Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene product dystrophin Dp71d is dependent on the importin α/β and CRM1 nuclear transporters and microtubule motor dynein

Even though the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene product Dystrophin Dp71d is involved in various key cellular processes through its role as a scaffold for structural and signalling proteins at the plasma membrane as well as the nuclear envelope, its subcellular trafficking is poorly understood. Here we map the nuclear import and export signals of Dp71d by truncation and point mutant analysis, showing for the first time that Dp71d shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm mediated by the conventional nuclear transporters, importin (IMP) α/β and the exportin CRM1. Binding was confirmed in cells using pull-downs, while in vitro binding assays showed direct, high affinity (apparent dissociation coefficient of c. 0.25 nM) binding of Dp71d to IMPα/β. Interestingly, treatment of cells with the microtubule depolymerizing reagent nocodazole or the dynein inhibitor EHNA both decreased Dp71d nuclear localization, implying that Dp71d nuclear import may be facilitated by microtubules and the motor protein dynein. The role of Dp71d in the nucleus appears to relate in part to interaction with the nuclear envelope protein emerin, and maintenance of the integrity of the nuclear architecture. The clear implication is that Dp71d's previously unrecognised nuclear transport properties likely contribute to various, important physiological roles.     

Characterization of a novel Dp71 dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) present in the nucleus of HeLa cells: members of the nuclear DAPC associate with the nuclear matrix

Dystrophin is an essential component in the assembly and maintenance of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC), which includes members of the dystroglycan, syntrophin, sarcoglycan and dystrobrevin protein families. Distinctive complexes have been described in the cell membrane of different tissues and cultured cells. In this work, we report the identification and characterization of a novel DAPC present in the nuclei of HeLa cells, which contains dystrophin Dp71 as a key component. Using confocal microscopy and cell fractionation analyses, we found the presence of Dp71, beta-sarcoglycan, beta-dystroglycan, alpha- and beta-syntrophin, alpha1- and beta-dystrobrevin and nNOS in the nuclei of HeLa cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation experiments that most of these proteins form a complex in the nuclear compartment. Next, we analyze the possible association of the nuclear DAPC with the nuclear matrix. We found the presence of Dp71, beta-dystroglycan, nNOS, beta-sarcoglycan, alpha/beta syntrophin, alpha1-dystrobrevin and beta-dystrobrevin in the nuclear matrix protein fractions and in situ nuclear matrix preparations from HeLa cells. Moreover, we found that Dp71, beta-dystroglycan and beta-dystrobrevin co-immunoprecipitated with the nuclear matrix proteins lamin B1 and actin. The association of members of the nuclear DAPC with the nuclear matrix indicates that they may work as scaffolding proteins involved in nuclear architecture.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of mouse aquaporin 6

In the rat kidney, aquaporin (AQP) 6 is localized in the intracellular vesicle membranes of type-A intercalated cells of the collecting duct; mouse AQP6 (mAQP6) has not been characterized. Although mAQP6 was originally cloned from cDNA in a mouse cerebellum library (GenBank NM 175087), we have independently cloned a cDNA encoding mAQP6 from an adult kidney cDNA library (C57BL/6J strain). We identified two different spliced variants of mAQP6: mAQP6a and mAQP6b. The mAQP6a isoform is almost identical to that of rat AQP6, whereas mAQP6b is identical to that reported in the mouse cerebellum library mentioned above. We found that the mRNA expression of these two spliced variants is regulated in a tissue-specific and age-dependent manner. Functional analyses of water and ion permeation revealed that mAQP6a functions like rat AQP6 and that mAQP6b does not function as either a water channel or an ion channel under our experimental conditions.     

藏红花素诱导人胶质瘤U251细胞内质网应激性凋亡的研究

目的：研究藏红花素对人胶质瘤U251细胞的促凋亡作用和可能的机制。方法：不同浓度藏红花素处理U251细胞后,MTT法检测细胞活力,TUNEL染色观察细胞凋亡情况。结果：①藏红花素显著抑制U251细胞的增殖,并诱导其发生凋亡。②藏红花素增加了U251细胞胞浆内钙离子的含量,并上调了内质网分子伴侣GRP78的表达。③藏红花素处理后的U251细胞内质网相关凋亡分子CHOP,Caspase-4,JNK活性明显增高。结论：藏红花素通过诱导内质网应激性凋亡抑制人胶质瘤U251细胞的增殖。     

Dp71f Modulates GSK3-β Recruitment to the β1-Integrin Adhesion Complex

Previously, it was shown that Dp71f binds to the β1-integrin adhesion complex to modulate PC12 cell adhesion. The absence of Dp71f led to a failure in the β1-integrin adhesion complex formation. One of the structural proteins which links the β1-integrin cytoplasmic domain to the actin cytoskeleton is ILK. GSK3-β is an ILK substrate and the carboxi-terminal region of dystrophin 427 is a substrate for hierarchical phosphorylation by GSK3-β. Dp71f contains the carboxi-terminal domain present in dystrophin 427. By using co-immunoprecipitation assays, in the present work it is demonstrated that in the neuronal PC12 cell line an interaction between Dp71f and GSK3-β occurs. This interaction was corroborated by in vitro pulldown assays. We show that GSK3-β is recruited to the β1-integrin complex and that a reduced expression of Dp71f induces a reduced GSK3-β recruitment to the β1-integrin complex. In addition, the present work establishes that adhesion of PC12 cells to laminin does not influence the phosphorylation status of Dp71f.     

CRBGP通过抑制FAK-AKT通路和白介素-6的分泌抑制胶质瘤U251细胞的活性

目的 电压门控钠通道(voltage-gated sodium channels,VGSCs)表达于胶质瘤U251细胞,并影响U251细胞的增殖、侵袭和凋亡.富含半胱氨酸的颊腺蛋白(cysteine-rich buccal gland protein,CRBGP)是一种从日本七鳃鳗颊腺中分离出来的VGSCs阻断剂.本文...     

研究报告：CRBGP通过抑制FAK-AKT通路和白介素-6的分泌抑制胶质瘤U251细胞的活性

目的电压门控钠通道(voltage-gated sodium channels,VGSCs)表达于胶质瘤U251细胞,并影响U251细胞的增殖、侵袭和凋亡。富含半胱氨酸的颊腺蛋白(cysteine-rich buccal gland protein,CRBGP)是一种从日本七鳃鳗颊腺中分离出来的VGSCs阻断剂。本文旨在探究CRBGP是否因具有VGSCs阻断功能从而能够抑制U251细胞的活性。方法首先采用MTT法检测了CRBGP对U251细胞增殖的作用,并分别利用莱特-吉姆萨、FITC-phalloidin和Hoechst 33258染色法观察CRBGP处理后U251细胞的形态、细胞骨架和细胞核。细胞外基质蛋白如IV型胶原蛋白、纤连蛋白和层黏连蛋白用于检测CRBGP对U251细胞黏附的影响。此外,本文采用transwell法检测CRBGP处理后U251细胞的迁移和侵袭能力,并通过Western blot方法探讨CRBGP诱导U251细胞凋亡并抑制其运动的内在机理。最后,通过酶联免疫吸附测定法检测CRBGP对U251细胞的抑炎效果。结果 CRBGP通过线粒体依赖途径诱导U251细胞凋亡,...     

藏红花素诱导人胶质瘤U251细胞内质网应激性凋亡的研究

目的:研究藏红花素对人胶质瘤U251细胞的促凋亡作用和可能的机制。方法:不同浓度藏红花素处理U251细胞后,MTT法检测细胞活力,TUNEL染色观察细胞凋亡情况。结果:①藏红花素显著抑制U251细胞的增殖,并诱导其发生凋亡。②藏红花素增加了U251细胞胞浆内钙离子的含量,并上调了内质网分子伴侣GRP78的表达。③藏红花素处理后的U251细胞内质网相关凋亡分子CHOP,Caspase-4,JNK活性明显增高。结论:藏红花素通过诱导内质网应激性凋亡抑制人胶质瘤U251细胞的增殖。     

Identification of IL-18RAP mRNA truncated splice variants in human testis and the other human tissues

IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. It plays a key role in the autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. IL-18 acts via a receptor complex that closely resembles that of IL-1, consisting of a ligand binding protein, IL-18Ralpha, and an accessory protein, IL-18RAP (IL-18Rbeta). IL-18RAP is essential for IL-18 signal transduction and ligand binding affinity to IL-18Ralpha receptor chain. mRNA of gene coding for IL-18RAP in human testicular tissue and the nucleotide sequence of splice variants was carefully examined. We have found for the first time ever, IL-18RAP mRNA in studied tissue samples of physiological testis. Using the RT-PCR technique, the whole coding sequence of this gene was amplified. An alternative splicing of mRNA for IL-18RAP was then discovered and subsequently confirmed by cDNA sequencing. The putative amino acid content was predicted and a computer modeling was performed. It might be hypothesized that the truncated forms of IL-18RAP can be involved in the complex mechanism of IL-18 activity regulation.     

The role of α-synuclein in the pathophysiology of alcoholism

Alcoholism has complex etiology and there is evidence for both genetic and environmental factors in its pathophysiology. Chronic, long-term alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are associated with neuronal loss with the prefrontal cortex being particularly susceptible to neurotoxic damage. This brain region is involved in the development and persistence of alcohol addiction and neurotoxic damage is likely to exacerbate the reinforcing effects of alcohol and may hinder treatment. Understanding the mechanism of alcohol’s neurotoxic effects on the brain and the genetic risk factors associated with alcohol abuse are the focus of current research. Because of its well-established role in neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disorders, and its emerging role in the pathophysiology of addiction, here we review the genetic and epigenetic factors involved in regulating α-synuclein expression and its potential role in the pathophysiology of chronic alcohol abuse. Elucidation of the mechanisms of α-synuclein regulation may prove beneficial in understanding the role of this key synaptic protein in disease and its potential for therapeutic modulation in the treatment of substance use disorders as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.     

Phosphorylation of dystrophin Dp71d by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II modulates the Dp71d nuclear localization in PC12 cells

We have shown that the splicing isoform of Dp71 (Dp71d) localizes to the nucleus of PC12 cells, an established cell line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma; however, the mechanisms governing its nuclear localization are unknown. As protein phosphorylation modulates the nuclear import of proteins, and as Dp71d presents several potential sites for phosphorylation, we analyzed whether Dp71d is phosphorylated in PC12 cells and the role of phosphorylation on its nuclear localization. We demonstrated that Dp71d is phosphorylated under basal conditions at serine and threonine residues by endogenous protein kinases. Dp71d phosphorylation was activated by 2-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA), but this effect was blocked by EGTA. Supporting the role of intracellular calcium on Dp71d phosphorylation, we observed that the stimulation of calcium influx by cell depolarization increased Dp71d phosphorylation, and that the calcium-calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) blocked such induction. The blocking action of bisindolylmaleimide I (Bis I), a specific inhibitor for Ca2+/diacylglicerol-dependent protein kinase (PKC), on Dp71d phosphorylation suggested the participation of PKC in this event. In addition, transfection experiments with Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) expression vectors as well as the use of KN-62, a CaMKII-specific inhibitor, demonstrated that CaMKII is also involved in Dp71d phosphorylation. Stimulation of Dp71d phosphorylation by cell depolarization and/or the overexpression of CaMKII favored the Dp71d nuclear accumulation. Overall, our results indicate that CAMKII-mediated Dp71d phosphorylation modulates its nuclear localization.     

神经胶质瘤U251细胞氧化损伤中自噬和凋亡过程的时间顺序

目的：探讨过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导神经胶质瘤U251细胞损伤中自噬和凋亡发生的时间顺序。方法：实验分为4组：正常对照组、1mmol／L H2O2作用（6h、12h、24h）组。应用MTF法检测H202对神经胶质瘤U251细胞生存率的影响;MDC染色检测自噬空泡的变化;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率变化。Western blot检测Beclin1和胞浆cyt c蛋白的表达。结果：与对照组相比,1mmol／L H2O2作用下,U251细胞存活率明显降低,并呈时间依赖性。与对照组相比,1mmol／L H2O2作用后,6h时U251细胞自噬空泡明显增加,自噬相关蛋白Beclin1表达明显增加,12h、24h细胞自噬水平逐渐增强;而6h时未见细胞凋亡率明显变化及cyt c由线粒体向胞浆的释放,12h、24h时细胞凋亡率明显增加,胞浆中cyt c蛋白表达明显增强（P〈0．05）。结论：氧化损伤能够诱导神经胶质瘤U251细胞发生自噬和凋亡,并且自噬发生于凋亡之前。     

Neuronal differentiation modulates the dystrophin Dp71d binding to the nuclear matrix

The function of dystrophin Dp71 in neuronal cells remains unknown. To approach this issue, we have selected the PC12 neuronal cell line. These cells express both a Dp71f cytoplasmic variant and a Dp71d nuclear isoform. In this study, we demonstrated by electron and confocal microscopy analyses of in situ nuclear matrices and Western blotting evaluation of cell extracts that Dp71d associates with the nuclear matrix. Interestingly, this binding is modulated during NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells with a twofold increment in the differentiated cells, compared to control cells. Also, distribution of Dp71d along the periphery of the nuclear matrix observed in the undifferentiated cells is replaced by intense fluorescent foci localized in the center of the nucleoskeletal structure. In summary, we revealed that Dp71d is a dynamic component of nuclear matrix that might participate in the nuclear modeling occurring during neuronal differentiation.     

Identification of a novel splice variant of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-associated factor 1

XAF1 (XIAP-associated factor 1) binds to XIAP and blocks its anti-apoptotic activity. It has been reported that XAF1 is mainly expressed in normal tissues but is missing or present at low levels in most cancer cell lines, which implies a tumor-suppressing function. In the present study we describe the identification of a novel splice variant of human XAF1, designated XAF1C, which contains a cryptic exon. Incorporation of this exon (exon 4b) into the mRNA introduces an in-frame stop codon, resulting in a shortened open-reading frame (ORF) of 495 nucleotides. This ORF is predicted to encode a 164 amino acid (AA) protein lacking the C-terminal domain of the previously described XAF1(A), but containing a unique 24 AA carboxy terminus. Like XAF1(A), XAF1C mRNA expression was detected in a variety of human cancer cell lines and also in normal human tissues. The ratio of XAF1(A) and XAF1C mRNA expression differs amongst the cell lines tested, suggesting differential mRNA stabilities and/or the existence of tissue- or cell type-specific splicing regulation. In transfected cells, xaf1c encodes a truncated protein of 18kDa, which is distributed primarily in the nucleus.