硫醇基团的氧化还原过程对人正常朊蛋白聚集和纤维化特征的影响

本研究旨在通过体外对纯化的原核重组人正常朊蛋白硫醇基团的氧化还原过程,探究二硫键的改变对其生化特性的影响。蛋白沉淀实验显示重组正常人朊病毒蛋白经过硫醇基团的氧化还原过程明显增加了其聚集性;硫磺素T(Thioflavin T ,ThT)实验测定发现,经过硫醇基团的氧化还原过程重组PrP蛋白的纤维形成增多;圆二色谱（Circular Dichroism, CD）测定显示,处理后的重组PrP蛋白二级结构发生改变,其β-折叠结构比例显著增多;蛋白酶K消化实验也进一步显示硫醇基团的氧化还原后PrP的蛋白酶K抵抗能力有所增加。这些结果提示二硫键的形成可明显地改变PrP的二级结构,促进朊蛋白聚集和成纤维过程。     

PrP的胞内运输与朊病毒病

朊病毒病,即传染性海绵状脑病（transmissible spongiform encephalopathies,TSEs）,是一类致死性的神经退行性疾病,存在散发性、感染性和遗传性3种形式。在朊病毒病的病理过程中,细胞正常朊蛋白PrPc（cellular PrP）转化为异常构象的PrP^Sc（scrapie PrP）是至关重要的,但是朊病毒的增殖如何导致神经元凋亡仍不清楚。PrPc的胞内运输在朊病毒病中发挥重要作用,朊病毒感染后PrP^C转化为PrP^Sc,及遗传性朊病毒病中PrP突变可能影响PrP的生物合成、亚细胞定位及转运过程,通过干扰PrP^C的正常功能或产生毒性中间体而导致神经系统病变。现对近年来关于PrP胞内运输在朊病毒病中的作用进行综述。     

抗牛PrP多肽单克隆抗体的制备及其在牛PrP 检测中的应用

为获得广谱抗哺乳类动物PrP单克隆抗体(monoclonal antibody, McAb), 用牛朊蛋白(prion protein, PrP)多肽(209~228 aa)与匙孔槭血蓝蛋白(keyhole limpet hemocyanin, KLH)偶联物免疫Balb/C小鼠. 经细胞融合和克隆后获得针对上述多肽的杂交瘤细胞株. 分别用Western blot和免疫组化(immunohistochemistry, IHC)的方法检测这些McAbs与重组人(human, Hu)、牛(bovine, Bo)、仓鼠(hamster, Ha)PrP蛋白、牛脑组织中的正常朊蛋白(cellular PrP, PrPc)和致病性朊蛋白(scrapie of prion, PrPSc)的反应性. 本文为制备高效价抗PrP McAb提供了一个简单、易行的方法. 制备的抗体可用于研究哺乳类PrP生物学特性, 检测可传播性海绵样脑病, 特别是对牛海绵样脑病的诊断具有重要意义.     

朊蛋白相关蛋白Shadoo与朊病毒病

朊病毒病,即传染性海绵状脑病（transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, TSEs）,是一类传染性、致死性神经退行性疾病。在朊病毒病的病理过程中,细胞正常朊蛋白PrP。转化为异常构象的PrP是至关重要的,但是PrP‘的正常生理功能仍不清楚。国外学者利用比较基因组学发现了-个新的朊蛋白相关蛋白-shadoo（Sho）。Sho与PrP。在氨基酸序列和细胞定位的相似性及主要在脑组织表达,使它成为-个非常值得研究的PrP相关蛋白。对Sho可能存在的与PrP。重叠的功能甚至直接相互作用的研究工作,将对今后揭示PrPc正常生理功能以及揭示Pfion病发病机制具有重要现实意义。     

微管相关蛋白tau与朊蛋白的相互作用

微管相关蛋白tau参与了许多神经退行性疾病的发生, 其中包括一些人类可传播性海绵状脑病. 为了探讨tau与朊蛋白(PrP)之间可能存在的关系, 首先通过GST pull-down和免疫共沉淀等技术发现重组tau蛋白可通过微管结合区与来源于正常叙利亚仓鼠脑组织中的正常细胞膜朊蛋白(PrP^C)和羊瘙痒因子263K感染仓鼠脑组织的异常朊蛋白(PrPSc)相结合. 利用免疫共沉淀实验发现在正常和羊瘙痒因子感染的仓鼠脑组织中存在tau蛋白与PrPC和PrPSc的相互作用, 并且利用激光共聚焦方法检测到PrP和tau蛋白在CHO细胞内具有共定位的关系. 为了确定PrP与tau蛋白相互作用的部位, 构建了不同区域的PrP片段, 从而证明PrP与tau蛋白相互作用的区域位于PrP的N端序列(23~91 aa). PrP与tau蛋白分子间相互作用的直接实验证据提示tau蛋白可能参与PrP的正常生理功能以及朊病毒病的病理过程.     

单克隆抗体有望用于治疗朊蛋白病

朊蛋白病是一组致命的神经系统变性疾病 ,其特征之一是正常的细胞朊蛋白 (PrPC)转变为有感染性的疾病相关蛋白PrPSc。目前朊蛋白病尚无有效的治疗方法。最近White等的研究表明 :抗朊蛋白单克隆抗体ICSM 18能抑制朊病毒复制 ,延缓朊蛋白病的发展。动物实验表明 ,持续进行这种被动免疫治疗的小鼠健康生长长达 5 0 0天以上 ,且未出现自身免疫反应的副作用 ;而对照组未接受单克隆抗体治疗小鼠的平均存活期仅为 197天左右。该研究表明 ,ICSM 18几乎不与PrPSc结合 ,而与PrPC 有高亲和力 ,其抑制作用呈剂量依赖性。它通过识别PrP的抗原决…     

胸腺细胞和细胞器水平的线粒体膜电势研究

以地塞米松(DEX)诱导小鼠胸腺细胞凋亡;利用PI和AnneXin V/PI流式细胞术分别检测细胞晚期和早期凋亡;利用JC-1和DiOC_6(3)/PI在细胞水平检测凋亡中线粒体膜电势(△ψm)变化：抽提线粒体,利用JC-1直接染色技术检测现存线粒体△ψm情况。实验结果显示,DEX显著诱导胸腺细胞早期和晚期凋亡,凋亡细胞主要来自G_0/G_1期;细胞水平可见DEX介导与△ψm相关的J-aggregate和DiOC_6(3)可染性降低,同时介导线粒体数量显著降低,6h细胞膜完整性无显著变化：单纯线粒体检测结果显示,多数线粒体维持正常△ψm。提示,DEX介导胸腺细胞凋亡中线粒体数量降低,现存线粒体多保持着正常△ψm以维持凋亡过程细胞能量供给。     

细胞浆中PrP蛋白的表达及其细胞毒性作用的研究

为了探讨在胞浆中表达的PrP的理化特征以及对细胞活性的影响,我们构建了胞浆型PrP(CytoPrP)真核表达质粒,瞬时转染人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞,通过蛋白酶敏感性实验检测CytoPrP及其蛋白酶抗性,利用MTT和Trypan Blue细胞计数检测CytoPrP的细胞毒性作用.结果显示,CytoPrP在胞浆内的存在受蛋白酶抑制剂的控制;与野生型PrP相比,CytoPrP具有相对较强的蛋白酶K(PK)抗性.MTT和细胞计数实验均显示,Cyto-PrP的存在可诱导明显的细胞毒性效应,而CytoPrP的细胞毒性作用受蛋白酶抑制剂含量的影响,呈剂量依赖关系.上述结果为研究CytoPrP在朊病毒病的发病机制中的意义提供了一定的科学数据.     

染料木素对铅诱导的PC12细胞毒性的抑制效应研究

目的：探讨染料木素对铅诱导的细胞毒性的影响。方法：PC12细胞分为对照组、染铅组、染料木素组以及铅加染料木素组;MTT实验检测细胞活力的改变,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡水平的变化,荧光探针检测线粒体形态的改变,Western blot方法检测线粒体融合分裂相关蛋白表达水平的变化。结果：铅可诱导PC12细胞活力的下降以及细胞凋亡率的显著增高,染料木素可抑制铅的这些毒性效应。与此同时,铅可诱导线粒体形态的损伤性改变,线粒体融合减少,分裂增多;而加入染料木素之后,线粒体损伤程度显著下降,线粒体分裂减少,融合增多。此外,线粒体融合相关蛋白Mfn2的水平在铅暴露后显著下降,而线粒体分裂相关蛋白Drp1的水平在铅暴露后显著升高,染料木素干预后均有所恢复。结论：染料木素可抑制铅诱导的PC12细胞毒性,其作用可能与其对线粒体融合分裂过程的干预有关。     

染料木素对铅诱导的PC12 细胞毒性的抑制效应研究

目的:探讨染料木素对铅诱导的细胞毒性的影响。方法:PC12细胞分为对照组、染铅组、染料木素组以及铅加染料木素组;MTT实验检测细胞活力的改变,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡水平的变化,荧光探针检测线粒体形态的改变,Western blot方法检测线粒体融合分裂相关蛋白表达水平的变化。结果:铅可诱导PC12细胞活力的下降以及细胞凋亡率的显著增高,染料木素可抑制铅的这些毒性效应。与此同时,铅可诱导线粒体形态的损伤性改变,线粒体融合减少,分裂增多;而加入染料木素之后,线粒体损伤程度显著下降,线粒体分裂减少,融合增多。此外,线粒体融合相关蛋白Mfn2的水平在铅暴露后显著下降,而线粒体分裂相关蛋白Drp1的水平在铅暴露后显著升高,染料木素干预后均有所恢复。结论:染料木素可抑制铅诱导的PC12细胞毒性,其作用可能与其对线粒体融合分裂过程的干预有关。     

PrPc activation induces neurite outgrowth and differentiation in PC12 cells: role for caveolin-1 in the signal transduction pathway

Cellular prion protein (PrP^c) is a ubiquitous glycoprotein, whose physiological role is poorly characterized. It has been suggested that PrP^c participates in neuritogenesis, neuroprotection, copper metabolism, and signal transduction. In this study we detailed the intracellular events induced by PrP^c antibody-mediated cross-linking in PC12 cells. We found a Fyn-dependent activation of the Ras-Raf pathway, which leads to a rapid and transient phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases. In addition, this activation cascade relies on the engagement of integrins, and involves focal adhesion kinase activation. We demonstrated the tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1 as a consequence of PrP^c stimulation, and showed that phosphocaveolin-1 scaffolds and coordinates protein complexes involved in PrP^c-dependent signaling. Moreover, we found that caveolin-1 phosphorylation, is a mechanism for recruiting the C-terminal Src kinase and inactivating Fyn, so as to terminate cell signaling. Furthermore our data support a significant role for PrP^c as a response mediator in neuritogenesis and cell differentiation.     

A 3-disulfide mutant of mouse prion protein expression, oxidative folding, reductive unfolding, conformational stability, aggregation and isomerization

The structure of wild-type mouse prion protein mPrP(23-231) consists of two distinctive segments with approximately equal size, a disordered and flexible N-terminal domain encompassing residues 23-124 and a largely structured C-terminal domain containing about 40% of helical structure and stabilized by one disulfide bond (Cys(178)-Cys(213)). We have expressed a mPrP mutant with 4 Ala/Ser-->Cys replacements, two each at the N-(Cys(36), Cys(112)) and C-(Cys(134), Cys(169)) domains. Our specific aims are to study the interaction between N- and C-domains of mPrP during the oxidative folding and to produce stabilized isomers of mPrP for further analysis. Oxidative folding of fully reduced mutant, mPrP(6C), generates one predominant 3-disulfide isomer, designated as N-mPrP(3SS), which comprises the native disulfide (Cys(178)-Cys(213)) and two non-native disulfide bonds (Cys(36)-Cys(134) and Cys(112)-Cys(169)) that covalently connect the N- and C-domains. In comparison to wild-type mPrP(23-231), N-mPrP(3SS) exhibits an indistinguishable CD spectra, a similar conformational stability in the absence of thiol and a reduced ability to aggregate. In the presence of thiol catalyst and denaturant, N-mPrP(3SS) unfolds and generates diverse isomers that are amenable to further isolation, structural and functional analysis.     

Reversible aggregation of mouse prion protein derivatives with PrPSC-like structural properties

Three carbamylated derivatives of reduced mouse prion protein (mPrP) were isolated during the aborted oxidative folding in the presence of urea. These three prion protein derivatives (mPrP-a, mPrP-b, and mPrP-c) exist as monomer in the acidic solution (pH < 2.0) and exhibit prevalent random coil structure. However, they undergo rapid aggregation and transformation to a predominant -sheet structure upon exposure to ionic buffer with pH greater than 3.0. The stability of aggregates of mPrP conformers is in part dependent upon the time that they were allowed to develop. The nascent aggregates comprise a significant fraction of loosely packed mPrP monomers that can be dissociated by treatment with strong acidic solution. Matured aggregates acquired through prolonged sample incubation contain more tightly packed mPrP monomers that cannot be dissociated by strong acid but can be disaggregated by denaturant. The properties of reversible aggregation of mPrP-a, mPrP-b, and mPrP-c bear a striking resemblance to that observed with aggregates of hamster PrP^SC.     

Identification of a Novel Gene Encoding a PrP-Like Protein Expressed as Chimeric Transcripts Fused to PrP Exon 1/2 in Ataxic Mouse Line with a Disrupted PrP Gene

1. Mouse lines lacking prion protein (PrP(C)) have a puzzling phenotypic discrepancy. Some, but not all, developed late-onset ataxia due to Purkinje cell degeneration. 2. Here, we identified aberrant mRNA species in the brain of Ngsk Prnp0/0 ataxic, but not in nonataxic Zrch Prnp0/0 mouse line. These mRNAs were chimeric between the noncoding exons 1 and 2 of the PrP gene (Prnp) and the novel sequence encoding PrP-like protein (PrPLP), a putative membrane glycoprotein with 23% identity to PrP(C) in the primary amino acid structure. The chimeric mRNAs were generated from the disrupted Prnp locus of Ngsk Prnp0/0 mice lacking a part of the Prnp intron 2 and its splice acceptor signal. 3. In the brain of wild-type and Zrch Prnp0/0 mice, PrPLP mRNA was barely detectable. In contrast, in the brain of Ngsk Prnp0/0 mice, PrP/PrPLP chimeric mRNAs were expressed in neurons, at a particularly high level in hippocampus pyramidal cells and Purkinje cells under the control of the Prnp promoter. 4. In addition to the functional loss of PrP(C), ectopic PrPLP expression from the chimeric mRNAs could also be involved in the Purkinje cell degeneration in Ngsk Prnp0/0 mice.     

朊病毒蛋白的三维结构

朊病毒病是一类引起人和动物的中枢神经组织退化的疾病,属于蛋白质构象病,涉及蛋白质分子肽链的错误折叠和空间结构的变化。这类疾病的临床表现为进行性共济运动失调、震颤、姿势不稳、痴呆或知觉过敏、行为反常等中枢神经系统症状,100％死亡。人们期望通过对朊病毒蛋白的三维结构的研究来了解其致病机制,以达到预防和治疗的目的。     

Prion protein and cancers

The normal cellular prion protein, PrPc is a highly con served and widely expressed cell surface glycoprotein in all mammals. The expression of PrP is pivotal in the pathogenesis of prion diseases; however, the normal physiological functions of PrPc remain incompletely understood. Based on the studies in cell models, a plethora of functions have been attributed to PrPc. In this paper, we reviewed the potential roles that PrPc plays in cell physiology and focused on its contribution to tumorigenesis.     

Aggregation of cellular prion protein is initiated by proximity-induced dimerization

Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are infectious and fatal neurodegenerative disorders in humans and animals. Pathological features of TSEs include the conversion of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into an altered disease-associated conformation generally designated PrP(Sc), abnormal deposition of PrP(Sc) aggregates, and spongiform degeneration of the brain. The molecular steps leading to PrP(C) aggregation are unknown. Here, we have utilized an inducible oligomerization strategy to test if, in the absence of any infectious prion particles, the encounter between PrP(C) molecules may trigger its aggregation in neuronal cells. A chimeric PrP(C) composed of one (Fv1) or two (Fv2) modified FK506-binding protein (Fv) fused with PrP(C) were created, and transfected in N2a cells. Similar to PrP(C), Fv1-PrP and Fv2-PrP were glycosylated, displayed normal localization, and anti-apoptotic function. When cells were treated with the dimeric Fv ligand AP20187, to induce dimerization (Fv1) or oligomerization (Fv2) of PrP(C), both dimerization and oligomerization of PrP(C) resulted in the de novo production, release and deposition of extracellular PrP aggregates. Aggregates were insoluble in non-ionic detergents and partially resistant to proteinase K. These findings demonstrate that homologous interactions between PrP(C) molecules may constitute a minimal and sufficient molecular event leading to PrP(C) aggregation and extracellular deposition.     

Molecular morphology and toxicity of cytoplasmic prion protein aggregates in neuronal and non-neuronal cells

Recent studies have revealed that accumulation of prion protein (PrP) in the cytoplasm results in the production of aggregates that are insoluble in non-ionic detergents and partially resistant to proteinase K. Transgenic mice expressing PrP in the cytoplasm develop severe ataxia with cerebellar degeneration and gliosis, suggesting that cytoplasmic PrP may play a role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. The mechanism of cytoplasmic PrP neurotoxicity is not known. In this report, we determined the molecular morphology of cytoplasmic PrP aggregates by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Transient expression of cytoplasmic PrP produced juxtanuclear aggregates reminiscent of aggresomes in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, human neuroblastoma BE2-M17 cells and mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells. Time course studies revealed that discrete aggregates form first throughout the cytoplasm, and then coalesce to form an aggresome. Aggresomes containing cytoplasmic PrP were 1-5-microm inclusion bodies and were filled with electron-dense particles. Cytoplasmic PrP aggregates induced mitochondrial clustering, reorganization of intermediate filaments, prevented the secretion of wild-type PrP molecules and diverted these molecules to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic PrP decreased the viability of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. We conclude that any event leading to accumulation of PrP in the cytoplasm is likely to result in cell death.     

A systematic investigation of production of synthetic prions from recombinant prion protein

According to the protein-only hypothesis, infectious mammalian prions, which exist as distinct strains with discrete biological properties, consist of multichain assemblies of misfolded cellular prion protein (PrP). A critical test would be to produce prion strains synthetically from defined components. Crucially, high-titre ‘synthetic'' prions could then be used to determine the structural basis of infectivity and strain diversity at the atomic level. While there have been multiple reports of production of prions from bacterially expressed recombinant PrP using various methods, systematic production of high-titre material in a form suitable for structural analysis remains a key goal. Here, we report a novel high-throughput strategy for exploring a matrix of conditions, additives and potential cofactors that might generate high-titre prions from recombinant mouse PrP, with screening for infectivity using a sensitive automated cell-based bioassay. Overall, approximately 20 000 unique conditions were examined. While some resulted in apparently infected cell cultures, this was transient and not reproducible. We also adapted published methods that reported production of synthetic prions from recombinant hamster PrP, but again did not find evidence of significant infectious titre when using recombinant mouse PrP as substrate. Collectively, our findings are consistent with the formation of prion infectivity from recombinant mouse PrP being a rare stochastic event and we conclude that systematic generation of prions from recombinant PrP may only become possible once the detailed structure of authentic ex vivo prions is solved.     

Multiple biochemical similarities between infectious and non-infectious aggregates of a prion protein carrying an octapeptide insertion

A nine-octapeptide insertion in the prion protein (PrP) gene is associated with an inherited form of human prion disease. Transgenic (Tg) mice that express the mouse homolog of this mutation (designated PG14) spontaneously accumulate in their brains an insoluble and weakly protease-resistant form of the mutant protein. This form (designated PG14(Spon)) is highly neurotoxic, but is not infectious in animal bioassays. In contrast, when Tg(PG14) mice are inoculated with the Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML) strain of prions, they accumulate a different form of PG14 PrP (designated PG14(RML)) that is highly protease resistant and infectious in animal transmission experiments. We have been interested in characterizing the molecular properties of PG14(Spon) and PG14(RML), with a view to identifying features that determine two, apparently distinct properties of PrP aggregates: their infectivity and their pathogenicity. In this paper, we have subjected PG14(Spon) and PG14(RML) to a panel of assays commonly used to distinguish infectious PrP (PrP(Sc)) from cellular PrP (PrP(C)), including immobilized metal affinity chromatography, precipitation with sodium phosphotungstate, and immunoprecipitation with PrP(C)- and PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies. Surprisingly, we found that aggregates of PG14(Spon) and PG14(RML) behave identically to each other, and to authentic PrP(Sc), in each of these biochemical assays. PG14(Spon) however, in contrast to PG14(RML) and PrP(Sc), was unable to seed the misfolding of PrP(C) in an in vitro protein misfolding cyclic amplification reaction. Collectively, these results suggest that infectious and non-infectious aggregates of PrP share common structural features accounting for their toxicity, and that self-propagation of PrP involves more subtle molecular differences.