Activation of human thymocytes via the 50KD T11 sheep erythrocyte binding protein induces the expression of interleukin 2 receptors on both T3+ and T3- populations

Recent studies have demonstrated that the 50KD T11 molecule is a surface component of a macrophage-independent alternative pathway of human T cell activation that is unrelated to the T3/Ti antigen-MHC receptor complex. Given the expression of T11 on all human thymocytes, it was of interest to determine whether they could be activated via this pathway. The triggering of T11 by monoclonal antibodies anti-T112 and anti-T113, directed at two unique epitopes on the molecule, induced IL 2 receptor expression on both T3+ and T3- thymocytes but did not induce IL 2 production. Consequently, in contrast to peripheral blood T cells, thymocytes did not proliferate in response to anti-T112 and anti-T113 in the absence of exogenous IL 2. These studies suggest that IL 2 receptor gene activation precedes IL 2 gene activation in T cell development. The ability of the alternative pathway of T cell activation to induce IL 2 receptor expression on T3- thymocytes implies that the T11 molecule may have an important role in early thymocyte ontogeny.     

Ta1, a novel 105 KD human T cell activation antigen defined by a monoclonal antibody

By using a murine monoclonal antibody produced against an IL 2-dependent human T cell line, we defined a T lineage-specific molecule, termed Ta1, that is expressed strongly on activated T lymphocytes of both the T4 and T8 subsets, as well as on T cell lines and clones, but only weakly on a fraction of resting T cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates from 125I-labeled, activated T cells demonstrates a single major band of apparent m.w. 105 KD under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. Unlike anti-IL 2 receptor antibodies, anti-Ta1 does not inhibit T cell proliferative responses to mitogen, antigen, or IL 2-containing medium. Moreover, anti-Ta1 has no effect on T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Ta1 appears to be a novel human T cell-specific activation antigen that may serve as a useful marker of T cell activation in human disease.     

Chromosome maps of trilliaceae: II. A study of the genome composition in polyploid species of the genus Trillium by fluorescence nucleotide base-specific staining of heterochromatic chromosome regions

Chromosome banding with nucleotide base-specific fluorochromes chromomycin A3 (CMA) and Hoechst 33258 (H33258) was used to study the karyotypes and to construct cytological maps for diploid Trillium camschatcense (2n = 10), tetraploid T. tschonoskii (2n = 20), hexaploid T. rhombifolium (2n = 30), and a triploid T. camschatcense x T. tschonoskii hybrid (T. x hagae, 2n = 15). With H33258, species- and genome-specific patterns with numerous AT-rich heterochromatin bands were obtained for each of the four forms; CMA revealed a few small, mostly telomeric GC-rich bands. In T. tschonoskii, the two subgenomes were similar to each other and differed from the T. camschatcense genome; on this evidence, the species was considered to be a segmental allotetraploid. In T. x hagae, one T. camschatcense and both T. tschonoskii subgenomes were identified. The subgenomes of T. rhombifolium only partly corresponded to the T. camschatcense and T. tschonoskii genomes, in contrast to the morphologically identical Japanese species T. hagae. This was assumed to indicate that allohexaploids T. rhombifolium and T. hagae originated independently at different times; i.e., their origin is polyphyletic. Based on the chromosome maps, a new nomenclature was proposed for the Trillium genomes examined: K1K1 for T. camschatcense, T1T1T2T2 for T. tschonoskii, T1T1T2T2 for T. x hagae, and K1RK1RT1RT1RT2RT2R for T. rhombifolium.     

肠道菌群及其代谢产物与T2DM发病机制及干预措施*

2型糖尿病(type 2 diabetes mellitus,T2DM)是一种因胰岛素分泌不足或胰岛素抵抗而引起的慢性代谢疾病,T2DM患病人数的快速增长使治疗和预防T2DM成为世界上亟待解决的医学问题。随着微生物组学技术的进步,肠道菌群及其代谢产物与T2DM的研究亦逐渐深入,肠道菌群可能成为治疗和预防T2DM的靶点。肠道菌群及其代谢产物作用于T2DM的潜在机制,主要是参与体内炎症反应、增加肠道短链脂肪酸产量、调节肠道胆汁酸的代谢、调节支链氨基酸的代谢等。目前,治疗T2DM的药物可能会产生一些副作用,而基于肠道菌群干预T2DM的措施相对安全无害。例如,可通过严格控制的特定结构饮食长期摄入或增加益生菌的长期摄取控制血糖,或通过口服可影响肠道菌群生态结构的降糖药物(二甲双胍、阿卡波糖)有效地调控血糖水平。综述基于肠道菌群及其代谢产物诱发T2DM的潜在机制,研讨基于肠道菌群干预T2DM的措施,从肠道菌群的新视角探索治疗T2DM的新方法,为彻底治疗T2DM提供一种新可能。     

Regulation and function of T1/ST2 expression on CD4+ T cells: induction of type 2 cytokine production by T1/ST2 cross-linking

The orphan receptor T1/ST2, a member of the IL-1R family, is preferentially expressed on the surface of murine Th2 cells. In this study, we analyzed the kinetics and function of T1/ST2 expression on Th2 cells in vitro. Whereas naive CD4(+) cells did not express T1/ST2, most CD4(+) cells became T1/ST2(+) upon repeated antigenic stimulation under Th2-polarizing conditions. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that the kinetics of T1/ST2 expression on Th2 cells was delayed compared with the kinetics of type 2 cytokine production. Exogenous IL-6, IL-5, IL-1, and TNF-alpha enhanced the expression of T1/ST2 on Th2 cells, and IL-6 was by far most effective in this regard. However, the expression of T1/ST2 did not depend on the presence of IL-6 and was also detected in IL-6-deficient mice. Most important, cross-linking of T1/ST2 provided a costimulatory signal for Th2 but not Th1 cells and directly induced proliferation and type 2 cytokine production. Thus, T1/ST2 is not only a Th2 cell marker but also plays an important role in the activation of Th2 cells.     

Separation of a population of human T lymphocytes that bind prostaglandin E2 and exert a suppressor activity

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a potent inhibitor of immune functions. Two possible mechanisms of PGE2-mediated suppression have been proposed: one is a direct inhibitory effect exerted on interleukin 2-producing T cells; the second is mediated by the activation of nonspecific suppressor T lymphocytes. We previously showed that PGE2 can directly activate human T lymphocytes to suppress lymphocyte proliferation and B lymphocyte maturation. Herein is described the binding of 10 to 30% of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes to insolubilized PGE2 coated to albumin-Sepharose. The T lymphocytes that bound PGE2 (PGE2(+] could be eluted by the addition of serum and gentle shaking of the beads. The following data indicated the specificity of the binding: i) T lymphocytes after an overnight incubation, a condition known to abolish sensitivity to PGE2, lost their affinity for PGE2; ii) preincubation of T lymphocytes with PGE2 blocked the binding; iii) PGE2(+) T cells bound PGE after a 24-hr incubation, whereas PGE2(-) T cells did not. Few T cells bound albumin, and only a small percentage (7 to 9%) bound 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha-coated beads. Among PGE2(+) T cells, there was a slight increase in the percentage of OKT8+ cells. Although T cells that had no affinity for PGE2 (PGE2(-] proliferated as well as unseparated T lymphocytes when stimulated with mitogens or antigens, the proliferative response of the PGE2(+) subset was poor. Moreover, PGE2(+) T lymphocytes did exert a strong suppressor activity on mitogen- or allogeneic cell-induced lymphocyte proliferation as well as on pokeweed mitogen-driven B cell maturation into Ig-containing cells. PGE2(-) T lymphocytes were shown not to exert a significant suppressor activity in these assays. The PGE2(+) subset-mediated suppression was not secondary to a carry-over of PGE2 released from the beads, because its suppressor activity was not altered by the addition of an anti-PGE2 serum. Moreover, PGE2(-) T lymphocytes were not sensitive to the inhibitory activity on cell proliferation of PGE2. These results indicate that a given functional subset of peripheral blood T lymphocytes binds PGE2, and that at least some of them are activated into suppressor T cells. The relationship between the PGE2-activatable T suppressor subset and other functionally defined suppressor T cells remains to be clarified; it is suggested, however, that PGE2 can act as an immunoregulator through the activation of identifiable suppressor T cells.     

Event-Related Potential Evidence for Two Functionally Dissociable Sources of Semantic Effects in the Attentional Blink

Three target words (T1, T2, and T3) were embedded in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) stream of non-word distractors, and participants were required to report the targets at the end of each RSVP stream. T2 and T3 were semantically related words in half of the RSVP streams, and semantically unrelated words in the other half of the RSVP streams. Using an identical design, a recent study reported distinct reflections of the T2–T3 semantic relationship on the P2 and N400 components of event-related potentials (ERPs) time-locked to T3, suggesting an early, automatic, source of P2 semantic effects and a late, controlled, source of N400 semantic effects. Here, P2 and N400 semantic effects were examined by manipulating list-wide context. Relative to participants performing in a semantically unbiased context, participants over-exposed to filler RSVP streams always including semantically related T2/T3 words reported a dilution of T3-locked P2 semantic effects and a magnification of T3-locked N400 semantic effects. Opposite effects on P2 and N400 ERP components of list-wide semantic context are discussed in relation to recent proposals on the representational status of RSVP targets at processing stages prior to consolidation in visual short-term memory.     

Regulation of the alternative pathway of T cell activation by anti-T3 monoclonal antibody

T cell activation may be triggered either through the T3-Ti antigen receptor complex or via an alternative macrophage-independent pathway involving the 50KD T11 sheep erythrocyte-binding glycoprotein. Monoclonal antibodies anti-T11(2) and anti-T11(3), directed at distinct epitopes of the T11 molecule, trigger mature T cells to proliferate and express their functional programs, and induce expression of IL 2 receptors on both T3+ and T3- thymocytes. We now show that a non-mitogenic anti-T3 antibody blocks activation via the T11 pathway of not only peripheral blood T cells, but also T3+ thymocytes. Anti-T3 does not affect surface expression of T11 or the rapid augmentation of T11(3) expression after incubation of cells with anti-T11(2). However, anti-T3 inhibits generation of IL 2 receptors and production of IL 2 by T lineage cells cultured with anti-T11(2) plus anti-T11(3). In contrast, modulation of the T11 molecule by a non-mitogenic anti-T11 antibody does not inhibit activation of T cells by a mitogenic anti-T3 antibody. The ability of anti-T3 to block expression of IL 2 receptors on both thymocytes and mature T cells activated by the T11 pathway suggests that a regulatory interaction may be important during T cell ontogeny to provide a mechanism for inhibiting expansion of autoreactive clones.     

B7 expression on T cells down-regulates immune responses through CTLA-4 ligation via T-T interactions [corrections

Although B7 on APCs has a well-recognized role in T cell costimulation, little is known about the functional significance of constitutive and activation-induced B7 expression that also occurs on T cells. To analyze the role of B7 on T cells, B7-1/B7-2-deficient mice (B7 double knockout) and mice overexpressing B7-2 exclusively on T cells (B7-2 transgenic) were used as T cell donors for allogeneic transplant recipients, and graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) was assessed. B7 double-knockout T cells resulted in significant GVHD acceleration compared with wild-type T cells. Conversely, B7-2 transgenic donor T cells mediated reduced GVHD mortality compared with wild-type T cells. Data indicated that B7 expression on T cells down-regulated alloresponses through CTLA-4 ligation. This study is the first to provide definitive in vivo data illustrating the importance of T cell-associated B7 as a negative regulator of immune responses in a clinically relevant murine model of GVHD. The up-regulation of B7 on T cells may be an important component of normal immune homeostasis.     

A novel anti‐prion protein monoclonal antibody and its single‐chain fragment variable derivative with ability to inhibit abnormal prion protein accumulation in cultured cells

mAbs T1 and T2 were established by immunizing PrP gene ablated mice with recombinant MoPrP of residues 121–231. Both mAbs were cross‐reactive with PrP from hamster, sheep, cattle and deer. A linear epitope of mAb T1 was identified at residues 137–143 of MoPrP and buried in PrP^C expressed on the cell surface. mAb T1 showed no inhibitory effect on accumulation of PrP^Sc in cultured scrapie‐infected neuroblastoma (ScN2a) cells. In contrast, mAb T2 recognized a discontinuous epitope ranged on, or structured by, residues 132–217 and this epitope was exposed on the cell surface PrP^C. mAb T2 showed an excellent inhibitory effect on PrP^Sc accumulation in vitro at a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.02 μg/ml (0.14 nM). The scFv form of mAb T2 (scFv T2) was secreted in neuroblastoma (N2a58) cell cultures by transfection through eukaryotic secretion vector. Coculturing of ScN2a cells with scFv T2‐producing N2a58 cells induced a clear inhibitory effect on PrP^Sc accumulation, suggesting that scFv T2 could potentially be an immunotherapeutic tool for prion diseases by inhibition of PrP^Sc accumulation.     

Human thymocyte maturation in vitro: a flow cytometric analysis

Using an in vitro culture system, light scatter analyses, and two-color flow cytometry, we provide evidence that the interleukin-2 (IL-2) and transferrin receptors can be induced within 48 hr on nonproliferating immature thymocytes. The thymocytes (greater than 35%) that expressed the transferrin and IL-2 receptors demonstrated nuclear activation as measured by log 90 degrees light scatter analysis. Increases in antigen-receptor-associated T3-antigen expression followed transferrin and IL-2-receptor induction and occurred on maximally activated T4+T8+ thymocytes on Day 3 of culture. Maximal T3 expression did not occur until Days 5-7 and paralleled loss of T4, T8 coexpression, suggesting an association between a mature T3-Ti antigen receptor complex and a mature T4, T8 phenotype.     

Frequency analysis of class I MHC-reactive Lyt-2+ and class II MHC-reactive L3T4+ IL 2-secreting T lymphocytes

The reactivity of Lyt-2+ or L3T4+ T cells stimulated with either mutant class I or class II MHC alloantigens was studied. Whereas stimulation with class I MHC antigens induced only Lyt-2+ T cells to proliferate and to secrete IL 2, stimulation with class II MHC alloantigens induced L3T4+ but not Lyt-2+ T cells. When the frequencies of precursors of IL 2-secreting T lymphocytes (IL 2TL-p) were determined by limiting dilution analyses, class I MHC-reactive Lyt-2+ T cells displayed frequencies (f = 1/200) as high in magnitude as those within class II MHC-reactive L3T4+ (f = 1/100). Clonally developing IL 2TL of either T cell subset were antigen-specific, as shown in split-culture experiments. Whereas L3T4+ helper TL could be induced to specific IL 2 secretion over a long time period (days 3 to 9), Lyt-2+ TL showed a marked time optimal on day 4; thereafter, the number of TL colonies inducible to secrete IL 2 decreased steadily. IL 2 production and IL 2TL-p frequencies of unseparated T responder cells were not the numerical superposition of the two individual T cell subsets (Lyt-2+ + L3T4+); the latter finding is likely to reflect regulatory influences of Lyt-2+ T cells on IL 2-secreting L3T4+ T cells.     

Isolation of a tryptic fragment from Clostridium perfringens theta-toxin that contains sites for membrane binding and self-aggregation

Trypsin cleaves Clostridium perfringens theta-toxin (perfringolysin O or PFO) at a single site between residues 303 and 304 (Ohno-Iwashita, Y., Iwamoto, M., Mitsui, K., Kawasaki, H., and Ando, S. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 6048-6053; Tweten, R. K. (1988b) Infect. Immun. 56, 3228-3234) and yields an amino-terminal fragment of 30,208 Da (T1) and a carboxyl-terminal fragment of 22,268 Da (T2). Both peptides were purified by reverse phase chromatography of trypsin-nicked PFO. Neither peptide retained hemolytic activity. Peptide T1 had no apparent effect on the hemolytic activity of PFO, whereas T2 was found to inhibit the hemolytic activity of PFO and was analyzed further. The order of binding of T2 and PFO to membranes did not alter the inhibitory effect of T2 on PFO-induced hemolysis, indicating that competitive binding by T2 for PFO membrane binding sites was not the basis for the observed inhibition. Further analysis showed that T2 could inhibit membrane-dependent fluorescence energy transfer (FET) between PFO molecules labeled with fluorescein (fluorescent donor) or tetramethylrhodamine (fluorescent acceptor). This provided evidence that T2 could complex with PFO. T2 was also found to be incapable of self-aggregation (as opposed to PFO), since preincubation of T2 with either erythrocytes or erythrocyte ghost membranes did not affect the T2-dependent inhibition of hemolysis or FET. These data indicate that T2 inhibits PFO-dependent hemolysis by forming a complex with PFO, which inhibits aggregation and that the membrane binding site and a single aggregation site remain intact on T2.     

Regulation of the Chk2 protein kinase by oligomerization-mediated cis- and trans-phosphorylation

Chk2 is a serine/threonine protein kinase found mutated in certain hereditary and sporadic cancers. Ionizing radiation (IR) activates the kinase activity of Chk2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. ATM phosphorylates Chk2 on threonine 68, which promotes oligomerization and phosphorylation on threonines 383 and 387 within the activation loop of the catalytic domain. In this study, threonines 68, 383, and 387 were confirmed as sites of Chk2 phosphorylation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, serine 516 was identified as a novel IR-inducible phosphorylation site in vivo and as a site of autophosphorylation in vitro. Interestingly, Chk2 was capable of autoactivation in the absence of IR when overproduced in bacteria, in 293 cells, and in murine embryonic fibroblasts lacking Chk2. A kinase-inactive mutant of Chk2 was phosphorylated on T68 and T383/T387 but not on S516 in cells containing Chk2 and on T68 but not T383/T387 or S516 in cells lacking Chk2. This establishes a dependency on Chk2 kinase activity for phosphorylation of T383/T387 and S516 but not for T68 in vivo. We demonstrate that T68 phosphorylation is regulated by kinases in addition to ATM and Chk2. Taken together, our data indicate that autophosphorylation of Chk2 can occur both in cis and in trans and suggest that oligomerization may regulate Chk2 activation by promoting these cis- and trans-phosphorylation events. The importance of oligomerization is underscored by the observation that substitution of isoleucine for threonine at position 157, a mutation found in a subset of patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, impairs both Chk2 oligomerization and autophosphorylation.     

A double chain reversal loop and two diagonal loops define the architecture of a unimolecular DNA quadruplex containing a pair of stacked G(syn)-G(syn)-G(anti)-G(anti) tetrads flanked by a G-(T-T) Triad and a T-T-T triple.

The architecture of G-G-G-G tetrad-aligned DNA quadruplexes in monovalent cation solution is dependent on the directionality of the four strands, which in turn are defined by loop connectivities and the guanine syn/anti distribution along individual strands and within individual G-G-G-G tetrads. The smallest unimolecular G-quadruplex belongs to the d(G2NnG2NnG2NnG2) family, which has the potential to form two stacked G-tetrads linked by Nn loop connectivities. Previous studies have focused on the thrombin-binding DNA aptamer d(G2T2G2TGTG2T2G2), where Nn was T2 for the first and third connecting loops and TGT for the middle connecting loop. This DNA aptamer in K(+) cation solution forms a unimolecular G-quadruplex stabilized by two stacked G(syn)-G(anti)-G(syn)-G(anti) tetrads, adjacent strands which are antiparallel to each other and edge-wise connecting T2, TGT and T2 loops. We now report on the NMR-based solution structure of the d(G2T4G2CAG2GT4G2T) sequence, which differs from the thrombin-binding DNA aptamer sequence in having longer first (T4) and third (GT4) loops and a shorter (CA) middle loop. This d(G2T4G2CAG2GT4G2T) sequence in Na(+) cation solution forms a unimolecular G-quadruplex stabilized by two stacked G(syn)-G(syn)-G(anti)-G(anti) tetrads, adjacent strands which have one parallel and one antiparallel neighbors and distinct non-edge-wise loop connectivities. Specifically, the longer first (T4) and third (GT4) loops are of the diagonal type while the shorter middle loop is of the double chain reversal type. In addition, the pair of stacked G-G-G-G tetrads are flanked on one side by a G-(T-T) triad and on the other side by a T-T-T triple. The distinct differences in strand directionalities, loop connectivities and syn/anti distribution within G-G-G-G tetrads between the thrombin-binding DNA aptamer d(G2T2G2TGTG2T2G2) quadruplex reported previously, and the d(G2T4G2CAG2GT4G2T) quadruplex reported here, reinforces the polymorphic nature of higher-order DNA architectures. Further, these two small unimolecular G-quadruplexes, which are distinct from each other and from parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes, provide novel targets for ligand recognition. Our results demonstrate that the double chain reversal loop connectivity identified previously by our laboratory within the Tetrahymena telomere d(T2G4)4 quadruplex, is a robust folding topology, since it has now also been observed within the d(G2T4G2CAG2GT4G2T) quadruplex. The identification of a G-(T-T) triad and a T-T-T triple, expands on the available recognition alignments for base triads and triples.     

Ly-6A.2 expression regulates antigen-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production.

Ly-6 proteins appear to serve cell adhesion and cell signaling function, but the precise role of Ly-6A.2 in CD4+ T lymphocytes is still unclear. Overexpression of Ly-6A.2 in T lymphocytes has allowed us to analyze the influence of elevated Ly-6A.2 expression on T cell function. In this study we report reduced proliferation of CD4+ T cells overexpressing Ly-6A.2 in response to a peptide Ag. Moreover, the Ly-6A.2-overexpressing CD4+ cells generated elevated levels of IL-4, a key factor that propels the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into Th2 subset. The hyporesponsiveness of Ly-6A.2 transgenic CD4+ T cells is dependent on the interaction of Ly-6A.2 T cells with the APCs and can be reversed by blocking the interaction between Ly-6A.2 and a recently reported candidate ligand. Overexpression of Ly-6A.2 in CD4+ T cells reduced their Ca(2+) responses to TCR stimulation, therefore suggesting effects of Ly-6A.2 signaling on membrane proximal activation events. In contrast to the observed Ag-specific hyporesponsiveness, the Ly-6A.2 transgenic CD4+ T cells produced IL-4 independent of the interactions between Ly-6A.2 and the candidate Ly-6A.2 ligand. Our results suggest that 1) interaction of Ly-6A.2 with a candidate ligand regulates clonal expansion of CD4+ Th cells in response to an Ag (these results also provide further functional evidence for presence of Ly-6A.2 ligand on APC); and 2) Ly-6A.2 expression on CD4+ T cells promotes production of IL-4, a Th2 differentiation factor.     

The murine IL 2 receptor. III. Cellular requirements for the induction of IL 2 receptor expression on T cell subpopulations

The accessory cell requirements for the induction of the IL 2 receptor by the lectin Con A on murine T cell subsets were directly assayed with anti-IL 2 receptor monoclonal antibodies. Substantial levels of IL 2 receptor expression were induced on T lymphocytes of the MHC class I-restricted, suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype (L3T4-, Ly-2+) in the presence and absence of accessory cells. In contrast, high levels of IL 2 receptor expression could only be induced on T cells of the MHC class II-restricted, helper/inducer phenotype (L3T4+, LY-2-) in the presence, but not in the absence, of accessory cells. Ia- cells such as the P388D1 macrophage line or cultured fibroblasts (DAP X 3) were as efficient as the Ia+ B cell hybridoma LB in providing accessory cell function for the L3T4+, Ly-2- subset. PMA, but not purified human IL 1, could substitute for accessory cells for both IL 2 receptor expression and IL 2 secretion by the L3T4+, Ly-2- subset. These data suggest that IL 2 receptor induction on the L3T4+, Ly-2- subset is complex, possibly requiring a T cell-accessory cell interaction, whereas the lectin may directly trigger IL 2 receptor expression on L3T4-, Ly-2+ T cells.     

Human T lymphocyte activation by tumor promoters: role of protein kinase C

Protein kinase C (PKC) has a major role in a ligand-receptor-mediated signal transduction system in a variety of cell types including T lymphocytes. One of the early phenotypic changes associated with T cell activation is the expression of cell surface receptors for interleukin 2 (IL 2). To test the role of PKC in regulation of IL 2 receptor (IL 2-R) expression and T cell activation in general, we used tumor promoters (TP) as modulators of PKC and compared their effects on intact human T cells and on the enzymatic activity of T cell-derived PKC in a cellfree system. In T cells, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induced IL 2-R expression and proliferation associated with cytosol-to-membrane PKC translocation. A dose of TPA (1 to 4 ng/ml) that induced about 50% of the maximal activation of PKC in the enzymatic assay also induced half-maximal effects on cell proliferation, IL 2-R expression, and PKC redistribution in intact T cells. Structure-function studies with several phorbol ester analogs and non-phorbol ester TP directly correlated tumor promotion activity with the ability to activate PKC and induce IL 2-R. An inhibitor of PKC, chlorpromazine, was found to suppress TPA-mediated proliferation and IL 2-R expression, and inhibited T cell-derived PKC by competing with the phospholipid. Ca2+ ionophore, which synergizes with TPA in induction of T cell proliferation, facilitated the TPA-induced PKC translocation to the membrane. The results thus demonstrate a direct correlation between the effects of various chemicals on: subcellular redistribution of PKC in T cells; induction of T cell proliferation and IL 2-R expression; and activation of T cell-derived PKC in vitro. These data provide further support for the role of PKC in transduction of activation signals in T cells and in regulation of IL 2-R expression.     

2型糖尿病易感基因的连锁和关联研究

2型糖尿病（T2DM）是由于胰岛素抵抗和β细胞分泌缺陷导致高血糖的一种复杂多基因疾病。遗传因素在T2DM的发生发展中起着重要的作用,其遗传率估计为70％～80％。鉴定2型糖尿病基因将有助于阐明其发病机制,发展更好的诊断、预防和治疗策略。2型糖尿病易感基因的鉴定方法主要有候选基因关联研究和全基因组连锁分析。有3种类型的候选基因：功能候选基因、图位候选基因和表达候选基因。虽然许多候选基因与T2DM的关联分析已经进行,但多数都没有得到一致的重复,过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受-γ,体和β-细胞ATP敏感性钾通道基因是目前最好重复的基因。迄今为止,T2DM的全基因组扫描已在20多个不同的群体中进行,包括欧洲人、美国白人、墨西哥裔美国人、美国本地印度人、非洲裔美国人和亚洲人,这些研究鉴定了一些与T2DM相关的QTLs区域。与T2DM显著和证实连锁的区域包括1q25、2q37．3q28、3p24、6q22、8p23、10q26、12q24、18p11、20q13等,与T2DM提示连锁的区域有1q42、2p21、2q24、4q34、5q13、5q31、7q32、9p24、9q21、10p14、11p13、11q13、12q15、14q23、20p12、Xq23等。鉴定这些区域的T2DMQTLs基因及其作用机制是未来的主要挑战。把DNA微阵列和蛋白质组学技术结合起来应用于传统的连锁分析和关联研究,研究基因-基因间、基因-环境间的互作和多个基因对T2DM的加性效应和综合作用,进一步加强国际协作,T2DM的遗传机制可望在不远的将来得到阐明。本文总结了2型糖尿病基因鉴定的现状,重点在一些得到重复的区域和未来的展望。