Genomic organization of mouse orexin receptors: characterization of two novel tissue-specific splice variants

In humans and rat, orexins orchestrate divergent actions through their G protein-coupled receptors, orexin-1 (OX1R) and orexin-2 (OX2R). Orexins also play an important physiological role in mouse, but the receptors through which they function are not characterized. To characterize the physiological role(s) of orexins in the mouse, we cloned and characterized the mouse orexin receptor(s), mOX1R and mOX2R, using rapid amplification of cDNA (mouse brain) ends, RT-PCR, and gene structure analysis. The mOX1R cDNA encodes a 416-amino acid (aa) receptor. We have identified two alternative C terminus splice variants of the mOX2R; mOX2 alpha R (443 aa) and mOX2 beta R (460 aa). Binding studies in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with mOX1R, mOX2 alpha R, and the mOX2 beta R revealed specific, saturable sites for both orexin-A and -B. Activation of these receptors by orexins induced inositol triphosphate (IP(3)) turnover. However, human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with mOXRs demonstrated no cAMP response to either orexin-A or orexin-B challenge, although forskolin and GTP gamma S revealed a dose-dependent increase in cAMP. Although, orexin-A and -B showed no difference in binding characteristics between the splice variants; interestingly, orexin-B led to an increase in IP(3) production at all concentrations in the mOX2 beta R variant. Orexin-A, however, showed no difference in IP(3) production between the two variants. Additionally, in the mouse, we demonstrate that these splice variants are distributed in a tissue-specific manner, where OX2 alpha R mRNA was undetectable in skeletal muscle and kidney. Moreover, food deprivation led to a greater increase in hypothalamic mOX2 beta R gene expression, compared with both mOX1R and mOX2 alpha R. This potentially implicates a fundamental physiological role for these splice variants.     

Functional differences between TRPC4 splice variants.

Functional characterizations of heterologously expressed TRPC4 have revealed diverse regulatory mechanisms and permeation properties. We aimed to clarify whether these differences result from different species and splice variants used for heterologous expression. Like the murine beta splice variant, rat and human TRPC4beta both formed receptor-regulated cation channels when expressed in HEK293 cells. In contrast, human TRPC4alpha was poorly activated by stimulation of an H(1) histamine receptor. This was not due to reduced expression or plasma membrane targeting, because fluorescent TRPC4alpha fusion proteins were correctly inserted in the plasma membrane. Furthermore, currents through both human TRPC4alpha and TRPC4beta had similar current-voltage relationships and single channel conductances. To analyze the assembly of transient receptor potential channel subunits in functional pore complexes in living cells, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach was used. TRPC4alpha and TRPC4beta homomultimers exhibited robust FRET signals. Furthermore, coexpressed TRPC4alpha and TRPC4beta subunits formed heteromultimers exhibiting comparable FRET signals. To promote variable heteromultimer assemblies, TRPC4alpha/TRPC4beta were coexpressed at different molar ratios. TRPC4beta was inhibited in the presence of TRPC4alpha with a cooperativity higher than 2, indicating a dominant negative effect of TRPC4alpha subunits in heteromultimeric TRPC4 channel complexes. Finally, C-terminal truncation of human TRPC4alpha fully restored the channel activity. Thus, TRPC4beta subunits form a receptor-dependently regulated homomultimeric channel across various species, whereas TRPC4alpha contains a C-terminal autoinhibitory domain that may require additional regulatory mechanisms.     

Cloning, comparative characterization of porcine SCAP gene, and identification of its two splice variants

Sterol responsive element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) is the key regulator of activation of SREBPs, which stimulate most enzymes in cholesterol and lipid synthesis. In order to investigate the molecular basis of lipid metabolism in the pig, a unique model for fat deposition, we isolated and characterized the porcine SCAP. The 4,096-bp full-length porcine SCAP cDNA contains an open reading frame of 3,840 bp. The predicted SCAP protein consists of 1,280 amino acids of 55–92% identity with its vertebrate counterparts. The porcine SCAP gene consists of at least 19 exons and 18 introns, which span over 13 kb of the genome. The porcine SCAP gene was mapped to chromosome 13q21–22 using a porcine-rodent somatic cell hybrid panel. Comparison of SCAP genomic structures from various species revealed intron losses in porcine, Tetraodon and fugu SCAP, and intron gains in cow and chicken SCAP. Moreover, we isolated two novel splicing SCAP variants with 193-bp (variant 2) in-frame deletion from testis and a variant with 291-bp (variant 3) in-frame deletion from liver and muscle, which may affect the function of the porcine SCAP. In conclusion, the intron gains and losses appear to have contributed to the shape of the modern SCAP family. The splice variants detected, first to be reported in any species, may be involved in the particulars of the fat metabolism in the pig. Our data lay foundation for further study of SCAP function in this species.     

Functional implications of novel human acid sphingomyelinase splice variants

Background

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) hydrolyses sphingomyelin and generates the lipid messenger ceramide, which mediates a variety of stress-related cellular processes. The pathological effects of dysregulated ASM activity are evident in several human diseases and indicate an important functional role for ASM regulation. We investigated alternative splicing as a possible mechanism for regulating cellular ASM activity.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We identified three novel ASM splice variants in human cells, termed ASM-5, -6 and -7, which lack portions of the catalytic- and/or carboxy-terminal domains in comparison to full-length ASM-1. Differential expression patterns in primary blood cells indicated that ASM splicing might be subject to regulatory processes. The newly identified ASM splice variants were catalytically inactive in biochemical in vitro assays, but they decreased the relative cellular ceramide content in overexpression studies and exerted a dominant-negative effect on ASM activity in physiological cell models.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings indicate that alternative splicing of ASM is of functional significance for the cellular stress response, possibly representing a mechanism for maintaining constant levels of cellular ASM enzyme activity.     

猪PILRA基因克隆及变异剪接体鉴定

Ⅱ型成对免疫球蛋白样受体(Paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptors, PILRs)是免疫球蛋白超家族成员之一,包括α和β两个亚型。PILRα在机体抵抗病原体入侵的免疫反应中发挥着重要作用,但目前尚未见关于猪PILRα的报道。为了分析其在猪抗病育种中的作用,本文克隆了猪PILRα编码基因(PILRA)并鉴定变异剪接体,利用实时荧光定量PCR方法构建其组织表达谱和诱导表达谱。结果表明,成功克隆了猪PILRA基因的3个变异剪接体V1~V3(GenBank登录号：KJ143679~81),预测的蛋白质多肽链分别长271 aa、254 aa和283 aa,且都具有免疫球蛋白结构域。各变异剪接体均在脾脏中表达量最高,肝脏、肺脏次之,在心脏、肾脏、胃、肌肉、淋巴、大肠、小肠和膀胱等组织中表达量较低或检测不到。Poly(I:C)能显著诱导变异剪接体V1的表达,但几乎不影响V2、V3的表达。研究结果为进一步揭示PILRA在猪抗病育种中的作用提供了基础。     

谷氏菌素生物合成基因gouC和gouD的功能研究北大核心CSCD

【目的】由于谷氏菌素产生菌禾粟链霉菌的遗传操作效率较低,本研究在谷氏菌素生物合成基因簇成功异源表达的基础上,通过在异源宿主天蓝色链霉菌M1146中阻断谷氏菌素生物合成基因gouC和gouD,研究其在谷氏菌素生物合成中的作用,为谷氏菌素生物合成途径的阐明奠定基础。【方法】以含有谷氏菌素生物合成基因簇的黏粒D6-4H为基础,通过PCR-targeting的方法分别将gouC和gouD敲除得到重组质粒p GOUe-ΔC和p GOUe-ΔD。通过接合转移将这两个重组质粒分别导入天蓝色链霉菌M1146中,获得gouC和gouD的缺失突变株M1146-GOUe-ΔC和M1146-GOUe-ΔD,通过HPLC分析突变株的谷氏菌素中间产物积累情况,分离纯化后对其进行结构鉴定和生物活性检测。【结果】gouC和gouD的缺失均导致谷氏菌素不能合成,突变株发酵液中积累了不同的中间产物,生物活性分析发现这些中间产物均失去了对肿瘤细胞的抑制活性。【结论】gouC和gouD是谷氏菌素生物合成的重要基因,与谷氏菌素肽基部分的肌氨酸残基合成相关。本研究为阐明谷氏菌素的生物合成机制提供了更多的依据。     

Cloning and identification of two novel splice variants of human PD-L2

T cell activation is dependent upon signals deliveredthrough the antigen-specific T cell receptors and costimula-tory molecules [1,2]. The B7 family of costimulatory mol-ecules provides signals that are critical for both stimula-ting and inhibiting T cell…     

鸭疫里氏杆菌hemH基因功能初步鉴定及其缺失株的转录组学分析

血红素是绝大多数细菌生长繁殖所必需的一种营养物质,其参与了细菌多种重要的生理过程。细菌可以通过自身合成和从外界摄取2种方式获得血红素。然而过多的血红素对细菌是有毒性的,细菌则会利用外排、螯合和降解等多种方式减轻血红素毒性。鸭疫里氏杆菌(Riemerella anatipestifer, RA)是一种感染禽类的革兰氏阴性菌,前期研究表明该菌可通过转运的方式从外界环境摄取血红素。然而,是否该菌也可以自身合成血红素未知。基因组分析发现鸭疫里氏杆菌ATCC11845菌株中的基因RA0C＿RS08070编码铁螯合酶(ferrochelatase) HemH,是参与将铁插入卟啉中心,形成血红素的关键酶。hem H缺失后会导致铁离子和卟啉的积累,对细菌造成毒性。【目的】为鉴定Hem H在合成血红素中的功能及查找参与鸭疫里氏杆菌铁离子和卟啉解毒相关基因。【方法】本研究构建了RAATCC11845Δhem H缺失株,并检测亲本株和hem H缺失株在GCB以及GCB添加血红蛋白液体培养基中的生长情况;随后对亲本株和hem H缺失株进行转录组测序并进行比较分析。【结果】RAATCC11845Δhem H缺失...     

Identification and characterization of two splice variants of human diacylglycerol kinase eta

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) participates in regulating the intracellular concentrations of two bioactive lipids, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. DGK eta (eta 1, 128 kDa) is a type II isozyme containing a pleckstrin homology domain at the amino terminus. Here we identified another DGK eta isoform (eta 2, 135 kDa) that shared the same sequence with DGK eta 1 except for a sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain added at the carboxyl terminus. The DGK eta 1 mRNA was ubiquitously distributed in various tissues, whereas the DGK eta 2 mRNA was detected only in testis, kidney, and colon. The expression of DGK eta 2 was suppressed by glucocorticoid in contrast to the marked induction of DGK eta 1. DGK eta 2 was shown to form through its SAM domain homo-oligomers as well as hetero-oligomers with other SAM-containing DGKs (delta 1 and delta 2). Interestingly, DGK eta 1 and DGK eta 2 were rapidly translocated from the cytoplasm to endosomes in response to stress stimuli. In this case, DGK eta 1 was rapidly relocated back to the cytoplasm upon removal of stress stimuli, whereas DGK eta 2 exhibited sustained endosomal association. The experiments using DGK eta mutants suggested that the oligomerization of DGK eta 2 mediated by its SAM domain was largely responsible for its sustained endosomal localization. Similarly, the oligomerization of DGK eta 2 was suggested to result in negative regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, alternative splicing of the human DGK eta gene generates at least two isoforms with distinct biochemical and cell biological properties responding to different cellular metabolic requirements.     

Cloning and characterization of diacylglycerol kinase iota splice variants in rat brain

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) catalyzes phosphorylation of a second messenger diacylglycerol (DG) to phosphatidic acid in cellular signal transduction. Previous studies have revealed that DGK consists of a family of isozymes including our rat clones. In this study we isolated from rat brain cDNA library the cDNA clones for a rat homologue of DGKiota (rDGKiota-1) that contains two zinc finger-like sequences, the highly conserved DGK catalytic domain, a bipartite nuclear localization signal, and four ankyrin repeats at the carboxyl terminus. In addition, we found novel splice variants, which contain either insertion 1 (71 bp) or insertion 2 (19 bp) or both in the carboxyl-terminal portion. Each of the insertions causes a frameshift, and the resultant premature stop codons produce two truncated forms (termed rDGKiota-2 and -iota-3), the former lacking the ankyrin repeats at the carboxyl terminus and the latter lacking a part of the catalytic domain and the ankyrin repeats. Truncation of the carboxyl-terminal portion clearly exerts effects on the detergent solubility and enzymatic activity of the splice variants, although all three variants showed similar cytoplasmic localization in cDNA-transfected cultured neurons despite the continued presence of the nuclear localization signal sequence. Immunoblot analysis using anti-rDGKiota antibody raised against the common amino-terminal portion clearly shows that these rDGKiota variants are indeed expressed in the brain. These results suggest that the carboxyl-terminal truncated forms of rDGKiota-2 and -iota-3 that exhibit reduced enzymatic activities might show a dominant negative effect against the intact rDGKiota-1, and that the modulation of signal transduction by the splice variants may play some roles in the physiologic and/or pathologic conditions of neurons.     

Identification and characterization of splice variants of ephrin-A3 and ephrin-A5.

Ephrins and Eph receptors have been implicated to play important roles in axon guidance. A variable spacer region exists that differs significantly among distinct ephrins. An ephrin-A5 isoform has previously been isolated which lacks 27 amino acids within the spacer region. The expression and biological activities of this isoform, as well as the existence of isoforms for other ephrins that show variation within the spacer region, remain unknown. We report here a novel alternatively spliced isoform of ephrin-A3 which lacks the corresponding variable region. When compared to the longer isoforms, the shorter isoforms of both ephrin-A3 and ephrin-A5 remained less prominent in the brain during development, though their expression increased at postnatal stages. In addition, they could inhibit neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, suggesting that the corresponding variable regions were not essential for their axon guidance activities.     

Expression of OB receptor splice variants during prenatal development of the mouse

In adult animals, signaling through the leptin receptor (OB-R) has been shown to play a critical role in fat metabolism. However, it is not known when these receptors are first expressed and what their role may be during embryonic development. To date, at least 6 splice variants of the OB-R have been identified. Although the function of each of these individual splice variants are unknown, only one of them, ob-rL ,encodes a receptor with a long intracellular domain that is implicated in OB-R signaling. In this study we have used in situ hybridization to examine the localization of OB-R splice variants during embryonic development of C57B1/6J mice. Using a probe, ob-r, that recognizes all of the splice variants, ob-r mRNA was found to be distributed in developing bone, mesenchyme, notochord and liver. In addition, epithelial structures including leptomeninges, choroid plexi and hair follicles also expressed ob-r. No ob-r mRNA was detected in the CNS. ob-rL, expression was only detected in notochord, bone and mesenchyme. The differential expression of these two mRNA isoforms suggests that the extracellular and intracellular domains of the OB receptor perform different biological functions.