蓝光受体CRY1和CRY2对拟南芥钾吸收影响的研究

以拟南芥野生型Col-4和蓝光受体突变体cry1,cry2和cry1cry2为材料在蓝光下进行缺K+处理,cry1cry2的下胚轴及根的伸长受抑制程度最大.经过对K+充足条件下的Col-4,cry1,cry2和cry1cry2的钾元素含量和持水性检测.以及采用定量PCR对K+转运栽体和离子通道相关基因如AKT1,AtKC1,AKUP1等表达水平的分析,发现cry1cry2的钾元素含量最高、持水性最低,且其K+转运载体和离子通道相关基因的表达量也最高.该结果说明蓝光下CRY1和CRY2的缺失对K+的吸收起促进作用.     

拟南芥蓝光受体CRY2的功能及其介导的光形态建成

植物具备一套复杂的由两种蓝光受体和多种信号转导下游组分组成的蓝光感应系统,通过感受光照强度、光的方向和光周期,调节自身对蓝光的应答.蓝光反应的有效波长是蓝光和近紫外光(320～400nm),故蓝光受体也叫蓝光/近紫外光受体.CRY2(Cryptochromes,CRY)是一个核蛋白,在转录水平受蓝光的调节,它的作用是增加拟南芥对蓝光的敏感性.植物蓝光调节的反应主要有向光性、抑制幼茎伸长、叶绿体迁移、刺激气孔张开和调节基因表达等.对植物蓝光反应突变体分子生物学研究进展进行了综述,对蓝光受体及信号转导下游组分在植物发育中的作用及蓝光诱发植物作出反应的分子机制进行了探讨.     

Opto-vTrap,an optogenetic trap for reversible inhibition of vesicular release,synaptic transmission,and behavior

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Auxiliary Ca2+ binding sites can influence the structure of CIB1

Recent X-ray crystal structures and solution NMR spectroscopy data for calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) have all revealed a common EF-hand domain structure for the protein. However, the orientation of the two protein domains, the oligomerization state, and the conformations of the N- and C-terminal extensions differ among the structures. In this study, we examine whether the binding of glutathione or auxiliary Ca²⁺ ions as observed in the crystal structures, occur in solution, and whether these interactions can influence the structure or dimerization of CIB1. In addition, we test the potential phosphatase activity of CIB1, which was hypothesized based on the glutathione binding site geometry observed in one of the crystal structures of the protein. Biophysical and biochemical experiments failed to detect glutathione binding, protein dimerization, or phosphatase activity for CIB1 under several solution conditions. However, our data identify low affinity (K_d, 10⁻²M) Ca²⁺ binding events that influence the structures of the N- and C-terminal extensions of CIB1 under high (300 mM) Ca²⁺ crystallization conditions. In addition to providing a rationale for differences amongst the various solution and crystal structures of CIB1, our results show that the impact of low affinity Ca²⁺ binding events should be considered when analyzing and interpreting protein crystallographic structures determined in the presence of very high Ca²⁺ concentrations.     

拟南芥转录因子HB22与CRY1相互作用研究

通过酵母双杂交的方法,从拟南芥转录因子库中筛选出了6个与CRY1相互作用的转录因子.为了测定其中的HB22与CRY1相互作用的强度,采用了ONPG与CPRG两种方法对其β-半乳糖苷酶活性进行了分析.结果显示在蓝光光强为50μmol/m2s,孵育时间为4 h的情况下,蓝光与暗处理情况下的β-半乳糖苷酶活性比值分别为1.668和2.18.进一步设置蓝光处理时间及光强梯度实验数据显示,在蓝光光强为50μmol/m2s孵育时间为3 h时,二者相互作用强度达到最高.说明HB22与CRY1的相互作用具有蓝光响应.对蓝光处理不同时间的野生型col-4与cry1缺失突变体的材料进行HB22基因的定量PCR分析,发现拟南芥cry1缺失突变体中该基因的表达量比野生型中高,在蓝光处理2 h时,缺失突变体中表达量为野生型中的6倍左右.说明CRY1可能介导蓝光抑制HB22基因表达.     

Haloperidol,but not olanzapine,may affect expression of PER1 and CRY1 genes in human glioblastoma cell line

Background: There is barely any evidence of antipsychotic drugs affecting the molecular clockwork in human, yet it is suggested that clock genes are associated with dopaminergic transmission, i.e. the main target of this therapeutics. We decided to verify if haloperidol and olanzapine affect expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1 and CRY1 in a human central nervous system cell line model. Methods: U-87MG human glioblastoma cell line was used as an experimental model. The cells were incubated with or without haloperidol and olanzapine in the concentration of 5 and 20 μM for 24 h. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction with the ΔC_T analysis was used to examine the effect of haloperidol and olanzapine on the mRNA expression of the genes. Results: At 5 μM, haloperidol decreased expression of CRY1 almost 20-fold. There was nearly a 1.5-fold increase in expression of PER1. Considering the 20 μM haloperidol concentration and both olanzapine concentrations, no other statistically significant effect was observed. Conclusions: At certain concentration, haloperidol seems to affect expression of particular clock genes in a human central nervous system cell line model, yet mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive.     

Calcium and integrin binding protein 1 (CIB1) induces myocardial fibrosis in myocardial infarction via regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe coronary artery disease resulted from substantial and sustained ischemia. Abnormal upregulation of calcium and integrin binding protein 1 (CIB1) has been found in several cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we established a mouse model of MI by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. CIB1 was upregulated in the heart of MI mice. Notably, CIB1 knockdown by intramuscular injection of lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Cib1 improved cardiac function and attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and infarct area in MI mice. MI-induced upregulation of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III, which resulted in collagen production and myocardial fibrosis, were regressed by CIB1 silencing. In vitro, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) isolated from mice were subjected to angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment. Inhibition of CIB1 downregulated the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III in Ang II-treated CFs. Moreover, CIB1 knockdown inhibited Ang II-induced phosphorylation of PI3K-p85 and Akt in CFs. The effect of CIB1 knockdown on Ang II-induced cellular injury was comparable to that of LY294002, a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt pathway. We demonstrated that MI-induced cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction might be attributed to the upregulation of CIB1 in MI mice. Downregulation of CIB1 alleviated myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction by decreasing the expression of α-SMA, vimentin, Collagen I, and Collagen III via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, CIB1 may be a potential target for MI treatment.     

Molecular characterization of the sheep <Emphasis Type="Italic">CIB1</Emphasis> gene

The calcium and integrin binding protein 1(CIB1), is an EF-hand-containing protein that binds many effector proteins including the platelet αIIbβ3 integrin and potentially regulates their functions. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the sheep CIB1 gene. The CIB1 cDNA is 885-bp in size, containing a 45-bp of 5′ untranslated region (UTR), a 264-bp long 3′-UTR and a 576-bp open reading frame that encodes 191 amino acids. The sheep CIB1 cDNA shows 98.3, 92.0, 91.8, 91.3, 90.5 and 90.1% of similarity, at the nucleotide level, to its equivalents in cattle, pigs, rhesus monkey, humans, rats and mice, respectively at the deduced protein level, the corresponding values are more than 94%. The sheep CIB1 gene consisted of seven exons. Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) showed that CIB1 was widely expressed in different tissues with the highest level in the testis, suggesting that it may play a role in ram fertility. We cloned the sheep CIB2, CIB3 and CIB4 genes and detected their expression patterns in different tissues.     

Structural and functional analysis of NS1 and NS2 proteins of H1N1 subtype

Influenza A virus (H1N1), a genetic reassortment of endemic strains of human, avian and swine flu, has crossed species barrier to human and apparently acquired the capability of human to human transmission. Some strains of H5N1 subtype are highly virulent because NS1 protein inhibits antiviral interferon α/β production. Another protein NS2 mediates export of viral ribonucleoprotein from nucleus to the cytoplasm through export signal. In this paper, we have studied structure-function relationships of these proteins of H1N1 subtype and have determined the cause of their pathogenicity. Our results showed that non-conservative mutations slightly stabilized or destabi- lized structural domains of NS1 or NS1-dsRNA complex, hence slightly increased or decreased the function of NS1 protein and consequently enhanced or reduced the pathogenicity of the H1N1 virus. NS2 protein of different strains carried non-conservative mutations in different domains, resulting in slight loss of function. These mutations slightly decreased the pathogenicity of the virus. Thus, the results confirm the structure-function relationships of these viral proteins.     

拟南芥中光信号系统中关键基因CRY1、CRY2和COP1启动子的表达模式分析

通过构建表达光信号系统关键基因CRY1、CRY2和COP1启动子与GUS融合基因的拟南芥转基因植株,并对转基因植株进行GUS组织化学染色的结果表明,CRY1、CRY2和COP1的表达模式不受光条件的调控,并且在各器官有广泛的表达。分别分析CRY1基因启动子在cop1突变体以及COP1基因启动子在cry1突变体遗传背景中表达模式的结果表明,CRY1和COP1在转录水平上不存在明显的相互调控关系。     

Characterization of Arabidopsis decapping proteins AtDCP1 and AtDCP2, which are essential for post-embryonic development

Although decapping is an important process in eukaryotic mRNA turnover, little is known about this process in plants. Here, we identified Arabidopsis thaliana decapping proteins AtDCP1 and AtDCP2 and showed that (I) AtDCP2 is an active decapping enzyme, (II) AtDCP1 interacts with itself, (III) AtDCP1 and AtDCP2 are localized to cytoplasmic foci (putative Arabidopsis processing body), and (IV) AtDCP1 and AtDCP2 are essential for post-embryonic development. Our findings provide new insights into the role of decapping-dependent mRNA turnover.     

Analysis of PB2 protein from H9N2 and H5N1 avian flu virus

Influenza A viruses of subtype H9N2 are wide spread among poultry and other mammalian species. Crossing the species barrier from poultry to human occurred in recent years creating a pandemic of H9N2 virus. It is known that the pathogenicity of H9N2 is lower than H5N1. Nonetheless, it is important to establish the molecular functions of H9N2 viral proteins. We studied mutations in the polymerase protein PB2 of H9N2 from different strains and compared it with the highly pathogenic H5N1. The mutation M294T was found to be important in the N-myristoylation domain of Ck/UP/2573/India/04(H9N2) isolate. Prediction of secondary structures and PROSITE motif assignments were performed for PB2 to gain functional insight. Subsequently, the effect of mutations in secondary structures among strains is discussed.     

Phenology of cryptomonads and the CRY1 lineage in a coastal brackish lagoon (Vistula Lagoon,Baltic Sea)

Cryptomonadales have acquired their plastids by secondary endosymbiosis. A novel clade—CRY1—has been discovered at the base of the Cryptomonadales tree, but it remains unknown whether it contains plastids. Cryptomonadales are also an important component of phytoplankton assemblages. However, they cannot be readily identified in fixed samples, and knowledge on dynamics and distribution of specific taxa is scarce. We investigated the phenology of the CRY1 lineage, three cryptomonadales clades and a species Proteomonas sulcata in a brackish lagoon of the Baltic Sea (salinity 0.3–3.9) using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A newly design probe revealed that specimens of the CRY1 lineage were aplastidic. This adds evidence against the chromalveolate hypothesis, and suggests that the evolution of cryptomonadales’ plastids might have been shorter than is currently assumed. The CRY1 lineage was the most abundant cryptomonad clade in the lagoon. All of the studied cryptomonads peaked in spring at the most freshwater station, except for P. sulcata that peaked in summer and autumn. Salinity and concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen most significantly affected their distribution and dynamics. Our findings contribute to the ecology and evolution of cryptomonads, and may advance understanding of evolutionary relationships within the eukaryotic tree of life.     

Determination of alpha-helix N1 energies after addition of N1, N2, and N3 preferences to helix/coil theory

Surveys of protein crystal structures have revealed that amino acids show unique structural preferences for the N1, N2, and N3 positions in the first turn of the alpha-helix. We have therefore extended helix-coil theory to include statistical weights for these locations. The helix content of a peptide in this model is a function of N-cap, C-cap, N1, N2, N3, C1, and helix interior (N4 to C2) preferences. The partition function for the system is calculated using a matrix incorporating the weights of the fourth residue in a hexamer of amino acids and is implemented using a FORTRAN program. We have applied the model to calculate the N1 preferences of Gln, Val, Ile, Ala, Met, Pro, Leu, Thr, Gly, Ser, and Asn, using our previous data on helix contents of peptides Ac-XAKAAAAKAAGY-CONH2. We find that Ala has the highest preference for the N1 position. Asn is the most unfavorable, destabilizing a helix at N1 by at least 1.4 kcal mol(-1) compared to Ala. The remaining amino acids all have similar preferences, 0.5 kcal mol(-1) less than Ala. Gln, Asn, and Ser, therefore, do not stabilize the helix when at N1.     

Ca induces PI(4,5)P2 clusters on lipid bilayers at physiological PI(4,5)P2 and Ca concentrations

Calcium has been shown to induce clustering of PI(4,5)P₂ at high and non-physiological concentrations of both the divalent ion and the phosphatidylinositol, or on supported lipid monolayers. In lipid bilayers at physiological conditions, clusters are not detected through microscopic techniques. Here, we aimed to determine through spectroscopic methodologies if calcium plays a role in PI(4,5)P₂ lateral distribution on lipid bilayers under physiological conditions. Using several different approaches which included information on fluorescence quantum yield, polarization, spectra and diffusion properties of a fluorescent derivative of PI(4,5)P₂ (TopFluor(TF)-PI(4,5)P₂), we show that Ca^2 + promotes PI(4,5)P₂ clustering in lipid bilayers at physiological concentrations of both Ca^2 + and PI(4,5)P₂. Fluorescence depolarization data of TF-PI(4,5)P₂ in the presence of calcium suggests that under physiological concentrations of PI(4,5)P₂ and calcium, the average cluster size comprises ~ 15 PI(4,5)P₂ molecules. The presence of Ca^2 +-induced PI(4,5)P₂ clusters is supported by FCS data. Additionally, calcium mediated PI(4,5)P₂ clustering was more pronounced in liquid ordered (l_o) membranes, and the PI(4,5)P₂-Ca^2 + clusters presented an increased affinity for l_o domains. In this way, PI(4,5)P₂ could function as a lipid calcium sensor and the increased efficiency of calcium-mediated PI(4,5)P₂ clustering on l_o domains might provide targeted nucleation sites for PI(4,5)P₂ clusters upon calcium stimulus.     

ATG16L1 phosphorylation is oppositely regulated by CSNK2/casein kinase 2 and PPP1/protein phosphatase 1 which determines the fate of cardiomyocytes during hypoxia/reoxygenation

Recent studies have shown that the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of ULK1 and ATG13 are related to autophagy activity. Although ATG16L1 is absolutely required for autophagy induction by affecting the formation of autophagosomes, the post-translational modification of ATG16L1 remains elusive. Here, we explored the regulatory mechanism and role of ATG16L1 phosphorylation for autophagy induction in cardiomyocytes. We showed that ATG16L1 was a phosphoprotein, because phosphorylation of ATG16L1 was detected in rat cardiomyocytes during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). We not only demonstrated that CSNK2 (casein kinase 2) phosphorylated ATG16L1, but also identified the highly conserved Ser139 as the critical phosphorylation residue for CSNK2. We further established that ATG16L1 associated with the ATG12-ATG5 complex in a Ser139 phosphorylation-dependent manner. In agreement with this finding, CSNK2 inhibitor disrupted the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex. Importantly, phosphorylation of ATG16L1 on Ser139 was responsible for H/R-induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes, which protects cardiomyocytes from apoptosis. Conversely, we determined that wild-type PPP1 (protein phosphatase 1), but not the inactive mutant, associated with ATG16L1 and antagonized CSNK2-mediated phosphorylation of ATG16L1. Interestingly, one RVxF consensus site for PPP1 binding in the C-terminal tail of ATG16L1 was identified; mutation of this site disrupted its association with ATG16L1. Notably, CSNK2 also associated with PPP1, but ATG16L1 depletion impaired the interaction between CSNK2 and PPP1. Collectively, these data identify ATG16L1 as a bona fide physiological CSNK2 and PPP1 substrate, which reveals a novel molecular link from CSNK2 to activation of the autophagy-specific ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex and autophagy induction.     

钙结合蛋白CIB1在293T细胞中的表达及亚细胞定位研究

分析和比对钙结合蛋白CIB1在人类、大鼠、小鼠中氨基酸序列差异,并研究CIB1蛋白在293T细胞中的表达及亚细胞定位情况。通过Western Blot分析发现293T细胞本身几乎检测不到CIB1的表达。进一步采用CIB1外源性质粒转染,通过免疫荧光分析实验,在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察转染后不同时间293T细胞中CIB1的表达情况及亚细胞定位变化。实验结果表明,随着转染时间的增加,CIB1在293T细胞中的表达有逐渐增强的趋势,并且发生从细胞核向细胞质的转位现象。该实验结果对了解CIB1亚细胞定位变化及功能研究具有重要参考价值。