G—蛋白及其在植物信号转导中的作用

ＧＴＰ结合蛋白（ＧＴＰ－ｂｉｎｄｉｎｇｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ）在生物体内有数种类型,包括转录因子、微管蛋白和信号转导蛋白,最后一种已成为当今研究的热点。结合ＧＴＰ的调节蛋白（ＧＴＰ－ｂｉｎｄｉｎｇｒｅｇｕｌａｔｏｒｙｐｒｏｔｅｉｎｓ,简称Ｇ－蛋白）于７０年代...     

真菌G蛋白信号调控蛋白的功能研究进展

G蛋白信号途径是真菌细胞信号转导网络的枢纽,在细胞的各种生物学调控过程中具有重要作用。G蛋白信号调控蛋白(Rgulators of G protein signaling,RGS)是一类重要的G蛋白信号调控因子,能通过促进G蛋白α亚基(Gα)偶联的GTP水解,使Gα和Gβγ亚基发生聚合,导致G蛋白失活,从而迅速关闭与G蛋白偶联的信号途径。自从第一个RGS蛋白在酿酒酵母中被鉴定以来,目前已经有30多个RGS蛋白在重要的模式真菌中被报道,包括构巢曲霉、绿僵菌、稻瘟病菌、玉米赤霉菌、轮枝镰孢菌、新型隐球菌和白色念珠菌等。RGS蛋白在真菌的营养菌丝生长、产孢、毒素和色素生产、致病性和有性生殖等过程中发挥着重要作用。本文对真菌中已报道RGS蛋白的功能进行了总结,对真菌RGS蛋白的结构特征和调控机制进行了评述。     

活性氧与植物抗病反应

活性氧的产生是植物抗病最早期的反应之一,称为氧化跃变。本文介绍了植物抗病反应中氧化跃变的生理作用、可能的产生机制、信号传导途径以及与胞外碱性化的关系。     

基于SVM 的药物靶点预测方法及其应用

目的:基于已知药物靶点和潜在药物靶点蛋白的一级结构相似性,结合SVM技术研究新的有效的药物靶点预测方法。方法:构造训练样本集,提取蛋白质序列的一级结构特征,进行数据预处理,选择最优核函数,优化参数并进行特征选择,训练最优预测模型,检验模型的预测效果。以G蛋白偶联受体家族的蛋白质为预测集,应用建立的最优分类模型对其进行潜在药物靶点挖掘。结果:基于SVM所建立的最优分类模型预测的平均准确率为81.03%。应用最优分类器对构造的G蛋白预测集进行预测,结果发现预测排位在前20的蛋白质中有多个与疾病相关。特别的,其中有两个G蛋白在治疗靶点数据库(TTD)中显示已作为临床试验的药物靶点。结论:基于SVM和蛋白质序列特征的药物靶点预测方法是有效的,应用该方法预测出的潜在药物靶点能够为发现新的药靶提供参考。     

鼠伤寒沙门氏菌Ⅵ型分泌系统相关基因敲除及其功能特性

Ⅵ型分泌系统(T6SS)是大多数革兰氏阴性细菌中都存在的一种重要的分泌系统,能介导细菌与细菌之间以及细菌和宿主细胞之间的相互作用,溶血素共调节蛋白(Hcp)和缬氨酸甘氨酸重复蛋白G(VgrG)是组成T6SS穿刺装置的重要组分。但鼠伤寒沙门氏菌Ⅵ型分泌系统的Hcp与VgrG在该菌入侵宿主细胞及抗吞噬过程中发挥的作用尚不十分清楚。【目的】本研究旨在利用基因敲除技术构建的鼠伤寒沙门氏菌hcp及vgrg基因缺失株体外接种真核上皮细胞和巨噬细胞,并以其亲本株作为对照,以研究Hcp及VgrG在该菌粘附、侵入上皮细胞及抗吞噬过程中所发挥的作用。【方法】通过优化Red同源重组系统操作过程中各个条件,建立一套快速敲除鼠伤寒沙门氏菌Ⅵ型分泌系统相关基因的操作系统,成功构建鼠伤寒沙门氏菌CVCC541的hcp及vgrg单基因缺失株、双基因缺失株及三基因缺失株,并用Hela细胞接种试验和菌落计数试验,评估不同菌株的粘附和侵袭能力;用小鼠巨噬细胞RAW 264.7接种试验,评估不同菌株的抗吞噬能力。【结果】与亲本株CVCC541粘附侵袭Hela细胞相比,基因缺失株CVCC541Δvgrg、CVCC541Δhcp2Δvgrg和CVCC541Δhcp1Δhcp2Δhcp3的粘附率分别为17.17%±2.1%、14.73%±2.5%和82%±3.7%;CVCC541Δvgrg、CVCC541Δhcp2Δvgrg和CVCC541Δhcp1Δhcp2Δhcp3的侵袭率分别为7.05%±1.05%、6.21%±1.35%和87%±3.25%;与亲本株CVCC541在小鼠巨噬细胞RAW 264.7中的存活相比,基因缺失株CVCC541Δvgrg、CVCC541Δhcp2Δvgrg和CVCC541Δhcp1Δhcp2Δhcp3的存活率分别为15.67%±2.9%、14.47%±1.87%和56.12%±3.48%。【结论】鼠伤寒沙门氏菌Ⅵ型分泌系统VgrG和Hcp对该菌入侵细胞和抗吞噬方面具有重要作用,该研究为鼠伤寒沙门氏菌通过六型分泌系统与宿主细胞相互作用的机制研究奠定了基础。     

G—蛋白异三聚体（G—protein heterotrimer）的晶体结构

继１９９４年Ｓｉｇｌｅｒ－Ｈａｍｍ和Ｓｐｒａｎｇ－Ｇｉｌｍａｎ实验室报道Ｇｉα１的晶体结构之后,１９９５年１２月和１９９６年１月这两个实验室又相继报道了Ｇ－蛋白异三聚体（ＧαＧＤＰ）βγ和Ｇβγ二聚体的晶体结构,这些研究结果表明Ｇ－蛋白复合物象一台由操纵杆（受体）,开关（Ｇα）和螺旋浆（Ｇβγ）组成的信号转导纳米机器,并揭示了α和β亚基间可能存两种不同的功能界面,β和γ亚基间,α和γ的相互作用,以     

G-box和G-box结合蛋白在植物基因诱导表达中的转录调控作用

文章就G-box与其它顺式作用元件的组合调控作用,以及G-box结合蛋白通过二聚体化、磷酸化、亚细胞定位等调控方式在植物基因诱导表达中的调控作用作了评述。     

G蛋白偶联受体在不同表达系统中高水平表达的研究进展

G蛋白偶联受体(guanosine-binding protein coupled receptors,GPCRs)是一大类膜蛋白超级家族,具有7个跨膜域的特殊结构,并在机体内发挥着重要的生理作用.目前的研究主要集中在蛋白结构、功能、药物筛选等方面,然而,GPCRs在研究中也可以作为受体配基检测的重要工具.GPCRs体内本底含量很低,如果需要大量的GPCRs活性蛋白进行应用研究,体外异源表达是一种重要途径.通过对GPCRs在不同表达系统的高水平表达策略进行综述,将为GPCRs在体外的高含量表达提供有效参考,为探索GPCRs分子结构以及结构与功能的关系,更好地在各个领域应用GPCRs奠定基础.     

缺血-再灌注时大鼠心脏Gi蛋白α亚基的变化

本工作研究了心肌缺血－再灌注时,受体－腺苷酸环化酶细胞膜信号转导系统中Ｇ蛋白含量及功能的变化。采用免疫印迹法和放射免疫法分别测定大鼠心脏Ｇｉα２,Ｇｉα３和Ｇｓα的含量及腺苷酸环化酶的活性。结果显示缺血－再灌注时心功能明显损伤;心脏Ｇｓα无明显变化;心肌细胞膜Ｃｉα２和Ｇｉα３含量分别升高３７．４％（Ｐ〈０．０１）和４２．４％（Ｐ〈０．０１）;胞浆内Ｇｉα２和Ｇｉα３含量无明显变化;缺血心肌腺苷酸     

A solubility-enhancement tag (SET) for NMR studies of poorly behaving proteins

Protein-fusion constructs have been used with great success for enhancing expression of soluble recombinant protein and as tags for affinity purification. Unfortunately the most popular tags, such as GST and MBP, are large, which hinders direct NMR studies of the fusion proteins. Cleavage of the fusion proteins often re-introduces problems with solubility and stability. Here we describe the use of N-terminally fused protein G (B1 domain) as a non-cleavable solubility-enhancement tag (SET) for structure determination of a dimeric protein complex. The SET enhances the solubility and stability of the fusion product dramatically while not interacting directly with the protein of interest. This approach can be used for structural characterization of poorly behaving protein systems, and would be especially useful for structural genomics studies.     

G蛋白及其在细胞信号转导中的作用

概述G蛋白的结构、种类、转导信息的机制,细菌毒素对G蛋白调节的影响及研究G蛋的意义和今后发展的重点。     

Diverse β subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins are present in thyroid plasma membranes

The functioning of heterotrimeric G protein α subunits in the transduction of hormonal signals to appropriate intracellular responses is well recognized. Much less is known about the distribution of isoforms and functions of G protein β subunits. Here, using specific antibodies, we documented that in plasma membranes of the thyroid cell line Nthy-ori 3-1 all Gβ isoforms-Gβ₁, Gβ₂, Gβ₃, Gβ₄ and Gβ₅ are present, while the Gβ₃ occurs in minute amount. In plasma membrane fraction isolated from pooled postoperative thyroids of patients with nodular goiter and Graves’ disease, the Gβ₁, Gβ₂, Gβ₄ and Gβ₅ subunits were found, whereas Gβ₃ could not be detected.Competition studies revealed that the Gβ₂ is the principal Gβ subunit in membranes from cultured thyroid cells, originated from normal thyroid, as well as in membranes from patients’ thyroids. This suggests that Gβ₂ subunit cooperates with Gα_s subunit, the most active of the Gα variants, during stimulation of adenylate cyclase which constitutes the main route of physiological thyroid stimulation.     

The guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) in myocardium with ischemia

Guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) play a major role in the regulation of a number of physiological processes, such as stimulation or Inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity or gaiting of ionic channels. Myocardial ischemia could induce the changes in receptor-G protein signal transduction system in the heart. Therefore, this article will focus on the role and alterations of G proteins (especially, Gs and Gi) in myocardial ischemia. The Gi protein rapidly loses functional activity during very early myocardial ischemia. In contrast to Gi protein, the function of Gs protein during this phase has not been evaluated. Moreover, the changes in Gs protein after 30 min of ischemia are contradictory. However, the sensitization of the adenylate cyclase activity in the very early phase of acute ischemia is gradually replaced by a decrease in adenylate cyclase activity with prolonged ischemia. The decrease in the function and amount of Gs protein may be one of the factors that induce these changes. The function of Gs protein was also decreased in the canine hearts with ischemia and reperfusion. In contrast to ischemia and reperfusion, there are no significant alterations in G proteins and modulation of adenylate cyclase in the stunned myocardium. It has become increasingly evident that Gi protein may play an important role in the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning. When -adrenoceptor densities are reduced in chronic myocardial ischemia, decreased in the amount and function of Gi protein and increased amount of Gs protein may play the role in preservation of the adenylate cyclase activity. These alterations in G proteins may play the important role in the myocardial function during myocardial ischemia.     

Rapid Communication: A cis-Acting Element, Tα-1, in the Upstream Region of Rod α-Transducin Gene that Binds a Developmentally Regulated Retina-Specific Nuclear Factor

Abstract: The G protein transducin (T) is an integral component of the signal transduction pathway in photoreceptors. We have identified a cis -acting element, Ta-1, in the upstream region of the mouse rod a-T (T_rα) gene that may be important for tissue-specific expression. Tα-1 binds a retina-specific nuclear factor of apparent molecular mass of 90 kDa. Binding to the Tα-1 site is developmentally regulated and peaks between postnatal days 6 and 9. This corresponds to the time of rod photoreceptor maturation and the rise in T_rα gene expression. The sequence of Tα-1 shows homology with RET-1, a cis -acting element in the proximal promoter of opsin gene that binds a distinct retina-specific factor. Tα-1 and RET-1 sequences may have been derived from a prototype Tα-1/RET-1 sequence, evolved to confer photoreceptor specificity on retina-specific genes.     

综述与专论：膜上G蛋白偶联受体在运动影响骨代谢中的作用

膜上G蛋白偶联受体（GPCRs）是骨细胞感知外部信号刺激的关键跨膜蛋白,因其在成骨细胞（OB）、软骨细胞和破骨细胞（OC）分化和功能发挥上扮演的关键角色而在骨代谢研究领域备受关注。GPCRs功能缺失或异常升高后,骨细胞内环境稳态失衡,导致OB、软骨细胞和OC分化及代谢紊乱,骨组织微细结构退化。运动通过促进骨形成并抑制骨吸收来改善骨代谢,其机制与GPCRs （如GPR48、GPR54、GPR30等）介导的关键信号途径（cAMP/PKA/Atf4、JNK/AP-1、ERK1/2等）和细胞因子（T-PINP、Nkx3.2、Sox9和Cleaved-caspase-3等）调控下游级联反应来影响OB、软骨细胞和OC分化或功能密切相关。本文通过梳理GPCRs在运动改善骨代谢中的可能机制,有助于筛选出膜上敏感GPCRs来作为骨代谢疾病药物研发“效应器”以及运动干预中的力学刺激“明星蛋白”,为骨质疏松的研究和防治提供更多靶点或视角。     

Potent inhibition of angiotensin AT1 receptor signaling by RGS8: importance of the C-terminal third exon part of its RGS domain

R4/B subfamily RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) proteins play roles in regulation of many GPCR-mediated responses. Multiple RGS proteins are usually expressed in a cell, and it is difficult to point out which RGS protein species are functionally important in the cell. To evaluate intrinsic potency of these RGS proteins, we compared inhibitory effects of RGS1, RGS2, RGS3, RGS4, RGS5, RGS8 and RGS16 on AT₁ receptor signaling. Intracellular Ca²⁺ responses to angiotensin II were markedly attenuated by transiently expressed RGS2, RGS3 and RGS8, compared to weak inhibition by RGS1, RGS4, RGS5 and RGS16. N-terminally deleted RGS2 (RGS2 domain) lost this potent inhibitory effect, whereas RGS domains of RGS3 and RGS8 showed strong inhibition similar to those of the full-length proteins. To investigate key determinants that specify the differences in potency, we constructed chimeric domains by replacing one or two of three exon parts of RGS8 domain with the corresponding part of RGS5. The chimeric RGS8 domains containing the first or the second exon part of RGS5 showed strong inhibitory effects similar to that of wild type RGS8, but the chimeric domain with the third exon part of RGS5 lost its activity. On the contrary, replacement of the third exon part of RGS5 with the corresponding residues of RGS8 increased the inhibitory effect. The role of the third exon part of RGS8 domain was further confirmed with the chimeric RGS8/RGS4 domains. These results indicate the potent inhibitory activity of RGS8 among R4/B subfamily proteins and importance of the third exon.     

Rap1-suppressed tumorigenesis is concomitant with the interference in ras effector signaling

Phosducin and related proteins have been identified as ubiquitous regulators of signalling mediated by βγ subunits of trimeric G proteins. To explore a role for phosducin in regulated exocytosis, we have examined the distribution and putative function of phosducin-like protein (PhLP) in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. The full-length cDNA encoding the short splice variant of PhLP (PhLPs) was cloned from cultured chromaffin cells. Native PhLPs was found associated with plasma membranes and detected in the subplasmalemmal area of resting chromaffin cells by confocal immunofluorescence analysis. Stimulation with secretagogues triggered a massive redistribution of PhLPs into the cytoplasm. When microinjected into individual chromaffin cells, recombinant PhLPs inhibited catecholamine secretion evoked by a depolarizing concentration of K⁺ without affecting calcium mobilization. Thus, PhLPs may participate directly in the regulation of calcium-evoked exocytosis.     

Molecular organization and dynamics of the melatonin MT1 receptor/RGS20/Gi protein complex reveal asymmetry of receptor dimers for RGS and Gi coupling

Functional asymmetry of G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) dimers has been reported for an increasing number of cases, but the molecular architecture of signalling units associated to these dimers remains unclear. Here, we characterized the molecular complex of the melatonin MT₁ receptor, which directly and constitutively couples to G_i proteins and the regulator of G‐protein signalling (RGS) 20. The molecular organization of the ternary MT₁/G_i/RGS20 complex was monitored in its basal and activated state by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer between probes inserted at multiple sites of the complex. On the basis of the reported crystal structures of G_i and the RGS domain, we propose a model wherein one G_i and one RGS20 protein bind to separate protomers of MT₁ dimers in a pre‐associated complex that rearranges upon agonist activation. This model was further validated with MT₁/MT₂ heterodimers. Collectively, our data extend the concept of asymmetry within GPCR dimers, reinforce the notion of receptor specificity for RGS proteins and highlight the advantage of GPCRs organized as dimers in which each protomer fulfils its specific task by binding to different GPCR‐interacting proteins.