于小分子G蛋白Ras超家族,在细胞信号转导通路中起着分子开关的作用,具有调控细胞黏附、促进细胞凋亡、抑制细胞运动、调节细胞形态等多种生物学功能。R-Ras和Ras家族的其他成员一样,结合GTP时处于激活状态,即信号通路开启状态,能够与下游因子相互作用;通过上游信号的调节及其下游效应物,将胞外信号转导到胞内,调节细胞的相关生物学功能。最近的研究提示R-Ras与乳腺癌等肿瘤的发生具有相关性,对其深入研究有可能为肿瘤发生机制的阐明提供分子基础。我们对R-Ras介导的细胞信号转导通路及其生物学功能进行简要综述。     

Meristems: start your signaling

All of the cells of the shoot apex are derived from a small number of stem cells in the center of the shoot meristem. Hence, cell lineage plays no role in establishing pattern formation or cell fate at the shoot apex. Growing evidence has implicated a number of cell signaling pathways in regulating shoot meristem development and organ formation. These signaling pathways include receptor-mediated signaling, protein movement via plasmodesmata, and potential feedback loops.     

All in the family: using inherited cancer syndromes to understand de-regulated cell signaling in brain tumors

The cell signaling pathways that are tightly regulated during development are often co-opted by cancer cells to allow them to escape from the constraints that normally limit cell growth and cell movement. In this regard, de-regulated signaling in cancer cells confers a number of key tumor-associated properties, including increased cell proliferation, decreased cell death, and increased cell motility. The identification of some of these critical signaling pathways in the nervous system has come from studies of inherited cancer syndromes in which affected individuals develop brain tumors. The study of brain tumors arising in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) has already uncovered several key intracellular signaling pathways important for modulating brain tumor growth. An in-depth analysis of these intracellular signaling pathways will not only lead to an improved understanding of the process of brain tumorigenesis, but may also provide important molecular targets for future therapeutic drug design.     

Regulation of hematopoiesis and the hematopoietic stem cell niche by Wnt signaling pathways

Hematopoietic stem cells （HSCs） are a rare population of cells that are responsible for life-long generation of blood cells of all lineages. In order to maintain their numbers, HSCs must establish a balance between the opposing cell fates of self-renewal （in which the ability to function as HSCs is retained） and initiation of hematopoietic differentiation. Multiple signaling pathways have been implicated in the regulation of HSC cell fate. One such set of pathways are those activated by the Wnt family of ligands. Wnt signaling pathways play a crucial role during embryogenesis and deregulation of these pathways has been implicated in the formation of solid tumors. Wnt signaling also plays a role in the regulation of stem cells from multiple tissues, such as embryonic, epidermal, and intestinal stem cells. However, the function of Wnt signaling in HSC biology is still controversial. In this review, we will discuss the basic characteristics of the adult HSC and its regulatory microenvironment, the ＂niche＂, focusing on the regulation of the HSC and its niche by the Wnt signaling pathways.     

Widespread deregulation of phosphorylation-based signaling pathways in multiple myeloma cells: opportunities for therapeutic intervention

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasm of plasma cell origin that is largely confined to the bone marrow (BM). Chromosomal translocations and other genetic events are known to contribute to deregulation of signaling pathways that lead to transformation of plasma cells and progression to malignancy. However, the tumor stroma may also provide trophic support and enhance resistance to therapy. Phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine, serine and threonine residues plays a pivotal role in cell growth and survival. Therefore, knowing the status of phosphorylation-based signaling pathways in cells may provide key insights into how cell growth and survival is promoted in tumor cells. To provide a more comprehensive molecular analysis of signaling disruptions in MM, we conducted a kinome profile comparison of normal plasma cells and MM plasma cells as well as their surrounding cells from normal BM and diseased BM. Integrated pathway analysis of the profiles obtained reveals deregulation of multiple signaling pathways in MM cells but also in surrounding bone marrow blood cells compared to their normal counterparts. The deregulated kinase activities identified herein, which include the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)/p70S6K and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2) pathways, are potential novel molecular targets in this lethal disease.     

骨髓间充质干细胞向肝细胞分化的相关细胞因子及信号通路的研究进展

骨髓干细胞包括造血干细胞（HSCs）和间充质干细胞（MSCs）,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）是一类具有自我更新、增殖和多向分化能力的细胞,具有不对称分裂和无限增殖的特点。在肝细胞生长因子（HGF）的作用下,BMSCs可以分化为肝细胞,参与诱导这一分化过程的相关信号通路包括NF-kB信号通路、Notch信号通路、MAPK信号通路、Wnt信号通路和STAT3信号通路。文章主要就BMSCs分化为肝细胞的相关信号通路进行了综述。     

Sequential application of anticancer drugs enhances cell death by rewiring apoptotic signaling networks

Crosstalk and complexity within signaling pathways and their perturbation by oncogenes limit component-by-component approaches to understanding human disease. Network analysis of how normal and oncogenic signaling can be rewired by drugs may provide opportunities to target tumors with high specificity and efficacy. Using targeted inhibition of oncogenic signaling pathways, combined with DNA-damaging chemotherapy, we report that time-staggered EGFR inhibition, but not simultaneous coadministration, dramatically sensitizes a subset of triple-negative breast cancer cells to genotoxic drugs. Systems-level analysis-using high-density time-dependent measurements of signaling networks, gene expression profiles, and cell phenotypic responses in combination with mathematical modeling-revealed an approach for altering the intrinsic state of the cell through dynamic rewiring of oncogenic signaling pathways. This process converts these cells to a less tumorigenic state that is more susceptible to DNA damage-induced cell death by reactivation of an extrinsic apoptotic pathway whose function is suppressed in the oncogene-addicted state.     

T cell exhaustion and Interleukin 2 downregulation

T cells reactive to tumor antigens and viral antigens lose their reactivity when exposed to the antigen-rich environment of a larger tumor bed or viral load. Such non-responsive T cells are termed exhausted. T cell exhaustion affects both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. T cell exhaustion is attributed to the functional impairment of T cells to produce cytokines, of which the most important may be Interleukin 2 (IL2). IL2 performs functions critical for the elimination of cancer cells and virus infected cells. In one such function, IL2 promotes CD8+ T cell and natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activities. Other functions include regulating naïve T cell differentiation into Th1 and Th2 subsets upon exposure to antigens. Thus, the signaling pathways contributing to T cell exhaustion could be linked to the signaling pathways contributing to IL2 loss. This review will discuss the process of T cell exhaustion and the signaling pathways that could be contributing to T cell exhaustion.     

Signaling pathways that control the growth and survival of prostate tumor cells in the absence of androgens

Androgen-dependent human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line LNCaP was used to study the effect of androgen deprivation on the cell response to TNF-related cytokines. Several signaling pathways were implicated in cell survival in the absence of androgens. In androgen-deprived LNCaP cells, TNF-alpha and TRAIL stimulated the cell growth and activated the mitogenic and antiapoptotic signaling pathways involving NF-kappa B, STAT3, PI3K, and beta-catenin. The results suggested a role of cytokines in the survival of prostate adenocarcinoma cells deprived of androgens in vitro.