RelA/p65的翻译后修饰及其对NF-κB转录活性的影响

RelA/p65是NF-κB的一个亚单位,其翻译后修饰能够精细地调控NF-κB的转录激活,并在炎症反应及炎症反应相关疾病的发生和发展过程中发挥重要的作用.RelA的翻译后修饰主要包括磷酸化、乙酰化、甲基化以及泛素化等.这些翻译后修饰不仅能在生理和病理的条件下有效地调控NF-κB的转录激活,彼此之间还存在着复杂的相互作用,一种翻译后修饰可以使另一种修饰增强或是抑制,从而综合而完善地调控NF-κB的转录活性.本文就近年来RelA的翻译后修饰及这些修饰之间的相互作用对NF-κB信号通路影响的最新研究进展进行综述.     

EWS蛋白质抑制核因子κB的转录活性

目的:研究EWS蛋白质是否参与核因子κB(NF-κB)信号通路,以及EWS蛋白质对NF-κB转录活性的影响。方法:在真核细胞中表达Flag-EWS,利用Western印迹检测其表达;通过双萤光素酶光报告系统,研究EWS蛋白质对NF-κB转录活性的影响及其发挥作用的分子水平。结果:Western印迹检测到相对分子质量为95×103的Flag-EWS能够在真核细胞中正确表达,过表达EWS蛋白质能够抑制TNFα、IL-1β及poly(I:C)激活的NF-κB转录活性;EWS蛋白质能够抑制由过表达HA-TRAF2或HA-p65激活的NF-κB转录活性,其抑制NF-κB转录活性发生在p65转录因子水平。结论:过表达EWS能够抑制多种刺激激活的NF-κB转录活性,这种抑制作用发生在p65转录因子水平。     

柯萨奇病毒B组5型非结构蛋白抑制NF-κB信号通路的作用机制研究

目的 柯萨奇病毒B组5型（CVB5）是手足口病的重要病原体之一,可导致发热、皮疹或疱疹等临床症状,重症者出现神经系统疾病,甚至死亡。天然免疫应答是机体抗病毒入侵的第一道防线,其中核因子κB (NF-κB)是宿主天然免疫反应中的重要蛋白质,然而关于CVB5感染后调控NF-κB介导信号通路的研究尚鲜有报道。方法 本研究通过检测启动子活性、促炎因子水平以及通路中关键蛋白表达等,阐明CVB5对NF-κB信号通路的调控作用机制。结果 CVB5感染可抑制促炎因子表达和p65的磷酸化。CVB5非结构蛋白（NSP）可抑制促炎因子表达以及重要蛋白p65和IκBα的磷酸化。经STRING11.1数据库预测表明,CVB5 3CD蛋白与宿主多聚胞嘧啶结合蛋白1 (PCBP1)具有相互作用,且PCBP1可促进IκBα和p65的磷酸化,抑制病毒复制。结论 CVB5 NSP可负调控NF-κB信号通路,且与3CD相互作用的PCBP1蛋白可通过调控NF-κB通路抑制CVB5复制。本研究探索病毒与宿主天然免疫应答的调控作用,从而为研制抗CVB5感染的药物提供作用靶点。     

JNK3通过与RelA/p65相互作用抑制NF-κB信号通路减弱Bel-7402细胞的黏附能力

JNK信号通路在细胞的炎症、增殖与凋亡等生物学过程中发挥了重要的作用．我们采用酵母双杂交技术发现转录因子p65是JNK3的相互作用蛋白质．体内体外实验均证实JNK3与p65存在蛋白质相互作用．报告基因实验结果表明过表达JNK3抑制TNFα诱导NF-κB介导的转录激活．EMSA结果证明JNK3减弱NF-κB的DNA结合能力．实时定量PCR结果表明JNF3减少NF-κB靶基因的表达．综上所述,我们的研究结果表明JNK3做为一个调节分子在体内发挥了抑制p65转录活性的功能．     

GP73及其糖基化修饰对肝癌细胞HepG2炎症相关分子信号通路的影响

目的:通过构建高尔基体膜蛋白73(GP73)氨基酸序列109、144位糖基化位点双突变真核表达质粒,研究GP73及其糖基化修饰对肝癌细胞炎症相关分子信号通路的影响。方法:根据GP73的DNA序列,设计合成2对针对GP73氨基酸序列109、144位糖基化位点突变的PCR引物,以本实验室构建的野生型质粒pc DNA3-Flag-GP73为模板,构建GP73的109、144位糖基化位点双突变质粒pc DNA3-Flag-GP73(DM);用脂质体将此双突变质粒转染293T细胞,用糖蛋白染色和免疫印迹检测该质粒在细胞中的表达情况,用双萤光素酶报告基因实验检测GP73及其糖基化修饰对Hep G2细胞中NF-κB转录激活的影响。结果:糖蛋白染色和免疫印迹结果证实构建的双突变质粒pc DNA3-Flag-GP73(DM)能够表达GP73双糖基化位点突变的蛋白,且糖基化位点的突变使GP73的糖基化修饰完全缺失;双萤光素酶报告基因实验结果表明,野生型GP73能够激活Hep G2细胞中NF-κB的转录活性,而双糖基化位点突变会使GP73失去此激活作用。结论:构建了GP73双糖基化位点突变的真核表达质粒pc DNA3-Flag-GP73(DM)。GP73参与激活肝癌细胞炎症信号通路,糖基化修饰对于GP73发挥此作用是必不可少的。     

蛋白激酶MSK在表观遗传学调控中的作用及其生物学意义

丝裂原和应激激活的蛋白激酶(MSK)是一类核内丝/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,参与丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路介导的下游基因转录调控和表观遗传学调控.首先,MSK是MAPK通路的下游媒介分子.在丝裂原或应激刺激下,p38或ERK激酶通过级联磷酸化激活MSK蛋白.然后,活化的MSK介导转录因子磷酸化活化和组蛋白H3的10位丝氨酸磷酸化.MSK介导的组蛋白H3磷酸化,可引发组蛋白乙酰化和甲基化修饰的动态变化,相互协同或拮抗,开放染色质结构,利于诱导型基因的表达.除组蛋白H3外,MSK直接磷酸化的下游底物还包括CREB、NF-κB等转录因子以及多个非转录相关蛋白.因此,MSK能在多层次调控基因表达和细胞功能,广泛参与肿瘤转化、炎症反应、神经突触可塑性以及心肌肥大等生物学事件.本文将简要介绍MSK蛋白的研究进展,探讨其在转录调控、表观遗传学修饰等生物学事件中的作用.     

SUMO化修饰在NF-κB信号通路中的作用

小泛素相关修饰物（smallubiq uitin related modifier,SUMO）修饰是与泛素化修饰类似的蛋白质翻译后修饰,在细胞信号转导、核质运输与转录调控等方面发挥重要作用。核因子-κB（nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB）通路是公认的参与炎症和免疫反应的重要调节通路。近年来研究发现,SUMO通过各种机制广泛参与NF-κB信号通路的调节。研究两者的关系,可能为相关疾病的防治找到新的思路。     

乳酸调控大鼠肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞的NF-κB信号通路

目的探讨内毒素（LPS）刺激大鼠肠黏膜微血管内皮细胞（RIMMVECs）后,乳酸（LA）调控NF-κB信号通路中磷酸化IκBα和NF-κB p65蛋白表达情况,肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）和白细胞介素6（IL-6）mRNA表达情况,阐明乳酸发挥作用的最佳时间及其调控NF-κB信号通路的部位。方法提取RIMMVECs总蛋白和总RNA,用Western blotting检测NF-κB p65、IκBα及p-IκBα蛋白表达水平,用real-time PCR对TNF-α和IL-6 mRNA进行定量检测。结果乳酸能降低LPS诱导RIMMVECs分泌的TNF-α和IL-6 mRNA表达水平,并分别于24 h和3 h下调效果最明显;乳酸能抑制IκBα磷酸化及NF-κB转录活性,并于4～8 h达到最佳效果;乳酸发挥作用部位是抑制信号通路中IκBα磷酸化。结论乳酸通过抑制IκBα磷酸化而阻断NF-κB的激活,抑制下游炎性因子表达,进而发挥出很好的预防炎症效果。     

SUMO对NF-κB信号通路的调控作用

核转录因子NF-κB是一种广泛存在于真核细胞内的,具有多向性、多功能的重要调节蛋白,与机体免疫应答、炎症反应,以及肿瘤的发生发展等多种生理病理过程相关.蛋白质翻译后修饰对NF-κB信号通路能起调控作用,而小泛素相关修饰物(small ubiquitin-related modifier,SUMO)是近年报道的参与调控NF-κB信号通路的一种非常重要的小分子蛋白,本文就SUMO对NF-κB信号通路的调节作用做一介绍.     

病原菌效应蛋白翻译后修饰宿主免疫防御通路

病原菌效应蛋白破坏宿主细胞的正常信号转导是病原菌和宿主相互作用的重要体现.效应蛋白往往具有独特的生化活性,针对宿主细胞内与抗细菌感染相关的重要通路进行阻断.近年来,在病原菌效应蛋白作用机制的研究中,人们发现了几种由效应蛋白介导的全新的蛋白质翻译后修饰.OspF(outer Shigella protein F)效应蛋白家族具有磷酸化苏氨酸裂合酶活性,通过"消去"修饰和失活宿主MAPK激酶.NleE(non-LEE encoded effector E)效应蛋白则通过半胱氨酸甲基化修饰来抑制感染诱导NF-κB炎症通路的激活.NleB(non-LEEencoded effectorB)蛋白抑制宿主的死亡信号通路,则依赖于其N-乙酰葡萄糖胺转移酶活性介导的对死亡结构域蛋白的精氨酸糖基化修饰.而VopS(Vibrio outer protein S)和IbpA(Immunoglobulin-binding protein A)等含有Fic结构域的蛋白,则可以将AMP基团转移到Rho家族小G蛋白的保守苏氨酸或酪氨酸上,导致小G蛋白的失活和肌动蛋白细胞骨架的紊乱,从而引起细胞毒性.以上效应蛋白作用机制及生化活性的阐明,有助于全方位了解病原菌的致病毒力机制,也开辟了蛋白质翻译后修饰介导病原-宿主相互作用研究的新方向,同时对真核生物的信号转导研究也具有重要指导意义.     

Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits UVB-induced activation of NF-κB and expression of COX-2 and NOX-4 in HR-1 hairless mouse skin by blocking MSK1 signaling

Exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation induces inflammation and photocarcinogenesis in mammalian skin. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a representative ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of DHA on UVB-induced inflammation in mouse skin. Our study revealed that topical application of DHA prior to UVB irradiation attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and NAD(P)H:oxidase-4 (NOX-4) in hairless mouse skin. DHA pretreatment also attenuated UVB-induced DNA binding of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) through the inhibition of phosphorylation of IκB kinase-α/β, phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα and nuclear translocation of p50 and p65. In addition, UVB-induced phosphorylation of p65 at the serine 276 residue was significantly inhibited by topical application of DHA. Irradiation with UVB induced phosphorylation of mitogen and stress-activated kinase-1 (MSK1), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and all these events were attenuated by pretreatment with DHA. Blocking ERK and p38 MAP kinase signaling by U0126 and SB203580, respectively, diminished MSK1 phosphorylation in UVB-irradiated mouse skin. Pretreatment with H-89, a pharmacological inhibitor of MSK1, abrogated UVB-induced activation of NF-κB and the expression of COX-2 and NOX-4 in mouse skin. In conclusion, topically applied DHA inhibits the UVB-induced activation of NF-κB and the expression of COX-2 and NOX-4 by blocking the phosphorylation of MSK1, a kinase downstream of ERK and p38 MAP kinase, in hairless mouse skin.     

Phosphorylation of p50 NF-kappaB at a single serine residue by DNA-dependent protein kinase is critical for VCAM-1 expression upon TNF treatment

The DNA binding activity of NF-κB is critical for VCAM-1 expression during inflammation. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is thought to be involved in NF-κB activation. Here we show that DNA-PK is required for VCAM-1 expression in response to TNF. The phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of I-κBα as well as the serine 536 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 NF-κB were insufficient for VCAM-1 expression in response to TNF. The requirement for p50 NF-κB in TNF-induced VCAM-1 expression may be associated with its interaction with and phosphorylation by DNA-PK, which appears to be dominant over the requirement for p65 NF-κB activation. p50 NF-κB binding to its consensus sequence increased its susceptibility to phosphorylation by DNA-PK. Additionally, DNA-PK activity appeared to increase the association between p50/p50 and p50/p65 NF-κB dimers upon binding to DNA and after binding of p50 NF-κB to the VCAM-1 promoter. Analyses of the p50 NF-κB protein sequence revealed that both serine 20 and serine 227 at the amino terminus of the protein are putative sites for phosphorylation by DNA-PK. Mutation of serine 20 completely eliminated phosphorylation of p50 NF-κB by DNA-PK, suggesting that serine 20 is the only site in p50 NF-κB for phosphorylation by DNA-PK. Re-establishing wild-type p50 NF-κB, but not its serine 20/alanine mutant, in p50 NF-κB(-/-) fibroblasts reversed VCAM-1 expression after TNF treatment, demonstrating the importance of the serine 20 phosphorylation site in the induction of VCAM-1 expression. Together, these results elucidate a novel mechanism for the involvement of DNA-PK in the positive regulation of p50 NF-κB to drive VCAM-1 expression.     

The Role of p38 and CK2 Protein Kinases in the Response of RAW 264.7 Macrophages to Lipopolysaccharide

The role of protein kinases p38 and CK2 (casein kinase II) in the response of RAW 264.7 macrophages to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria was studied. Using specific p38 and CK2 inhibitors (p38 MAP kinase Inhibitor XI and casein kinase II Inhibitor III, respectively), we investigated the effects of these protein kinases on (i) LPS-induced activation of signaling pathways involving nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), p38, and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3); (ii) expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inducible heat-shock proteins HSP72 and HSP90; and (iii) production of interleukins IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-10. Activation of the proapoptotic signaling in the macrophages was evaluated from the ratio between the active and inactive caspase-3 forms and p53 phosphorylation. Six hours after LPS addition (2.5 μg/ml) to RAW 264.7 cells, activation of the TLR4 signaling pathways was observed that was accompanied by a significant increase in phosphorylation of IκB kinase α/β, NF-κB (at both Ser536 and Ser276), p38, JNK, and IRF3. Other effects of macrophage incubation with LPS were an increase in the contents of TLR4, inducible heat-shock proteins (HSPs), and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as slight activation of the pro-apoptotic signaling in the cells. Using inhibitor analysis, we found that during the early response of macrophages to the LPS, both CK2 and p38 modulate activation of MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways and p65 phosphorylation at Ser276/Ser536 and cause accumulation of HSP72, HSP90 and the LPS-recognizing receptor TLR4. Suppression of the p38 MAP kinase and CK2 activities by specific inhibitors (Inhibitor XI and Inhibitor III, respectively) resulted in the impairment of the macrophage effector function manifested as a decrease in the production of the early-response proinflammatory cytokines and disbalance between the pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways leading presumably to apoptosis development. Taken together, our data indicate the inefficiency of therapeutic application of p38 and CK2 inhibitors during the early stages of inflammatory response.     

Novel phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination of tristetraprolin by mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2)

Acute versus chronic inflammation is controlled by the accurate activation and regulation of interdependent signaling cascades. TNF-receptor 1 engagement concomitantly activates NF-κB and JNK signaling. The correctly timed activation of these pathways is the key to account for the balance between NF-κB-mediated cell survival and cell death, the latter fostered by prolonged JNK activation. Tristetraprolin (TTP), initially described as an mRNA destabilizing protein, acts as negative feedback regulator of the inflammatory response: it destabilizes cytokine-mRNAs but also acts as an NF-κB inhibitor by interfering with the p65/RelA nuclear import pathway. Our biochemical studies provide evidence that TTP contributes to the NF-κB/JNK balance. We find that the MAP 3-kinase MEKK1 acts as a novel TTP kinase that, together with the TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), constitutes not only a main determinate of the NF-κB-JNK cross-talk but also facilitates "TTP hypermodification": MEKK1 triggers TTP phosphorylation as prerequisite for its Lys-63-linked, TRAF2-mediated ubiquitination. Consequently, TTP no longer affects NF-κB activity but promotes the activation of JNK. Based on our data, we suggest a model where upon TNFα induction, TTP transits a hypo- to hypermodified state, thereby contributing to the molecular regulation of NF-κB versus JNK signaling cascades.     

Diacylglycerol kinase α enhances protein kinase Cζ-dependent phosphorylation at Ser311 of p65/RelA subunit of nuclear factor-κB

We recently reported that diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) α enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). However, the signaling pathway between DGKα and NF-κB remains unclear. Here, we found that small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of DGKα strongly attenuated protein kinase C (PKC) ζ-dependent phosphorylation of a large subunit of NF-κB, p65/RelA, at Ser311 but not PKCζ-independent phosphorylation at Ser468 or Ser536. Moreover, knockdown and overexpression of PKCζ suppressed and synergistically enhanced DGKα-mediated NF-κB activation, respectively. These results strongly suggest that DGKα positively regulates TNF-α-dependent NF-κB activation via the PKCζ-mediated Ser311 phosphorylation of p65/RelA.     

姜黄素对过度训练大鼠脾脏炎症反应的调控作用及其机制

目的:研究姜黄素调控Toll-样受体4(TLR4)-p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 MAPK)/核因子κB(NF-κB)信号通路缓解过度训练大鼠脾脏炎症反应的作用及其机制.方法:7周龄SPF级雄性Wistar大鼠分为安静对照组(C组,n=12)、过度训练模型组(OM组,n=11)、姜黄素+模型组(COM组,n=14)...     

c-Jun N-terminal kinase attenuates TNFα signaling by reducing Nox1-dependent endosomal ROS production in vascular smooth muscle cells

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), a proinflammatory cytokine, causes vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration and promotes inflammatory vascular lesions. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation by TNFα requires endosomal superoxide production by Nox1. In endothelial cells, TNFα stimulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which inhibits NF-κB signaling. The mechanism by which JNK negatively regulates TNFα-induced NF-κB activation has not been defined. We hypothesized that JNK modulates NF-κB activation in VSMC, and does so via a Nox1-dependent mechanism. TNFα-induced NF-κB activation was TNFR1- and endocytosis-dependent. Inhibition of endocytosis with dominant-negative dynamin (DynK44A) potentiated TNFα-induced JNK activation, but decreased ERK activation, while p38 kinase phosphorylation was not altered. DynK44A attenuated intracellular, endosomal superoxide production in wild-type (WT) VSMC, but not in NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) knockout (KO) cells. siRNA targeting JNK1 or JNK2 potentiated, while a JNK activator (anisomycin) inhibited, TNFα-induced NF-κB activation in WT, but not in Nox1 KO cells. TNFα-stimulated superoxide generation was enhanced by JNK1 inhibition in WT, but not in Nox1 KO VSMC. These data suggest that JNK suppresses the inflammatory response to TNFα by reducing Nox1-dependent endosomal ROS production. JNK and endosomal superoxide may represent novel targets for pharmacologic modulation of TNFα signaling and vascular inflammation.     

NLRC5 negatively regulates LTA-induced inflammation via TLR2/NF-κB and participates in TLR2-mediated allergic airway inflammation

NLRC5, the largest member of the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family, has been reported to play a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory responses. Recent evidence suggests that NLRC5 participates in Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways and negatively modulates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. In this study, we investigated the interaction between NLRC5 and TLR2 in the NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway and the involvement of NLRC5 in TLR2-mediated allergic airway inflammation. We knocked down TLR2 and NLRC5, respectively in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and then stimulated the knockdown cells with lipoteichoic acid (LTA). In comparison with the negative siRNA group, the level of NLRC5 expression was lower in the TLR2 siRNA group, with a reduction in the NF-κB-related inflammatory response. Conversely, in the NLRC5 knockdown cells, after LTA-treated the level of TLR2 expression did not change but the expression levels of both NF-κB pp65 and NLRP3 increased remarkably. Thus, we hypothesize that NLRC5 participates in the LTA-induced inflammatory signaling pathway and regulates the inflammation via TLR2/NF-κB. Similarly, in subsequent in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that the expression level of NLRC5 was significantly increased in the ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation. However, this effect disappeared in TLR2-deficient (TLR2 ^−/−) mice and was accompanied by reduced levels of NF-κB expression and airway inflammation. In conclusion, NLRC5 negatively regulates LTA-induced inflammatory response via a TLR2/NF-κB pathway in macrophages and also participates in TLR2-mediated allergic airway inflammation.