神经肽PACAP对神经内分泌系统的调控

神经肽类激素垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽(pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide,PACAP)最初从牛的脑垂体中被分离;后续研究发现,PACAP及其受体广泛存在于机体的各个组织器官,全面参与机体中枢和外周神经内分泌系统的功能调节。在中枢神经内分泌系统层面,PACAP通过促进下丘脑–垂体分泌各种上游激素,正向调控下游神经内分泌组织和器官的分泌,发挥神经内分泌网络的“指挥棒”功能;在外周神经内分泌系统层面,PACAP通过分布在外周神经内分泌组织器官内的受体,采用自分泌和旁分泌方式,实现对各种下游激素分泌的精细调控,发挥维持神经内分泌系统整体和谐平衡的“平衡器”作用。该文就PACAP对中枢和外周神经内分泌系统的调控作用进行整理,分析得出PACAP对神经内分泌系统的双重调控功能,为PACAP对神经内分泌系统功能的药用开发奠定理论基础。     

B族G蛋白偶联受体PAC1的N端基序HSDCIF对其二聚化和上膜运输的影响

B族G蛋白偶联受体（G protein-coupled receptors, GPCRs）PAC1是垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽（pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide, PACAP）的特异受体,介导PACAP神经保护等功能,是神经系统疾病药物开发的重要靶点之一. HSDCIF（His-Ser-Asp-Cys-Ile-Phe）为位于PAC1的N端胞外1区（extracellar domain 1, EC1）的一段短肽序列,与特定负责激活PAC1受体的激动域PACAP（1-6）具有极高的同源性.利用基因敲除技术构建出缺陷HSDCIF基序的PAC1突变体（简称D PAC1）|利用基因工程原理和技术构建系列真核表达重组载体,包括融合了增强型黄色荧光蛋白（enhanced yellow fluorescent protein, EYFP）的表达载体D-PAC1-EYFP|用于生物发光能量转移（bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, BRET）检测的D-PAC1-Rluc|以及用于双分子荧光互补（bimolecular fluorescence complementation, BiFC）实验的D-PAC1-EYFP/N和D-PAC1-EYFP/C.免疫荧光检测（immunofluorescence assay）测定D PAC1的表达|荧光共聚焦显微观察D-PAC1的细胞运输,然后通过 Western印迹、BRET与BiFC方法来检测D PAC1的二聚化情况,综合评价HSDCIF基序对PAC1二聚化和在细胞中定位的影响.检测结果显示,缺陷HSDCIF基序的突变体D PAC1不能发生二聚化,也不能正常的进行上膜运输,而是滞留在内质网中,同时外源化学合成的寡肽HSDCIF可以竞争性地抑制正常PAC1的二聚化.     

受四环素调控的真核表达系统SK-Hep1细胞株的建立

建立稳定、高效表达外源基因的SK-Hep1细胞株,以便进一步研究基因的作用.首先将调控质粒pCDNA6/TR转染SK-Hep1细胞,经潮霉素筛选得到多个稳定单克隆.各个单克隆分别扩大培养后,转染pCDNA4/TO/lacZ质粒,再经过DOX(强力霉素)诱导表达,检测β-半乳糖苷酶(β-D galaetosidase,β-gal)活性,从而筛选出高诱导水平低背景表达的SK-Hep1 tet-on细胞株.最后,再将pCDNA4/TO/c-myc质粒转染进SK-Hep1 tet-on细胞株,进一步通过Western blotting检测该系统对下游基因的表达调控.成功建立了一株受DOX调控的高诱导水平低背景表达的细胞株SK-Hep1 tet-on 10#.     

G蛋白偶联受体在不同表达系统中高水平表达的研究进展

G蛋白偶联受体(guanosine-binding protein coupled receptors,GPCRs)是一大类膜蛋白超级家族,具有7个跨膜域的特殊结构,并在机体内发挥着重要的生理作用.目前的研究主要集中在蛋白结构、功能、药物筛选等方面,然而,GPCRs在研究中也可以作为受体配基检测的重要工具.GPCRs体内本底含量很低,如果需要大量的GPCRs活性蛋白进行应用研究,体外异源表达是一种重要途径.通过对GPCRs在不同表达系统的高水平表达策略进行综述,将为GPCRs在体外的高含量表达提供有效参考,为探索GPCRs分子结构以及结构与功能的关系,更好地在各个领域应用GPCRs奠定基础.     

B类1型清道夫受体表达调控与信号转导通路

B类1型清道夫受体(scavenger receptor class B type 1,SR-B1)是一种与清道夫受体CD36具有高度同源性的膜糖蛋白,其表达相对广泛且有着众多生物学作用.体内外多种因素可从转录或转录后水平对SR-B1表达进行调控： PPARα/γ激动剂、部分LXR激动剂、LH/HCG、雌激素等能上调SR-B1的表达;维生素E、INFα、脂多糖、IGF-1、胆酸、PXR激动剂及高糖水平等能下调SR-B1的表达;而血管紧张素Ⅱ则可对SR-B1的表达进行双向调节,且它们具体的调节机制复杂.SR-B1作为一种具有多配体结合特性的膜受体,不同配体与其结合后可介导细胞内不同信号事件及生物学效应,如介导HDL激活细胞内PI3K/Akt及MAPK信号途径, 增加内皮型一氧化氮合酶的磷酸化、促进内皮细胞迁移与内皮重构.此外,非HDL类配体如LDL激活p38MAPK途径、凋亡细胞、血清淀粉样蛋白A等激活胞内MAPK途径均可由SR-B1介导.本文对近年来B类1型清道夫受体表达调控机制及信号转导通路的相关研究进行综述.     

甜味分子与G蛋白偶联受体Tas1R2/3的相互作用及激活机制

甜味分子与C家族G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptor,GPCR)的成员之一甜味受体相互作用,从而激活受体并引起甜味觉的感知。本文简要总结了甜味受体(taste receptor 2 and 3,Tas1R2/3)的结构与功能、甜味分子与受体相互作用并激活受体的机制,并对甜味受体研究领域的发展前景进行了展望。甜味分子与受体相互作用机制的阐明对于理解甜味觉的产生与GPCR的结构与功能具有重要的意义。此外,甜味受体结构与功能的研究可为有针对性地设计新型甜味化合物提供理论基础。     

家鸡G蛋白偶联受体78基因的克隆与组织表达图谱分析

G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)是一大类膜受体超家族,参与了机体几乎所有的生理过程,是一类重要信号分子受体。GPR78作为GPCR超家族的成员之一,属于孤儿型受体。目前,在脊椎动物中,针对该基因结构与功能的研究极少。本研究以家鸡为动物模型,通过RT-PCR方法克隆了GPR78基因的编码区序列,并探究了该基因在家鸡各组织中的表达情况。结果显示:家鸡GPR78基因编码区全长为1020 bp,含3个外显子,可编码1个长为339个氨基酸的7次跨膜受体;该基因在家鸡脑各功能区及垂体中高表达,而在其他外周组织中均不表达。本研究为后续探究GPR78基因在家鸡中的生理功能奠定基础。     

G蛋白偶联受体家族的发现和结构机理研究——2012年诺贝尔化学奖解读

2012年10月10日,2012年诺贝尔化学奖(The Nobel Prize in Chemistry)在瑞典皇家科学院揭晓,由于在G蛋白偶联受体研究领域("for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors")中的重要贡献,诺贝尔奖委员会宣布将诺贝尔化学奖授予两位美国生物化学家:霍华德.休斯医学研究所、杜克大学医学中心的罗伯特.莱夫科维茨(Robert J.Lefkowitz)     

家鸡G蛋白偶联受体85基因的结构、序列与组织表达分析

G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)超家族是细胞膜上广泛存在的一类受体,是细胞跨膜信号转导的一类重要受体分子,参与许多生理过程调节。它们中仍有很多至今尚未找到内源性配体,这类受体被称为孤儿型受体。G蛋白偶联受体85(GPR85)是GPCR超家族中孤儿型受体的一员。目前,在非哺乳类脊椎动物中,针对GPR85的研究极少。本研究以家鸡Gallus gallus domesticus为模型,通过反转录PCR和RACE-PCR等方法从脑中克隆到GPR85基因的cDNA全长序列,揭示其基因结构,并用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)方法探究了该基因在家鸡各组织中的表达情况。结果显示:家鸡GPR85基因位于1号染色体上,由2个外显子组成,其编码区位于第2个外显子上,长为1 113 bp,可编码1个370个氨基酸的7次跨膜受体蛋白。家鸡GPR85与其他脊椎动物(人Homo sapiens、小鼠Mus musculus、大鼠Rattus norvegicus、热带爪蟾Xenopus tropicalis和斑马鱼Danio rerio)的GPR85具有高度的氨基酸序列一致性(>93%)。qPCR分析发现,GPR85基因mRNA在家鸡全脑、垂体、肾上腺、精巢中有较高表达,而在所检测的其他外周组织中表达极低。本研究首次揭示了家鸡GPR85基因的结构与表达特征,为后续探究GPR85基因在家鸡等非哺乳类中的生理功能奠定基础。     

3脂联素受体表达调控的研究进展

脂联素是主要由脂肪细胞分泌的细胞因子,具有胰岛素增敏、抗炎、抗动脉粥样硬化和保护心肌等作用.脂联素的生物学效应需通过脂联素受体1/2的介导来完成.脂联素受体的表达水平直接影响到脂联素对下游信号通路的激活及生物学效应的发挥.对调节脂联素受体表达的因素进行研究,不但有助于揭示调控脂联素受体表达的分子机制,而且也为防治代谢紊乱和心血管疾病提供新思路.     

The expression of PAC1 increases in the degenerative thymus and low dose PACAP protects female mice from cyclophosphamide induced thymus atrophy

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with cytoprotective ability mediated by its specific receptor PAC1. In this research, firstly the thymus index and the expression of PAC1 in the normal and degenerative thymus with different gender were assayed; secondly PACAP in different dose was used to treat the female mice with cyclophosphamide (CPS) and the changes in thymus index, the expression of PAC1, histopathology, apoptosis, oxidative status and the caspase 3 activity in thymus were determined and compared. It was found that in the mice of age from 1 to 9 weeks in the stage of sex development, the thymus index was significantly higher in female mice than in male mice. And it was found for the first time that the PAC1 expression level in thymus of female mice was significantly higher than that of male mice and the expression of the PAC1 and PACAP increased significantly in the degenerative thymus induced by CPS. After PACAP was co-injected with CPS to the female mice, it was shown that only low dose (1 nmol/kg) of PACAP promoted the thymus index, inhibited the cell apoptosis, ameliorated the oxidative status and decreased the caspase activity significantly, while high dose (10 nmol/kg) of PACAP had no significant protective effects against CPS-induced thymus atrophy. It was concluded that the expression of PAC1 in the thymus changes in reverse ratio with thymus index and in direct ratio with cell apoptosis and only low dose of PACAP had positive effects against the CPS-induced thymus atrophy.     

Identification by photoaffinity labeling of the extracellular N-terminal domain of PAC1 receptor as the major binding site for PACAP

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts many crucial biological functions through the interaction with its specific PAC1 receptor (PAC1-R), a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). To identify the binding sites of PACAP in the PAC1-R, three peptide derivatives containing a photoreactive p-benzoyl-phenylalanine (Bpa) residue were developed. These photosensitive PACAP analogs were fully biologically active and competent to displace radiolabeled Ac-PACAP27 from the PAC1-R. Subsequently, the ¹²⁵I-labeled photoprobes were used to anchor the PAC1-R expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Photolabeling led to the formation of two protein complexes of 76 and 67 kDa, representing different glycosylated forms of the receptor. Proteinase and chemical cleavages of the peptide-receptor complexes revealed that ¹²⁵I[Bpa⁰, Nle¹⁷]PACAP27, ¹²⁵I[Bpa⁶, Nle¹⁷]PACAP27 and ¹²⁵I[Nle¹⁷, Bpa²²]PACAP27 covalently labeled the Ser⁹⁸ - Met¹¹¹ segment, the Ser¹²⁴ - Glu¹²⁵ dipeptide and the Ser¹⁴¹ - Met¹⁷² fragment, respectively. Taking into account the topology of the PAC1-R, these segments are mainly located within the extracellular N-terminal domain, indicating that this PAC1-R domain is the major binding site of PACAP27. The present study constitutes the first characterization of the binding domains of PACAP to its specific receptor and suggests heterogeneity within the binding mode of peptide ligands to class B GPCRs.     

Expression of mRNA for PACAP and its receptors in intra- and extra-adrenal human pheochromocytomas and their relationship to catecholamine synthesis

Purpose: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a member of the secretin/glucagons/vasoactive intestinal peptide family, induces the expression of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in adrenal medullary cells. In addition, PACAP and its receptor have been detected in human pheochromocytoma tissues, though it is not yet known whether PACAP enhances the expression of genes encoding catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. To address this question, we analyzed PACAP, PACAP receptor, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNAs in pheochromocytomas. Methods: The levels of the mRNA for PACAP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and their receptors, and for TH and PNMT were measured by RT-PCR or real-time PCR analysis, and the concentrations of catecholamines were measured by HPLC in 24 intra-adrenal and six extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. Results: mRNA expression of PACAP and its receptor VPAC1R were detected in many pheochromocytomas (24/30 and 29/30, respectively), but mRNA expression of the PAC1R and VPAC2R receptor subtypes were detected in only one of six extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. PACAP mRNA expression correlated with TH (p=0.0018) and PNMT (p=0.05) mRNA expression, as well as epinephrine (p=0.0342) levels in 16 intra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. Conclusion: Our findings support a possible role for PACAP in the regulation of expression of genes encoding catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in intra-adrenal pheochromocytomas.     

C-terminal amidation of PACAP-38 and PACAP-27 is dispensable for biological activity at the PAC1 receptor

PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 are the exclusive physiological ligands for the mammalian PAC1 receptor. The role of C-terminal amidation of these ligands at that receptor was examined in neuroendocrine cells expressing the PAC1 receptor endogenously and in non-neuroendocrine cells in which the human and rat PAC1 receptors were expressed from stable single-copy genes driven by the CMV promoter, providing stoichiometrically appropriate levels of this Gs-coupled GPCR in order to examine the potency and intrinsic activity of PACAP ligands and their des-amidated congeners. We found that replacement of the C-terminal glycine residues of PACAP-27 and -38 with a free acid; or extension of either peptide with the two to three amino acids normally found at these positions in PACAP processing intermediates in vivo following endoproteolytic cleavage and after exoproteolytic trimming and glycine-directed amidated, were equivalent in potency to the fully processed peptides in a variety of cell-based assays. These included real-time monitoring of cyclic AMP generation in both NS-1 neuroendocrine cells and non-neuroendocrine HEK293 cells; PKA-dependent gene activation in HEK293 cells; and neuritogenesis and cell growth arrest in NS-1 cells. The specific implications for the role of amidation in arming of secretin-related neuropeptides for biological function, and the general implications for neuropeptide-based delivery in the context of gene therapy, are discussed.     

PACAP及其衍生物治疗糖尿病及其并发症的研究进展

垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽(PACAP)是近年新发现的神经多肽,属于促胰液素/胰高血糖素/血管活性肽(VIP)家族中的新成员,广泛分布于脑和外周组织器官,尤其在内分泌胰腺、性腺、呼吸和生殖系统,在能量代谢、神经保护、免疫系统等发挥重要生理学功能。糖尿病是一种常见的主要以高血糖为特征的慢性代谢性疾病,糖尿病并发症日益严重威胁着人们的身体健康,已成为导致糖尿病患者致死、致残的主要原因。主要对PACAP治疗糖尿病及其并发症国内外研究的最新进展进行论述。     

垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽减轻谷氨酸对海马神经元的损伤并抑制胞内钙升高

对原代培养７～９ｄ的海马神经元给予谷氨酸处理,２４ｈ后,神经元的存活率降低。预先给予垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽（ＰＡＣＡＰ）能显著减少谷氨酸引起的海马神经元死亡。谷氨酸呈剂量依赖性增加海马神经元细胞内钙离子含量,ＰＡＣＡＰ能抑制谷氨酸引起的海马神经元细胞内钙离子浓度的升高,特异性ＰＡＣＡＰ Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂ＰＡＣＡＰ ６－３８能完全阻断ＰＡＣＡＰ减轻谷氨酸所致海马神经元损伤及降低谷氨酸所致神经元细胞内钙     

石斑鱼垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽和生长激素释放激素基因的cDNA克隆及表达分析

垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽 (PACAP)和生长激素释放激素 (GHRH)均属于血管活性肠肽家族成员 ,且两者前体基因在脊椎动物的鸟类、两栖类、鱼类中由同一基因编码 ,而哺乳动物是由两个不同基因编码。已有几例关于鱼类编码PACAP和GHRH基因克隆的报道 ,而关于重要海水养殖鱼类石斑鱼的PACAP和GHRH基因未见报道。克隆了PACAP GHRH前体cDNA序列 ,该前体有两种剪接方式 ,包括一个长序列和一个短序列 ,其中长序列编码PACAP和GHRH ,短序列缺失 10 5个碱基 ,仅编码PACAP而缺失编码GHRH的外显子区 ,同样情况在虹鳟和沟鲶中也有报道。通过半定量RT PCR方法对石斑鱼PACAP GHRH前体mRNA在胚胎发育和发育早期以及各部位的表达情况进行了分析。胚胎发育分析结果表明 ,从神经胚期开始 ,PACAP GHRH前体mRNA大量表达 ,提示该蛋白质在神经发育或神经营养方面具有重要作用。PACAP GHRH前体基因在中枢系统的表达量远高于外周组织。在鱼类的眼和鳃发现PACAP GHRH前体分布。     

Novel stable PACAP analogs with potent activity towards the PAC1 receptor

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a 38- or 27-amino acid neuropeptide with promising therapeutic applications for the treatment of several pathophysiological states related to neurodegenerative diseases. However, its use for therapeutic applications is actually limited by its restricted bioavailability and rapid degradation. Therefore, metabolically stable PACAP analogs represent promising tools to further investigate the physiological roles of PACAP and ascertain its usefulness in some clinical conditions. In this study, derivatives of PACAP27 and PACAP38 have been rationally designed to develop PAC1 receptor agonists resistant to peptidase action. Results showed that N-terminal modifications confer resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase IV, a major proteolytic process involved in PACAP degradation. Moreover, in vitro incubation of both PACAP isoforms in human plasma revealed that PACAP38 is rapidly metabolized, with a half-life of less than 5 min, while PACAP27 was stable in these experimental conditions. Hence, following the elucidation of its plasmatic metabolites, PACAP38 was modified at its putative endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase sites of cleavage. All peptide analogs were tested for their ability to bind the PAC1 receptor, as well as for their potency to induce calcium mobilization and inhibit PC12 cell proliferation through the PAC1 receptor. This approach revealed two leading compounds, i.e. acetyl-[Ala¹⁵, Ala²⁰]PACAP38-propylamide and acetyl-PACAP27-propylamide, which exhibited improved metabolic stability and potent biological activity. This study describes innovative data related to PACAP metabolism in human plasma and depicts the development of a metabolically stable PACAP38 analog, acetyl-[Ala¹⁵, Ala²⁰]PACAP38-propylamide, which behaves as a super-agonist towards the PAC1 receptor.