溶酶体组织蛋白酶B、L和S在糖尿病肾病发生发展中的作用

溶酶体组织蛋白酶(cathepsins, Cats)是一类存在于细胞内和细胞外的具有多种生物活性的蛋白酶,是哺乳动物体内蛋白水解的主要参与者。除了能影响细胞外基质稳态、自噬、细胞凋亡过程外,还对肾小球通透性、内皮功能和炎症具有调节作用。多种Cats表达活性的失调参与急慢性肾脏疾病的发生发展。其中溶酶体组织蛋白酶B(cathepsins B, CatB)、溶酶体组织蛋白酶L(cathepsins L, CatL)及溶酶体组织蛋白酶S(cathepsinsS, CatS)作为糖尿病肾病(diabetic nephropathy, DN)病理生理中的关键参与者受到了广泛的关注。目前,越来越多的证据表明CatB、L和S可能是诊断和治疗DN的新靶点。本文主要对CatB、L及S在DN的作用及相关机制进展进行综述。     

组织蛋白酶D的功能多样性

组织蛋白酶D（cathepsin D,CTSD）是真核细胞溶酶体中天冬氨酸蛋白酶家族的主要成员,具有非常独特的合成和转运方式.CTSD由粗面内质网合成,通过多种蛋白质水解途径最终抵达细胞内的小泡结构（溶酶体、核内体、吞噬体）,从而发挥其生物学功能.早期认为,CTSD在溶酶体中只参与蛋白质的水解作用.近年研究发现,CTSD在多种生理（细胞增殖、细胞凋亡、细胞衰老和组织内稳态）和病理（阿尔茨海默病、动脉粥样硬化、先天性肌肉萎缩和癌症）条件中均发挥重要作用,并因其生物学功能的多样性而受到广泛关注.本文将着重对CTSD的生物合成与激活、生物学功能及临床应用进行综述,以期为疾病的诊断与治疗、药物的研发与筛选提供前沿的理论依据,为人类健康带来新的希望.     

溶酶体与细胞凋亡

在特定条件下,包括活性氧、鞘氨醇、细胞凋亡效应因子Bax等在内的多种刺激因子均可诱发溶酶体膜通透,之后溶酶体内含的蛋白酶（如组织蛋白酶等）及其他水解酶从溶酶体释放至胞浆中,通过剪切效应分子、激活包括凋亡酶在内的其他水解酶而启动细胞凋亡程序的执行。简要概括了引发溶酶体膜通透的可能机制及溶酶体参与细胞凋亡的主要途径。     

组织蛋白酶B参与脑衰老及阿尔兹海默症发生发展研究进展

组织蛋白酶B (cathepsin B,CatB)是一种定位于溶酶体的半胱氨酸蛋白酶，最初被认为在溶酶体内发挥非选择性地降解吞噬或者自噬蛋白的功能。然而最新研究发现，CatB也可以选择性地降解或特异性地活化目标蛋白，从而参与调控生理病理反应。在衰老及相关的神经退行性疾病的大脑中，CatB的表达、酶活性及细胞定位都发生了显著变化，因此CatB在衰老和神经退行性疾病中的病理学功能备受关注。本文对CatB参与脑衰老及阿尔兹海默症进程的相关研究进行了系统梳理，并讨论了目前有关CatB的神经病理学研究中存在的问题，以期为全面认识脑衰老及阿尔兹海默症的病理机制奠定基础。     

动物组织蛋白酶L-like基因家族的进化分析

目的:组织蛋白酶L-like家族是在溶酶体中发现的一类非常重要的半胱氨酸组织蛋白酶。其主要功能为催化各种蛋白质的水解,并通过水解蛋白质参与到许多的生理调节过程当中。根据序列比对分析和传统的功能分类,在动物中,组织蛋白酶L-like家族成员包括组织蛋白酶L、V、S、K、H和F。但是这些家族成员之间的进化关系仍然没有详细研究分析清楚。本课题主要研究组织蛋白酶L-like家族成员之间的进化关系。方法:本研究通过搜集整理22个物种的177条组织蛋白酶L-like家族蛋白的序列,并构建系统发育进化树来分析组织蛋白酶L-like家族各成员之间的进化关系。结果:序列数据结果显示,串联重复在组织蛋白酶L-like家族的进化过程中发生。斑马鱼的组织蛋白酶L,爪蟾的组织蛋白酶S和K,大鼠和小鼠的组织蛋白酶L都发生过明显的串联重复事件。进化树结果显示了组织蛋白酶H、S和K、L和V之间的进化关系,组织蛋白酶S和K在脊椎动物出现的进化过程中,从组织蛋白酶L中分化出来,与他们在脊椎动物体内的特异性功能,以及脊椎动物在进化过程中分化产生的特异性功能相对应。结论:在物种进化的过程中,组织蛋白酶L-like家族成员F、H、S和K、L和V按时间顺序分化,这表明组织蛋白酶L-like基因家族结构和功能的分化与新的物种和新的功能出现密切相关。     

动物组织蛋白酶L=like基因家族的进化分析

目的：组织蛋白酶L-like家族是在溶酶体中发现的一类非常重要的半胱氨酸组织蛋白酶。其主要功能为催化各种蛋白质的水解,并通过水解蛋白质参与到许多的生理调节过程当中。根据序列比对分析和传统的功能分类,在动物中,组织蛋白酶L．1ike家族成员包括组织蛋白酶L、V、S、K、H和F。但是这些家族成员之间的进化关系仍然没有详细研究分析清楚。本课题主要研究组织蛋白酶L-like家族成员之间的进化关系。方法：本研究通过搜集整理22个物种的177条组织蛋白酶L-1ike家族蛋白的序列,并构建系统发育进化树来分析组织蛋白酶L-like家族各成员之间的进化关系。结果：序列数据结果显示,串联重复在组织蛋白酶L-1ike家族的进化过程中发生。斑马鱼的组织蛋白酶L,爪蟾的组织蛋白酶S和K,大鼠和小鼠的组织蛋白酶L都发生过明显的串联重复事件。进化树结果显示了组织蛋白酶H、S和K、L和V之间的进化关系,组织蛋白酶S和K在脊椎动物出现的进化过程中,从组织蛋白酶L中分化出来,与他们在脊椎动物体内的特异性功能,以及脊椎动物在进化过程中分化产生的特异性功能相对应。结论：在物种进化的过程中,组织蛋白酶L-1ike家族成员F、H、S和K、L和V按时间顺序分化,这表明组织蛋白酶L-1ike基因家族结构和功能的分化与新的物种和新的功能出现密切相关。     

自噬对胞内感染病原体的双重作用

自噬(autophagy)是细胞维持稳态的一种机制[1,2].在自噬发生过程中,来源不明的单层膜凹陷形成杯状双层膜的结构,包裹细胞质和细胞器部分,形成有双层膜的自噬体(autophagosome).自噬体随之与溶酶体融合形成自噬溶酶体,其中的细胞物质被溶酶体酶降解,降解后产生的氨基酸可以被细胞重新利用,参与物质的再循环.     

自体吞噬———Ⅱ型程序性死亡

自噬 (autophagy) 是广泛存在于真核细胞内的一种溶酶体依赖性的降解途径,在饥饿的条件下,它可以调节细胞内长寿命蛋白和细胞器的降解,降解产物再被细胞重新利用 . 因此自噬在细胞发育、细胞免疫、组织重塑及对环境适应等方面有着十分重要的作用 . 近来发现,自噬还参与降解病原微生物、抵御感染的过程,称之为异噬 . 对自噬的分子机制和调节以及其在生理病理过程中的作用进行相应讨论 .     

原代培养脊髓神经元线状溶酶体与细胞骨架蛋白-纽蛋白关系的研究

目的研究原代培养脊髓神经元线状溶酶体(nematolysosome)的形成与分布及其与细胞骨架蛋白-纽蛋白(vinculin)的关系.方法用细胞松弛素D(cytochalasin D,CD)及佛波醇酯(phorbol myristate acetate,PMA)处理原代培养脊髓神经元,用免疫荧光双标记纽蛋白及组织蛋白酶D(cathepsin D)、酸性磷酸酶(ACPase)、电镜细胞化学及共焦激光扫描显微镜方法研究线状溶酶体与纽蛋白的关系.结果在正常对照组神经元,组织蛋白酶D(标记溶酶体)与纽蛋白分布于胞质及突起内;在CD及PMA处理神经元,纽蛋白及组织蛋白酶D的分布呈向心性移动,但集聚的部位不同;电镜酶细胞化学方法显示CD组及PMA组神经元内线状溶酶体均增多.结论组织蛋白酶D及纽蛋白在培养脊髓神经元内协同分布,CD及PMA均可引起二者分布的变化,提示纽蛋白可通过增强细胞内吞体/溶酶体系统活动而使线状溶酶体增加,也可通过促进丝状肌动蛋白聚合而影响线状溶酶体的形成及运动.     

杜仲次生木质部分化过程中的细胞编程死亡

通过电子显微镜观察、DNA断裂检测及类似半胱氨酸蛋白酶（caspase-like proteases,CLPs)降解检测等技术,对杜仲（Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.）次生木质部分化过程的细胞编程死亡进行了研究。分化中的次生木质部细胞总DNA凝胶电泳检测到DNA ladder,并通过TUNEL检测进一步确定了DNA被降解。Western blot结果表明：caspase-8和caspase-3状蛋白酶（caspase-8-和caspase-3-like proteases,CLPs)及多聚ADP-核糖聚合酶（poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase,PARP)在次生木质部分化过程中被降解。这些研究结果表明,杜仲次生木质部的细胞分化是一个典型的编程性死亡（Programmed cell death,PCD)过程,CLPs可能参与了此过程。     

Cathepsin S controls MHC class II-mediated antigen presentation by epithelial cells in vivo

Epithelial cells at environmental interfaces provide protection from potentially harmful agents, including pathogens. In addition to serving as a physical barrier and producing soluble mediators of immunity, such as cytokines or antimicrobial peptides, these cells are thought to function as nonprofessional APCs. In this regard, intestinal epithelial cells are particularly prominent because they express MHC class II molecules at the site of massive antigenic exposure. However, unlike bone marrow-derived professional APC, such as dendritic cells or B cells, little is known about the mechanisms of MHC class II presentation by the nonprofessional APC in vivo. The former use the lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin S (Cat S), whereas thymic cortical epithelial cells use cathepsin L (Cat L) for invariant chain degradation and MHC class II maturation. Unexpectedly, we found that murine Cat S plays a critical role in invariant chain degradation in intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, we report that nonprofessional APC present a class II-bound endogenous peptide to naive CD4 T cells in vivo in a Cat S-dependent fashion. These results suggest that in vivo, both professional and nonprofessional MHC class II-expressing APC use Cat S, but not Cat L, for MHC class II-mediated Ag presentation.     

Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin secreting active cathepsin S stimulates expression of mature MHC class II molecules and antigen presentation in human macrophages

A successful Th cell response to bacterial infections is induced by mature MHC class II molecules presenting specific Ag peptides on the surface of macrophages. In recent studies, we demonstrated that infection with the conventional vaccine Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) specifically blocks the surface export of mature class II molecules in human macrophages by a mechanism dependent on inhibition of cathepsin S (Cat S) expression. The present study examined class II expression in macrophages infected with a rBCG strain engineered to express and secrete biologically active human Cat S (rBCG-hcs). Cat S activity was completely restored in cells ingesting rBCG-hcs, which secreted substantial levels of Cat S intracellularly. Thus, infection with rBCG-hcs, but not parental BCG, restored surface expression of mature MHC class II molecules in response to IFN-gamma, presumably as result of MHC class II invariant chain degradation dependent on active Cat S secreted by the bacterium. These events correlated with increased class II-directed presentation of mycobacterial Ag85B to a specific CD4(+) T cell hybridoma by rBCG-hcs-infected macrophages. Consistent with these findings, rBCG-hcs was found to accelerate the fusion of its phagosome with lysosomes, a process that optimizes Ag processing in infected macrophages. These data demonstrated that intracellular restoration of Cat S activity improves the capacity of BCG-infected macrophages to stimulate CD4(+) Th cells. Given that Th cells play a major role in protection against tuberculosis, rBCG-hcs would be a valuable tuberculosis vaccine candidate.     

c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase regulates focal adhesion protein turnover and myofibril degeneration induced by neutrophil protease cathepsin G

The neutrophil-derived serine protease, cathepsin G (Cat.G), has been shown to induce myocyte detachment and apoptosis by anoikis through down-regulation of focal adhesion (FA) signaling. However, the mechanisms that control FA protein stability and turnover in myocytes are not well understood. Here, we have shown that the Casitas b-lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl), adaptor protein with an intrinsic E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, is involved in FA and myofibrillar protein stability and turnover in myocytes. Cat.G treatment induced c-Cbl activation and its interaction with FA proteins. Deletion of c-Cbl using c-Cbl knock-out derived myocytes or inhibition of c-Cbl ligase activity significantly reduced FA protein degradation, myofibrillar degeneration, and myocyte apoptosis induced by Cat.G. We also found that inhibition of the proteasome activity, but not the lysosome or the calpain activity, markedly attenuated FA and myofibrillar protein degradation induced by Cat.G. Interestingly, c-Cbl activation induced by Cat.G was mediated through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation as inhibition of EGFR kinase activity markedly attenuated c-Cbl phosphorylation and FA protein degradation induced by Cat.G. These findings support a model in which neutrophil protease Cat.G promotes c-Cbl interaction with FA proteins, resulting in enhanced c-Cbl-mediated FA protein ubiquitination and degradation, myofibril degradation, and subsequent down-regulation of myocyte survival signaling.     

Cathepsin S deficiency results in abnormal accumulation of autophagosomes in macrophages and enhances Ang II-induced cardiac inflammation

Background

Cathepsin S (Cat S) is overexpressed in human atherosclerotic and aneurysmal tissues and may contributes to degradation of extracellular matrix, especially elastin, in inflammatory diseases. We aimed to define the role of Cat S in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in mice.

Methods and Results

Cat S-knockout (Cat S^−/−) and littermate wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were infused continuously with Ang II (750 ng/kg/min) or saline for 7 days. Cat S^−/− mice showed severe cardiac fibrosis, including elevated expression of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as compared with WT mice. Moreover, macrophage infiltration and expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, transforming growth factor β and interleukin 1β) were significantly greater in Cat S^−/− than WT hearts. These Ang II-induced effects in Cat S^−/− mouse hearts was associated with abnormal accumulation of autophagosomes and reduced clearance of damaged mitochondria, which led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in macrophages.

Conclusion

Cat S in lysosomes is essential for mitophagy processing in macrophages, deficiency in Cat S can increase damaged mitochondria and elevate ROS levels and NF-κB activity in hypertensive mice, so it regulates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.     

弗氏志贺菌4c和2a型菌株的脉冲场凝胶电泳分型特征

目的：了解北京部分地区弗氏志贺菌4c型（F4c）和2a型（F2a）菌株的分子分型特征。方法：对2005年和2006年自北京部分地区腹泻监测分离的弗氏志贺菌菌株（4c型10株,2a型20株）进行生化鉴定和血清分型,用PCR检测侵袭性抗原基因ipaH,用改良Kirby-Bauer纸片法检测菌株的耐药谱,用脉冲场凝胶电泳（PFGE）对菌株进行分子分型。结果：10株血清型鉴定为F4c的菌株中,有7株间的PFGE图谱存在相当的差异,Dice系数为0.78～0.92,而F2a菌株与大部分F4c菌株间的距离较远（Dice系数小于0.8）;F4c和F2a菌株对14种抗生素的耐药谱略呈差异。结论：采用PFGE能够很好地辨别弗氏志贺菌4c型和2a型菌株;弗氏志贺菌4c型菌株具有易变性,可在流行过程中产生PFGE图谱的差异、血清亚型的转换、耐药谱的变化等。     

Silencing cathepsin S gene expression inhibits growth, invasion and angiogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro

Cathepsin S (Cat S) plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis by its ability to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM). Our previous study suggested there could be a potential association between Cat S and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. The present study was designed to determine the role of Cat S in HCC cell growth, invasion and angiogenesis, using RNA interference technology. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences for the Cat S gene were synthesized and transfected into human HCC cell line MHCC97-H. The Cat S gene targeted siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cat S expression, leading to potent suppression of MHCC97-H cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. These data suggest that Cat S might be a potential target for HCC therapy.     

抗原处理相关转运体蛋白的研究进展

抗原处理相关转运体(transporter associated with antigen processing,TAP)蛋白在抗原提呈途径中发挥重要作用,它负责将内源性抗原从胞浆运送到内质网(endoplasmic reticulum,ER),以便主要组织相容性复合体(major histocompatibility complex,MHC)I结合多肽。TAP属于ATP结合盒(ATP-binding cassette,ABC)转运蛋白超家族B族,是由TAP1和TAP2两个亚基构成的异二聚体蛋白,其每个亚基各含有一个亲水的核酸结合区和一个疏水的跨膜结构域,并具有促进肽段转运的结构域。TAP参与MHC I类分子的组装,并在人获得性免疫系统中起着至关重要的作用。TAP基因具有多态性,因而增加了个体对疾病的易感性。TAP基因的突变及其调节机制的缺陷都可以导致其活性和表达下调,从而影响病毒性感染和肿瘤等疾病的发生。     

Genetic diversity, phylogeny and conservation of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)

With a total population of less than 60 individuals limited to two locations, the Javan rhinoceros is perhaps the most endangered large mammal on earth. Although species specific information is crucial to its conservation, its precarious status, habitat inaccessibility, and behavioral adaptations pose major obstacles to its study. Here we report on the first genetic analysis of the two extant populations, in Ujung Kulon, Indonesia, and Cat Tien, Vietnam, and discuss their conservation. As its critically endangered status precluded invasive sampling, we extracted DNA from dung, amplifying and sequencing segments of the mtDNA 12S rRNA gene and the non-coding D-loop. Divergence between Javan rhinos from Ujung Kulon and Cat Tien was similar to that between recognized subspecies of African rhinos, and exceeded that between Sumatran rhinos. The Ujung Kulon and Cat Tien populations represent separate Evolutionary Significant Units, advocating independent management. However, given the precariousness of the Cat Tien population, demographic considerations may override genetic issues in the short term. Genetic diversity of Javan rhinos was low and population expansion in the immediate future will be critical for its survival.     

HBV Pre-S1与DNA及其他血清学标志物的相关性研究

目的研究乙型肝炎病毒血清前S1抗原、HBV-DNA与其他乙型肝炎血清标志物HBs-Ag、HBeAg的相关性。方法采用实时聚合酶链反应(Real-Time PCR)技术检测血清中HBV-DNA的含量,用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测PreS1Ag、HBsAg和HBeAg。采用SPSS 13.0统计软件进行分析,成组设计资料,率比较采用配对的χ2检验,结果的关联性采用独立性的χ2检验。结果以HBV-DNA1.000E+03Copy/ml为阴性组;HBV-DNA≥1.000E+03Copy/ml为阳性组。600例HBsAg阳性的乙型肝炎患者中241例HBV-DNA阳性,283例Pre-S1阳性。其中241例HBV-DNA阳性患者中,Pre-S1阳性222例,阳性率为92.12%。显著高于HBV-DNA阴性组的Pre-S1阳性率(16.99%)。经配对的差异性检验P=0.000(确切概率)。经独立性检验,χ2=326.573,P=0.000。241例HBsAg、HBV-DNA阳性组,HBeAg阳性191例,Pre-S1阳性222例,其中191例HBeAg阳性患者中,Pre-S1Ag阳性185例,阳性率为96.86%。显著高于HBeAg阴性组的Pre-S1Ag阳性率(61.67%)。经配对的差异性检验P=0.000(确切概率)。经独立性检验,χ2=28.511,P=0.000。结论 Pre-S1Ag与HBV-DNA阳性高度相关,有好的一致性和互补性,较HBeAg更敏感。可作为乙肝病毒存在和复制的可靠标志,是反映HBV是否具有传染性的观察指标。