Inhibition of thymidylate synthase by 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine (Gemcitabine) and its metabolite 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine

2′,2′-Difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine (dFdC, gemcitabine) is a cytidine analogue active against several solid tumor types, such as ovarian, pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer. The compound has a complex mechanism of action. Because of the structural similarity of one metabolite of dFdC, dFdUMP, with the natural substrate for thymidylate synthase (TS) dUMP, we investigated whether dFdC and its deamination product 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (dFdU) would inhibit TS. This study was performed using two solid tumor cell lines: the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and its dFdC-resistant variant AG6000. The specific TS inhibitor Raltitrexed (RTX) was included as a positive control. Using the in situ TS activity assay measuring the intracellular conversion of [5-³H]-2′-deoxyuridine or [5-³H]-2′-deoxycytidine to dTMP and tritiated water, it was observed that dFdC and dFdU inhibited TS. In A2780 cells after a 4 h exposure to 1 μM dFdC tritium release was inhibited by 50% but did not increase after 24 h, Inhibition was also observed following dFdU at 100 μM. No effect was observed in the dFdC-resistant cell line AG6000; in this cell line only RTX had an inhibitory effect on TS activity. In the A2780 cell line RTX inhibited TS in a time dependent manner. In addition, DNA specific compounds such as 2′-C-cyano-2′-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentafuranosylcytosine and aphidicoline were utilized to exclude DNA inhibition mediated down regulation of the thymidine kinase.Inhibition of the enzyme resulted in a relative increase of mis-incorporation of [5-³H]-2′-deoxyuridine into DNA. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of in situ TS inhibition the ternary complex formation and possible inhibition in cellular extracts of A2780 cells, before and after exposure to dFdC, were determined. With the applied methods no proof for formation of a stable complex was found. In simultaneously performed experiments with 5FU such a complex formation could be demonstrated. However, using purified TS it was demonstrated that dFdUMP and not dFdCMP competitively inhibited TS with a Ki of 130 μM, without ternary complex formation. In conclusion, in this paper we reveal a new target of dFdC: thymidylate synthase.     

A concise synthesis of 4-nitrophenyl 2-azido-2-deoxy- and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranosides

4-nitrophenyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-alpha- and beta-D-mannopyranosides were prepared from methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranose, respectively. Chemoselective reduction of both azides with hydrogen sulfide readily afforded 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D- and -beta-D-mannopyranosides in higher yields than reduction with triphenylphosphine or a polymer-supported triarylphosphine. Subsequent de-O-acetylation yielded 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and 4-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-mannopyranoside in 20% and 44% overall yields, respectively.     

Ca2+位于H2O2上游参与H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程

以拟南芥为材料,利用药理学实验,结合分光光度法和激光共聚焦显微技术,研究了Ca2+在硫化氢(H2S)诱导拟南芥气孔关闭过程中的作用及其与过氧化氢(H2O2)的关系。结果表明： H2S诱导气孔关闭, Ca2+螯合剂EGTA和质膜Ca2+通道阻断剂硝苯地平(Nif)能不同程度抑制H2S诱导的气孔关闭,而内质网钙泵阻断剂毒胡萝卜素(Thaps)对H2S的作用无显著影响。由此推测, Ca2+参与调节H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程,且胞质中Ca2+来源于胞外Ca2+的内流。另外, H2S诱导拟南芥叶片NADPH氧化酶基因AtRBOHD和AtRBOHF以及细胞壁过氧化物酶基因AtPRX34表达增强,促进叶片和保卫细胞中H2O2积累, EGTA对此起抑制作用,而外源CaCl2处理上调AtRBOHD、AtRBOHF和AtPRX34的表达。表明Ca2+可能位于H2O2上游参与H2S诱导的拟南芥气孔关闭过程。     

Smurf2 is a TRAF2 binding protein that triggers TNF-R2 ubiquitination and TNF-R2-induced JNK activation

TRAF2 plays a central role in TNF-induced signalling to NF-κB and JNK/p38 MAPK. To better understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate this dual function of TRAF2, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening for TRAF2 interacting proteins using the Sos recruitment system. This resulted in the identification of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 as a TRAF2 binding protein. TRAF2 overexpression was shown to trigger Smurf2 ubiquitination and the formation of a TNF-R2/Smurf2 complex. Smurf2 on its turn promoted TNF-R2 ubiquitination and the relocalization of TNF-R2 as well as TRAF2 to a detergent-insoluble cell fraction. This was associated with enhanced TNF-R2-induced JNK activation, whereas TNF-R2-induced NF-κB activation remained unaffected. These results suggest an important role for Smurf2 binding to TRAF2 in determining specific signalling outputs of TNF-R2.     

Synthesis of [2S-2-H]- and [2R-2-H]hexadecanoic acids

[2S-2-²H]- and [2R-2-²H]hexadecanoic acids were synthesized in overall yields of 59–67%. Methyl(2R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoate, from the acid produced by Hansenula sydowiorum, was converted to the p-toluenesulphonate, reduced to trideutero alcohol with lithium aluminium deuteride and oxidized to [2S-2-²H]hexadecanoic acid. Methyl (2S)-2-chlorohexadecanoate, which was a by-product of tosylation and was also prepared by chlorinatioon of the hydroxy ester with thionyl chloride, on reduction and oxidation as before gave [2R-2-²H]-hexadecanoic acid. Intermediates were fully characterized, isotopic purity was 97% and optical purity was maintained throughout the syntheses. Attempts to reduce the tosyl or chloro groups, only, with sodium borodeuteride gave low yields probably due to preferential reduction of the ester group; 1,2-epoxyhexadecane was obtained from the tosylate and 2-chlorohexadecan-1-ol from the chloro ester.     

PPP2R2A在乳腺癌细胞中结合GFPT2并导致其去磷酸化

PPP2R2A是PP2A磷酸酶的调控亚基之一,以往的研究报道显示,PPP2R2A可促进肿瘤细胞生存和生长。本研究通过串联亲和纯化联合HPLC-Chip-ESI/MS/MS筛选PPP2R2A的相互作用蛋白质,分析结果显示,L-谷氨酰胺-D-果糖-6-磷酸转氨酶1(Glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1,GFPT1)和L-谷氨酰胺-D-果糖-6-磷酸转氨酶2(Glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2,GFPT2)是PPP2R2A可能的结合蛋白。通过免疫荧光共定位、GST Pull-down和免疫共沉淀等方法,进一步确认了PPP2R2A和GFPT1及GFPT2的相互结合。通过shRNA下调PPP2R2A后,GFPT2的磷酸化水平显著增加,但GFPT1的磷酸化水平改变不明显。GFPT2是O-GlcNAC糖基化修饰通路中的一个限速酶,在乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中下调PPP2R2A后,蛋白质O-GlcNAC糖基化修饰水平增加。这些结果表明,PPP2R2A可直接结合GFPT2,并导致其去磷酸化,进而影响细胞内O-GlcNAC糖基化修饰。     

拟南芥血红蛋白1(AtGLB1)与过氧化氢的相互作用

拟南芥的血红蛋白1(AtGLB1)属于非共生的血红蛋白。在低氧胁迫中对植物细胞中过氧化氢(H2O2)内稳态的维持起了很重要的作用。为了检测AtGLB1与H2O2能否直接相互作用,我们扩增了拟南芥的AtGLB1基因,并将其克隆到原核表达质粒pET32a中,测序鉴定正确后转化大肠杆菌BL21。IPTG诱导目的蛋白表达后,镍离子亲和层析柱(Ni2+-NTA)纯化了靶蛋白。体外表达的氧合的AtGLB1能与H2O2直接相互作用。因此,与H2O2反应可能是AtGLB1清除低氧胁迫下产生的H2O2的一种方式。     

过氧化氢和氯化钙对香蕉幼苗抗寒性的影响

用H₂O₂和CaCl₂单独或混合使用的方法喷洒香蕉幼苗,并置于低温培养箱中进行冷胁迫处理,发现它们可提高香蕉幼苗冷胁迫期间叶片POD活性,降低细胞质泄漏,增加可溶性糖含量及减缓叶绿素降解,从而减轻冷伤害程度。H₂O₂和CaCl₂混合处理的效果优于单独处理,二者有协同效应。     

3-(2-Methoxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)pyrazoles: a novel class of potent, selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

A series of 3-(2-methoxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)pyrazoles (4–10) was synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in human whole blood (HWB). The compound, 5-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(2-methoxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazole 5 showed potent and selective COX-2 inhibition (IC₅₀ for COX-1: >100 μM and COX-2: 1.2 μM).     

植物细胞的氧化猝发和H2O2的信号转导

概述了植物细胞氧化猝发的特性、产生机理、生理作用以及Ｈ２Ｏ２信号转导途径及其对基因表达的调控等的研究进展。     

拟南芥H_2O_2突变体的筛选及特性分析

通过化学诱变剂甲基磺酸乙酯(EMS)诱变模式植物拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)获得突变体筛选群体.在5 mmol/L H2O2胁迫下,以叶片温度差异为筛选指标,利用远红外成像技术进行突变体的筛选,获得了对H2O2不敏感突变体hpi1(hydrogen peroxide-insensitive1)和敏感突变体hps1(hydrogen peroxide-sensitive1).进一步研究发现,两种突变均为单基因隐性突变,气孔密度同野生型一样,而叶片温度、气孔开度和叶片失水率则有明显的差异.种子萌发实验表明,hpi1对甘露醇(Man)和NaCl不敏感而对ABA敏感,hps1则对3种胁迫都表现出敏感特性.     

TXA2/PGI2与心血管疾病

血栓素(Thromboxane,TXA2)和前列环素(Prostacyclin,PGI2)均为花生四烯酸的代谢物,是前列腺素(Prostaglandins,PGs)中生物活性最强的一对。在正常情况下,二者在体内保持一定的平衡,相互拮抗、相互协调,共同维持血液循环畅通,与心血管疾病关系密切。本文即就其生物特性及与心血管病的关系等进行综述,对人们全面认识TXA2/PGI2具有一定的参考价值。     

6-磷酸果糖激酶-2/果糖双磷酸酶-2是一种重要的代谢信号酶

6-磷酸果糖激酶-2/果糖双磷酸酶-2(PFK-2/FBPase-2)是糖代谢的一种重要的信号酶。此酶是一种双功能酶,在酶蛋白中具有两个独立的催化中心。PFK-2/FBPase-2通过影响2,6-双磷酸果糖水平实现对糖酵解通路的调节。该文主要介绍PFK-2/FBPase-2的基因结构特点、同工酶,以及在肿瘤中的表达、调控等。     

Adaptor Protein2 (AP2) Orchestrates CXCR2‐Mediated Cell Migration

The chemokine receptor CXCR2 is vital for inflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. Adaptor protein 2 (AP2), a clathrin binding heterotetrameric protein comprised of α, β2, μ2 and σ2 subunits, facilitates clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Mutation of the LLKIL motif in the CXCR2 carboxyl‐terminal domain (CTD) results in loss of AP2 binding to the receptor and loss of ligand‐mediated receptor internalization and chemotaxis. AP2 knockdown also results in diminished ligand‐mediated CXCR2 internalization, polarization and chemotaxis. Using knockdown/rescue approaches with AP2‐μ2 mutants, the binding domains were characterized in reference to CXCR2 internalization and chemotaxis. When in an open conformation, μ2 Patch 1 and Patch 2 domains bind tightly to membrane PIP2 phospholipids. When AP2‐μ2, is replaced with μ2 mutated in Patch 1 and/or Patch 2 domains, ligand‐mediated receptor binding and internalization are not lost. However, chemotaxis requires AP2‐μ2 Patch 1, but not Patch 2. AP2‐σ2 has been demonstrated to bind dileucine motifs to facilitate internalization. Expression of AP2‐σ2 V88D and V98S dominant negative mutants resulted in loss of CXCR2 mediated chemotaxis. Thus, AP2 binding to both membrane phosphatidylinositol phospholipids and dileucine motifs is crucial for directional migration or chemotaxis. Moreover, AP2‐mediated receptor internalization can be dissociated from AP2‐mediated chemotaxis.      

Ca2+和钙调素对H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性的调控

外源H2O2预处理提高了玉米幼苗内源H2O2的含量和钙调素(CaM)活性,缓解了高温处理过程中CaM活性的下降,增加了玉米幼苗在高温胁迫下的存活率.H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性的形成可被外源Ca2 处理所加强,被Ca2 螯合剂EGTA、质膜Ca2 通道阻塞剂La3 、胞内Ca2 通道阻断剂RR(钌红),以及CaM抑制剂CPZ(氯丙嗪)和TFP(三氟拉嗪)所抑制,表明Ca2 和CaM参与了H2O2诱导的玉米幼苗耐热性形成的调控.     

人乳头瘤病毒2(HPV-2)变异株的突变E2蛋白转录抑制作用的研究

皮肤寻常疣的发生与多种基因型别HPV的感染密切相关.本研究利用PCR方法对1例临床罕见的寻常疣患者感染的HPV-2毒株LCR及E2基因序列进行扩增、测序,分别构建含HPV-2变异株及原毒株LCR的重组CAT基因报导质粒pBLCAT-LCR和表达突变及野生型E2蛋白的重组真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-E2,通过瞬时转染HeLa细胞,研究变异株启动子活性及突变E2蛋白的转录抑制作用.结果显示,患者感染的HPV-2变异株LCR及E2基因均存在多处点突变.变异株早期启动子活性明显高于原毒株;突变的E2蛋白转录抑制作用较野生型E2蛋白显著降低;变异株LCR上E2结合位点核苷酸的突变明显降低E2蛋白对病毒早期启动子的抑制作用.提示HPV-2变异株启动子活性增强及突变E2蛋白转录抑制作用的降低与这一罕见巨大寻常疣临床表型之间存在着重要的联系.     

H2O2诱导的2BS早老细胞中自噬体增多

自噬在细胞复制性衰老中起着重要的作用.然而,早老细胞中的自噬现象基本无相关的报道.本文通过外源性过氧化氢(H₂O₂)的诱导,构建人胚肺二倍体成纤维细胞（2BS细胞）早老模型.首先,通过SA-β-gal染色,验证细胞早老;从形态学和特异标志分子及雷帕霉素作用的靶位点(mTOR)信号通路不同角度检测自噬的变化,其中形态学检测包括丹（磺）酰戊二胺(MDC)自噬分子定量法及电镜自噬超微结构的观察;特异标志分子LC3的检测包括GFP-LC3自噬定位法和免疫印迹法检测LC3;及检测mTOR信号通路下游激酶p70S6蛋白的表达变化.结果表明,过氧化氢诱导的早老细胞中自噬体相对年轻细胞明显增多,且具有保护早老细胞的作用.