鞘氨醇激酶1参与依托泊苷抑制人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、迁移的研究

目的利用抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中SK-1基因表达,结合依托泊苷对细胞增殖的影响,研究乳腺癌的治疗新方法。方法将依托泊苷分别处理野生型及SK-1敲除型MDA-MB-231细胞,^3H-TdR掺入法分析细胞增殖,Transwell法分析细胞迁移,Western印迹检测SK-1蛋白表达及细胞周期检验点相关信号因子的蛋白表达,RT-PCR检测细胞内SK-1的mRNA表达量。结果依托泊苷在较高剂量时,MDA-MB-231细胞存活率明显下降,但依托泊苷却呈浓度依赖性促进乳腺癌细胞SK-1 mRNA及蛋白水平表达,将SK-1敲除,细胞迁移率下降,而且可以增强G1期各抑癌基因的激活或高表达,使细胞周期阻滞。结论SK-1基因敲除有效增强肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的敏感性。     

飞燕草素通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌的机制研究

为研究飞燕草素对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响。免疫组化检测裸鼠乳腺肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67及乳腺肿瘤组织蛋白水解酶超家族基质金属蛋白酶-7(matrix metallopeptidase 7,MMP-7)的表达水平;Western blot检测移植瘤Wnt/β-catenin通路β-联蛋白(β-catenin)、磷酸糖原合成酶激酶-3β(glycogen synthase kinase-3β,GSK-3β)及通路下游细胞周期相关蛋白cyclinD1、原癌基因c-myc和MMP-7的蛋白水平表达,体内外实验发现飞燕草素不仅能抑制裸鼠异种移植瘤生长及乳腺癌肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67表达还可以明显降低乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路β-catenin和p-GSK-3β下游靶基因c-myc、cyclin D1和MMP-7蛋白的表达。本研究证实飞燕草素能通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,发挥抑制乳腺癌的作用。     

乙肝病毒X蛋白通过β-catenin通路调控肝癌细胞增殖、细胞周期的研究

乙肝病毒X蛋白(HBx)是由乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNAX基因编码的蛋白,具有促癌作用且与乙肝相关肝癌的发生有关,但其发挥促癌作用的机制尚不清楚.在乙肝相关肝癌中,β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)通路过度激活并介导了促进细胞增殖、加速细胞周期的效应.为了观察HBx是否通过β-catenin通路调控肝癌细胞增殖、细胞周期,本实验培养肝癌Huh7细胞株并分为对照组、转染HBx质粒的HBx组、转染HBx并用β-catenin抑制剂ICG-001处理的HBx+ICG-001组、转染HBx并用β-catenin抑制剂XAV939处理的HBx+XAV939组,检测细胞增殖活力OD490nm、细胞周期及生存素(survivin)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)、细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)、c-myc、β-catenin、磷酸型GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β)的表达量.结果显示,HBx组的OD490nm水平、细胞周期S期、G2/M期的比例、survivin、bcl-2、cyclinD1、c-myc、β-catenin、p-GSK-3β的表达量均高于对照组,细胞周期G0/G1期的比例低于对照组(P＜0.05);HBx+ICG-001 组、HBx+XAV939组的OD490nm水平、细胞周期S期、G2/M期的比例、survivin、bcl-2、cyclinD1、c-myc、β-catenin、p-GSK-3β的表达量均低于HBx组,细胞周期G0/G1期的比例高于HBx组(P＜0.05).结果表明,HBx促进肝癌细胞增殖、加速细胞周期的作用与激活β-catenin通路有关.本研究的创新之处在于阐明HBx促进肝癌细胞增殖、加速细胞周期的分子机制,激活β-catenin通路是介导HBx上述作用的分子机制之一,这也为今后乙肝相关肝癌的防治提供了新思路、新靶点.     

二十二碳六烯酸增强MDA-MB-231细胞对5-FU敏感性的研究

目的:探讨二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)对5-FU诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖与凋亡的作用及对Wnt/1β-Catenin信号传导通路的影响.方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT),测定DHA对5-FU诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖活性的作用;应用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期和凋亡率;RT-PCR检测MDA-MB-231细胞β-catenin、GSK-3β基因的表达情况;Western blot检测MDA-MB-231细胞3-catenin、GSK-3β、磷酸化GSK-3β(Ser9)蛋白的表达情况;细胞免疫组化染色观察DHA及DHA联合Licl对3-Catenin蛋白细胞内表达及定位的影响.结果:20 μg/ml、40μg/ml的DHA分别与5-FU联合应用,可增强5-FU对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖抑制作用.DHA(20 μg/ml)能促进5-FU增强MDA-MB-231细胞G0/G1期阻滞作用、降低细胞增殖指数及诱导细胞的凋亡.DHA作用于MDA-MB-231细胞后,β-catenin基因及蛋白表达水平下降(P＜0.05)、GSK-3β的基因及蛋白表达水平无明显变化(P＞0.05),磷酸化GSK-3β(Ser9)蛋白表达水平下降(P＜o.05).结论:DHA能增强5-FU对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖抑制和诱导凋亡,起化疗增敏作用,可能与其通过抑制GSK-3β磷酸化来阻断Wnt/β-Catenin信号通路有关.     

EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

EBP50通过抑制LIMK/cofilin信号通路和PI3K/Akt/m TOR/MMP信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。然而,EBP50是否可以通过其他机制抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移尚未可知。本研究发现,EBP50能通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。Western印迹结果显示,EBP50在低转移细胞株MCF-7和正常乳腺细胞株MCF-10A中高表达,而在高转移细胞株MDA-MB-231低表达。采用RNAi技术将小RNA质粒瞬时转染乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,同时将质粒pc DNA3.1-EBP50转入乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231。Western印迹结果显示,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显下调,MDA231/EBP50细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显上调。Transwell侵袭实验和划痕实验结果显示,用Wnt3a刺激后,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显增强,MDA231/EBP50细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显减弱。Western印迹结果显示,与未用Wnt3a或同时用Wnt3a和抑制剂Dkk1刺激的相比,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白(Ecadherin)下调,波形蛋白(vimentin)上调,细胞核中β-联蛋白(β-catenin)的表达水平升高,而MDA231/EBP50细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白上调,波形蛋白下调,细胞核中β-联蛋白表达下降。上述结果表明,EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响β-联蛋白的转核,抑制EMT的发生,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。     

Rho小G蛋白介导的细胞周期调控

Rho小G蛋白作为一个信号分子家族具有多样化的功能, 可以调节细胞骨架重排 、细胞迁移、细胞极性、基因表达、细胞周期调控等. Rho小G蛋白家族对细胞周期 调控的研究主要集中在其对于有丝分裂期细胞的调节作用,包括调节有丝分裂期前 期细胞趋圆化、后期染色体排列及收缩环的收缩作用.近期的研究显示,Rho小G蛋白及其效应分子对于细胞周期G1、S、G2期的调控主要是通过影响细胞周期的正调控因子细胞周期蛋白D1 (cyclin D1) 和负调控因子细胞周期蛋白依赖型激酶相互作用蛋白1及细胞周期蛋白依赖型激酶抑制蛋白27 (p21cip1/p27kip1) 进行的.本文总结了Rho小G蛋白及其效应分子在细胞周期调控,尤其是对G1/S期调控的研究进展,并简要阐述了Rho小G蛋白介导的细胞周期调控异常与癌症发生的关系.     

KAI1基因转染人乳腺癌细胞系的建立及初步研究

目的:通过将外源性KAI1基因转染入高转移性人乳腺癌细胞株,为乳腺癌基因治疗的实验室研究提供靶细胞,并初步探讨该基因对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力及细胞周期的影响。方法:采用脂质体法将pCMV-KAI1质粒转染入低表达KAIl基因的人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231中,经G418筛选后获得抗性克隆,利用RT-PCR、Western blot分析目的基因及其蛋白的表达情况,并利用MTT法和平板克隆形成实验初步探讨该基因对乳腺癌细胞体外增殖能力的影响,流式细胞术检测细胞生长周期的变化。结果:稳定转染KAI1基因的细胞株中有外源性目的基因和相应蛋白的高表达;MTT法示细胞增殖力下降,转染KAI1基因的集落形成率(25.33 2.36)％较转染前(43．17 2．75)％明显降低(P<0．05),流式细胞术显示转染KAI1基因后G1／G0期细胞数量由未转染前的(36．78 0．61)％升高至(64 7．56)％,M／G2期细胞数量则由(17．88 0．76)％降至(7．63 0．60)％,差异有显著性。结论:通过脂质体转染法获得了高表达KAI1基因及其蛋白的人乳腺癌细胞株,并发现该细胞株的体外增殖能力明显下降,这可能是KAI1基因通过调节细胞周期来实现的。     

BSP基因RNA干扰对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231BO细胞生物学特性的影响

旨在研究RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)抑制骨唾液酸蛋白(bone sialoprotein,BSP)基因表达后对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231BO生物学特性的影响。应用pSilencer5.1-U6Retro构建针对BSP基因的siRNA逆转录病毒重组表达质粒,将重组质粒转染293细胞制备病毒悬液感染MDA-MB-231BO细胞,利用嘌呤霉素筛选抑制BSP表达的乳腺癌细胞。Western blotting检测细胞内BSP蛋白表达,采用MTT法和集落形成试验检测细胞的增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期变化。结果显示,成功构建BSP基因RNAi稳定转染的231BO-BSP27细胞。231BO-BSP27细胞内BSP蛋白表达抑制率为69.3%,与对照组细胞相比,231BO-BSP27细胞的生长速率和克隆形成率明显降低;S期细胞数量明显减少,G0/G1期细胞增多。由此证实,逆转录病毒介导的RNAi能实现BSP基因稳定沉默,从而抑制MDA-MB-231BO细胞的生长和增殖。     

慢病毒介导雌激素受体β在乳腺癌细胞中的高表达抑制上皮细胞间质转化相关基因的表达

目的：建立稳定高表达雌激素受体β（ERβ）蛋白表达的乳腺癌ZR75-1细胞株,检测其对上皮细胞间质转化（EMT）相关基因的影响。方法：将编码人ERβ的cDNA序列插入慢病毒表达载体pCDH-EF1-MCS-T2A-Puro,将其与慢病毒包装辅助质粒共转染293T细胞后收集病毒上清,感染乳腺癌ZR75-1细胞,经嘌呤霉素筛选后获得稳定高表达含Myc标签的人ERβ的混合细胞集落,以及作为对照组整合有对照慢病毒载体pCDH-EF1-MCS-T2A-Puro的混合细胞集落,提取细胞蛋白,用Myc抗体检测Myc-ERβ融合蛋白的表达,同时检测EMT相关基因Snail、E-Cadherin、N-Cadherin的表达水平和GSK-3β的磷酸化水平。结果：建立了稳定高表达Myc-ERβ融合蛋白的乳腺癌细胞株,和对照组相比,Myc-ERβ高表达抑制EMT相关蛋白N-cadherin和Snail的表达,增强E-cadherin分子的表达,抑制GSK-3β磷酸化水平。结论：建立了Myc-ERβ高表达的乳腺癌细胞株,发现ERβ高表达抑制EMT相关分子的表达,为深入研究ERβ分子在乳腺癌中调控EMT的机制奠定了基础。     

RNA干扰技术抑制Polo-like激酶1表达对A549细胞的影响

Polo-like激酶1(Plk1)是参与细胞周期调控的重要分子,已在多种肿瘤中检测到Plk1的高表达,并发现与肿瘤细胞的增殖和预后密切关联.为明确Plk1在肺癌细胞系A549细胞增殖和周期运行中的作用,采用RNA干扰技术,构建能产生siRNA的质粒载体psiRNA-hH1-Plk1并导入A549细胞中.采用RT-PCR检测Plk1mRNA表达的变化,Western印迹检测Plk1、细胞周期蛋白B1、p53蛋白的表达变化,流式细胞术分析细胞周期变化和凋亡;免疫荧光染色检测α微管蛋白的表达.以此观察RNA干扰能否有效抑制Plk1的表达水平,以及抑制后对A549细胞生长的影响.结果表明,psiRNA-hH1-Plk1质粒能特异性地抑制Plk1基因的表达并使其活性下降,细胞周期蛋白B1及p53蛋白的表达水平升高,微管聚集障碍或形成单极的纺锤体,A549细胞增殖减慢,出现G2/M期阻滞并存在细胞凋亡.针对Plk1基因的RNA干扰有望用于肿瘤的基因治疗.     

G蛋白偶联受体激酶的调控

G蛋白偶联受体激酶(G protein-coupled receptor kinase,GRK)特异地使活化的G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptor,GPCR)发生磷酸化及脱敏化,从而终止后者介导的信号转导通路。研究表明,GRK的功能被高度调控,并具有下行调节GPCR的能力。调控GRK功能的机制包括两个层次：(1)多种途径调控激酶的亚细胞定位及活性,包括GPCR介导、G蛋白偶联、磷脂作用、Ca^2 结合蛋白调控、蛋白激酶C活化、MAPK反馈抑制、小窝蛋白抑制等;(2)调控GRK表达水平,主要体现在其与某些疾病的联系。     

Cyclic nucleotide selectivity of protein kinase G isozymes

The intrinsic activity of the C‐terminal catalytic (C) domain of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐dependent protein kinases (PKG) is inhibited by interactions with the N‐terminal regulatory (R) domain. Selective binding of cGMP to cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains within the R‐domain disrupts the inhibitory R–C interaction, leading to the release and activation of the C‐domain. Affinity measurements of mammalian and plasmodium PKG CNB domains reveal different degrees of cyclic nucleotide affinity and selectivity; the CNB domains adjacent to the C‐domain are more cGMP selective and therefore critical for cGMP‐dependent activation. Crystal structures of isolated CNB domains in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotides reveal isozyme‐specific contacts that explain cyclic nucleotide selectivity and conformational changes that accompany CNB. Crystal structures of tandem CNB domains identify two types of CNB‐mediated dimeric contacts that indicate cGMP‐driven reorganization of domain–domain interfaces that include large conformational changes. Here, we review the available structural and functional information of PKG CNB domains that further advance our understanding of cGMP mediated regulation and activation of PKG isozymes.     

Mechanism of cAMP Partial Agonism in Protein Kinase G (PKG)

Protein kinase G (PKG) is a major receptor of cGMP and controls signaling pathways often distinct from those regulated by cAMP. Hence, the selective activation of PKG by cGMP versus cAMP is critical. However, the mechanism of cGMP-versus-cAMP selectivity is only limitedly understood. Although the C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding domain B of PKG binds cGMP with higher affinity than cAMP, the intracellular concentrations of cAMP are typically higher than those of cGMP, suggesting that the cGMP-versus-cAMP selectivity of PKG is not controlled uniquely through affinities. Here, we show that cAMP is a partial agonist for PKG, and we elucidate the mechanism for cAMP partial agonism through the comparative NMR analysis of the apo, cGMP-, and cAMP-bound forms of the PKG cyclic nucleotide-binding domain B. We show that although cGMP activation is adequately explained by a two-state conformational selection model, the partial agonism of cAMP arises from the sampling of a third, partially autoinhibited state.     

赤散囊菌MAPKs超家族的鉴定及分析

本研究以赤散囊菌Eurotium rubrum全基因组序列为对象,利用HMMER软件构建隐马尔可夫模型（hidden markov models,HMM）结合BLAST的方法鉴定了促分裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK）超家族。通过构建系统发育树对鉴定蛋白进行分析,并利用MEME软件进行了保守性基序的预测及活性位点注释。分析结果表明,赤散囊菌基因组包含了4个MAPK蛋白,分别属于Hog1-type、MpkC-type、Slt2-type和Fus3/Kss1-type类型;3个MAPK kinase（MAPKK）蛋白,分别属于MKK1-type、Pbs2-type和Ste7-type类型;3个MAPK kinase kinase（MAPKKK）蛋白,分别属于BCK1-type、Ste11-type和Ssk22-type类型。保守性基序分析及注释结果表明,MAPKs超家族蛋白都包含了蛋白激酶活性位点“-D[L/I/V]K-”以及保守性的ATP-binding标签序列。MAPK与MAPKK蛋白分别包含了“-TxY-”和“-SD[I/V]WS-”磷酸化位点,且MAPK蛋白还包含一个保守性的common docking基序（CD motif）,而MAPKKK蛋白则包含了一个功能不明的保守性基序,其一致性序列为“-GTPYWMAPEV-”。研究结果为揭示MAPKs信号途径在赤散囊菌中参与调控的生物学过程奠定了基础。     

Protein tyrosine kinase pathway-derived ROS/NO productions contribute to G2/M cell cycle arrest in evodiamine-treated human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells

Abstract

A previous study indicated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) played pivotal roles in mediating cytotoxicity of evodiamine in human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells. This study suggested that G2/M cell cycle arrest was triggered by ROS/NO productions with regulations of p53, p21, cell division cycle 25C (Cdc25C), Cdc2 and cyclin B1, which were able to be prevented by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity inhibitor genistein or JNK inhibitor SP600125. The decreased JNK phosphorylation by addition of Ras or Raf inhibitor, as well as the increased cell viability by addition of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), Ras, Raf or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, further demonstrated that the Ras-Raf-JNK pathway was responsible for this PTK-mediated signalling. These observations provide a distinct look at PTK pathway for its suppressive effect on G2/M transition by inductions of ROS/NO generations.     

卡铂通过抑制ERK1/2通路诱导人卵巢癌细胞S和G0/G1期阻滞

卡铂(carboplatin, CBP)是一种抗肿瘤活性较强的化疗药物, 通过诱导细胞周期阻滞抑制肿瘤细胞生长, 但其诱导细胞周期阻滞的报告不甚一致. 本研究探索卡铂对卵巢癌HO-8910细胞生长及细胞周期进程的影响. MTS结果显示, 卡铂以浓度和时间依赖方式抑制卵巢癌HO-8910细胞生长, 联合使用ERK1/2通路抑制剂PD98059可使卡铂抗卵巢癌细胞增殖作用增强. 采用Giemsa染色法观察到, 卡铂与PD98059单用或联用均能致卵巢癌细胞发生明显的形态学变化. 流式细胞术检测细胞周期发现, 随卡铂浓度的增高, S期阻滞作用增强; 抑制ERK1/2通路可拮抗卡铂对HO-8910细胞S期阻滞作用, 增加G1期阻滞作用, 而对G2/M期细胞影响不明显. Western印迹结果显示, 随卡铂浓度的增高, p-ERK1/2、Cdc2(Y15)和p Cdc2(T161)的表达逐渐升高, Cyclin E1和Cyclin B1的表达逐渐降低; 抑制ERK1/2通路可将卡铂上调,p-ERK1/2和p-Cdc2(T161)的作用反转为下调作用, 上调Cdc2(Y15)的表达受阻, 抑制Cyclin B1的下调作用, 促进Cyclin E1的下调作用. 本研究结果提示, 卡铂通过抑制ERK1/2激活, 诱导人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞S和G1期阻滞, 抑制卵巢癌细胞生长.     

Early progression from dimethyl sulfoxide-induced G(0)/G(1) arrest in L(1210) cells

Recently, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used as a convenient cryoprotectant for stem cells in stem cell transplantation using allogenic peripheral blood or umbilical cord blood. As the stem cells have a multipotency, clarification of the extent of cell proliferation after transplantation is difficult. In the present study, DMSO gradually induced G(0)/G(1) arrest in mouse leukemia L(1210) cells with good cell viability. After removal of DMSO, the cells proliferated appropriately, resulting in expression of the DNA-synthesizing enzymes thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase within 6h, and the cells entering into S phase within 12h. The sequence was followed by the marked activation of both enzymes within 24h and the increase of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunoreactive (S phase) cells with rapid cell proliferation within 36 h. In conclusion, mouse leukemia L(1210) cells, which were treated with 1.5% DMSO for 96 h, tolerated the treatment and reversed the cell cycle arrest within 36 h.     

Atomic Structure of GRK5 Reveals Distinct Structural Features Novel for G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinases

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are members of the protein kinase A, G, and C families (AGC) and play a central role in mediating G protein-coupled receptor phosphorylation and desensitization. One member of the family, GRK5, has been implicated in several human pathologies, including heart failure, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer disease. To gain mechanistic insight into GRK5 function, we determined a crystal structure of full-length human GRK5 at 1.8 Å resolution. GRK5 in complex with the ATP analog 5′-adenylyl β,γ-imidodiphosphate or the nucleoside sangivamycin crystallized as a monomer. The C-terminal tail (C-tail) of AGC kinase domains is a highly conserved feature that is divided into three segments as follows: the C-lobe tether, the active-site tether (AST), and the N-lobe tether (NLT). This domain is fully resolved in GRK5 and reveals novel interactions with the nucleotide and N-lobe. Similar to other AGC kinases, the GRK5 AST is an integral part of the nucleotide-binding pocket, a feature not observed in other GRKs. The AST also mediates contact between the kinase N- and C-lobes facilitating closure of the kinase domain. The GRK5 NLT is largely displaced from its previously observed position in other GRKs. Moreover, although the autophosphorylation sites in the NLT are >20 Å away from the catalytic cleft, they are capable of rapid cis-autophosphorylation suggesting high mobility of this region. In summary, we provide a snapshot of GRK5 in a partially closed state, where structural elements of the kinase domain C-tail are aligned to form novel interactions to the nucleotide and N-lobe not previously observed in other GRKs.     

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Sensitize a MAPK-linked Toxicity Pathway on Prolonged Exposure to β-Amyloid

Among putative downstream synaptic targets of β-amyloid (Aβ) are signaling molecules involved in synaptic function, memory formation and cognition, such as the MAP kinases, MKPs, CaMKII, CREB, Fyn, and Tau. Here, we assessed the activation and interaction of signaling pathways upon prolonged exposure to Aβ in model nerve cells expressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Our goal was to characterize the steps underlying sensitization of the nerve cells to neurotoxicity when Aβ-target receptors are present. Of particular focus was the connection of the activated signaling molecules to oxidative stress. Differentiated neuroblastoma cells expressing mouse α4β2-nAChRs were exposed to Aβ_1–42 for intervals from 30 min to 3 days. The cells and cell-derived protein extracts were then probed for activation of signaling pathway molecules (ERK, JNK, CaMKII, CREB, MARCKS, Fyn, tau). Our results show substantial, progressive activation of ERK in response to nanomolar Aβ exposure, starting at the earliest time point. Increased ERK activation was followed by JNK activation as well as an increased expression of PHF-tau, paralleled by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The impact of prolonged Aβ on the levels of pERK, pJNK, and ROS was attenuated by MEK-selective and JNK-selective inhibitors. In addition, the MEK inhibitor as well as a JNK inhibitor attenuated Aβ-induced nuclear fragmentation, which followed the changes in ROS levels. These results demonstrate that the presence of nAChRs sensitizes neurons to the neurotoxic action of Aβ through the timed activation of discrete intracellular signaling molecules, suggesting pathways involved in the early stages of Alzheimer disease.     

Gαs proteins activate p72Syk and p60-c-Src tyrosine kinases to mediate sickle red blood cell adhesion to endothelium via LW-αvβ3 and CD44–CD44 interactions

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been suggested as new drug targets to treat a variety of diseases. In sickle cell disease (SCD), the LW erythrocyte adhesion receptor can be activated by stimulation of β2 adrenergic receptors (β2ARs), to mediate sickle erythrocyte (SSRBC) adhesion to endothelium. However, the involvement of tyrosine protein kinases in β2AR signaling to activate SSRBC adhesion to endothelium has not been thoroughly elucidated. Either direct activation with Cholera toxin of Gαs protein, which acts downstream of β2ARs, or inhibition with Pertussis toxin of Gαi, mediating suppression of adenylyl cyclase, increased SSRBC adhesion to endothelium over baseline adhesion. This effect involved the non-receptor tyrosine kinases, p72^Syk and p60-c-Src, which were more abundant in SSRBCs than in normal erythrocytes. In contrast, Pertussis toxin and Cholera toxin failed to increase adhesion of normal erythrocytes. SSRBC Gαi inhibition also increased phosphorylation of p72^Syk and p60-c-Src. Further, we investigated the relevance of activation of p72^Syk and p60-c-Src, and identified LW (ICAM-4, CD242) and CD44 as the erythroid adhesion molecules both physically interacting with activated p60-c-Src. As a result, SSRBC LW underwent increased tyrosine phosphorylation, leading to SSRBC LW and CD44 binding to endothelial αvβ3 integrin and CD44, respectively. These data provide in vitro mechanistic evidence that p60-c-Src, which could act downstream of Gαs/p72^Syk, associates with LW and CD44 on SSRBCs leading to their interactions with endothelial αvβ3 and CD44, respectively. Thus, increased activation of these signaling mechanisms in SSRBCs could initiate or exacerbate vascular occlusion, the hallmark of SCD.