特异AT序列结合蛋白-1促进胰岛素样生长因子 结合蛋白-2在K562细胞中的表达

探讨过表达特异AT序列结合蛋白-1 ( special AT-rich sequence binding protein ,SATB1)核基质结合区（MAR）结合蛋白对胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-2（IGFBP2）基因表 达的影响,并对其影响机制进行初步探索．首先用脂质体将SATB1的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-SATB1转染至K562细胞,通过6周G418的筛选获得阳性克隆,RT-PCR、实时PCR及Western 印迹验证过表达情况,对阳性克隆细胞中IGFBP2的表达用RT-PCR、实时PCR及Western 印迹方法进行检测;然后用RNAi的方法干扰阳性细胞中SATB1 的表达后,同样用上述3种方法再次检测IGFBP2的表达状况;用生物信息学方法对IGFBP2基因进行MAR序列与SATB1结合位点搜索分析,寻找SATB1影响IGFBP2基因表达的机制．结果显示,在稳定转染的情况下,实验组K562-SATB1细胞与转染空载体pcDNA3.1的K562-3.1细胞和未转染细胞K562相比,IGFBP2 mRNA水平上调了近7倍,而蛋白水平变化不明显．RNA干扰后,IGFBP2的表达在mRNA水平也相应下调,蛋白水平的变化同样不明显．通过生物信息学分析发现,IGFBP2第1个内含子中可能存在2. 5 kb MAR样序列,且MAR样序列上存在多个SATB1的潜在结合位点．综上所述,过表达SATB1可以使K562细胞中IGFBP2 mRNA表达水平提高,而且其调控机制可能与SATB1直接和IGFBP2基因中的MAR样序列结合有关．     

Multiple elements in the eIF4G1 N-terminus promote assembly of eIF4G1•PABP mRNPs in vivo

eIF4G is the scaffold subunit of the eIF4F complex, whose binding domains for eIF4E and poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) are thought to enhance formation of activated eIF4F•mRNA•PABP complexes competent to recruit 43S pre-initiation complexes. We found that the RNA-binding region (RNA1) in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of yeast eIF4G1 can functionally substitute for the PABP-binding segment to rescue the function of an eIF4G1-459 mutant impaired for eIF4E binding. Assaying RNA-dependent PABP–eIF4G association in cell extracts suggests that RNA1, the PABP-binding domain, and two conserved elements (Box1 and Box2) between these segments have overlapping functions in forming native eIF4G•mRNA•PABP complexes. In vitro experiments confirm the role of RNA1 in stabilizing eIF4G–mRNA association, and further indicate that RNA1 and Box1 promote PABP binding, in addition to RNA binding, by the eIF4G1 NTD. Our findings indicate that PABP–eIF4G association is only one of several interactions that stabilize eIF4F•mRNA complexes, and emphasize that closed-loop mRNP formation via PABP–eIF4G interaction is non-essential in vivo. Interestingly, two other RNA-binding regions in eIF4G1 have critical functions downstream of eIF4F•mRNA assembly.     

Effect of corticosterone and protein malnutrition on muscle protein breakdown in vivo in rats as measured by the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine

The role of corticosterone in regulating the rate of muscle protein breakdown was evaluated by measuring the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-Mehis) during the administration of 0.0 (vehicle), 0.8 (physiological dose) and 10 (pharmacological dose) mg of the glucocorticoid/100 g body weight/day to adrenalectomized rats (AdX, AdX 0.8 and AdX 10 respectively). A fourth group of intact rats receiving only vehicle (In) was included as control. Rats were fed on either adequate protein and energy (Co) or low-protein (1-P) diets, for eight consecutive days. No differences were found between AdX and AdX 0.8 groups as compared to the In group in regard to body and liver weights. The AdX 10 group exhibited a significant reduction in body weight and a considerable increase in liver weight; these results were found in rats fed on the Co and 1-P diets, although rats on the 1-P diet showed a proportional decrease in those parameters as compared to the rats fed on the Co diet. Gastrocnemius, tibialis and E.D.L. muscle weights were significantly reduced in AdX 10 group, approximatley at the same extent in the two dietary groups. Soleus muscle weight increased in the AdX 10 group, at the same extent in the two dietary groups, as compared to the In group. Plasma corticosterone levels were significantly greater in the AdX 10 group in both dietary treatments, though restriction of protein in the diet induced a higher plasma hormone level than that of the Co group. Urea-N and creatinine outputs were significantly higher in the AdX 10 group. 3-Mehis excretion underwent an immediate and significant rise in the AdX 10 group, although rats fed on 1-P diet showed a more persistent rise than those fed on the Co diet. No differences were found among the other groups. It is concluded that high plasma corticosterone levels can accelerate muscle protein breakdown and that this action is not seriously affected by the protein content of the diet.     

Gene expression patterns of pro-opiomelanocortin-processing enzymes PC1 and PC2 during postnatal development of rat corticotrophs.

We examined the expression and localization of the prohormone convertases, PC1 and PC2, in the anterior pituitary cells of developing rats by a double staining procedure using in situ RT-PCR and an immunofluorescence technique. In the adult, both PC1 mRNA and PC2 mRNA were expressed in corticotrophs, gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, and mammotrophs. These cells, except for corticotrophs, had previously been considered to be ones in which proprotein processing does not take place, but both PC1 and PC2 may be necessary to process other proteins, such as granin family proteins, having proteolytic cleavage sites and located in secretory granules of the above trophs. In addition, no PC1 or PC2 mRNA was expressed in somatotrophs, which is consistent with the fact that somatotrophs do not contain these granins. In addition, 7B2 mRNA was expressed in these PC2-positive trophs, suggesting that there is a functional relationship between PC2 and 7B2 proteins. We found that alpha-MSH was expressed in the corticotrophs of the postnatal rat and that the number of alpha-MSH-immunopositive corticotrophs decreased as development proceeded. Because the changes in the pattern of POMC processing are considered to depend on the relative expression levels of PC1 and PC2, PC1 and PC2 mRNAs were examined in corticotrophs during postnatal development. We found a decrease in the number of PC2 mRNA-positive cells, which coincided with one in the number of alpha-MSH-immunopositive corticotrophs, as postnatal development proceeded. Our present data demonstrate that the alpha-MSH production varies directly in accordance with the expression of PC2. We also discuss the possible significance of alpha-MSH production during the postnatal period.     

In vivo correlation between c-Fos expression and corticotroph stimulation by adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretagogues in rat anterior pituitary gland

In the anterior pituitary gland, c-Fos expression is evoked by various stimuli. However, whether c-Fos expression is directly related to the stimulation of anterior pituitary cells by hypothalamic secretagogues is unclear. To confirm whether the reception of hormone-releasing stimuli evokes c-Fos expression in anterior pituitary cells, we have examined c-Fos expression of anterior pituitary glands in rats administered with synthetic corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) intravenously or subjected to restraint stress. Single intravenous administration of CRH increases the number of c-Fos-expressing cells, and this number does not change even if the dose is increased. Double-immunostaining has revealed that most of the c-Fos-expressing cells contain adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH); corticotrophs that do not express c-Fos in response to CRH have also been found. However, restraint stress evokes c-Fos expression in most of the corticotrophs and in a partial population of lactotrophs. These results suggest that c-Fos expression increases in corticotrophs stimulated by ACTH secretagogues, including CRH. Furthermore, we have found restricted numbers of corticotrophs expressing c-Fos in response to CRH. Although the mechanism underlying the different responses to CRH is not apparent, c-Fos is probably a useful immunohistochemical marker for corticotrophs stimulated by ACTH secretagogues. This work was supported by the Jichi Medical University young investigator award.     

Altered expression of P2X3 in vagal and spinal afferents following esophagitis in rats

Purinergic P2X₃ receptors are predominantly expressed in small diameter primary afferent neurons and activation of these receptors by adenosine triphosphate is reported to play an important role in nociceptive signaling. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of P2X₃ receptors in spinal and vagal sensory neurons and esophageal tissues following esophagitis in rats. Two groups of rats were used including 7 days fundus-ligated (7D-ligated) esophagitis and sham-operated controls. Esophagitis was produced by ligating the fundus and partial obstruction of pylorus that initiated reflux of gastric contents. The sham-operated rats underwent midline incision without surgical manipulation of the stomach. Expressions of P2X₃ receptors in thoracic dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), nodose ganglia (NGs), and esophageal tissues were evaluated by RT–PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Esophageal neurons were identified by retrograde transport of Fast Blue from the esophagus. There were no significant differences in P2X₃ mRNA expressions in DRGs (T1–T3) and NGs between 7D-ligated and sham-operated rats. However, there was an upregulation of P2X₃ mRNA in DRGs (T6–T12) and in the esophageal muscle. At protein level, P2X₃ exhibited significant upregulation both in DRGs and in NGs of rats having chronic esophagitis. Immunohistochemical analysis exhibited a significant increase in P2X₃ and TRPV1 co-expression in DRGs and NGs in 7D-ligated rats compared to sham-operated rats. The present findings suggest that chronic esophagitis results in upregulation of P2X₃ and its co-localization with TRPV1 receptor in vagal and spinal afferents. Changes in P2X₃ expression in vagal and spinal sensory neurons may contribute to esophageal hypersensitivity following acid reflux-induced esophagitis.     

Regulation and role of p21-activated kinase 3 by corticotropin-releasing factor in mouse pituitary

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a major regulatory peptide in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis under stress conditions. In response to stress, CRF, produced in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary (AP). ACTH in turn stimulates the release of glucocorticoid from the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid then inhibits hypothalamic production of CRF and pituitary production of ACTH. Mice lacking a functional gene for CRF (CRF KO) showed severe impairment of the HPA axis, indicating that CRF is required for its regulation. We applied oligonucleotide microarray analysis to the AP of CRF KO to identify gene expression induced by CRF. Twenty-four genes showed less than 60% expression in CRF KO compared with normal mice. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that p21-activated kinase 3 (Pak3), prohormone convertase type 1 (PC1), and CRF-binding protein (BP) mRNA expression levels were increased by CRF in AP cells. Both Pak3 and PC1 were also increased by dexamethasone in AP cells, while CRF-BP mRNA levels were reduced. Therefore, both Pak3 and PC1 mRNA levels would be regulated by both CRF and glucocorticoids. Pak3 knockdown inhibited CRF-induced cell viability in AtT-20 cells, suggesting the important role of Pak3 in the proliferation of corticotrophs.     

Overexpression of SOX15 inhibits proliferation of NT2/D1 cells derived from a testicular embryonal cell carcinoma

SOX (Sry-related HMG box) family proteins, which have an evolutionarily conserved DNA binding domain, have crucial roles in cell differentiation. However, their target genes remain enigmatic. Some members of the SOX family may have roles in regulation of cell proliferation. We established stable NT2/D1 cell lines overexpressing SOX15 (SOX15-NT2/D1), and a modified 3-(4,5-dime-thylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the SOX15-NT2/D1 cells exhibited significantly slower growth than the controls. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that an increased fraction of the SOX15-NT2/D1 cells were in G1-G0. In addition, a microarray analysis identified 26 genes that were up-regulated in the SOX15-NT2/D1 cells, but none that were down-regulated genes. Among the up-regulated genes, IGFBP5, S100A4, ID2, FABP5, MTSS1, PDCD4 have been shown to be related to cell proliferation and/or the cell cycle.     

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 on steroidogenesis in granulosa cells derived from equine chorionic gonadotropin-primed immature rat ovaries

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein (IGFBP) 7 is a secreted protein that regulates cellular proliferation, adhesion, and angiogenesis, and has low affinity for IGF compared with that of IGFBP1-IGFBP6. We sought to determine whether IGFBP7 is present in follicular fluid and to elucidate whether IGFBP7 participates in the steroidogenesis of rat mature follicles. Follicular fluid and granulosa cells (GCs) were collected from immature rats 2 days after their treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). IGFBP7 protein was detected in the follicular fluid and the conditioned medium of cultured ovarian GCs by immunoblot analysis. When subconfluent GCs were cultured and treated with FSH and activin, coincubation with FSH and activin markedly increased GC expression of Cyp19a1 (aromatase) mRNA and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) secretion. The addition of recombinant murine IGFBP7 to these cultures decreased in the activin-enhanced, FSH-stimulated Cyp19a1 mRNA levels in the cells and suppressed the 17beta-E(2) levels in the culture medium. Treatment of GCs with Igfbp7-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), which knocked down Igfbp7 expression, increased the FSH-stimulated levels of Cyp19a1 but not Cyp11a1 expression. Basal and FSH-stimulated 17beta-E(2) secretion into the culture medium was also enhanced by Igfbp7 siRNA. These results suggest that IGFBP7 suppresses estrogen production in GCs. These observations support the notion that this protein, which is secreted into the follicular fluid, may serve as an intraovarian factor that negatively regulates GC differentiation.     

Urinary Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) ? Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 7 (IGFBP7) Predicts Adverse Outcome in Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury

Background

The G1 cell cycle inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) have been identified as promising biomarkers for the prediction of adverse outcomes including renal replacement therapy (RRT) and mortality in critically ill adult patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the prognostic value of urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 in neonatal and pediatric AKI for adverse outcome has not been investigated yet.

Methods

The product of the urinary concentration of TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 ([TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7]) was assessed by a commercially available immunoassay (NephroCheck^™) in a prospective cohort study in 133 subjects aged 0–18 years including 46 patients with established AKI according to pRIFLE criteria, 27 patients without AKI (non-AKI group I) and 60 apparently healthy neonates and children (non-AKI group II). AKI etiologies were: dehydration/hypovolemia (n = 7), hemodynamic instability (n = 7), perinatal asphyxia (n = 9), septic shock (n = 7), typical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS; n = 5), interstitial nephritis (n = 5), vasculitis (n = 4), nephrotoxic injury (n = 1) and renal vein thrombosis (n = 1).

Results

When AKI patients were classified into pRIFLE criteria, 6/46 (13%) patients fulfilled the criteria for the category “Risk”, 13/46 (28%) for “Injury”, 26/46 (57%) for “Failure” and 1/46 (2%) for “Loss”. Patients in the “Failure” stage had a median 3.7-fold higher urinary [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] compared to non-AKI subjects (P<0.001). When analyzed for AKI etiology, highest [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] values were found in patients with septic shock (P<0.001 vs. non-AKI I+II). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses in the AKI group revealed good performance of [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] in predicting 30-day (area under the curve (AUC) 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61–0.97) and 3-month mortality (AUC 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67–0.99) and moderate performance in predicting RRT (AUC 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50–0.84).

Conclusions

This study shows that urinary [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] has a good diagnostic performance in predicting adverse outcomes in neonatal and pediatric AKI of heterogeneous etiology.     

Circulating cell-free DNA of methylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 predicts a poor prognosis in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

The initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistage process involving a variety of changes at the gene level. Methylation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) plays a crucial role in HCC development. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) expression, and IGFBP7 methylation, and to evaluate the prognostic value of serum IGFBP7 methylation status in patients with HCC after hepatectomy. We enrolled 155 patients with HCC undergoing surgical resection. The IGFBP7 methylation status, DNMTs mRNA levels and malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XOD), reduced glutathione hormone (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferases (GST) levels were detected. MDA and XOD levels were significantly higher in IGFBP7 methylated group than unmethylated group, while GSH level was lower in methylated group than unmethylated group. The DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA levels were higher in IGFBP7 methylated group than unmethylated group. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis revealed that IGFBP7 promoter methylation was significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) (p?IGFBP7 methylation was an independent prognostic predictor for OS (p?=?.000) and early tumour recurrence (ETR) (p?=?.008) in HCC after hepatectomy. Our results indicated that IGFBP7 promoter methylation was associated with oxidative stress and DNMTs expression. Meanwhile, IGFBP7 promoter methylation was associated with OS and ETR, indicating that it might serve as a potentially independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.     

A Novel Role of IGFBP7 in Mouse Uterus: Regulating Uterine Receptivity through Th1/Th2 Lymphocyte Balance and Decidualization

Previously we have screened out Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (IGFBP7) as a differentially expressed gene in post-implantation uterus versus pre-implantation uterus by suppressive subtractive hybridation. However its function in uterus was not clearly identified. In this research, the expression and function of IGFBP7 during post-implantation were studied. We found that IGFBP7 was mainly located in the glandular epithelium and the stroma, and was upregulated after embryo implantation. The vector pCR3.1-IGFBP7-t expressing partial IGFBP7 was constructed. Inhibition of IGFBP7 by specific DNA immunization induced significant reduction of implanted embryos and pregnancy rate. The number of implanted embryos (5.68±0.46) was significantly reduced after immunization with pCR3.1-IGFBP7-t, as compared with that of the mice immunized with the control vector (12.29±0.36) or saline (14.58±0.40) (p<0.01). After specific inhibition of IGFBP7, the T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokine IFNγ, was significantly elevated (p<0.05) and the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, were reduced in uteri (p<0.05). The increase of Tbet and the decrease of Gata3 were found in mice peripheral lymphocytes by flow cytometry. The expression of decidualization marker IGFBP1 and angiogenesis regulator VEGF were declined in uteri (p<0.05). The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, caspase3 and Bcl-2, were also declined (p<0.05). These results showed that inhibition of IGFBP7 induced pregnancy failure by shifting uterine cytokines to Th1 type dominance and repressing uterine decidualization.     

Angiotensin-(1–7) in Paraventricular Nucleus Modulates Sympathetic Activity and Cardiac Sympathetic Afferent Reflex in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats

Background

Excessive sympathetic activity contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of hypertension. Enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is involved in sympathetic activation. This study was designed to determine the roles of angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in modulating sympathetic activity and CSAR and its signal pathway in renovascular hypertension.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Renovascular hypertension was induced with two-kidney, one-clip method. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in sinoaortic-denervated and cervical-vagotomized rats with anesthesia. CSAR was evaluated with the RSNA and MAP responses to epicardial application of capsaicin. PVN microinjection of Ang-(1–7) and cAMP analogue db-cAMP caused greater increases in RSNA and MAP, and enhancement in CSAR in hypertensive rats than in sham-operated rats, while Mas receptor antagonist A-779 produced opposite effects. There was no significant difference in the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity and Ang-(1–7) level in the PVN between sham-operated rats and hypertensive rats, but the Mas receptor protein expression in the PVN was increased in hypertensive rats. The effects of Ang-(1–7) were abolished by A-779, adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor Rp-cAMP. SQ22536 or Rp-cAMP reduced RSNA and MAP in hypertensive rats, and attenuated the CSAR in both sham-operated and hypertensive rats.

Conclusions

Ang-(1–7) in the PVN increases RSNA and MAP and enhances the CSAR, which is mediated by Mas receptors. Endogenous Ang-(1–7) and Mas receptors contribute to the enhanced sympathetic outflow and CSAR in renovascular hypertension. A cAMP-PKA pathway is involved in the effects of Ang-(1–7) in the PVN.     

Identification of pulmonary surfactant that bears intestinal-type and tissue-nonspecific-type alkaline phosphatase in endotoxin-induced rat bronchoalveolar fluid

The characteristics of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced alkaline phosphatase (AP) isozymes on the various pulmonary surfactant subtypes were investigated. We used continuous sucrose-gradient centrifugation to separate surfactant into subtypes. The density of each surfactant subtype isolated from LPS-instilled rats was greater than that of the subtypes from the control rats; and the proportion of light surfactant was lower, thereby decreasing the ratio of light to heavy surfactant. The results of an inhibition study revealed the main AP isozyme in bronchoalveolar fluid (BAF) to be tissue-nonspecific AP (TNAP), but some of the activity was characteristic of intestinal-type AP (IAP). IAP, in addition to TNAP and surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A), was detected on heavy surfactant, and LPS induced both APs. To examine the expression of IAP in the lungs, we prepared primers to detect the cDNAs of two types of rat IAP mRNA, IAP-I and -II, and amplified their cDNAs. LPS instillation induced IAP-I mRNA, but not IAP-II mRNA or TNAP mRNA. Immunohistochemical localization of IAP and TNAP revealed reaction products for both in type II cells. The present study thus demonstrated that, in rats, type II cells produce both IAP and TNAP and that these surfactants bearing AP isozymes are secreted into the alveolar space following induction by intratracheal instillation of LPS.     

Differential regulation of diacylglycerol kinase isozymes in cardiac hypertrophy

To examine the involvement of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) and phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) in pressure overloaded cardiac hypertrophy, rats were subjected to either ascending aortic banding for 3, 7, and 28 days or sham operation. In comparison with sham-operated rats, the left ventricular (LV) weight of the aortic-banded rats increased progressively. At 28 days after surgery, the expression of DGKepsilon mRNA but not DGKzeta or PAP2b mRNA in the LV myocardium significantly decreased in the aortic-banded rats compared with the sham-operated rats. DGKzeta protein in the LV myocardium translocated from the particulate to the cytosolic compartment in the aortic-banded rats. Furthermore, the myocardial content of 1,2-diacylglycerol and PKCdelta protein expression in the particulate fraction of the LV myocardium significantly increased in aortic-banded rats compared with sham-operated rats. These results suggest that DGKepsilon and DGKzeta play distinct roles in the development of pressure overloaded cardiac hypertrophy and that the two isozymes are differentially regulated.