p21RNAi的pSUPER载体的构建及功能鉴定

目的：构建抑制p21基因表达的pSUPERRNAi载体（pSUPER—p21）并鉴定其功能。方法：化学合成一对编码短发夹RNA序列的、靶向大鼠p21基因的寡核苷酸链,各60个碱基,退火,克隆到经BglⅡ、HindⅢ酶切的pSUPER质粒上,构建重组RNAi质粒（pSUPER-p21）。通过双酶切鉴定及测序分析验证构建效果。将正确构建的质粒转染大鼠原代培养皮质神经元,western blotting检测经红藻氨酸处理的神经元中p21蛋白表达。结果：pSUPER-p21载体经双酶切鉴定及测序分析,结果表明60个碱基成功插入到预计位点,并且序列完全一致。Western blotting结果证实pSUPER-p21载体可特异性抑制红藻氨酸诱导的原代培养皮质神经元中p21蛋白表达的上调。结论：靶向p21的pSUPERRNAi载体构建成功,该载体可特异性抑制p21基因表达。     

p21 RNAi的pSUPER载体的构建及功能鉴定

目的:构建抑制p21基因表达的pSUPER RNAi载体(pSUPER-p21)并鉴定其功能.方法:化学合成一对编码短发夹RNA序列的、靶向大鼠p21基因的寡核苷酸链,各60个碱基,退火,克隆到经Bg1 Ⅱ、HindⅢ双酶切的pSUPER质粒上,构建重组RNAi质粒(pSUPER-p21).通过双酶切鉴定及测序分析验证构建效果.将正确构建的质粒转染大鼠原代培养皮质神经元,western blotting检测经红藻氨酸处理的神经元中p21蛋白表达.结果:pSUPER-p21载体经双酶切鉴定及测序分析,结果表明60个碱基成功插入到预计位点,并且序列完全一致.Western blotting结果证实pSUPER-p21载体可特异性抑制红藻氨酸诱导的原代培养皮质神经元中p21蛋白表达的上调.结论:靶向p21的pSUPER RNAi载体构建成功,该载体可特异性抑制p21基因表达.     

p53过表达抑制同源盒基因NKX3.1启动子活性

NKX3.1是前列腺特异表达的同源盒基因,在前列腺癌的发生发展中起重要作用,而在前列腺癌进展中常会发生p53的基因突变.为研究两者之间的关系,构建NKX-3.1启动子(1 040bp)-荧光素酶报告基因重组质粒（pGL3-1040）及其缺失突变体,瞬时转染前列腺癌细胞LNCaP.通过荧光素酶表达活性分析,检测p53过表达对NKX3.1启动子活性的影响.结果表明：p53在LNCaP细胞中过表达可明显抑制NKX3.1启动子活性;RT-PCR及Western印迹检测p53过表达对NKX3.1表达的影响.结果表明,p53过表达可以明显抑制同源盒基因NKX3.1的表达.通过TRANSFAC软件分析,在NKX3.1基因上游-526至-507区存在一个p53反应元件的5′核心序列.缺失pGL3-1040中的p53反应元件核心序列并不能消除p53对NKX3.1启动子的抑制作用,表明p53不是通过p53反应元件直接抑制NKX3.1启动子活性.进一步通过5′缺失突变分析,发现NKX3.1启动子-140～+8 bp区仍受p53负调控.此148 bp区域中含有一个Sp1和一个CREB元件,瞬时共转染Sp1表达载体或CREB表达载体的结果表明,p53并不是通过与Sp1或CREB相互作用对NKX3.1启动子发挥抑制作用的.上述结果表明,p53过表达可以抑制同源盒基因NKX3.1启动子活性,下调NKX3.1基因的转录,其调控机制有待进一步研究.     

蝎毒耐热蛋白对红藻氨酸诱导的海马NPY能神经元损伤的影响

目的:观察蝎毒耐热蛋白(SVHRP)对红藻氨酸(KA)诱导的原代培养海马神经肽Y(NPY)能神经元损伤的影响及其可能的分子机制。方法:制备原代培养10d的大鼠海马神经元并用神经元特异性MAP-2抗体进行鉴定,将鉴定成熟的神经元用终浓度为20μg/ml的SVHRP和10μmol/L的KA处理,共孵育24h后,分别用硫堇染色、MTT实验检测不同给药组残存神经元的数目和活力,用免疫细胞化学和RT-PCR技术检测NPY-IR和NPYmRNA的表达。结果:MAP-2-IR结果显示85%以上为阳性成熟神经元;硫堇染色显示,同模型组比较,模型给药组未见神经元形态异常,并且神经元数目未见明显减少(P<0.05);MTT实验显示,模型给药组海马神经元存活率较模型组明显增高(P<0.05);NPY-IR检测表明,模型组NPY阳性细神经元数目明显减少,模型给药组NPY阳性神经元数目明显多于模型组(P<0.01);RT-PCR实验表明,单独给药组海马神经元内NPYmRNA表达较其他三组明显增多(P<0.05)。结论:SVHRP对KA诱导的原代海马神经元的兴奋毒性损伤具有明显的保护作用,可能与SVHRP促进NPY合成有关。     

低剂量顺铂通过p38MAPK介导的DNMT1下调降低p21与p16启动子甲基化上调p21与p16表达

低剂量顺铂可通过诱导p21与p16表达而诱导肿瘤细胞早衰,但其机制不明。本研究探讨了低剂量顺铂诱导的HeLa细胞衰老过程中p21与p16的上调机制。低剂量顺铂（4 μmol/L）处理HeLa细胞后,DNA甲基转移酶DNMT1蛋白水平降低;p21与p16启动子甲基化水平降低,二者mRNA及蛋白质水平升高;顺铂对DNMT1蛋白水平的降低作用与其激活p38MAPK有关,用SB203580抑制p38MAPK可部分逆转顺铂对DNMT1蛋白水平以及p21与p16启动子甲基化的降低作用,从而部分逆转顺铂对p21与p16表达的诱导;抑制p38MAPK 也可部分逆转低剂量顺铂诱导的HeLa细胞早衰。上述结果表明,低剂量顺铂可通过p38MAPK信号通路下调p21与p16启动子甲基化水平,进而上调二者的表达。这些结果为解析低剂量顺铂诱导肿瘤细胞早衰的信号转导机制提供了实验依据。     

p21WAF1在丁酸钠诱导的人成纤维细胞凋亡中的表现

用丁酸钠（NaBu）诱导了人胚肺二倍体成纤维细胞凋亡（2BS）,检测其诱导过程中凋亡相关基因的表达变化,结果表明,p21^WAF1的表达在凋亡发生前即有明显下降,并持续至凋亡发生时, bcl-2的表达仅在凋亡发生时有所下降,c-myc和c-fos的表达有所上升,而p53和HER-2的表达无明显变化.用稳定转染了不同长度p21^WAF1启动子片段和下游绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）报告基因的2BS-WP系列细胞进一步研究发现,其GFP的表达水平在NaBu诱导过程中下降,主要调控区域为p21^WAF1启动子的TATA box上游0～－800 bp.说明NaBu诱导的人胚肺二倍体成纤维细胞凋亡与p21^WAF1启动子的转录活性下降与密切相关,并且可能不依赖于p53.     

甲醛炎性痛诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡

目的：观察甲醛炎性痛是否可诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡。方法：采用行为学方法观察大鼠自发痛反应,流式细胞术检测海马神经元凋亡率,免疫组织化学法检测海马神经元p53蛋白的表达。结果：与正常对照组相比,大鼠足底皮下注射甲醛后海马神经元凋亡率显著增高,海马各区p53蛋白表达明显增加,二者均于注射甲醛后3d达高峰;足底两次注射甲醛和一次注射甲醛组比较,大鼠自发痛反应增强,并且海马神经元凋亡率进一步增加。结论：甲醛炎性痛可诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡,这种改变具有一定的时程特征;海马神经元凋亡率与疼痛强度有关;p53蛋白的表达增加可能参与了伤害性信息传入对神经元凋亡的诱导。     

红藻氨酸癫痫大鼠海马GFAP基因调控蛋白表达的变化

目的和方法：用Southwestern印迹从红藻氨酸（KA）癫痫大鼠海马结构中筛选调控胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）基因表达的DNA结合蛋白;并观察其在海马内表达变化的规律,旨在从基因调控水平深入探讨癫痫反复发作形成的神经病理学机制。结果：Southwestern印迹的实验显示海马结构内有两种调控GFAP基因表达的序列特异的DNA结合蛋白,分子量分别为39kDa和35.5kDa;KA后1d,两种调控蛋白的表达即开始增加,5－7d时表达显著增加,3周时表达最多,3个月时表达仍很高。结论：KA通过上调调控GFAP基因表达的转录因子,使海马GFAP过量表达,提示该转录调控因子很可能参与一次KA后癫痫反复发作的形成。     

p53负调控前列腺癌细胞中PC-1基因的表达

在前列腺癌进展中发生的PC-1基因表达失调和p53基因突变,提示这两个事件之间可能存在的联系.用依托泊苷处理前列腺癌LNCaP细胞后,PC-1蛋白的表达受抑制;瞬时转染分析表明野生型p53负调控PC-1启动子的转录活性;缺失突变分析将PC-1基因启动子上受p53负调控的区域定位在翻译起始位点上游757 bp～323 bp之间.缺失PC-1启动子上的雄激素受体反应元件并没有消除p53对其转录活性的抑制作用;无论p53是否存在,组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA处理LNCaP细胞后可以导致PC-1启动子转录活性升高.因此,p53和去乙酰化酶可以独立抑制PC-1启动子活性.这些研究结果表明,野生型p53负调控PC-1基因启动子的转录活性,而前列腺癌进展过程中p53突变可能和PC-1基因的表达失调有关.     

染色质免疫沉淀技术分析肺腺癌A549细胞中p53蛋白与p21^CIPI和Bim基因转录启动子的结合

为了检测肺腺癌A549细胞内抑癌蛋白p53与CDK抑制蛋白p21^CIPI和Bim基因转录调控区的结合情况,采用染色质免疫沉淀技术,用p53特异性抗体沉淀DNA,PCR检测p21^CIPI和Bim基因5’端特异性序列。结果表明,在抗体免疫沉淀的DNA片段中扩增出p21^CIPI和Bim基因5’端的特异性序列。因此证实在A549细胞内,p53蛋白可与p21^CIPI和Bim基因转录启动子的特异区域结合,进而参与两基因的表达调控。     

Calcium signal-initiated early activation of NF-κB in neurons is a neuroprotective event in response to kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity

We demonstrate that activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in neurons is neuroprotective in response to kainic acid (KA)-induced excitotoxicity. Combination of Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and electrophoresis mobility shift assay showed that KA exposure induced a fast but transient nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit and increased DNA-binding activity of NF-κB in primary cultured cortical neurons. The transient NF-κB activity was associated with upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL and XIAP gene products revealed by real-time PCR. Knockdown of p65 decreased neuronal viability and antiapoptotic gene expression. In addition, we showed that KA-stimulated DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was associated with reactive oxygen species and calcium signals, using AMPA/KA receptor antagonist, calcium chelator, and antioxidant. These results suggest that the fast and transient activation of NF-κB initiated by calcium signals is one of the important proximal events in response to KA-induced excitotoxicity, which has neuroprotective effect against KA-induced apoptosis.     

Expression and localisation of brain-type organic cation transporter (BOCT/24p3R/LCN2R) in the normal rat hippocampus and after kainate-induced excitotoxicity

The iron siderophore binding protein lipocalin 2 (LCN2, also known as 24p3, NGAL and siderocalin) may be involved in iron homeostasis, but to date, little is known about expression of its putative receptor, brain-type organic cation transporter (BOCT, also known as BOCT1, 24p3R, NGALR and LCN2R), in the brain during neurodegeneration. The present study was carried out to elucidate the expression of LCN2 and BOCT in hippocampus after excitotoxicity induced by the glutamate analog, kainate (KA) and a possible role of LCN2 in neuronal injury. As reported previously, a rapid and sustained induction in expression of LCN2 was found in the hippocampus after intracerebroventicular injection of KA. BOCT was expressed in neurons of the saline-injected control hippocampus, and immunolabel for BOCT protein was preserved in pyramidal neurons of CA1 at 1 day post-KA injection, likely due to the delayed onset of neurodegeneration after KA injection. At 3 days and 2 weeks after KA injections, loss of immunolabel was observed due to degenerated neurons, although remaining neurons continued to express BOCT, and induction of BOCT was found in OX-42 positive microglia. This resulted in an overall decrease in BOCT mRNA and protein expression after KA treatment. Increased expression of the pro-apoptotic marker, Bim, was found in both neurons and microglia after KA injection, but TUNEL staining indicating apoptosis was found primarily in Bim-expressing neurons, but not microglia. Interaction between LCN2 and BOCT was found by DuoLink assay in cultured hippocampal neurons. Apo-LCN2 without iron caused no significant differences in neuronal Bim expression or cell survival, whereas holo-LCN2 consisting of LCN2:iron:enterochelin complex increased Bim mRNA expression and decreased neuronal survival. Together, results suggest that LCN2 and BOCT may have a role in neuronal injury.     

Knockdown of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor attenuates excitotoxicity and enhances NMDA-induced BDNF expression in cortical neurons

NMDA receptors play dual and opposing roles in neuronal survival by mediating the activity-dependent neurotrophic signaling and excitotoxic cell death via synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors, respectively. In this study, we demonstrate that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), also known as the dioxin receptor, is involved in the expression and the opposing activities of NMDA receptors. In primary cultured cortical neurons, we found that NMDA excitotoxicity is significantly enhanced by an AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, and AhR knockdown with small interfering RNA significantly reduces NMDA excitotoxicity. AhR knockdown also significantly reduces NMDA-increases intracellular calcium concentration, NMDA receptor expression and surface presentation, and moderately decreases the NMDA receptor-mediated spontaneous as well as miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents. However, AhR knockdown significantly enhances the bath NMDA application– but not synaptic NMDA receptor-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression, and activating AhR reduces the bath NMDA-induced BDNF expression. Furthermore, AhR knockdown reveals the calcium dependency of NMDA-induced BDNF expression and the binding activity of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) and its calcium-dependent coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP) to the BDNF promoter upon NMDA treatment. Together, our results suggest that AhR opposingly regulates NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity and neurotrophism possibly by differentially regulating the expression of synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors.     

Erythropoietin Increases Neuronal NDPKA Expression,and NDPKA Up-Regulation as well as Exogenous Application Protects Cortical Neurons from In Vitro Ischemia-Related Insults

Using proteomics, we identified nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NDPKA; also known as NME/NM23 nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1: NME1) to be up-regulated in primary cortical neuronal cultures by erythropoietin (EPO) preconditioning. To investigate a neuroprotective role of NDPKA in neurons, we used a RNAi construct to knock-down and an adenoviral vector to overexpress the protein in cortical neuronal cultures prior to exposure to three ischemia-related injury models; excitotoxicity (l-glutamic acid), oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide), and in vitro ischemia (oxygen-glucose deprivation). NDPKA down-regulation had no effect on neuronal viability following injury. By contrast, NDPKA up-regulation increased neuronal survival in all three-injury models. Similarly, treatment with NDPKA recombinant protein increased neuronal survival, but only against in vitro ischemia and excitotoxicity. These findings indicate that the NDPKA protein may confer a neuroprotective advantage following injury. Furthermore, as exogenous NDPKA protein was neuroprotective, it suggests that a cell surface receptor may be activated by NDPKA leading to a protective cell-signaling response. Taken together both NDPKAs intracellular and extracellular neuroprotective actions suggest that the protein is a legitimate therapeutic target for the design of drugs to limit neuronal death following stroke and other forms of brain injury.     

Kainic acid-induced apoptosis in rat striatum is associated with nuclear factor-kappaB activation

The present study evaluated whether nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation contributes to the apoptotic-like death of striatal neurons induced by kainic acid (KA) receptor stimulation. Intrastriatally infused KA (1.25-5.0 nmol) produced substantial neuronal loss as indicated by an 8-73% decrease in 67-kDa glutamic acid decarboxylase (p<0.05). KA (1.25-5.0 nmol) elicited internucleosomal DNA fragmentation that was inhibited by the AMPA/KA receptor antagonist NBQX (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-nitro-2,3-dibenzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide) but not by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. A decrease in IkappaB-alpha protein levels, which was accompanied by an increase in NF-kappaB binding activity, was found from 6 to 72 h after KA (2.5 nmol) infusion. NF-kappaB was composed mainly of p65 and c-Rel as revealed by supershift assay. In addition, c-Myc and p53 increased from five- to sevenfold from 24 to 72 h after KA (2.5 nmol) administration. Immunohistochemistry revealed high levels of c-Myc and p53 immunoreactivity, mainly in medium-sized striatal neurons. Pretreatment with the cell-permeable recombinant peptide NF-kappaB SN50 (5-20 microg) blocked NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, but had no effect on AP-1 binding. NF-kappaB SN50 also inhibited the KA-induced up-regulation of c-Myc and p53, as well as internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The apoptotic-like destruction of rat striatal neurons induced by KA receptor stimulation thus appears to involve biochemical mechanisms similar to those mediating the excitotoxic response to NMDA receptor stimulation. The present results provide additional support for the view that NF-kappaB activation contributes to c-Myc and p53 induction and subsequent apoptosis in an excitotoxic model of Huntington's disease.     

p38 MAP kinase mediates bax translocation in nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in neurons

Nitric oxide is a chemical messenger implicated in neuronal damage associated with ischemia, neurodegenerative disease, and excitotoxicity. Excitotoxic injury leads to increased NO formation, as well as stimulation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in neurons. In the present study, we determined if NO-induced cell death in neurons was dependent on p38 MAP kinase activity. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, elevated caspase activity and induced death in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and primary cultures of cortical neurons. Concomitant treatment with SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, diminished caspase induction and protected SH-SY5Y cells and primary cultures of cortical neurons from NO-induced cell death, whereas the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk did not provide significant protection. A role for p38 MAP kinase was further substantiated by the observation that SB203580 blocked translocation of the cell death activator, Bax, from the cytosol to the mitochondria after treatment with SNP. Moreover, expressing a constitutively active form of MKK3, a direct activator of p38 MAP kinase promoted Bax translocation and cell death in the absence of SNP. Bax-deficient cortical neurons were resistant to SNP, further demonstrating the necessity of Bax in this mode of cell death. These results demonstrate that p38 MAP kinase activity plays a critical role in NO-mediated cell death in neurons by stimulating Bax translocation to the mitochondria, thereby activating the cell death pathway.     

Neuroprotective effects of vitexin by inhibition of NMDA receptors in primary cultures of mouse cerebral cortical neurons

The accumulation of glutamate can excessively activate the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and cause excitotoxicity. Vitexin (5, 7, 4-trihydroxyflavone-8-glucoside, Vit) is a c-glycosylated flavone which was found in the several herbs, exhibiting potent hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. However, little is known about the neuroprotective effects of Vit on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. In present study, primary cultured cortical neurons were treated with NMDA to induce the excitotoxicity. Pretreatment with Vit significantly prevented NMDA-induced neuronal cell loss and reduced the number of apoptotic neurons. Vit significantly inhibited the neuronal apoptosis induced by NMDA exposure by regulating balance of Bcl-2 and Bax expression and the cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and pro-caspase 3. Furthermore, pretreatment of Vit reversed the up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and the intracellular Ca²⁺ overload induced by NMDA exposure. The neuroprotective effects of Vit are related to inhibiting the activities of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and reducing the calcium influx in cultured cortical neurons.