Development of a cell-based assay for monitoring specific hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease activity in mammalian cells

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a positive-sense RNA genome that encodes a unique polyprotein precursor, which must be processed by proteases to enable viral maturation. Virally encoded NS3/4A protease has thus become an attractive target for the development of antiviral drugs. To establish an assay system for monitoring NS3/4A protease activity in mammalian cells, this study describes a substrate vector, pEG(Delta4AB)SEAP, in which enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was fused to secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) through the NS3/4A protease decapeptide recognition sequence, Delta4AB, which spans the NS4A and NS4B junction region. Secretion of SEAP into the culture medium was demonstrated to depend on the cleavage of Delta4AB by HCV NS3/4A protease. We demonstrated that the accumulation of SEAP activity in the culture medium depends on time up to 60h with the coexpression of active NS3/4A protease. The amount of SEAP in the culture medium was around 10 times greater than that of cells with coexpression of inactive NS3/4A mutant protease. This strategy has made it possible to monitor NS3/4A activity inside mammalian cells. Moreover, by using cells containing the HCV subgenomic replicon, the EG(Delta4AB)SEAP reporter can be used to detect the anti-HCV activity of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Consequently, this EG(Delta4AB)SEAP reporter can be used to screen for NS3/4A protease inhibitors in the cellular environment and for anti-HCV drugs in replicon cells.     

HCV NS3/4A蛋白酶抑制剂细胞筛选模型

丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)持续感染可导致慢性丙型肝炎,并可发展为肝硬化和肝细胞癌。HCV NS3/4A蛋白酶在HCV复制和致病机制中起着非常关键的作用,已成为HCV研究热点。由于候选药物分子必须具有易进入细胞、稳定性好等特征,建立一种细胞水平上酶活性的测定系统对于筛选抗NS3/4A药物无疑有着重要意义。目前已有多种NS3/4A蛋白酶筛选系统开发出来,本文将对此作一综述。     

Mechanistic and kinetic characterization of hepatitis C virus NS3 protein interactions with NS4A and protease inhibitors

The mechanism and kinetics of the interactions between ligands and immobilized full‐length hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1a NS3 have been characterized by SPR biosensor technology. The NS3 interactions for a series of NS3 protease inhibitors as well as for the NS4A cofactor, represented by a peptide corresponding to the sequence interacting with the enzyme, were found to be heterogeneous. It may represent interactions with two stable conformations of the protein. The NS3–NS4A interaction consisted of a high‐affinity (K_D = 50 nM) and a low‐affinity (K_D = 2 µM) interaction, contributing equally to the overall binding. By immobilizing NS3 alone or together with NS4A it was shown that all inhibitors had a higher affinity for NS3 in the presence of NS4A. NS4A thus has a direct effect on the binding of inhibitors to NS3 and not only on catalysis. As predicted, the mechanism‐based inhibitor VX 950 exhibited a time‐dependent interaction with a slow formation of a stable complex. BILN 2061 or ITMN‐191 showed no signs of time‐dependent interactions, but ITMN‐191 had the highest affinity of the tested compounds, with both the slowest dissociation (k_off) and fastest association rate, closely followed by BILN 2061. The k_off for the inhibitors correlated strongly with their NS3 protease inhibitory effect as well as with their effect on replication of viral proteins in replicon cell cultures, confirming the relevance of the kinetic data. This approach for obtaining kinetic and mechanistic data for NS3 protease inhibitor and cofactor interactions is expected to be of importance for understanding the characteristics of HCV NS3 functionality as well as for anti‐HCV lead discovery and optimization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elevated S100A4 in asthmatics and an allergen-induced mouse asthma model

The elevated S100A4 level has been found in some inflammatory diseases. However, the expression and role of S100A4 in asthma is unknown. The expression of S100A4 in induced sputum and plasma from healthy control and asthmatics were assessed by ELISA. Then an allergen-induced asthma mouse model treatment with anti-S100A4 antibody was used to explore the role of S100A4 in the pathogenesis of asthma. The S100A4 levels in sputum not in plasma in asthmatics were significantly increased than those of healthy controls and were negatively correlated with some lung function parameters and were positively correlated with sputum eosinophilia and lymphocyte. The expression of S100A4 in the lung as well as in BALF were also significantly higher in the asthma mouse model and treatment with anti-S100A4 antibody exhibited reductions in inflammatory cell accumulation, inflammatory mediators, and airway hyper-responsiveness. We further showed that LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, markedly decreased S100A4 expression in lung and S100A4 secretion in BALF in asthmatic mice. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that S100A4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in asthma.     

S100A4在子宫内膜癌中的表达及其临床病理意义

目的:检测S100A4在子宫内膜癌中的表达并分析其与子宫内膜癌临床病理指标的相关性,为子宫内膜癌的临床诊断、治疗及与预后预测提供参考依据。方法:采用免疫组织化学技术检测比较70例子宫内膜癌和40例正常子宫内膜组织中S100A4的表达,并分析子宫内膜癌组织中S100A4的表达与患者临床病理指标和生存期的相关性。结果:70例子宫内膜癌组织中S100A4的阳性表达率为57.14%(40/70),40例正常子宫内膜组织中S100A4的阳性表达率为10%(4/40),显著低于子宫内膜癌组织(P0.05)。子宫内膜癌组织中S100A4的表达与患者的年龄和淋巴结转移无显著相关,但与肿块浸润子宫肌壁深度、分化程度、临床分期均呈显著相关(P0.05)。S100A4呈阳性表达的子宫内膜癌患者的生存率和生存期均较S100A4呈阴性表达病例显著降低或缩短(P=0.01)。结论:子宫内膜癌组织中S100A4呈异常高表达,与子宫内膜癌的发生发展和预后密切相关,可能作为子宫内膜癌诊断和预后预测的参考标志物。     

Plasma levels of S100A4 in portopulmonary hypertension

We previously showed that a single nucleotide polymorphism in S100A4 was associated with portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) in patients with advanced liver disease. We aimed to determine the association between plasma levels of S100A4 and PPHTN. We performed a case–control study of patients with advanced liver disease. Cases with PPHTN had mean pulmonary artery pressure >25?mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance >240 dynes s?cm^?5 and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≤15?mmHg. Controls with liver disease had right ventricular systolic pressure <40?mmHg and normal right atrial and ventricular morphology by echocardiography. Plasma samples were assayed for S100A4. The study sample included 14 cases with PPHTN and 32 controls with liver disease. There was no difference in mean age between cases and controls (p = 0.52). Seventy-nine percent of cases were female compared with 44% of controls (p?=?0.03). There was no difference in S100A4 levels between cases and controls (p?=?0.58). Both groups had significantly higher S100A4 levels than healthy volunteers (p?<0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma levels of S100A4 between PPHTN patients and controls with liver disease, although liver disease itself was associated with increased S100A4 levels.     

急性非ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者血清S100A4、S100A12与PCI术后预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨急性非ST段抬高型心肌梗死（ANSTEMI）患者血清S100钙结合蛋白A4（S100A4）、S100钙结合蛋白A12（S100A12）与经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）术后预后的关系。方法：选取2020年1月～2021年7月上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院急诊科收治的224例ANSTEMI患者为ANSTEMI组,PCI术后随访1年,根据预后情况分为预后不良组和预后良好组,另选取同期67名健康体检者为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清S100A4、S100A12水平。采用多因素Logistic回归分析 ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良的影响因素,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清S100A4、S100A12水平对ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良的预测价值。结果：ANSTEMI组血清S100A4、S100A12水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。随访1年,224例STEMI患者PCI术后预后不良发生率为16.07%（36/224）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,年龄偏大、KILLIP分级≥Ⅱ级、S100A4、S100A12水平升高为ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良的独立危险因素,左心室射血分数（LVEF）升高为其独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,血清S100A4、S100A12水平联合预测ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良的曲线下面积（AUC）大于S100A4、S100A12单独预测。结论：血清S100A4、S100A12水平升高与ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良密切相关,血清S100A4、S100A12水平联合预测ANSTEMI患者PCI术后预后不良的价值较高。     

LOC100996425 acts as a promoter in prostate cancer by mediating hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A and the AMPK/mTOR pathway

The involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), differentially expressed genes and signals in prostate cancer (PCa) continues to be a subject of investigation. This study determined effects of LOC100996425 on human PCa by targeting hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A) via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. PCa and adjacent normal tissues were obtained to characterize expression pattern of LOC100996425, HNF4A and the AMPK/mTOR pathway-related genes. Then, the target gene of LOC100996425 was determined with lncRNA target prediction website and further verification was obtained through luciferase assay and ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation. After that, PCa cells were introduced with LOC100996425, HNF4A, siLOC100996425 or siHNF4A to explore the specific significance of LOC100996425 and HNF4A in PCa. The mechanism associated with AMPK/mTOR pathway was investigated using AMPK inhibitor or activator. LOC100996425 was up-regulated, while HNF4A was down-regulated in the PCa tissues. HNF4A was a target gene of LOC100996425. PCa cells transfected with either siLOC100996425 or HNF4A displayed reduced rates of PCa cell proliferation and migration while elevating cell apoptosis. HNF4A overexpression reversed the promotive effect of LOC100996425 overexpression on PCa. The activation of AMPK pathway involved in the cancer progression mediated by LOC100996425. Down-regulation of LOC100996425 retards progression of PCa through HNF4A-mediated AMPK/mTOR pathway.     

Loss of FAM60A attenuates cell proliferation in glioma via suppression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

BackgroundGlioma is a common malignant tumor of the central nervous system with a high incidence and mortality. Family with sequence similarity 60 member A (FAM60A) is a new subunit of the Sin3 deacetylase complex. The clinical significance and biologic role of FAM60A in glioma remain unclear.MethodsThe expression of FAM60A in normal glial cells, glioma cells, and five-paired gliomas, and adjacent noncancerous tissues was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. FAM60A protein expression in 179 archived, paraffin-embedded glioma samples was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The roles of FAM60A in glioma cell proliferation and tumorigenicity were explored in vitro and in vivo. The underlying molecular mechanisms were elucidated using Western blot assay. Serum exosomal FAM60A levels of glioma patients were detected using electron microscopy, western blot, and real-time PCR.ResultsFAM60A expression was significantly up-regulated in glioma tissues and cell lines and positively associated with a worse outcome in glioma. Knockdown of FAM60A could inhibit glioma cell proliferation and tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. Besides, FAM60A expression was detectable in extracted serum exosomes with a higher expression in the glioma cancer group than in the normal group.ConclusionsLoss of FAM60A attenuates cell proliferation in glioma by suppressing PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Therefore, FAM60A may act as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma.     

S100A4基因在结肠癌中的表达及意义

目的：通过检测S100A4基因在结肠癌细胞系及结肠癌组织中的表达,探讨其与结肠癌的关系。方法：运用RT-PCR法检测不同结肠癌细胞系中S100A4基因的表达情况;通过原位杂交和免疫组化方法检测61例结肠癌标本中S100A4基因的表达。结果：结肠癌细胞系Lovo及HT29均有S100A4基因表达。S100A4蛋白和RNA在结肠癌中表达率分别为36．1％和34.4％,而在正常结肠组织中不表达（p〈0．05）。临床分期晚比临床分期早的患者S100A4表达明显增高（p〈0.05）;有淋巴结转移的患者比无淋巴结转移的患者S100A4表达明显增高（p〈0．05）。此外,S100A4表达还与肿瘤大小,病理学分级,肉眼分型等相关。结论：结肠癌中S100A4基因表达增高,而且与肿瘤的侵袭及转移密切相关,是判断结肠癌生物学行为及预后的有价值的指标。     

Resistance outside the substrate envelope: hepatitis C NS3/4A protease inhibitors

Direct acting antivirals have dramatically increased the efficacy and tolerability of hepatitis C treatment, but drug resistance has emerged with some of these inhibitors, including nonstructural protein 3/4?A protease inhibitors (PIs). Although many co-crystal structures of PIs with the NS3/4A protease have been reported, a systematic review of these crystal structures in the context of the rapidly emerging drug resistance especially for early PIs has not been performed. To provide a framework for designing better inhibitors with higher barriers to resistance, we performed a quantitative structural analysis using co-crystal structures and models of HCV NS3/4A protease in complex with natural substrates and inhibitors. By comparing substrate structural motifs and active site interactions with inhibitor recognition, we observed that the selection of drug resistance mutations correlates with how inhibitors deviate from viral substrates in molecular recognition. Based on this observation, we conclude that guiding the design process with native substrate recognition features is likely to lead to more robust small molecule inhibitors with decreased susceptibility to resistance.     

S100A4原核表达载体的构建以及蛋白的表达和纯化

S100A4是S100蛋白家族的成员,在细胞的增殖、分化、损伤修复以及肿瘤细胞转移等方面发挥重要的调控作用.本研究将S100A4全长基因构建到pET28a原核表达载体上,利用大肠杆菌表达系统表达和纯化出高纯度的重组人S100A4.通过试验证明,重组人S100A4蛋白在体外可以有效地增强黑色素瘤细胞A375-S2的增殖.重组人S100A4原核表达与纯化方法的建立将促进其结构和生物学功能研究,并且对于S100蛋白家族其它蛋白的表达与纯化具有重要的参考意义.     

S100A4 在胰腺癌中的研究进展

胰腺癌最重要的生物学特性是容易发生转移和侵袭,致使很多患者无法得到根治性治疗。外科手术是胰腺癌惟一可能治愈的手段,但仅有10-20%的患者有机会手术治疗。错过早期诊断、常规疗法普遍不明显及快速肿瘤扩散共同导致患者的预后不良。胰腺癌的发生、发展受多基因调控。S100A4基因是近几年发现的一种具有促肿瘤作用的基因,目前研究认为该蛋白在胰腺癌的侵袭和转移中起重要作用.本文主要就S100A4与胰腺癌的有关研究进展加以综述。     

S100A4在胰腺癌中的研究进展

胰腺癌最重要的生物学特性是容易发生转移和侵袭,致使很多患者无法得到根治性治疗。外科手术是胰腺癌惟一可能治愈的手段,但仅有10-20%的患者有机会手术治疗。错过早期诊断、常规疗法普遍不明显及快速肿瘤扩散共同导致患者的预后不良。胰腺癌的发生、发展受多基因调控。S100A4基因是近几年发现的一种具有促肿瘤作用的基因,目前研究认为该蛋白在胰腺癌的侵袭和转移中起重要作用.本文主要就S100A4与胰腺癌的有关研究进展加以综述。     

Complex of NS3 protease and NS4A peptide of BK strain hepatitis C virus: a 2.2 A resolution structure in a hexagonal crystal form.

The crystal structure of the NS3 protease of the hepatitis C virus (BK strain) has been determined in the space group P6(3)22 to a resolution of 2.2 A. This protease is bound with a 14-mer peptide representing the central region of the NS4A protein. There are two molecules of the NS3(1-180)-NS4A(21'-34') complex per asymmetric unit. Each displays a familiar chymotrypsin-like fold that includes two beta-barrel domains and four short alpha-helices. The catalytic triad (Ser-139, His-57, and Asp-81) is located in the crevice between the beta-barrel domains. The NS4A peptide forms an almost completely enclosed peptide surface association with the protease. In contrast to the reported H strain complex of NS3 protease-NS4A peptide in a trigonal crystal form (Kim JL et al., 1996, Cell 87:343-355), the N-terminus of the NS3 protease is well-ordered in both molecules in the asymmetric unit of our hexagonal crystal form. The folding of the N-terminal region of the NS3 protease is due to the formation of a three-helix bundle as a result of crystal packing. When compared with the unbound structure (Love RA et al., 1996, Cell 87:331-342), the binding of the NS4A peptide leads to the ordering of the N-terminal 28 residues of the NS3 protease into a beta-strand and an alpha-helix and also causes local rearrangements important for a catalytically favorable conformation at the active site. Our analysis provides experimental support for the proposal that binding of an NS4A-mimicking peptide, which increases catalytic rates, is necessary but not sufficient for formation of a well-ordered, compact and, hence, highly active protease molecule.     

S100A4基因表达在肿瘤转移中的作用

肿瘤转移是细胞恶性的重要标志之一,有许多基因和因子都参与这一过程。对S100A4基因的研究发现,它可参与细胞周期调控、细胞增殖与分化、血管生成、细胞外基质重建等多种生命过程,调控细胞的生长和运动。在某些特定的肿瘤细胞内,它的表达含量的增加可促进肿瘤细胞发生转移,并与癌症的发生具有某些相关性,可能对人类癌症的发生具有预后作用。现就S100A4基因表达与肿瘤转移的关系进行初步的探讨,以期对癌症的临床诊断提供一些参考。     

Extracellular S100A4 as a key player in fibrotic diseases

Fibrosis is characterized by fibroblast activation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and infiltration of inflammatory cells that sometimes leads to irreversible organ dysfunction. Considerable evidence now indicates that inflammation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of organ fibrosis. S100A4 protein, a ubiquitous member of the S100 family, has recently been discovered as a potential factor implicated in fibrotic diseases. S100A4 protein is released at inflammatory site and has a certain biological function to promote cell motility, invasion, ECM remodelling, autophagy and angiogenesis. In addition, extracellular S100A4 is also a potential causation of inflammatory processes and induces the release of cytokines and growth factors under different pathological conditions. Elevated S100A4 level in patients’ serum closely correlates with disease activity in several fibrotic diseases and serves as a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Analyses of knockout mouse models have identified a functional role of extracellular S100A4 protein in fibrotic diseases, suggesting that suppressing its expression, release or function might be a promising therapeutic strategy. This review will focus on the role of extracellular S100A4 as a key regulator of pro-inflammatory signalling pathways and its relative biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis.