Berberine inhibits aldose reductase and oxidative stress in rat mesangial cells cultured under high glucose

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, is a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Berberine is one of the main constituents of Coptidis rhizoma and Cortex phellodendri. In the present study, we examined effects of berberine (BBR) on renal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and on the changes of aldose reductase (AR) and oxidative stress in cultured rat mesangial cells exposed to high glucose. Fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urine protein over 24 h were detected by using the commercially available kits. Cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, aldose reductase (AR), superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected, respectively, by different methods. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urine protein over 24 h were significantly decreased in rats treated with 200 mg/kg berberine for 12 weeks compared with diabetic control rats (P < 0.05). This was accompanied by a reduced AR activity and gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels. In cultured rat mesangial cells exposed to high glucose, incubation of BBR significantly decreased cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and AR activity as well as its mRNA and protein levels compared with control cells (P < 0.05). In vitro, BBR also significantly increased SOD activity and decreased superoxide anion and MDA compared with control cells (P < 0.05). These results suggested that BBR could ameliorate renal dysfunction in DN rats, which may be ascribed to inhibition of AR in mesangium, reduction of oxidative stress, and amelioration of extracellular matrix synthesis and cell proliferation. Further studies are warranted to explore the role of AR in DN and the therapeutic implications by AR inhibitors such as BBR.     

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges by pesticides in primary rat tracheal epithelial cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells

Possible induction of sister-chromatid exchanges by butachlor, paraquat, phorate and monocrotophos was examined in primary rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. At dose levels that killed less than 50% of the cell population, monocrotophos induced SCEs positively in CHO and RTE cells, while paraquat was positive only in RTE cells. In two trials of the same experiment, paraquat and butachlor in CHO cells, and phorate in either RTE or CHO cells failed to induce a significant number of SCEs at any dose level within the ranges assayed. On the other hand, in RTE cells, butachlor induced a significant number of SCEs at a dose level of 5 micrograms/ml in one trial, but was insignificant in another. The inductions in these assays were, however, dose-dependent. The addition of S9 mixture did not alter the results of SCE induction by these 4 pesticides in CHO cells. RTE cells were more vulnerable to paraquat in cytotoxicity and SCE assays than CHO cells. Cytotoxicities were ranked as butachlor greater than phorate greater than paraquat greater than monocrotophos to CHO cells and paraquat greater than butachlor greater than phorate greater than monocrotophos to RTE cells. Significant cell cycle delays were only found in the treatments with the highest dose levels of butachlor, paraquat and phorate in CHO cells. In addition, this is the first report on SCE induction in RTE cells.     

The purification and properties of aldose reductase from rat ovary

Aldose reductase has been highly purified from rat ovary to apparent homogeneity, as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme proved to be a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of about 39,900. The enzyme catalyzed the NADPH-dependent reduction of a number of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes as well as aldo-sugars. The enzyme was potently inhibited by p-chloro-mercuribenzoate and a commercially developed aldose reductase inhibitor, M79175. The result of an immunoinhibition study, using antibody against the purified enzyme, indicated that the enzyme was responsible for more than 50% of the overall catalytic activity of D-glucose reduction in rat ovarian cytosol. Western blotting analysis revealed that immunoreactive proteins to anti-ovarian aldose reductase antibody were present in adrenal gland, various reproductive tissues, brain, lung, and heart of rats. Furthermore, ovarian tissues of various species contained immunoreactive proteins, though in small amounts. The enzyme was primarily localized in the granulosa cells and oocytes of all stages of follicular development during the estrous cycle, though it was also found in the corpora lutea cells in the pregnant rats.     

Role of aldose reductase in the high glucose induced expression of fibronectin in human mesangial cells

Aldose reductase (AR) has emerged as a key contributor to the diabetic nephropathy (DN), however, the mechanisms by which AR increases DN remain poorly understood. Here, we report that exposure to high glucose (HG) stimulates fibronectin (FN) from human mesangial cells in culture. Our results show that exposure to HG and overexpression AR increase the expression of FN. This increase was prevented by the AR inhibitors sorbinil and zopolrestat. Treatment with HG and transfected with plasmid PcDNA3.0-AR, resulted in phosphorylation and activation of ERK, JNK and AKT signaling pathway, and increase the expression of FN. Treatment with inhibitor of JNK and AKT signaling pathway decreased the expression of FN. These results show that inhibition of AR may be useful to prevented extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in diabetic nephropathy, which is regulated by JNK and AKT.     

Structure of the dihydrofolate reductase gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Overlapping recombinant lambda 1059 phages carrying regions of the dhfr locus from the amplified Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell clone MK42 have been isolated. In addition, dhfr cDNAs from this cell line have been cloned into plasmid pBR322. Restriction analysis of these recombinant molecules has led to a map of the Chinese hamster dhfr gene. This gene has a minimum size of 26 kb and contains six exons as defined by hybridization to a combination of mouse and CHO cDNA probes. The latter probes reveal 3' exonic sequences that are not present in mouse cDNA. The CHO dhfr gene thus extends about 700 bp further 3' than in the mouse, consistent with the larger size of the hamster mRNA. At least five intervening sequences are present, of approximate sizes: 0.3, 2.5, 8.6, 2.6 and 9.4 kb. Four sequences from highly repeated families are situated in introns within the dhfr gene. The overall structure of this gene is strikingly similar to that of the mouse. Evolutionary conservation of interrupted gene structure among mammals thus extends to genes that code for household enzymes as well as specialized or structural proteins.     

rhVEGF165在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞中的稳定表达、纯化及其生物学活性

利用哺乳动物细胞表达系统,稳定表达和纯化高生物学活性的人重组血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF165) 蛋白。将VEGF165克隆于表达载体pCDNA4.0,与T-GS载体共同转染CHO-S (中国仓鼠卵巢细胞) 细胞,MSX (Methionine sulphoximine) 加压筛选高表达细胞株,5 L发酵罐培养,细胞培养上清液通过三步纯化得到rhVEGF165蛋白,通过Western blotting、Biacore和人脐静脉内皮细胞增殖实验等对表达蛋白的特异性、亲和力及生物学活性等进行检测。所建立的细胞     

N-Carbamoyloxyurea-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells with elevated levels of ribonucleotide reductase activity

We describe the isolation and characterization of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line selected for resistance to N-carbamoyloxyurea. Using the mammalian cell permeabilization assay developed in our laboratory, a detailed analysis of the target enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase (EC 1.17.4.1), was carried out. Both drug-resistant and parental wild-type cells required the same optimum conditions for enzyme activity. The Ki values for N-carbamoyloxyurea inhibition of CDP reduction were 2.0 mM for NC^R-30A cells and 2.3 mM for wild-type cells, while the Ki value for ADP reduction was 2.3 mM for both cell lines. Although the Ki values remained essentially unchanged, the V_max values for NC^R-30A cells were 1.01 nmoles dCDP formed/5 × 10⁶ cells/hour and 1.83 nmoles dADP/5 × 10⁶ cells/hour, while those for the wild-type cells were 0.49 nmoles dCDP produced/5 × 10⁶ cells/hour and 1.00 nmoles dADP/5 × 10⁶ cells/hour. This approximate twofold increase in reductase activity at least partially accounts for a 2.6-fold increase in D₁₀ value for cellular resistance to N-carbamoyloxyurea exhibited by NC^R-30A cells. The NC^R-30A cell line was also cross-resistant to the antitumor agents, hydroxyurea and guanazole. No differences in Ki values for inhibition of CDP and ADP reduction by these two drugs were detected and cellular resistance could be entirely accounted for by the elevation in activity of the reductase in the NC^R-30A cell line. The properties of N-carbamoyloxyurea-resistance cells indicate they should be useful for further investigations into the regulation of mammalian enzyme activity.     

Overproduction of dihydrofolate reductase and gene amplification in methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Stable isolates of Chinese hamster ovary cells that are highly resistant to methotrexate have been selected in a multistep selection process. Quantitative immunoprecipitations have indicated that these isolates synthesize dihydrofolate reductase at an elevated rate over its synthesis in sensitive cells. Restriction enzyme and Southern blot analyses with a murine reductase cDNA probe indicate that the highly resistant isolates contain amplifications of the dihydrofolate reductase gene number. Depending upon the parenteral line used to select these resistant cells, they overproduce either a wild-type enzyme or a structurally altered enzyme. Karyotype analysis shows that some of these isolates contain chromosomes with homogeneously staining regions whereas others do not contain such chromosomes.     

Expression of recombinant rat Neurotrophin-3 in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The CHO cell line stably producing recombinant rat NT-3 was established. The insertion of rNT-3 cDNA into transferred cell gonome was analyzed with Southern blot. The expressed protein was identified by Dot ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and Western blot. Western blot showed a clear specific band of about 14 ku for NT-3. The mean level of rNT-3 in four NT-3cDNA/CHO cell lines was about 2 100 ng/10⁶ cells/48 h determined by EIA. The conditioned-medium (CM) of NT-3cDNA/CHO cells could promote the fiber outgrowth of the dissociated dorsal root ganglion of 8-day-old chick embryos, which shows a dose-response relationship. A half-maximal concentration of the biological activity (EC50) of the recombinant protein was approximately 16.7 ng/mL. The MoAb 3W3 of NT-3 could neutralize the biological activity of the rNT-3.     

Expression of recombinant rat Neurotrophin-3 in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The CHO cell line stably producing recombinant rat NT-3 was established. The insertion of rNT-3 cDNA into transferred cell gonome was analyzed with Southern blot. The expressed protein was identified by Dot ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and Western blot. Western blot showed a clear specifie band of about 14 ku for NT-3. The mean level of rNT-3 in four NT-3eDNA/CHO cell lines was about 2 100 ng/10~6 cells/48 h determined by EIA. The conditioned-medium (CM) of NT-3cDNA/CHO cells could promote the fiber outgrowth of the dissociated dorsal root ganglion of 8-day-old chick embryos, which shows a dose-response relationship. A half-maximal concentration of the biological activity (EC50) of the recombinant protein was approximately 16.7 ng/mL. The MoAb 3W3 of NT-3 could neutralize the biological activity of the rNT-3.     

Kinetics of micronucleus expression in synchronized irradiated Chinese hamster ovary cells

The kinetics of expression of radiation-induced micronuclei (MN) in synchronized Chinese hamster cells (CHO) was examined. The purpose of the study was to determine if the cell cycle distribution of a population significantly influences the levels of radiation induced MN, thereby obscuring the exact quantification of the radiation effect. Cells were synchronized by centrifugal elutriation, irradiated, and then different phases of the cell cycle were examined for: cell cycle progression, division probability, and temporal expression of MN. The results demonstrate that the time interval for maximal MN expression is long enough that the position of cells in the cell cycle and radiation induced division delays do not prevent the majority of cells from completing their first post-irradiation mitosis, therefore, expressing MN. By following the progression of synchronized cell populations by flow cytometry and also examining the time of division of individual cells for 24 hr after irradiation, we observed that the maximum number of cells from all phases of the cell cycle are in their first post-irradiation interphase at that time, thus explaining the MN results.     

Induction of beta-polymerase mRNA by DNA-damaging agents in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Only a few of the genes involved in DNA repair in mammalian cells have been isolated, and induction of a DNA repair gene in response to DNA damage has not yet been established. DNA polymerase beta (beta-polymerase) appears to have a synthetic role in DNA repair after certain types of DNA damage. Here we show that the level of beta-polymerase mRNA is increased in CHO cells after treatment with several DNA-damaging agents.     

Induction of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells by triethyllead acetate.

Organolead compounds enter the environment primarily through the combustion of leaded gasoline and industrial discharge. Lead and lead-containing compounds have been shown to induce a broad spectrum of toxic effects, including hematopoietic, renal, neurologic, and carcinogenic effects. In this study, the mutagenic activity of triethyllead acetate (Et3PbAc) was determined by measuring the induction of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The results indicate that Et3PbAc is very cytotoxic and a potent clastogen. In preliminary cytotoxicity studies used to determine appropriate test concentrations for chromosomal aberration analysis, the LC50 of Et3PbAc was approximately 10 microM in the absence of metabolic activation, and 80 microM in the presence of metabolic activation. The maximal response was greater with metabolic activation than without. However, a much higher dose was required to elicit a significant response in the presence of metabolic activation than in its absence.     

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster ovary cells by thiol and hydrazine compoudns

Cysteine, cysteamine and glutathione all induce sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells when applied to cell cultures at concentrations between 10(-4) and 10(-2) M. Acute exposure of cells th thiol compound for a period of 2--3 h resulted in a unique dose--response relationship in each instance. This consisted of two peak SCE frequencies, one at either extreme of the concentration range. Each peak corresponded to a 2--3-fold increase over the spontaneous level. A chronic exposure of 24 h, in contrast, resulted in a dose--response relationship consisting of a single peak SCE frequency (representing a 4--5-fold increase over the spontaneous level) at a concentration of approx. 4 x 10(-4) M. The effect of Cu2+ ions included in the medium at a concentration of 10(-5) M was to increase the toxicity and, at some concentrations, the SCE levels occurring after either acute or chronic exposure to thiols. Hydrazine and its derivatives, dimethylhydrazine and isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid), as well as hydrogen peroxide, also induce SCEs in CHO cells. A 2--3-fold increase over the spontaneous level was observed, depending upon the particular treatment protocol applied. SCE yields after 3 h treatment with dimethylhydrazine and isoniazid were increased if Mn2+, but not Cu2+, was included in the tissue culture medium at a concentration of 10(-5) M. SCE yields after a 24-h treatment with dimethylhydrazine in which Mn2+ was present in, and absent from, the medium were similar. Catalase was observed to reduce the SCE levels resulting from treatment with hydrogen peroxide, dimethylhydrazine and isoniazid. The effect of catalase upon SCEs induced by dimethylhydrazine and isoniazid in the presence of Mn2+ was more evident than when Mn2+ was not included in the culture medium. The significance of these results with respect to the possible active chemical species produced and the mutagenic/carcinogenic risk associated with thiol and hydraizine compounds is discussed.     

Multiplicity of dog kidney high-Km aldose reductase and conversion mechanism into aldose reductase

• 1.1. High-K_m, aldose reductase purified from dog kidney inner medulla was easily converted into aldose reductase by incubation in the neutral buffer solution.
• 2.2. High-K_m, aldose reductase was found to be in multiple forms, and was separated into three kinds of species designated as a-, b- and c-forms by HPLC.
• 3.3. The a-form observed as a single peak by HPLC was assumed to be present in three forms (al-, a2- and a3-forms), one was aldose reductase (a 1-form) and the others were the precursors of aldose reductase (a2- and a3-form).
• 4.4. The b-form was rapidly converted into the a3-form, followed slowly by the a2-form and finally into the a 1-form.
• 5.5. The c-form was either directly converted into the al-form, or indirectly into the a2-form followed by the al-form.
• 6.6. Four kinds of species (a2-, a3-, b- and c-forms) of high-Ap, aldose reductase were finally converted into aldose reductase (al-form).

     

Butyrated ManNAc analog improves protein expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The chemical additive sodium butyrate (NaBu) has been applied in cell culture media as a direct and convenient method to increase the protein expression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and other mammalian cells. In this study, we examined an alternative chemical additive, 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc, for its effect on recombinant protein production in CHO. Supplementation with 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc for two stable CHO cell lines, expressing human erythropoietin or IgG, enhanced protein expression for both products with negligible impact on cell growth, viability, glucose utilization, and lactate accumulation. In contrast, sodium butyrate treatment resulted in a ～20% decrease in maximal viable cell density and ～30% decrease in cell viability at the end of cell cultures compared to untreated or 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc treated CHO cell lines for both products. While NaBu treatment enhanced product yields more than the 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc treatment, the NaBu treated cells also exhibited higher levels of caspase 3 positive cells using microscopy analysis. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of four cell apoptosis genes (Cul2, BAK, BAX, and BCL2L11) were up‐regulated more in sodium butyrate treated wild‐type, erythropoietin, or IgG expressing CHO‐K1 cell lines while most of the mRNA levels of apoptosis genes in 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc treated cell lines remained equal or increased only slightly compared to the levels in untreated CHO cell lines. Finally, lectin blot analysis revealed that the 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc‐treated cells displayed higher relative sialylation levels on recombinant EPO, consistent with the effect of the ManNAc component of this additive, compared to control while NaBu treatment led to lower sialylation levels than control, or 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc‐treatment. These findings demonstrate that 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc has fewer negative effects on cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis, perhaps as a result of a more deliberate uptake and release of the butyrate compounds, while simultaneously increasing the expression of multiple recombinant proteins, and improving the glycosylation characteristics when applied at comparable molarity levels to NaBu. Thus, 1,3,4‐O‐Bu₃ManNAc represents a highly promising media additive alternative in cell culture for improving protein yields without sacrificing cell mass and product quality in future bioproduction processes.

     

Spontaneous splicing mutations at the dihydrofolate reductase locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

We isolated and characterized three spontaneous mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells that were deficient in dihydrofolate reductase activity. All three mutants contained no detectable enzyme activity and produced dihydrofolate reductase mRNA species that were shorter than those of the wild type by about 120 bases. Six exons are normally represented in this mRNA; exon 5 was missing in all three mutant mRNAs. Nuclease S1 analysis of the three mutants indicated that during the processing of the mutant RNA, exon 4 was spliced to exon 6. The three mutant genes were cloned, and the regions around exons 4 and 5 were sequenced. In one mutant, the GT dinucleotide at the 5' end of intron 5 had changed to CT. In a second mutant, the first base in exon 5 had changed from G to T. In a revertant of this mutant, this base was further mutated to A, a return to a purine. Approximately 25% of the mRNA molecules in the revertant were spliced correctly to produce an enzyme with one presumed amino acid change. In the third mutant, the AG at the 3' end of intron 4 had changed to AA. A mutation that partially reversed the mutant phenotype had changed the dinucleotide at the 5' end of intron 4 from GT to AT. The splicing pattern in this revertant was consistent with the use of cryptic donor and acceptor splice sites close to the original sites to produce an mRNA with three base changes and a protein with two amino acid changes. These mutations argue against a scanning model for the selection of splice site pairs and suggest that only a single splice site need be inactivated to bring about efficient exon skipping (a regulatory mechanism for some genes). The fact that all three mutants analyzed exhibited exon 5 splicing mutations indicates that these splice sites are hot spots for spontaneous mutation.     

Purification and properties of dihydrofolate reductase from methotrexate-sensitive and methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells.

We have previously described methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells which appear to contain normal levls of a structurally altered dihydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.3) (Flintoff, W.F., Davidson, S.V., and Siminovitch, L. (1976) Somatic Cell Genet.2,245-261). By selecting for increased resistance form these class I cells, class III resistant cells were isolated which appeared to possess an increased activity of the altered enzyme. In the report, we describe the purification and several properties of the reductase from wild-type cells, two independently selected class I cells, and class III resistant cell. The reductases from wild-type and resistant cells had similar specific activities using folate and dihydrofolate as substrates, and similar molecular weights as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The mutant enzymes, however, were about six- to eight-fold more resistant to inhibition by methotrexate than the wild-type enzyme, suggesting a decreased affinity of the mutant reductases to methotrexate-binding. Small differences between various enzymes were also seen in other physicochemical properties such as pH optima and Km values for folate, and in their heat stabilities, which suggest that different structural alterations may lead to the same mutant phenotype. As expected from earlier studies with crude extracts, class III cells did produce a higher (about 10-fold) yield of the reductase than the class I or wild-type cells.     

DNA repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells exhibiting differential sensitivity to gamma rays under aerobic and hypoxic conditions

The survival of the wild-type parent and two mutant lines of Chinese hamster cells, known to be defective in DNA repair, has been determined as a function of exposure to gamma rays under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. When compared to the wild-type line, one of the mutants selected for sensitivity to ethyl methyl sulfonate (EMS), and known to be defective in the repair of DNA strand breaks, exhibits a markedly enhanced sensitivity to aerobic irradiation but a reduced enhancement to hypoxic irradiation and thus an enhanced oxygen enhancement ratio (OER). In contrast, the other line, known to be defective in the incision step of excision repair, exhibits the reverse pattern of sensitivity and hence a reduced OER. The results are compared to findings in bacterial mutants and cells obtained from ataxia telangiectasia (AT) patients and heterozygotes.