甜菜夜蛾烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体β1亚基基因的克隆与序列分析

烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体是昆虫体内重要的神经受体,同时也是杀虫剂作用靶标.从甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua3龄幼虫体内提取总的RNA,经过反转录,利用RT-PCR获得了烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体6个α和1个β亚基基因的cD-NA序列片段,并利用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE)获得了β亚基基因的cDNA序列全长.该基因命名为SenAChRβl,其长度为2231个碱基,含有一个1575个碱基的开放读码框,开放读码框编码524个氨基酸残基,预测的分子量为60 kDa.推导得到的氨基酸序列与其它昆虫特别是鳞翅目昆虫的烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体β亚基具有高度的同源性,并具有典型的烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体β亚基特征化位点.     

麦长管蚜烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体基因的克隆和序列分析

昆虫烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, nAChR)是杀虫剂的重要作用靶标之一。本研究利用简并引物PCR和半巢式PCR技术从麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)中克隆nAChR基因,成功地获得了5个α型nAChR亚基的cDNA片段。根据5个α亚基片段设计特异引物,结合快速扩增cDNA末端(RACE)技术,成功克隆了5个α型亚基的全长,并发现α5亚基有两种存在形式,它们仅在胞外区有一段175 bp的片段有差异。序列分析发现,这些基因均具有nAChR基因家族的典型特征,并与已报道的其他昆虫的烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体的相应亚基具有很高的同源性。该研究为进一步利用基因表达技术研究昆虫nAChR的天然亚基组成,以及分析麦长管蚜对新烟碱类杀虫剂的靶标抗性,奠定了基础。     

草地贪夜蛾烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体α6和α7亚基基因克隆及其对乙基多杀菌素胁迫的响应

【目的】烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, nAchRs)作为昆虫中枢神经系统中重要的神经递质受体,是乙基多杀菌素的重要靶标。本研究旨在克隆草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda nAchR基因,并探析其对乙基多杀菌素胁迫的响应。【方法】基于前期草地贪夜蛾转录组数据,采用RT-PCR和RACE分别克隆草地贪夜蛾nAchRα6和α7亚基基因;乙基多杀菌素(0.400 mg/L)处理草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫48 h后,采用RT-qPCR技术检测nAchRα6和α7亚基基因的表达量的变化。【结果】nAchRα6亚基基因(GenBank登录号：MT951400)开放阅读框长1 506 bp,编码502个氨基酸,并具有跨膜区与信号肽;nAchRsα7亚基基因(GenBank登录号：MW557608)开放阅读框长1 524 bp,编码508个氨基酸,并具有跨膜区与信号肽。根据氨基酸多序列比对分析,草地贪夜蛾nAchR亚基α6和α7具有烟碱性乙酰胆碱受体α家族典型特征。0.400 mg/L乙基多杀菌素胁迫48 h后,草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫nA...     

橘小实蝇nAChR α9亚基基因的鉴定及其时空表达

【目的】橘小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis是世界性分布的危害果蔬的重要检疫性农业害虫,目前已对包括新烟碱类在内的多种杀虫剂产生了抗性。本研究在克隆鉴定橘小实蝇烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(n AChR)α9亚基基因c DNA的基础上,对其分子特性和系统发育进行生物信息学分析,并检测了该基因在橘小实蝇不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织中的表达模式,为进一步研究其潜在功能及在抗药性中的作用奠定基础。【方法】通过高通量测序技术对橘小实蝇进行转录组测序,对高质量序列拼接组装、基因鉴定及同源性比对分析,预测橘小实蝇烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体候选基因。采用RTPCR和RACE(rapid-amplification of c DNA ends)技术克隆该基因的c DNA全长序列,利用生物信息学分析软件分析其基本生物信息;以α-tubulin为内参基因,利用q PCR研究该基因mRNA在橘小实蝇不同发育阶段及成虫头、胸、腹等组织中的表达模式。【结果】根据预测的基因序列,设计特异性引物进行RACE扩增,从橘小实蝇中克隆获得一条烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体基因的全长序列,c DNA全长1 486 bp,完整开放阅读框1 281 bp,编码426个氨基酸,推测其蛋白质分子量为49.1 k D,理论等电点6.56。该基因经序列比对命名为Bdα9,Gen Bank登录号为JQ178254。氨基酸同源性及系统进化树分析显示,该基因的编码蛋白具有n AChRα亚基的典型特征,并与Agα9和Dmβ3聚类在一起,与其他昆虫n AChRα9亚基具有22%~27%的氨基酸序列一致性。q PCR结果表明,Bdα9mRNA在橘小实蝇整个发育阶段均有表达,成虫期的表达量显著高于卵、2龄幼虫、3龄幼虫和蛹期;Bdα9在橘小实蝇成虫头部中表达量最高,且显著高于胸部和腹部中的表达量。【结论】鉴定了橘小实蝇烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体基因Bdα9,明确了该基因在橘小实蝇不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织中的表达模式。根据q PCR的结果,推测Bdα9可能在橘小实蝇成虫期具有重要功能。     

乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型在非洲爪蟾卵母细胞中的表达

通过建立乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型(α4β2 nAChR)在非洲爪蟾卵母细胞中的表达模型,以便以α4β2 nAChR为作用靶点进行药物筛选。将乙酰胆碱受体亚基基因α4、β2体外转录获得的cRNA,通过显微注射的方法注入非洲爪蟾卵母细胞,并对该受体的表达情况进行检测。结果显示,乙酰胆碱受体α4β2亚型在蛙卵细胞中获得了有效表达,记录到典型的ACh配体门控的离子通道内向电流。     

乏氧诱导因子结构、表达及调控

乏氧诱导因子（HIF）是乏氧应答中起重要作用的转录因子,一直是乏氧研究的焦点.HIF由α亚基和β亚基组成,α亚基包括HIF-1α、HIF-2α和HIF-3α,其中α亚基因诱导条件不同通过选择性剪接产生不同变体.β亚基包括ARNT、ARNT2和ARNT3.α与β亚基在乏氧等应激反应时形成二聚体HIF启动靶基因转录表达,参与多种细胞生物学功能的调控.目前为止,大多数的研究都集中于野生型HIF-1α,对它的结构、表达调控及其调控做了相对全面而清楚的了解.后来通过多种策略及方法,陆续发现并克隆出了除HIF-1α外的HIF各亚基.研究不再局限于HIF-1α,而是扩展至HIF整个系统,如相继发现的HIF-2α和HIF-3α亚基,以及它们的变体,对HIF-1α的研究也更深入了,但是关于HIF-1α的变体、HIF-2α、HIF－3α及β亚基的表达调控及功能还不明确,是未来研究的方向.本文全面介绍HIF的最新研究进展,阐述HIF各亚基的结构、表达调控及其靶基因的表达情况.     

雌激素受体β与乳腺癌

雌激素受体β(ERβ)与雌激素受体α(ERα)的结构相似,是一类配体调节的转录因子,属于核受体超家族,分布于乳腺等多种组织中,具有重要的生理病理学意义。本文简要综述雌激素受体β的基因结构、剪接变体、转录调节机制及其在乳腺癌发生发展、治疗预后和抗雌激素耐受中的意义。     

乙型肝炎病毒前S基因区缺失突变发生机制的探讨

检测慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)携带者和患者外周血内HBV前S区基因缺失突变的分子结构特点,探讨其发生机理.用聚合酶链反应方法从慢性乙肝患者和携带者血清中扩增出前S区基因片段,克隆、测序,分析缺失发生的结构特点,从而推测这些前S区基因缺失突变的产生机制.从262例慢性乙肝患者和103例无症状HBV携带者体内扩增出前S区片段,共在30例患者和携带者中检测出多种前S区基因缺失突变,主要集中于前S1区的3′端和前S2区的5′端.其中有9例患者和携带者体内存在完全一样的nt3019～nt3201 183bp的缺失突变,该缺失突变符合真核细胞mRNA剪接机制,在此位置上各基因型的序列高度保守.同时有另外两种缺失突变,即nt3019～nt3147 129bp缺失、nt3019～nt3109 91bp缺失也符合该剪接机制.有23种缺失突变部分于重复序列之间,符合逆转录过程中的模板转换机制所导致的缺失.根据前基因组RNA预测出二级结构,仅部分缺失突变在RNA二级结构中对应于局部的结构.此结果表明:HBV在外界因素mRNA的剪接机制和内在因素聚合酶蛋白的功能特点的共同作用下,产生各种突变,不同的机制将导致不同类型的缺失突变.除真核细胞mRNA剪接机制外,逆转录过程中的模板转换是主要机制之一.     

特异阻断乙酰胆碱受体的海南产α*-芋螺毒素的研究

国际上被誉为"海洋药物宝库"的芋螺毒素(CTx),具有特异结合动物体内各种离子通道和受体的特殊功能。其中的α*-芋螺毒素(α*-CTxs)能特异性地作用于乙酰胆碱受体(n ACh Rs),对其亚型具有极高的选择性阻断活性。不同的亚基组合形成的各种乙酰胆碱受体亚型,在正常健康状态下和多种疾病状态下起着很重要的生理和病理学功能,这些功能至今尚不很清楚,因而发现和开发各种亚型的选择性分子探针,如α*-CTxs将有助于阐释各个亚型的精细结构和功能。深入研究特异阻断乙酰胆碱受体不同亚型的α*-CTxs的结构与功能,及其与受体相互作用的机理具有很重要的科学意义,将有助于研发出与n ACh Rs相关的多种疑难杂症的治疗药物,包括神经痛、癌症化疗、成瘾、痴呆、重症肌无力、精神分裂症、癫痫、乳腺癌、肺癌、脑脊髓炎,以及其他神经疾病等。近年来,我们实验室经过大量筛选研究,鉴定出5个海南产新颖α*-芋螺毒素,对它们的人工合成、三维结构、作用靶点、与受体相互作用机制、药理药效等进行了深入的研究。现对上述特异阻断乙酰胆碱受体不同亚型的5个海南产α*-芋螺毒素的研究进展和应用前景进行综述。     

胰岛素受体结构与功能研究概况

胰岛素受体(IR)是由两个α-亚基和两个β-亚基构成的跨膜糖蛋白。α-亚基位于细胞表面,是胰岛素结合区域。β-亚基的1/3也位于细胞表面,其余2/3则跨膜并插入胞浆中,后者是IR的活力区域,具有受胰岛素调节的酪氨酸蛋白激酶活性,此活性受多位点磷酸化的调节并表现出变构酶行为。不同组织的IR在分子结构,化学性质和生理功能上均有差异,其中脑IR代表了IR的一个结构和功能亚型。IR的生物合成类似于胰岛素的生物合成。     

Modulation of gain-of-function α6*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by β3 subunits

We previously have shown that β3 subunits either eliminate (e.g. for all-human (h) or all-mouse (m) α6β4β3-nAChR) or potentiate (e.g. for hybrid mα6hβ4hβ3- or mα6mβ4hβ3-nAChR containing subunits from different species) function of α6*-nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and that nAChR hα6 subunit residues Asn-143 and Met-145 in N-terminal domain loop E are important for dominant-negative effects of nAChR hβ3 subunits on hα6*-nAChR function. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these effects of β3 subunits would be preserved even if nAChR α6 subunits harbored gain-of-function, leucine- or valine-to-serine mutations at 9' or 13' positions (L9'S or V13'S) in their second transmembrane domains, yielding receptors with heightened functional activity and more amenable to assessment of effects of β3 subunit incorporation. However, coexpression with β3 subunits potentiates rather than suppresses function of all-human, all-mouse, or hybrid α6((L9'S or V13'S))β4*- or α6(N143D+M145V)(L9'S)β2*-nAChR. This contrasts with the lack of consistent function when α6((L9'S or V13'S)) and β2 subunits are expressed alone or in the presence of wild-type β3 subunits. These results provide evidence that gain-of-function hα6hβ2*-nAChR (i.e. hα6(N143D+M145V)(L9'S)hβ2hβ3 nAChR) could be produced in vitro. These studies also indicate that nAChR β3 subunits can be assembly partners in functional α6*-nAChR and that 9' or 13' mutations in the nAChR α6 subunit second transmembrane domain can act as gain-of-function and/or reporter mutations. Moreover, our findings suggest that β3 subunit coexpression promotes function of α6*-nAChR.     

Reporter mutation studies show that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α5 Subunits and/or variants modulate function of α6*-nAChR

To further the understanding of functional α6α5*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR; the asterisk (*) indicates known or possible presence of other subunits), we have heterologously expressed in oocytes different, mouse or human, nAChR subunit combinations. Coexpression with wild-type α5 subunits or chimeric α5/β3 subunits (in which the human α5 subunit N-terminal, extracellular domain is linked to the remaining domains of the human β3 subunit) almost completely abolishes the very small amount of function seen for α6β4*-nAChR and does not induce function of α6β2*-nAChR. Coexpression with human α5(V9)'(S) subunits bearing a valine 290 to serine mutation in the 9' position of the second transmembrane domain does not rescue the function of α6β4*-nAChR or induce function of α6β2*-nAChR. However, coexpression with mutant chimeric α5/β3(V9)'(S) subunits has a gain-of-function effect (higher functional expression and agonist sensitivity and spontaneous opening inhibited by mecamylamine) on α6β4*-nAChR. Moreover, N143D + M145V mutations in the α6 subunit N-terminal domain enable α5/β3(V9)'(S) subunits to have a gain-of-function effect on α6β2*-nAChR. nAChR containing chimeric α6/α3 subunits plus either β2 or β4 subunits have some function that is modulated in the presence of α5 or α5/β3 subunits. Coexpression with α5/β3(V9)'(S) subunits has a gain-of-function effect more pronounced than that in the presence of α5(V9)'(S) subunits. Gain-of-function effects are dependent, sometimes subtly, on the nature and apparently the extracellular, cytoplasmic, and/or transmembrane domain topology of partner subunits. These studies yield insight into assembly of functional α6α5*-nAChR and provide tools for development of α6*-nAChR-selective ligands that could be important in the treatment of nicotine dependence, and perhaps other neurological diseases.     

Function of human α3β4α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is reduced by the α5(D398N) variant

Genome-wide studies have strongly associated a non-synonymous polymorphism (rs16969968) that changes the 398th amino acid in the nAChR α5 subunit from aspartic acid to asparagine (D398N), with greater risk for increased nicotine consumption. We have used a pentameric concatemer approach to express defined and consistent populations of α3β4α5 nAChR in Xenopus oocytes. α5(Asn-398; risk) variant incorporation reduces ACh-evoked function compared with inclusion of the common α5(Asp-398) variant without altering agonist or antagonist potencies. Unlinked α3, β4, and α5 subunits assemble to form a uniform nAChR population with pharmacological properties matching those of concatemeric α3β4* nAChRs. α5 subunit incorporation reduces α3β4* nAChR function after coinjection with unlinked α3 and β4 subunits but increases that of α3β4α5 versus α3β4-only concatemers. α5 subunit incorporation into α3β4* nAChR also alters the relative efficacies of competitive agonists and changes the potency of the non-competitive antagonist mecamylamine. Additional observations indicated that in the absence of α5 subunits, free α3 and β4 subunits form at least two further subtypes. The pharmacological profiles of these free subunit α3β4-only subtypes are dissimilar both to each other and to those of α3β4α5 nAChR. The α5 variant-induced change in α3β4α5 nAChR function may underlie some of the phenotypic changes associated with this polymorphism.     

Identification of N-terminal extracellular domain determinants in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunits that influence effects of wild-type or mutant β3 subunits on function of α6β2*- or α6β4*-nAChR

Despite the apparent function of naturally expressed mammalian α6*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α6*-nAChR; where * indicates the known or possible presence of additional subunits), their functional and heterologous expression has been difficult. Here, we report that coexpression with wild-type β3 subunits abolishes the small amount of function typically seen for all-human or all-mouse α6β4*-nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes. However, levels of function and agonist potencies are markedly increased, and there is atropine-sensitive blockade of spontaneous channel opening upon coexpression of α6 and β4 subunits with mutant β3 subunits harboring valine-to-serine mutations at 9'- or 13'-positions. There is no function when α6 and β2 subunits are expressed alone or in the presence of wild-type or mutant β3 subunits. Interestingly, hybrid nAChR containing mouse α6 and human (h) β4 subunits have function potentiated rather than suppressed by coexpression with wild-type hβ3 subunits and potentiated further upon coexpression with hβ3(V9'S) subunits. Studies using nAChR chimeric mouse/human α6 subunits indicated that residues involved in effects seen with hybrid nAChR are located in the α6 subunit N-terminal domain. More specifically, nAChR hα6 subunit residues Asn-143 and Met-145 are important for dominant-negative effects of nAChR hβ3 subunits on hα6hβ4-nAChR function. Asn-143 and additional residues in the N-terminal domain of nAChR hα6 subunits are involved in the gain-of-function effects of nAChR hβ3(V9'S) subunits on α6β2*-nAChR function. These studies illuminate the structural bases for effects of β3 subunits on α6*-nAChR function and suggest that unique subunit interfaces involving the complementary rather than the primary face of α6 subunits are involved.     

Differential sensitivity of Ctenocephalides felis and Drosophila melanogaster nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α1 and α2 subunits in recombinant hybrid receptors to nicotinoids and neonicotinoid insecticides

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are the binding sites for nicotinoid drugs, such as nicotine and epibatidine, and are the molecular targets of the selectively insecticidal neonicotinoids. In this study we report the full length cDNA cloning of the three Ctenocephalides (C.) felis (cat flea) nAChR α subunits Cfα1, Cfα2, and Cfα3. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes as hybrid receptors with the Gallus gallus (chicken) β2 (Ggβ2) subunit, these cat flea α subunits formed acetylcholine-responsive ion channels. Acetylcholine-evoked currents of Cfα2/Ggβ2 were resistant to α-bungarotoxin, while those of Cfα1/Ggβ2 were sensitive to this snake toxin. The pharmacological profiles of Cfα1/Ggβ2, Cfα2/Ggβ2 and the chicken neuronal receptor Ggα4/Ggβ2 for acetylcholine, two nicotinoids and 6 insecticidal neonicotinoids were determined and compared. Particularly remarkable was the finding that Cfα1/Ggβ2 was far more sensitive to acetylcholine, nicotine and neonicotinoid agonists than either Cfα2/Ggβ2 or Ggα4/Ggβ2: for the anti flea neonicotinoid market compound imidacloprid the respective EC??s were 0.02 μM, 1.31 μM and 10 μM. These results were confirmed for another insect species, Drosophila melanogaster, where the pharmacological profile of the Dmα1 and Dmα2 subunits as hybrid receptors with Ggβ2 in Xenopus oocyte expressions resulted in a similar sensitivity pattern as those identified for the C. felis orthologs. Our results show that at least in a Ggβ2 hybrid receptor setting, insect α1 subunits confer higher sensitivity to neonicotinoids than α2 subunits, which may contribute in vivo to the insect-selective action of this pesticide class.     

The potential subunits involved in two subtypes of α-Bgt-resistant nAChRs in cockroach dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons

The american cockroach (Periplaneta americana) dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons provide an native tool to analyze the functional and pharmacological properties of ion channels and membrane receptors, such as nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here the imidacloprid-activated nAChR subtypes were examined in DUM neurons by the patch-clamp technique and the potential subunits involved in important subtypes were analyzed by combining with RNA interference (RNAi) technique. Imidacloprid exerted agonist activities on one subtype in α-Bgt-sensitive nAChRs and another subtype in α-Bgt-resistant nAChRs, in which the α-Bgt-resistant subtype showed much higher sensitivity to imidacloprid than the α-Bgt-sensitive subtype, with the difference close to 200-fold. In α-Bgt-resistant nAChRs, nicotine exerted the agonist activity on two subtypes (nAChR1 and nAChR2), although imidacloprid only activated nAChR1. RNAi against Paα3, Paα8 and Paβ1 significantly reduced both imidacloprid- and nicotine-activated currents on nAChR1. In contrast, RNAi against Paα1, Paα2 and Paβ1 decreased nicotine-activated currents on nAChR2. The results indicated that, in α-Bgt-resistant nAChRs, Paα3, Paα8 and Paβ1 might be involved in the subunit composition of nAChR1, and Paα1, Paα2 and Paβ1 in nAChR2. In summary, from the present study and previous reports, we deduced that there are at least three nAChR subtypes that are sensitive to imidacloprid in the cockroach DUM neurons.     

Unique assignment of inter-subunit association in GABAA α1β3γ2 receptors determined by molecular modeling

Recent publications defined requirements for inter-subunit contacts in a benzodiazepine-sensitive GABA_A receptor (GABA_ARα1β3γ2). There is strong evidence that the heteropentameric receptor contains two α1, two β3, and one γ2 subunit. However, the available data do not distinguish two possibilities: When viewed clockwise from an extracellular viewpoint the subunits could be arranged in either γ2β3α1β3α1 or γ2α1β3α1β3 configurations. Here we use molecular modeling to thread the relevant GABA_AR subunit sequences onto a template of homopentameric subunits in the crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP). The GABA_A sequences are known to have 15-18% identity with the acetylcholine binding protein and nearly all residues that are conserved within the nAChR family are present in AChBP. The correctly aligned GABA_A sequences were threaded onto the AChBP template in the γ2β3α1β3α1 or γ2α1β3α1β3  arrangements. Only the γ2α1β3α1β3 arrangement satisfied three known criteria: (1) α1 His¹⁰² binds at the γ2 subunit interface in proximity to γ2 residues Thr¹⁴², Phe⁷⁷, and Met¹³⁰; (2) α1 residues 80-100 bind near γ2 residues 91-104; and (3) α1 residues 58-67 bind near the β3 subunit interface. In addition to predicting the most likely inter-subunit arrangement, the model predicts which residues form the GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites.     

Modulation of recombinant, α2*, α3* or α4*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function by nAChR β3 subunits

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) β3 subunit is thought to serve an accessory role in nAChR subtypes expressed in dopaminergic regions implicated in drug dependence and reward. When β3 subunits are expressed in excess, they have a dominant-negative effect on function of selected nAChR subtypes. In this study, we show, in Xenopus oocytes expressing α2, α3 or α4 plus either β2 or β4 subunits, that in the presumed presence of similar amounts of each nAChR subunit, co-expression with wild-type β3 subunits generally (except for α3*-nAChR) lowers amplitudes of agonist-evoked, inward peak currents by 20-50% without having dramatic effects (≤ 2-fold) on agonist potencies. By contrast, co-expression with mutant β3(V9'S) subunits generally (except for α4β2*-nAChR) increases agonist potencies, consistent with an expected gain-of-function effect. This most dramatically demonstrates formation of complexes containing three kinds of subunit. Moreover, for oocytes expressing nAChR containing any α subunit plus β4 and β3(V9'S) subunits, there is spontaneous channel opening sensitive to blockade by the open channel blocker, atropine. Collectively, the results indicate that β3 subunits integrate into all of the studied receptor assemblies and suggest that natural co-expression with β3 subunits can influence levels of expression and agonist sensitivities of several nAChR subtypes.