急性白血病细胞中JAK/STAT5和PI3K/AKT信号通路对eIF4B的协同调控作用

人类急性白血病 (Acute leukemia,AL) 是一类造血干细胞异常的克隆性恶性疾病。在临床上,急性白血病由于发病急、病程短等原因使其非常难以治愈。已有研究表明,慢性白血病的发生与真核转译起始因子4B (Eukaryotic initiation factor 4B,eIF4B) 的活化密切相关,但是其在急性白血病发生中的作用尚不明确。为了探究eIF4B在急性白血病发生中的作用及其机理,利用PI3K抑制剂LY294002、AKT抑制剂AKTi以及Pim抑制剂SMI-4A特异性地分别阻断JAK/STAT5/Pim和PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路,检测这两条信号通路下游共同靶标分子eIF4B的磷酸化水平。研究发现,阻断一条信号通路可明显降低eIF4B的磷酸化水平,而同时阻断两条信号通路能够更为显著地降低eIF4B活性并以一种协同作用的方式诱导细胞发生凋亡。进一步通过检测细胞凋亡和裸鼠致瘤实验,发现干扰eIF4B表达抑制了急性白血病细胞的存活及其在裸鼠体内的肿瘤形成。此外,敲低eIF4B可显著降低抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和Bcl-XL的蛋白表达水平。综上所述,在急性白血病细胞中eIF4B的活性受JAK/STAT5/Pim与PI3K/AKT/mTOR两条信号通路的共同调控,进而通过影响Bcl-2和Bcl-XL的表达发挥抗细胞凋亡作用,并促进急性白血病细胞介导的肿瘤生长。此研究有利于深入了解急性白血病的发生发展机制,为该病的靶向治疗提供理论指导。     

FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠模型的构建

目的:构建FKBP38(FK506 Binding Protein 38)基因肝脏特异敲除小鼠。方法:利用胚胎注射法构建在FKBP38上携带lox P位点的转基因小鼠。在FKBP38基因位置携带lox P位点的小鼠的基础上,以肝脏实质细胞特异性表达的Alb-Cre介导FKBP38条件性敲除,以获得FKBP38基因肝脏特异敲除小鼠模型Alb-Cre:FKBP38~(fl/fl)。同时对FKBP38特异性敲除鼠进行鉴定。结果:(1)FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠FKBP38~(-/-)肝脏中FKBP38基因的m RNA水平相对于同年龄同窝野生型小鼠具有统计学差异(P0.001)。(2)FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠FKBP38~(-/-)肝脏中FKBP38基因的蛋白表达水平相对于同年龄同窝野生型小鼠具有统计学差异(P0.001)。(3)FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠FKBP38~(-/-)肝脏中,转录和翻译相关蛋白水平未见显著差异,p70 S6K的磷酸化水平轻微上调,4EBP-1的磷酸化水平有轻微下调。(4)FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠FKBP38~(-/-)肝脏中,凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2未见差异化表达。结论:FKBP38肝脏特异敲除小鼠FKBP38~(-/-)肝脏中,FKBP38基因的m RNA和蛋白基本不表达,提示成功构建FKBP38基因肝脏特异敲除小鼠。     

白血病抑制因子与哺乳动物的胚胎着床(英文)

胚胎着床是处于活化状态的胚泡与处于接受态的子宫相互作用,最后导致胚胎滋养层与子宫内膜建立紧密联系的过程。已证实白血病抑制因子(LIF)在哺乳动物胚胎着床过程中起着十分重要的调节作用。LIF通过其受体及信号传递亚单位gp130发挥其生物学功能。LIF对胚胎发育到胚泡阶段及以后内细胞团和滋养层细胞的生长和分化有明显的促进作用。 在小鼠中,LIF及其受体和gp130在着床期小鼠子宫内表达量最高,因此LIF可能在小鼠胚胎着床过程中起重要作用。在人中,LIF在子宫内膜中的表达与人胚胎着床的时间一致,提示LIF可能与人的胚胎着床紧密相关。此外,LIF在猪、羊、水貂、兔和臭鼬等动物胚泡着床前和着床期的子宫中也都有表达,并在着床期出现峰值。因此,LIF也可能在这些动物的胚胎发育和着床过程中有重要作用。LIF受体基因敲除小鼠表现为胎盘发育不全,这说明LIF对小鼠胎盘形成和胎盘的功能维持起重要作用。 小鼠子宫中LIF的表达可能受雌激素而上调。美洲长尾猴(绒)及兔子宫中LIF的表达则呈孕酮依赖性。然而孕酮可抑制人着床期子宫内膜腺上皮和蜕膜组织内LIF的表达。在不同种类的动物中,LIF在子宫中的表达有不同的调节机制。 胚泡在LIF基因敲除的雌鼠子宫内不能着床的原因并不是由于胚泡发育异常,而是由于雌鼠不能表     

PDCD4在炎症和肿瘤中的作用和机制

程序性细胞死亡因子4(programmed cell death 4, PDCD4)是在研究细胞凋亡机制中克隆出来的新基因.后来发现PDCD4广泛表达于多种组织和器官,但是在多种肿瘤中表达缺失或低表达,恢复PDCD4表达可明显抑制肿瘤的生长或迁移侵袭,是一种新的抑癌基因.进一步研究发现PDCD4不仅发挥抑癌基因的作用,而且参与炎性疾病的发生和发展,它是一把"双刃剑",在不同的疾病模型中表现出促进或抑制的作用,研究表明PDCD4敲除小鼠(Mus musculus)可以有效抵抗实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎、1型糖尿病、肥胖及动脉粥样硬化等慢性炎性疾病的发生,而PDCD4敲除后加重LPS(lipopolysaccharide)诱导的急性肝损伤和DSS(Dextran sulfate sodium salt)诱导的急性结肠炎. PDCD4的作用机制尚不完全清楚,目前认为PDCD4对下游靶基因的调控主要通过两种方式:翻译起始因子eIF4A依赖性和非依赖性的方式. eIF4A依赖性方式是指PDCD4通过与eIF4A直接相互作用抑制其解旋酶活性,进而抑制具有特定5′UTR结构m RNA的翻译; eIF4A非依赖方式是指PDCD4可以通过与其他蛋白质(如转录因子)结合,抑制其活性或干扰其磷酸化进而调控靶基因的转录及其下游一系列信号通路.本文对PDCD4的作用和机制进行综述,并对其成为肿瘤和多种疾病治疗的新靶点进行展望.     

Gm2052基因在小鼠胚胎发育中表达的初步研究

目的:研究预测的编码蛋白基因Gm2052在小鼠胚胎发育阶段的表达模式,为进一步了解该基因的功能奠定基础。方法:通过全胚胎原位杂交技术、组织切片原位杂交技术及半定量RT-PCR方法,对预测的Gm2052基因在小鼠胚胎发育中后期及在新生小鼠中的表达情况进行初步分析。结果:全胚胎原位杂交显示,在E10.5小鼠胚胎中,Gm2052仅在脑中表达;当小鼠胚胎发育至E13.5时,Gm2052在脑、舌、肺、肝脏、胰腺等组织中均有表达。半定量RT-PCR结果显示,在小鼠胚胎中后期(E15.5和E18.5)及新生小鼠(出生后第9 d)中,Gm2052呈动态表达模式。结论:预测基因Gm2052与小鼠脑的发育密切相关,并可能参与小鼠肺、肝脏及胰腺等主要脏器胚期的发育。     

eIF4A在帽依赖和IRES介导的翻译起始中的作用

生物体内翻译起始机制分为两类：帽依赖性翻译起始和内部核糖体进入位点(internal ribosome entry sites, IRES)介导的翻译起始。真核生物的翻译起始为经典的帽依赖性翻译起始模型,而大多数正链RNA病毒选择依赖于IRES的翻译机制。真核翻译起始因子4A (eukaryotic initiation factor 4A, eIF4A)是DEAD-box RNA解旋酶家族的成员,具有依赖于RNA的ATP酶活性和RNA解旋酶活性,而e IF4A具体的解旋机制至今仍不清晰。同时,eIF4A与其他翻译因子有着复杂而紧密的联系,在帽依赖性与IRES介导的翻译起始过程中扮演着至关重要的角色。本文主要对eIF4A的功能、结构以及eIF4A在帽依赖性与IRES介导的翻译起始过程中的机制作一综述。     

Cdc25B蛋白过表达可使小鼠胚胎突破2-细胞期阻滞

目的：探讨Cdc25B蛋白过表达对小鼠2-细胞期胚胎发育的影响。方法：利用体外转录试剂盒将Cdc25B转录成mRNA,将mRNA显微注射入小鼠2-细胞期胚胎中,观察胚胎发育情况和卵裂率。用蛋白激酶活性测定方法和Western印迹分别检测Cdc25B蛋白过表达小鼠胚胎MPF的活性及Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态。结果：hCG后48 h,mRNA注射组有超过40%的2-细胞期胚胎分裂到4-细胞期而对照组仍停留在2-细胞期;激酶活性测定显示注射Cdc25B mRNA后,MPF的活性显著升高;Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态变化与激酶活性测定结果一致。结论：Cdc25B蛋白过表达可以激活有丝分裂促进因子（MPF）,从而使小鼠2-细胞期胚胎突破2-细胞期阻滞,发育到4-细胞期。     

Salubrinal对铜负荷诱导的PERK/eIF2α内质网应激信号通路介导肝细胞凋亡的干预作用

Wilson病是一种以肝损害为常见临床表现的常染色体隐性遗传铜代谢障碍性疾病,但铜蓄积导致的肝细胞损害的具体分子机制尚不明确。本研究拟采用硫酸铜模拟肝细胞铜负荷进行体外实验,选用Western印迹法测试铜负荷肝细胞内蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶(protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, PERK)及p-eIF2α蛋白质的表达;并探究特异性eIF2α磷酸化抑制剂Salubrinal对铜负荷诱导的肝细胞凋亡、胱天蛋白酶-3活性、C/EBP同源蛋白（C/EBP homologous protein, CHOP）mRNA转录的影响。选用流式细胞仪测试肝细胞凋亡率;比色法测试肝细胞内的胱天蛋白酶-3活性;Real-time PCR法检测肝细胞内CHOP mRNA转录水平。本研究结果显示: (1) 铜负荷显示出时间依赖性地增加肝细胞内PERK及p-eIF2α蛋白质表达(P<0.05, P<0.01)。(2)相比较对照组,铜负荷培养肝细胞24 h明显增加了肝细胞的凋亡率(P<0.01),增强了肝细胞内的胱天蛋白酶-3活性,促进肝细胞内CHOP mRNA的转录,加入特异性eIF2α磷酸化抑制剂Salubrinal后可抑制上述过程。(3)相比较对照组,铜负荷促进肝细胞PERK及p-eIF2α蛋白质表达,加入特异性eIF2α磷酸化抑制剂Salubrinal后,对铜负荷诱导的肝细胞PERK蛋白质表达无影响(P>0.05),但可显著抑制铜负荷诱导的肝细胞p-eIF2α蛋白质表达(P<0.01)。本研究结果提示,铜负荷可以诱发肝细胞内质网应激,铜负荷引起的肝细胞凋亡机制与激活内质网应激PERK/eIF2α信号通路密切相关, Salubrinal具有干预该信号通路作用,能够抑制铜负荷后肝细胞的凋亡。     

小鼠胚胎发育过程中Brachyury对Wnt信号通路的作用研究

Brachyury对调控小鼠胚胎发育起着至关重要的作用,缺乏Brachyury蛋白的小鼠胚胎不能正常发育。Wnt信号通路在小鼠胚胎发育中可控制胚胎的轴向发育等重要的生理过程,Brachyury可能通过与Wnt信号通路的相互作用导致短尾表型的产生。为了揭示Brachyury与Wnt信号通路相互作用关系,本研究制作了Brachyury突变小鼠,通过提取不同时期的胚胎并提取总RNA,经反转录进行qPCR检测Brachyury与Wnt信号通路相关成分的表达关系。结果显示,Brachyury、Axin2、Dkk1及Wnt3a的表达在突变胚胎和野生胚胎中的表达有显著差异。因此,Brachyury作为转录因子对上述Wnt信号通路成分的表达有调节作用,它们形成一个调控网络调控小鼠胚胎的正常发育。本研究为小鼠胚胎发育期间Brachyury (T)的功能作用提供了理论基础。     

RNA结合蛋白CELF4对小鼠早期胚胎发育的作用

目的 观察RNA结合蛋白CELF4在小鼠早期胚胎中的分布与表达,初步探讨CELF4对小鼠早期胚胎发育的作用.方法 利用免疫荧光和Real-Time PCR检测CELF4在小鼠早期胚胎中的定位和mRNA表达,利用显微注射技术在1-细胞胚中注入CELF4抗体,观察其对小鼠体外早期胚胎发育的影响,以及对2-细胞期ZGA标志基...     

The eIF2A knockout mouse

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2A (eIF2A) is a 65-kDa protein that was first identified in the early 1970s as a factor capable of stimulating initiator methionyl-tRNAi (Met-tRNA^Met_i) binding to 40S ribosomal subunits in vitro. However, in contrast to the eIF2, which stimulates Met-tRNA^Met_i binding to 40S ribosomal subunits in a GTP-dependent manner, eIF2A didn't reveal any GTP-dependence, but instead was found to direct binding of the Met-tRNA^Met_i to 40S ribosomal subunits in a codon-dependent manner. eIF2A appears to be highly conserved across eukaryotic species, suggesting conservation of function in evolution. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae eIF2A null mutant revealed no apparent phenotype, however, it was found that in yeast eIF2A functions as a suppressor of internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation. It was thus suggested that eIF2A my act by impinging on the expression of specific mRNAs. Subsequent studies in mammalian cell systems implicated eIF2A in non-canonical (non-AUG-dependent) translation initiation events involving near cognate UUG and CUG codons. Yet, the role of eIF2A in cellular functions remains largely enigmatic. As a first step toward characterization of the eIF2A function in mammalian systems in vivo, we have obtained homozygous eIF2A-total knockout (KO) mice, in which a gene trap cassette was inserted between eIF2A exons 1 and 2 disrupting expression of all exons downstream of the insertion. The KO mice strain is viable and to date displays no apparent phenotype. We believe that the eIF2A KO mice strain will serve as a valuable tool for researchers studying non-canonical initiation of translation in vivo.     

UsingGCN4as a Reporter of eIF2α Phosphorylation and Translational Regulation in Yeast

Molecular genetic analyses in yeast are a powerful method to study gene regulation. Conservation of the mechanism and regulation of protein synthesis between yeast and mammalian cells makes yeast a good model system for the analysis of translation. One of the most common mechanisms of translational regulation in mammalian cells is the phosphorylation of serine-51 on the α subunit of the translation initiation factor eIF2, which causes an inhibition of general translation. In contrast, in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaephosphorylation of eIF2α on serine-51 by theGCN2protein kinase mediates the translational induction ofGCN4expression. The unique structure of theGCN4mRNA makesGCN4expression especially sensitive to eIF2α phosphorylation, and the simple microbiological tests developed in yeast to analyzeGCN4expression serve as good reporters of eIF2α phosphorylation. It is relatively simple to express heterologous proteins in yeast, and it has been shown that the mammalian eIF2α kinases will functionally substitute forGCN2.Structure–function analyses of translation factors or translational regulators can also be performed by assaying for effects on general andGCN4-specific translation. Three tests can be used to study eIF2α phosphorylation and/or translational activity in yeast. First, general translation can be monitored by simple growth tests, whileGCN4expression can be analyzed using sensitive replica-plating tests. Second,GCN4translation can be quantitated by measuring expression fromGCN4–lacZreporter constructs. Finally, isoelectric focusing gels can be used to directly monitorin vivophosphorylation of eIF2α in yeast.     

Expression and Purification of the α-Subunit of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor eIF2: Use as a Kinase Substrate

The α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2 (eIF2α) plays an important role in the regulation of mRNA translation through modulation of the interaction of eIF2 and a second initiation factor, eIF2B. The interaction of the two proteins is regulatedin vivoby phosphorylation of eIF2α at Ser⁵¹. In the present study, rat eIF2α was expressed in Sf21 cells using the baculovirus expression system. The recombinant protein was purified to >90% homogeneity in a single immunoaffinity chromatographic step. The protein was free of endogenous eIF2α kinase activity and was rapidly phosphorylated by the eIF2α kinases HCR and PKR. A variant of eIF2α in which the phosphorylation site was changed to Ala was also expressed and purified. The variant eIF2α was not phosphorylated by either HCR or PKR, demonstrating that the kinases specifically phosphorylate the correct site in the recombinant protein even in the absence of the other two subunits of the protein. In summary, a rapid and inexpensive method for obtaining eIF2α has been developed. Use of the wildtype and variant forms of eIF2α to measure eIF2α kinase activity in cell and tissue extracts should greatly facilitate examination of the regulation of mRNA translation under a variety of conditions.     

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) expression in the brain tissue is induced by infusion of nerve growth factor into the mouse cisterna magnum: an in vivo study

In many cell types translation can be regulated by an expression of the translation initiation factor. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E, which binds to the 5′ cap structure of mRNA, plays an important role in translation regulation and it has been suggested that it is implicated in increased protein synthesis promoted by growth factors. In this study the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) infusion into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on eIF4E expression and phosphorylation in mouse brain tissue have been investigated. We investigated NGF as it is one of the most important growth factors and it is an important factor in cerebral cortical development, stimulating neuronal precursor proliferation. eIF4E level is also increased in response to infusion of NGF into the CSF. The present study shows that eIF4E is phosphorylated in the brain tissues treated with NGF. It is concluded that NGF regulates protein synthesis in the nervous tissue by enhancing expression and phosphorylation of eIF4E.     

Mitotic Phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4G1 (eIF4G1) at Ser1232 by Cdk1:Cyclin B Inhibits eIF4A Helicase Complex Binding with RNA

During mitosis, global translation is suppressed, while synthesis of proteins with vital mitotic roles must go on. Prior evidence suggests that the mitotic translation shift involves control of initiation. Yet, no signals specifically targeting translation initiation factors during mitosis have been identified. We used phosphoproteomics to investigate the central translation initiation scaffold and “ribosome adaptor,” eukaryotic initiation factor 4G1 (eIF4G1) in interphase or nocodazole-arrested mitotic cells. This approach and kinase inhibition assays, in vitro phosphorylation with recombinant kinase, and kinase depletion-reconstitution experiments revealed that Ser1232 in eIF4G1 is phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1):cyclin B during mitosis. Ser1232 is located in an unstructured region of the C-terminal portion of eIF4G1 that coordinates assembly of the eIF4G/-4A/-4B helicase complex and binding of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal-integrating kinase, Mnk. Intense phosphorylation of Ser1232 in mitosis strongly enhanced the interactions of eIF4A with HEAT domain 2 of eIF4G and decreased association of eIF4G/-4A with RNA. Our findings implicate phosphorylation of eIF4G1(Ser1232) by Cdk1:cyclin B and its inhibitory effects on eIF4A helicase activity in the mitotic translation initiation shift.     

Regulation and function of elF2B in neurological and metabolic disorders

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B, eIF2B is a guanine nucleotide exchange, factor with a central role in coordinating the initiation of translation. During stress and disease, the activity of eIF2B is inhibited via the phosphorylation of its substrate eIF2 (p-eIF2α). A number of different kinases respond to various stresses leading to the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, and collectively this regulation is known as the integrated stress response, ISR. This targeting of eIF2B allows the cell to regulate protein synthesis and reprogramme gene expression to restore homeostasis. Advances within structural biology have furthered our understanding of how eIF2B interacts with eIF2 in both the productive GEF active form and the non-productive eIF2α phosphorylated form. Here, current knowledge of the role of eIF2B in the ISR is discussed within the context of normal and disease states focusing particularly on diseases such as vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) and permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM), which are directly linked to mutations in eIF2B. The role of eIF2B in synaptic plasticity and memory formation is also discussed. In addition, the cellular localisation of eIF2B is reviewed and considered along with the role of additional in vivo eIF2B binding factors and protein modifications that may play a role in modulating eIF2B activity during health and disease.     

Seasonal and state-dependent changes of eIF4E and 4E-BP1 during mammalian hibernation: implications for the control of translation during torpor

Mammalian hibernation involves cessation of energetically costly processes typical of homeostatic regulation including protein synthesis. To further elucidate the mechanisms employed in depressing translation, we surveyed key eukaryotic initiation factors [eIF2, eIF4B, eIF4E, eIF4GI and -II, and 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), -2, and -3] for their availability and phosphorylation status in the livers of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) across the hibernation cycle. Western blot analyses indicated only one significant locus for regulation of translational initiation in ground squirrel liver: control of eIF4E. We found seasonal variation in a potent regulator of eIF4E activity, 4E-BP1. Summer squirrels lack 4E-BP1 and apparently control eIF4E activity through direct phosphorylation. In winter, eIF4E is regulated through binding with 4E-BP1. During the euthermic periods that separate bouts of torpor (interbout arousal), 4E-BP1 is hyperphosphorylated to promote initiation. However, during torpor, 4E-BP1 is hypophosphorylated and cap-dependent initiation of translation is restricted. The regulation of cap-dependent initiation of translation may allow for the differential expression of proteins directed toward enhancing survivorship.     

Photosynthetic Control of Arabidopsis Leaf Cytoplasmic Translation Initiation by Protein Phosphorylation

Photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation is the carbon source for plant anabolism, including amino acid production and protein synthesis. The biosynthesis of leaf proteins is known for decades to correlate with photosynthetic activity but the mechanisms controlling this effect are not documented. The cornerstone of the regulation of protein synthesis is believed to be translation initiation, which involves multiple phosphorylation events in Eukaryotes. We took advantage of phosphoproteomic methods applied to Arabidopsis thaliana rosettes harvested under controlled photosynthetic gas-exchange conditions to characterize the phosphorylation pattern of ribosomal proteins (RPs) and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). The analyses detected 14 and 11 new RP and eIF phosphorylation sites, respectively, revealed significant CO₂-dependent and/or light/dark phosphorylation patterns and showed concerted changes in 13 eIF phosphorylation sites and 9 ribosomal phosphorylation sites. In addition to the well-recognized role of the ribosomal small subunit protein RPS6, our data indicate the involvement of eIF3, eIF4A, eIF4B, eIF4G and eIF5 phosphorylation in controlling translation initiation when photosynthesis varies. The response of protein biosynthesis to the photosynthetic input thus appears to be the result of a complex regulation network involving both stimulating (e.g. RPS6, eIF4B phosphorylation) and inhibiting (e.g. eIF4G phosphorylation) molecular events.