快速高效检测植物体内蛋白泛素化修饰研究方法

UPS参与植物中绝大多数的信号转导通路。其中, 一些激素的受体本身就是E3泛素连接酶, 如茉莉酸(JA)受体COI1和生长素(auxin)受体TIR1都是F-box蛋白, 它们通过特异性介导相应转录抑制子的泛素化降解来传递激素信号, 但对于整个UPS体系而言, 由于技术的限制, 迄今为止仅见少量泛素连接酶与特异性底物间生化机制的报道。用大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)表达蛋白实施泛素连接酶泛素化修饰底物的体外实验是验证泛素连接酶/底物对的常用方法, 但由于体外实验缺乏某些蛋白必需的转录后修饰, 导致实验结果有时存在假阴性。利用农杆菌注射烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)瞬时表达蛋白的方法, 建立高效的植物体内检测蛋白泛素化系统, 可以快速检测蛋白泛素化, 包括检测泛素连接酶和底物的特异性相互作用、底物蛋白的自身泛素化、泛素连接酶对底物降解的促进作用、26S蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对底物降解的抑制作用以及用植物内源表达蛋白进行体外泛素化反应。     

植物蛋白的体外泛素化检测方法

泛素激活酶(E1)、泛素耦联酶(E2)和泛素连接酶(E3)是蛋白质泛素化修饰的关键酶。在真核基因组上有大量基因编码这些泛素化相关的酶类或蛋白。检测这些泛素化修饰酶及其底物蛋白的生化特性和特异性是分析其生物学功能的重要内容。该文提供了一种简便快速检测体外泛素化反应的方法, 不仅可通过检测对DTT敏感的硫酯键的形成来判断E2的活性、检测E3的体外泛素化活性, 而且可以检测E2-E3和E3-底物的特异性。所用蛋白主要来源于拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana), 包括分属于绝大多数E2亚家族的成员, 可用于不同RING类型E3的活性检测。该方法不仅可以采用多种E2进行E3活性分析, 而且可以分析不同组合的E2-RING E3、RING E3-底物的泛素化活性等, 亦可应用于真核生物蛋白质尤其是植物蛋白的体外泛素化活性分析。     

植物蛋白的体外泛素化检测方法

泛素激活酶(E1)、泛素耦联酶(E2)和泛素连接酶(E3)是蛋白质泛素化修饰的关键酶。在真核基因组上有大量基因编码这些泛素化相关的酶类或蛋白。检测这些泛素化修饰酶及其底物蛋白的生化特性和特异性是分析其生物学功能的重要内容。该文提供了一种简便快速检测体外泛素化反应的方法, 不仅可通过检测对DTT敏感的硫酯键的形成来判断E2的活性、检测E3的体外泛素化活性, 而且可以检测E2-E3和E3-底物的特异性。所用蛋白主要来源于拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana), 包括分属于绝大多数E2亚家族的成员, 可用于不同RING类型E3的活性检测。该方法不仅可以采用多种E2进行E3活性分析, 而且可以分析不同组合的E2-RING E3、RING E3-底物的泛素化活性等, 亦可应用于真核生物蛋白质尤其是植物蛋白的体外泛素化活性分析。     

非经典泛素化的研究进展

泛素化是真核生物最普遍最重要的翻译后修饰之一,控制基因转录表达、细胞生长死亡、分子运输、代谢、发育和免疫反应等大多数生理过程。经典泛素系统的通路和机制越来越明晰,同时非经典的泛素化也逐渐被发现。本文将对经典泛素系统进行简单回顾,并且对非蛋白底物泛素化、非赖氨酸位点泛素化、非经典E3泛素连接酶等最新非经典泛素化进行阐述。     

鱼类和哺乳类RLR介导的抗病毒免疫反应的泛素化修饰调控

RLR[retinoic acid-inducible gene Ⅰ(RIG-Ⅰ)-like Receptors]是一类表达在胞浆中的模式识别受体, 在识别细胞质中经病毒复制产生的病毒RNA后, 启动一系列信号级联反应, 以诱导机体Ⅰ型干扰素及干扰素诱导的抗病毒基因的表达, 最后达到清除机体病毒感染的目的。由于在病毒感染时机体干扰素反应必须迅速启动, 当病毒清除后干扰素反应又需要立即恢复到正常本底水平, 因此RLR激活的信号转导途径受到了严格的调控, 其中就包括由E3泛素连接酶参与的泛素化修饰调控和由去泛素化酶参与的去泛素化修饰调控。自2003年成功鉴定出鱼类干扰素基因以来, 鱼类也被发现具有保守的RLR信号转导途径诱导干扰素抗病毒免疫反应, 该信号途径同样受到泛素化修饰的调控。文章总结了近年来泛素化修饰在哺乳类和鱼类RLR介导的抗病毒免疫应答通路中的调节机制。     

泛素连接酶和去泛素化酶在帕金森病中的作用

中脑黑质多巴胺能神经元特异性损伤和α突触核蛋白聚集的分子机制是帕金森病（Parkinson’s disease,PD）研究领域亟待解决的问题。蛋白质异常聚集很大程度上是由于泛素-蛋白酶体系统（ubiquitin-proteasome system,UPS）功能障碍引起的。蛋白质泛素化由一系列泛素化酶级联反应促进，并受去泛素化酶（deubiquitylases,DUBs）的反向调节。泛素化和去泛素化过程异常导致蛋白质异常聚集和包涵体形成，进而损伤神经元。近来研究报道，蛋白质的泛素化和去泛素化修饰在PD的发病机制中发挥重要作用。E3泛素连接酶促进蛋白质的泛素化，有利于α突触核蛋白的清除、促进多巴胺能神经元的存活、维持线粒体的功能等。DUBs可以去掉底物蛋白质的泛素化修饰，抑制α突触核蛋白的降解，调控线粒体的功能和神经元内铁的稳态。本文以E3泛素连接酶和DUBs为切入点，综述了蛋白质泛素化和去泛素化修饰参与多巴胺能神经元损伤机制的最新研究进展。     

病原菌效应因子调控宿主泛素化修饰的研究进展北大核心

泛素化(ubiquitination)是真核细胞内广泛存在的蛋白质翻译后修饰方式,参与并调控DNA修复、细胞周期、免疫应答、信号通路等真核细胞内几乎所有的生命活动。同时,细胞通过去泛素化酶(deubiquitinases,DUBs)使泛素化修饰成为可逆过程,保证了泛素化系统及其相关生理过程的动态平衡。病原菌感染过程中,宿主细胞可通过泛素化修饰发挥抗细菌感染作用。然而,病原菌可编码并分泌效应因子,靶向宿主泛素(ubiquitin,Ub)系统并调控宿主泛素化修饰过程,干扰宿主细胞的免疫应答,从而促进细菌存活与毒力。本文概述了重要病原菌利用效应因子调控宿主细胞泛素化修饰的研究进展,有助于全面理解病原菌调控宿主泛素化修饰促进感染的机制。     

泛素化在植物抗病中的作用

泛素化作为植物体内一种广泛存在的调控细胞反应的机制,参与调控植物抗病反应。本文综述了泛素化系统在植物抗病反应中的功能及作用机制,重点介绍了CRLs型E3泛素连接酶和RING/U-box型E3泛素连接酶如何参与调控植物抗病信号途径,以及病原物通过效应蛋白和毒性因子调控植物抗病性的分子机理,为阐明植物抗病机理和植物病害防治方法提供参考。     

泛素连接酶SMURF1催化ADAR1的多聚泛素化修饰

既往研究发现,SMAD特异性E3泛素蛋白连接酶1(SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1,SMURF1)通过其E3泛素连接酶活性介导自噬进程,然而SMURF1的泛素化底物蛋白质仍有待进一步挖掘。本文利用免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)联合蛋白质谱分析捕获并鉴定THP-1细胞中SMURF1的相互作用蛋白质集合物,发现在THP-1细胞中SMURF1可与222种蛋白质物理性结合,RNA腺苷脱氨酶1(adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1,ADAR1)具有较高的肽段结合分数。构建SMURF1过表达载体并转染到HEK-293T细胞中,Co-IP和Western印迹检测验证外源性SMURF1与内源性ADAR1存在相互作用。qRT-PCR和Western印迹检测结果显示,在HEK-293T细胞中过表达SMURF1后ADAR1 mRNA水平差异无统计学意义、蛋白质水平明显降低(P<0.05)。用放线菌酮(CHX)分别处理正常和过表达SMURF1的HEK-293T细胞,Western印迹检测显示,过表达SMURF1后ADAR1...     

泛素化修饰调控脱落酸介导的信号途径

泛素化修饰是一种重要的蛋白质翻译后修饰,通过调节蛋白的活性和稳定性等影响其功能的发挥,在真核生物的生命过程中具有非常重要的作用。泛素化修饰通过精细地调控植物激素脱落酸(abscisic acid, ABA)的合成和信号转导过程的关键因子,影响植物对ABA的响应,参与植物生长发育过程及对干旱、盐和冷胁迫等不良环境的应答。本文概述了植物中泛素化修饰的相关组分(包括泛素连接酶E3、泛素结合酶E2、26S蛋白酶体)和内膜运输相关蛋白,以及这些蛋白调控ABA合成和信号转导过程的最新研究进展,提出该研究领域需要解决的新问题,以期为相关领域的科研人员进一步了解翻译后修饰如何调控激素信号的转导途径提供参考。     

一个新的与泛素化有关的蛋白家族——TRIM家族

TRIM家族是一个结构保守、进化快速的蛋白家族,它参与了细胞凋亡、周期调控、细胞对病毒的应答等重要的生命过程。结构上的保守预示着TRIM家族可能是以一种共同的机制参与各种生命过程的。最近的一些研究显示TRIM家族可能是一类新的RING指泛素连接酶。     

萤火素酶互补实验检测蛋白互作

蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用在真核生物的各项生命活动中发挥重要作用。与其它蛋白质互作研究技术相比,借助于烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)瞬时表达系统的萤火素酶互补实验(LCA)具有简单、灵敏、可靠、高效和低背景等优点,并可轻松扩展为大规模蛋白质互作的筛选和验证研究。该文介绍了萤火素酶互补实验的具体操作过程,通过2种数据收集方法来定性并定量分析生物发光或发光强度,从而检测植物目标蛋白之间的相互作用。     

蛋白质SUMO化和泛素化修饰的关系

泛素化和SUMO化是蛋白质翻译后修饰的重要方式,广泛参与调节蛋白质功能和细胞生命活动各个环节。多聚泛素化降解蛋白质,而SUMO化主要调节蛋白质的相互作用和定位等。在不同情况下,SUMO化和泛素化既可协同调节蛋白质功能,也可相互拮抗。最近研究发现,某些底物的SUMO化能够激活体内一类新发现的SUMO依赖的泛素连接酶,启动泛素-蛋白酶体途径降解底物,导致蛋白质SUMO化和汔素化的关系进一步精细化和复杂化。     

An efficient system to detect protein ubiquitination by agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana

The ubiquitination proteasome pathway has been demonstrated to regulate all plant developmental and signaling processes. E3 ligase/substrate‐specific interactions and ubiquitination play important roles in this pathway. However, due to technical limitations only a few instances of E3 ligase–substrate binding and protein ubiquitination in plants have been directly evidenced. An efficient in vivo and in vitro ubiquitination assay was developed for analysis of protein ubiquitination reactions by agroinfiltration expression of both substrates and E3 ligases in Nicotiana benthamiana. Using a detailed analysis of the well‐known E3 ligase COP1 and its substrate HY5, we demonstrated that this assay allows for fast and reliable detection of the specific interaction between the substrate and the E3 ligase, as well as the effects of MG132 and substrate ubiquitination and degradation. We were able to differentiate between the original and ubiquitinated forms of the substrate in vivo with antibodies to ubiquitin or to the target protein. We also demonstrated that the substrate and E3 ligase proteins expressed by agroinfiltration can be applied to analyze ubiquitination in in vivo or in vitro reactions. In addition, we optimized the conditions for different types of substrate and E3 ligase expression by supplementation with the gene‐silencing suppressor p19 and by time‐courses of sample collection. Finally, by testing different protein extraction buffers, we found that different types of buffer should be used for different ubiquitination analyses. This method should be adaptable to other protein modification studies.     

Ubiquitination of RhoA by Smurf1 promotes neurite outgrowth

The Rho-family of small GTPases consists of essential regulators of neurite outgrowth, axonal pathfinding, and dendritic arborization. Previous work has demonstrated in non-neuronal cell types that Smurf1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates cell polarity and protrusive activity via PKCzeta-dependent recruitment to cellular protrusion sites, and subsequent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of RhoA. In this study, we show that Smurf1 enhances neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells. We demonstrate that RhoA is ubiquitinated, and that Smurf1 and RhoA physically interact in vivo. Interestingly, Smurf1 overexpression in Neuro2a cells dramatically reduces RhoA protein levels during dibutyric cyclic AMP, but not retinoic acid induced neurite outgrowth. This Smurf1-dependent reduction in RhoA protein levels was abrogated using the general proteasome inhibitor MG132, suggesting that RhoA is targeted for ubiquitination and degradation via Smurf1. Together, our data suggest that localized regulation of different subsets of Rho GTPases by specific guidance signals results in an intracellular asymmetry of RhoA activity, which could regulate neurite outgrowth and guidance.     

Role of Ubiquitin Protein Ligases in the Pathogenesis of Polyglutamine Diseases

The accumulation of intracellular protein deposits as inclusion bodies is the common pathological hallmark of most age related neurodegenerative disorders including polyglutamine diseases. Appearances of aggregates of the misfolded mutant disease proteins suggest that the cells are unable to efficiently degrade them, and failure of clearance leads to the severe disturbances of the cellular quality control system. The quality control ubiquitin ligases are now increasingly implicated in the biology of polyglutamine diseases, Parkinson’s diseases, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Here we review the recent studies that have revealed a critical role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in understanding the pathogenesis of polyglutamine diseases.     

In vivo electroporation and ubiquitin promoter--a protocol for sustained gene expression in the lung

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy applications require safe and efficient methods for gene transfer. Present methods are restricted by low efficiency and short duration of transgene expression. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has evolved as an efficient method in recent years. We present a protocol involving electroporation combined with a long-acting promoter system for gene transfer to the lung. METHODS: The study was designed to evaluate electroporation-mediated gene transfer to the lung and to analyze a promoter system that allows prolonged transgene expression. A volume of 250 microl of purified plasmid DNA suspended in water was instilled into the left lung of anesthetized rats, followed by left thoracotomy and electroporation of the exposed left lung. Plasmids pCiKlux and pUblux expressing luciferase under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter/enhancer (CMV-IEPE) or human polyubiquitin c (Ubc) promoter were used. Electroporation conditions were optimized with four pulses (200 V/cm, 20 ms at 1 Hz) using flat plate electrodes. The animals were sacrificed at different time points up to day 40, after gene transfer. Gene expression was detected and quantified by bioluminescent reporter imaging (BLI) and relative light units per milligram of protein (RLU/mg) was measured by luminometer for p.Pyralis luciferase and immunohistochemistry, using an anti-luciferase antibody. RESULTS: Gene expression with the CMV-IEPE promoter was highest 24 h after gene transfer (2932+/-249.4 relative light units (RLU)/mg of total lung protein) and returned to baseline by day 3 (382+/-318 RLU/mg of total lung protein); at day 5 no expression was detected, whereas gene expression under the Ubc promoter was detected up to day 40 (1989+/-710 RLU/mg of total lung protein) with a peak at day 20 (2821+/-2092 RLU/mg of total lung protein). Arterial blood gas (PaO2), histological assessment and cytokine measurements showed no significant toxicity neither at day 1 nor at day 40. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that in vivo electroporation is a safe and effective tool for non-viral gene delivery to the lungs. If this method is used in combination with a long-acting promoter system, sustained transgene expression can be achieved.