Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics through Phosphorylation on Stathmin by Epstein-Barr Virus Kinase BGLF4

Stathmin is an important microtubule (MT)-destabilizing protein, and its activity is differently attenuated by phosphorylation at one or more of its four phosphorylatable serine residues (Ser-16, Ser-25, Ser-38, and Ser-63). This phosphorylation of stathmin plays important roles in mitotic spindle formation. We observed increasing levels of phosphorylated stathmin in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-harboring lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines during the EBV lytic cycle. These suggest that EBV lytic products may be involved in the regulation of stathmin phosphorylation. BGLF4 is an EBV-encoded kinase and has similar kinase activity to cdc2, an important kinase that phosphorylates serine residues 25 and 38 of stathmin during mitosis. Using an siRNA approach, we demonstrated that BGLF4 contributes to the phosphorylation of stathmin in EBV-harboring NPC. Moreover, we confirmed that BGLF4 interacts with and phosphorylates stathmin using an in vitro kinase assay and an in vivo two-dimensional electrophoresis assay. Interestingly, unlike cdc2, BGLF4 was shown to phosphorylate non-proline directed serine residues of stathmin (Ser-16) and it mediated phosphorylation of stathmin predominantly at serines 16, 25, and 38, indicating that BGLF4 can down-regulate the activity of stathmin. Finally, we demonstrated that the pattern of MT organization was changed in BGLF4-expressing cells, possibly through phosphorylation of stathmin. In conclusion, we have shown that a viral Ser/Thr kinase can directly modulate the activity of stathmin and this contributes to alteration of cellular MT dynamics and then may modulate the associated cellular processes.     

中枢多巴胺转运蛋白的结构功能与调控

中枢多巴胺 (ＤＡ)能系统信号传递决定于突触间隙ＤＡ的浓度水平。ＤＡ在完成神经信息传递后 ,通过重摄取和酶解二种途径灭活以终止信息传递。其中大部分ＤＡ为位于突触前膜上的中枢多巴胺转运蛋白 (ＤＡＴ)所摄取 ,转运至突触前神经元以备再次利用。近年来研究发现 ,ＤＡＴ并不只是简单地重摄取ＤＡ ,ＤＡＴ同时又是调控突触间隙ＤＡ水平和维系突触前ＤＡ合成、储存功能的关键因素[1] 。另外 ,ＤＡＴ还是许多精神药物潜在的作用靶位点。因此 ,研究ＤＡＴ结构、功能及其调控 ,有助于阐明ＤＡＴ与ＤＡ系统精神神经疾病的关系和探索治疗策略。…     

微管蛋白亲和力调节激酶4作为药物靶点的研究进展

微管蛋白亲和力调节激酶4（microtubule affinity-regulating kinase，MARK4）是丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶家族重要成员之一，主要功能是磷酸化微管结合蛋白（microtubule associated protein，MAP），进而导致MAP从微管中分离，从而改变细胞形状，促进细胞分裂，调控细胞周期等。研究表明，MARK4与微管束形成、神经系统发育和程序性细胞死亡等密切相关，并且参与多种疾病的发生，比如阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease，AD）、代谢紊乱、癌症以及心衰心梗等疾病，因此MARK4被认为是极具潜力的药物靶点。本文综述了MARK4的三维结构、生物学功能以及MARK4介导的相关疾病，并且总结了MARK4抑制剂的研究进展。     

Protein Kinase A Rescues Microtubule Affinity-regulating Kinase 2-induced Microtubule Instability and Neurite Disruption by Phosphorylating Serine 409

Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2 (MARK2)/PAR-1b and protein kinase A (PKA) are both involved in the regulation of microtubule stability and neurite outgrowth, but whether a direct cross-talk exists between them remains unclear. Here, we found the disruption of microtubule and neurite outgrowth induced by MARK2 overexpression was blocked by active PKA. The interaction between PKA and MARK2 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry both in vitro and in vivo. PKA was found to inhibit MARK2 kinase activity by phosphorylating a novel site, serine 409. PKA could not reverse the microtubule disruption effect induced by a serine 409 to alanine (Ala) mutant of MARK2 (MARK2 S409A). In contrast, mutation of MARK2 serine 409 to glutamic acid (Glu) (MARK2 S409E) did not affect microtubule stability and neurite outgrowth. We propose that PKA functions as an upstream inhibitor of MARK2 in regulating microtubule stability and neurite outgrowth by directly interacting and phosphorylating MARK2.     

The Structure, Function, and Regulation of Mycobacterium FtsZ

FtsZ is a widely distributed major cytoskeletal protein involved in the archaea and bacteria cell division. It is the most critical component in the division machinery and similar to tubulin in structure and function. Four major roles of FtsZ have been characterized: cell elongation, GTPase, cell division, and bacterial cytoskeleton. FtsZ subunits can be assembled into protofilaments. Mycobacteria consist of a large family of medical and environmental important bacteria, such as M. leprae, M. tuberculosis, the pathogen of leprosy, and tuberculosis. Structure, function, and regulation of mycobacteria FtsZ are summarized here, together with the implication of FtsZ as potential novel drug target for anti-tuberculosis therapeutics.     

蛋白激酶B(PKB/Akt)的结构、调控与功能

原癌基因编码的蛋白质丝/苏氨酸激酶PKB/Akt在细胞代谢、细胞存活、细胞周期调控、转录调控等多种生物学过程中发挥着重要作用。该文综述了PKB/Akt的结构、调控机制及功能。     

逆境胁迫诱导基因的结构、功能与表达调控

对有关逆境响应基因的最新进展作了一简要的综述.在逆境条件下,脱落酸(ABA)浓度增加,诱导许多新的基因表达及蛋白质合成.已克隆到几百种逆境响应基因,其中大多数可受外源ABA的诱导.对这些基因及蛋白质的功能已有所了解,认为它们可能与植物的抗逆能力有关.目前认为有多条信号传递途径参与胁迫信号的转导.     

蛋白磷酸酶2A的结构、功能和活性调节

蛋白磷酸酶 2A(proteinphosphatase 2A ,PP2A)是主要的丝 /苏氨酸蛋白磷酸酶 ,拥有众多不同基因编码的亚基 ,分别组成多种不同的PP2A全酶 ,参与细胞周期、DNA复制、信号转导、细胞分化和细胞恶性转化等多种细胞生物学事件 ,并和神经退行性疾病、肿瘤等多种疾病的发生、发展有关。PP2A调节亚基的组织特异性表达和细胞内定位 ,催化亚基羧基末端的磷酸化和甲基化 ,第二信使神经酰胺 (ceramide)、天然小分子抑制剂等都能够调节PP2A的活性。     

植物类受体胞质激酶的结构和功能

本文介绍植物类受体胞质激酶的结构及其在植物的抗病、抗逆、生长发育、自交不亲和、油菜素内酯信号转导等方面的功能。     

膜结合鸟苷酸激酶蛋白质家族的结构与功能

MAGUKs蛋白家族成员位于细胞表面,通过其PDZ、SH₃、GK结构域调节离子通道受体的聚集,构建细胞骨架,参与信号转导,调控细胞周期进程,并与机体神经发育密切相关.     

甲壳动物精氨酸激酶的结构与功能

精氨酸激酶（Arginine kinase）是调节无脊椎动物能量代谢的重要酶,在调节无脊椎动物体内磷酸精氨酸与ATP之间的能量平衡过程中具有重要作用。甲壳动物是节肢动物门内最重要的类群之一,并具有重要的经济价值。本文综述了甲壳动物体内精氨酸激酶的分子构象、表达变化及生理功能等方面的研究进展,为深入研究甲壳动物的能量代谢调控机制提供必要的参考。另外,文中对甲壳动物精氨酸激酶的重要性和研究中存在的问题进行了讨论。     

Structure,Regulation and Function of Gap Junctions in Liver

Abstract

Gap junctions are a specialized group of cell-to-cell junctions that mediate direct intercellular communication between cells. They arise from the interaction of two hemichannels of adjacent cells, which in turn are composed of six connexin proteins. In liver, gap junctions are predominantly found in hepatocytes and play critical roles in virtually all phases of the hepatic life cycle, including cell growth, differentiation, liver-specific functionality and cell death. Liver gap junctions are directed through a broad variety of mechanisms ranging from epigenetic control of connexin expression to post-translational regulation of gap junction activity. This paper reviews established and novel aspects regarding the architecture, control and functional relevance of liver gap junctions.     

微管骨架的动态特性及其调控

微管骨架是细胞骨架系统的主要组成成员,大多数微管的一个显著特征便是具有能够不断解聚、聚合的动态特性,这是微管骨架完成诸多生理功能的重要保证。本文着重介绍了有关微管的动态模型及其体内、体外组装的不同特点,并进一步探讨了生物体在各层次、各水平上对细胞内微管行为的调控。     

Structure and Function of the Hypertension Variant A486V of G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 4

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) bind to and phosphorylate GPCRs, initiating the process of GPCR desensitization and internalization. GRK4 is implicated in the regulation of blood pressure, and three GRK4 polymorphisms (R65L, A142V, and A486V) are associated with hypertension. Here, we describe the 2.6 Å structure of human GRK4α A486V crystallized in the presence of 5′-adenylyl β,γ-imidodiphosphate. The structure of GRK4α is similar to other GRKs, although slight differences exist within the RGS homology (RH) bundle subdomain, substrate-binding site, and kinase C-tail. The RH bundle subdomain and kinase C-terminal lobe form a strikingly acidic surface, whereas the kinase N-terminal lobe and RH terminal subdomain surfaces are much more basic. In this respect, GRK4α is more similar to GRK2 than GRK6. A fully ordered kinase C-tail reveals interactions linking the C-tail with important determinants of kinase activity, including the αB helix, αD helix, and the P-loop. Autophosphorylation of wild-type GRK4α is required for full kinase activity, as indicated by a lag in phosphorylation of a peptide from the dopamine D₁ receptor without ATP preincubation. In contrast, this lag is not observed in GRK4α A486V. Phosphopeptide mapping by mass spectrometry indicates an increased rate of autophosphorylation of a number of residues in GRK4α A486V relative to wild-type GRK4α, including Ser-485 in the kinase C-tail.     

The Structure,Regulation, and Function of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-13

Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is a proteolytic enzyme that belongs to a large family of extracellular matrix-degrading endopeptidases that are characterized by a zinc-binding motif at their catalytic sites. MMP-13 has a key role in the MMP activation cascade and appears to be critical in bone metabolism and homeostasis. It also has an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. This commentary provides a detailed overview of the regulatory mechanisms, structure, and function of human MMP-13 and highlights the key factors involved in the biology of this important molecule.     

蛋白激酶Cα相互作用蛋白的结构与功能

蛋白激酶Cα相互作用蛋白（protein interacting with Cα kinase,PICK1）是蛋白激酶Cox（protein kinase Cα,PKCα）的靶蛋白之一,也是在PKCα和突触后膜受体蛋白间起重要作用的衔接蛋白。PICK1分别由PDZ结构域、BAR结构域以及卷曲螺旋区和酸性氨基酸区组成。PICK1中的PDZ结构域和受体蛋白、转运蛋白、衔接蛋白的相互作用报道较多,BAR结构域则与支架蛋白、质膜等相互作用。PICK1在突触可塑性、神经递质传递、外周神经感觉、细胞生长和黏连等方面发挥重要作用。本文对PICK1的结构和功能进行综述。     

钙/钙调蛋白依赖性丝氨酸蛋白激酶的结构和功能

钙/钙调蛋白依赖性丝氨酸蛋白激酶(calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase, CASK)属于膜相关鸟苷酸激酶（membrane associated guanylate kinase, MAGUK）家族.CASK具有多个不同蛋白质结合结构域，在细胞膜的特定区域，与其他蛋白质形成多种蛋白质复合体，参与组成细胞骨架.它通过衔接细胞外信号蛋白和细胞内骨架蛋白，协助功能蛋白质的转运和定位，以及细胞内的信号传递.此外CASK还可以进入细胞核影响基因转录调控，以及作用在神经突触膜上参与神经递质的释放.     

A Conspicuous Connection: Structure Defines Function for the Phosphatidylinositol-Phosphate Kinase Family

ABSTRACT

The phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) kinases are a unique family of enzymes that generate an assortment of lipid messengers, including the pivotal second messenger phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P₂). While members of the PIP kinase family function by catalyzing a similar phosphorylation reaction, the specificity loop of each PIP kinase subfamily determines substrate preference and partially influences distinct subcellular targeting. Specific protein-protein interactions that are unique to particular isoforms or splice variants play a key role in targeting PIP kinases to appropriate subcellular compartments to facilitate the localized generation of PI4,5P₂ proximal to effectors, a mechanism key for the function of PI4,5P₂ as a second messenger. This review documents the discovery of the PIP kinases and their signaling products, and summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the localized generation of PI4,5P₂ by PIP kinases for the regulation of cellular events including actin cytoskeleton dynamics, vesicular trafficking, cell migration, and an assortment of nuclear events.