G蛋白Rab3a协同神经生长抑制因子(GIF)抑制神经元的生长

为了研究G蛋白Rab3a与神经生长抑制因子 (growthinhibitoryfactor,GIF ,原称金属硫蛋白 3,MT 3)相互作用对神经元细胞生长的影响 ,以嗜铬细胞瘤株 (pheochromocytoma)PC1 2充当神经元模型 .将hMT 3(humanMT 3)和Rab3a基因分别克隆至真核表达载体pFlag CMV 2和pSV HA中 ,质粒共同转染PC1 2细胞 ,观察转染后细胞的生长状态 .以共转染pFlag CMV 2 hMT 1和pSV HA Rab3a的细胞组作为对照 ,验证hMT 3与Rab3a相互作用对PC1 2影响的特异性 .结果发现 ,共转染pFlag CMV 2 hMT 3和pSV HA Rab3a的PC1 2细胞生长明显受到抑制 ,细胞生长抑制率与GIF在脑提取物存在F的神经元生长抑制作用接近 ,但转染两基因中的任何单个基因以及共转染pFlag CMV 2 hMT 1和pSV HA Rab3a对PC1 2细胞生长无影响 .进一步构建重组表达质粒pGEX 4T 1 Rab3a和pGEX 4T 1 hMT 3,转化大肠杆菌BL2 1 ,经谷胱甘肽 Sepharose 4B亲和层析、凝血酶酶切和SephacrylS 1 0 0纯化 ,得到纯度 95 %以上的Rab3a和hMT 3蛋白 .体外细胞生物学活性检测表明 ,表达的Rab3a蛋白与重组hMT 3蛋白共培养PC1 2 ,对细胞的生长产生了明显的特异性协同抑制作用 ,抑制曲线与GIF在脑提取物存在下的神经元生长抑制曲线极为相似     

生长抑制因子(GIF)与G蛋白Rab3a直接相互作用

生长抑制因子(growth inhibitory factor, GIF), 又称金属硫蛋白-3, 为68个氨基酸组成的脑特异性金属硫蛋白, 具有广泛的生理功能; GIF可能与阿尔茨海默氏症(Alzheimer's)病理相关, 在Alzheimer's脑提取物存在下, 还对神经细胞具有特异的生长抑制活性.然而, 对其发挥生长抑制作用的分子机制并不清楚.运用酵母双杂交系统从人脑cDNA文库中筛选与GIF相互作用因子,从4.1×10⁶个人脑cDNA文库转化子中,首次筛选到Ras家族G蛋白Rab3a C端,包含87个氨基酸的片段能与GIF相互作用;用PCR自人胎盘总cDNA中获得包含完整Rab3a编码序列的cDNA;通过酵母双杂交实验表明,全长Rab3a蛋白亦能与GIF相互作用.免疫共沉淀和蛋白质印迹实验进一步验证了GIF与Rab3a在哺乳动物细胞中可以相互作用; 而且, Rab3a是以GTP结合形式(GTP-Rab3a)与GIF发生相互作用.     

G蛋白Rab3a cDNA的克隆与表达

利用PCR法 ,从人胎盘总cDNA中扩增得到Rab3acDNA的全编码区 .序列分析表明 ,扩增得到的Rab3acDNA有 5个核苷酸发生了变异 ,但翻译的氨基酸与发表的完全一致 .将扩增得到的Rab3acDNA克隆于原核融合表达载体pGEX 4T 1中 ,在E .coliBL2 1中经IPTG诱导表达 .为了进一步鉴定表达产物 ,对纯化后的Rab3a蛋白进行了SDS PAGE、N端氨基酸测序、质谱分子量测定及氨基酸组成分析鉴定 .结果显示 ,表达蛋白的分子量约 2 5kD ,N端氨基酸序列为MASATDSR ,氨基酸组成分析表明 ,Rab3a蛋白获得了正确表达     

Wnt 3a在神经干细胞向多巴胺能神经元分化过程中作用的研究

Wnt信号在中枢神经系统发育过程中起重要的作用,控制着细胞的生长及分化.Wnt3a是Wnt家族的成员之一,对神经干细胞的增殖及分化有一定的调控作用.将重组Wnt3a腺病毒转入神经干细胞中,研究Wnt3a在定向诱导神经干细胞向多巴胺能神经元分化过程中的作用.将神经干细胞分为4组,对照组(不加任何诱导因子组)、抗坏血酸诱导组(AA组)、Wnt3a重组腺病毒诱导组(Wnt3a组)以及Wnt3a重组腺病毒加抗坏血酸诱导组(Wnt3a AA组).结果显示,Wnt3a组细胞中的多巴胺能神经元前体细胞特异性标志Nurr1表达量显著增多,Wnt3a AA组多巴胺能神经元明显多于AA组,酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)在mRNA水平上的表达是AA组的1.86倍.蛋白质印迹及免疫细胞化学染色显示,各诱导组均有TH的表达,Wnt3a组和AA组多巴胺能神经元阳性细胞数比例分别为(5.76±3.34)%和(37.42±2.54)%,与Wnt3a AA组(73.96±2.61)%比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).利用高效液相色谱法检测到诱导后的细胞可分泌多巴胺.结果表明,Wnt3a可促进神经干细胞向多巴胺能神经元前体细胞分化,再通过抗坏血酸的诱导作用,在体外可获得大量的多巴胺能神经元,这些神经元有分泌多巴胺的功能.     

miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响

为了考察miR-103a对癫痫大鼠海马组织星形胶质细胞活化的影响。本研究通过腹腔注射氯化锂和毛果芸香碱诱导癫痫大鼠模型,对大鼠脑室内注射miR-103a抑制剂来敲低miR-103a的表达;采用免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠海马组织中胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的阳性表达;采用RT-qPCR和Western blotting方法检测大鼠海马组织中miR-103a、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、GFAP、TNF-α和IL-6的m RNA和蛋白表达;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色评价海马组织病变程度;Nissl染色检测神经元存活情况;TUNEL染色检测神经元的凋亡。结果显示,癫痫大鼠海马组织中miR-103a被上调。下调miR-103a抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中GFAP的mRNA和蛋白表达,且抑制癫痫大鼠海马神经元的病理损伤,但能促进癫痫大鼠海马神经元的存活并抑制其凋亡。此外,下调miR-103a还抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中IL-6和TNF-α的表达,并促进癫痫大鼠海马组织中BDNF的表达。本研究表明,靶向沉默miR-103a可以抑制癫痫大鼠海马组织中星形胶质细胞的活化并改善神经元的病理损伤。     

二氧化硫衍生物对大鼠海马CA3区神经元瞬间外向钾电流的影响

为研究二氧化硫(SO2)衍生物——NaHSO3和Na2SO3(二者分子比为1：3)对大鼠海马CA3区神经元瞬间外向钾电流(IA)的影响,利用全细胞膜片钳技术,根据动力学和药理学特性分离鉴定大鼠海马CA3区神经元IA,观察SO2衍生物对IA的效应。发现SO2代谢衍生物可浓度依赖性地增大IA,使IA增大50％的剂量为25μmol/L。此外还与电压呈依赖关系,但不具有频率依赖性。10μmol/L的SO2代谢衍生物不影响IA电流的激活过程,但升高了A-通道稳态失活电压,延长了A-电流失活时间。说明SO2代谢衍生物可增大大鼠海马CA3区神经元IA电流,延长A-电流的失活时间,从而影响海马神经元的膜生理感应,这可能是SO2影响神经细胞功能的机理之一。     

p85a基因对小鼠大脑皮层投射神经元迁移的影响

Pi3k/Akt信号通路是近年来发现的参与细胞增殖、调控的重要通路,Pi3k激活可介导多种细胞功能,Pi3k由p85a和p110构成。该研究通过干扰p85a基因的表达,探讨其在小鼠大脑皮层投射神经元迁移中的作用。首先,构建p85a基因的对照质粒（scramble）、siRNA质粒（sip85a-1、sip85a-2）和过表达质粒（OEp85a）;接着转染N2a细胞,48 h后,用定量PCR方法检测p85a基因mRNA的表达情况。随后,将sip85a-1、sip85a-2、OEp85a质粒分别转入小鼠大脑,4 d后,借助免疫荧光方法检测皮层神经元的迁移情况。定量PCR结果显示：与对照相比,转染sip85a-1、sip85a-2均能显著降低N2a细胞中p85a基因的mRNA表达,抑制效率约为40%（P〈0.05）;而转染OEp85a质粒后,能显著增加p85a基因mRNA的表达,约为对照组的12倍（P〈0.01）。胚胎电转结果中,各区EGFP阳性神经元数目定量分析显示,sip85a-1、sip85a-2、OEp85a质粒均能显著抑制神经元的迁移（P〈0.05）。大脑发育阶段中,p85a基因在适当范围内,对平衡神经元迁移过程中起着重要作用。     

高糖对海马神经元形态破坏和APP蛋白含量的影响

为探索高糖培养对原代海马神经元形态损伤和神经退行性相关蛋白β-淀粉样蛋白前体(amyloid β-protein precursor,APP)含量的影响,分离胎龄16 d的大鼠海马神经元,分别使用含有25 mmol/L、50 mmol/L、75 mmol/L和100 mmol/L葡萄糖浓度的Neurobasal培养基进行原代培养干预,Western-blot检测APP蛋白水平,光学显微镜下观察不同浓度葡萄糖作用后海马神经元形态的变化。结果发现:高糖培养后,胎鼠海马神经元突触变短,胞体肿胀,同时APP水平随着葡萄糖浓度的递增逐渐升高。以上信息提示高糖引发的神经元形态破坏与APP高水平有关,控制血糖可能有利于保护神经元细胞,使其免受损伤。     

Smad2/3a对斑马鱼神经嵴细胞标记基因crestin表达的影响

目的 探讨Smad2/3a对脊椎动物神经嵴细胞发育的影响。方法 通过在斑马鱼胚胎单细胞时期显微注射smad2/3吗啉环修饰的反义寡核苷酸的方法,特异性敲降smad2/3基因的表达,至胚胎发育至6体节,利用整胚原位杂交检测神经嵴细胞特异性标记基因snail1b,sox10,foxd3和crestin的表达情况;通过casmad2 mRNA和smad3a mRNA显微注射的方法过表达smad2和smad3a,同样利用整胚原位杂交检测神经嵴细胞特异性标记基因crestin的表达情况;通过过表达casmad2及smad3a对下调smad2和smad3a的胚胎进行挽救。结果 smad2/3a被敲低后,crestin的表达量显著降低,而snail1b,sox10和foxd3的表达量无明显变化。smad3b被敲低后,crestin,snail1b,sox10和foxd3的表达量均无明显变化;过表达casmad2和smad3a均可导致crestin的表达量增高;过表达casmad2和smad3a可挽救由于smad2/3a敲降所造成crestin的低表达量。结论 Smad2和Smad3a对神经嵴细胞标记基因crestin的表达具有重要作用。     

产前应激对子代大鼠海马CA3区神经元Ca2+和K+通道的影响

本研究的目的在于探讨产前应激对子代大鼠海马CA3神经元高电压激活(HVA)钙通道、延迟整流钾电流(delayedrectifierpotassiumcurrents,IKD)的影响。产前应激(prenatalstress,PNS)组孕鼠孕晚期给予束缚应激,应用全细胞膜片钳技术进行研究。结果显示产前应激增加了子代海马CA3神经元HVA钙通道峰电流幅值,对照组和产前应激组子代CA3神经元平均最大HVA钙电流峰值分别为-576.52±7.03pA和-702.05±6.82pA(P<0.01)。同时未改变其电导-电压关系,也未改变延迟整流钾通道电流-电压关系、电导-电压关系。结果提示,在胎儿发育的关键时期,给予母体产前应激,引起子代海马神经元HVA钙电流增加,其机制一方面PNS导致皮质酮升高,从而可能增加HVA钙通道mRNA表达;另一方面PNS所致反应性氧化产物(reactiveoxygenspecies,ROS)增多,后者可能通过磷酸化HVACa2 通道亚单位,从而提高HVA钙电流幅值。     

神经生长抑制因子研究进展

神经生长抑制因子(neuronal growth inhibitory factor, GIF) 又名金属硫蛋白-Ⅲ (metallothionein-Ⅲ,MT-Ⅲ),特异分布于中枢神经系统(CNS),是神经系统中第一个被鉴定的具有神经元生长抑制功能的蛋白. GIF一级序列、高级结构、金属结合特性类似于其他MTs,基因结构也与其他MTs高度同源,但表达调控途径相异. GIF可能以其β结构域的CPCP区,与脑组织提取物中的相关因子结合,进而表现其生物学功能. 有研究认为GIF与阿尔茨海默等脑相关疾病均有密切关系.     

Neuronal Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Signal Transduction Involves a Pertussis Toxin-Sensitive G-Protein

In most nonneural systems, platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor effects are mediated by G-proteins that are often pertussis toxin-sensitive. The activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins linked to PAF receptors results in the mobilization of intracellular calcium, at least in part, through the second messenger inositol triphosphate. We have sought to determine if a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein is involved in the PAF receptor-mediated phenomena of growth cone collapse and of synaptic enhancement in primary neuronal culture. Using infrared differential interference contrast microscopy and patch-clamp recording techniques, pertussis toxin, but not the inactive B oligomer of the toxin, was found to block both the growth cone collapse and the enhanced synaptic release of excitatory transmitter induced by a nonhydrolyzable PAF receptor agonist, making it likely that G_o, G_q, or G_i is the G-protein transducer of PAF receptors in primary neurons. We believe that PAF acts directly on neuronal receptors, which are linked to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins, on the tips of developing neurites, and on presynaptic nerve terminals, leading to growth cone collapse and enhanced synaptic release of transmitter.     

猪脑类神经肽抑制因子的分离纯化和抗小鼠癫痫作用

本实验室以猪脑为原料,利用超滤,凝胶过滤层析和反相高效液相色谱等分离纯化方法,分离出一种小分子类神经肽抑制因子(Neuropeptide-like inhibitor,NPI),并进行生物活性和理化性质的初步研究。以MTT比色法检测NPI对噬铬细胞瘤(pheochromocytoma)PC12细胞生长的影响;建立戊四氮致小鼠急性癫痫模型,检测NPI体内活性;通过液相色谱法鉴定NPI相对分子量和氨基酸组成。结果表明NPI对PC12细胞生长具有抑制作用,并呈量效关系。动物模型实验显示小鼠初次惊厥时间明显延长(P<0.01),惊厥程度及死亡率明显下降(P<0.05),表明NPI具有体内抗惊厥活性。     

Incorporation of a glycine within the conserved TCPCP motif of human neuronal growth inhibitory factor significantly reduces its bioactivity

It has been reported that the ⁶CPCP⁹ motif near the N-terminus is pivotal to the inhibitory activity of human neuronal growth inhibitory factor (hGIF). In order to better understand the biological significance of this region on the structure, property and function of hGIF, we introduced a highly flexible residue, Gly, either in front of the ⁶CPCP⁹ motif (the IG6 mutant, TGCPCP) or in the middle of it (the IG8 mutant, TCPGCP) and investigated their structural and metal binding properties in detail. The results showed that the overall structure and the stability of the metal-thiolate clusters of the two mutants were comparable to that of hGIF. However, the bioassay results showed that the bioactivity of the IG6 mutant decreased significantly, while the bioactivity of the IG8 mutant was almost abolished. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that the backbone of the IG6 mutant exhibited high similarity to that of hGIF, and the two prolines could still induce structural constraints on the ⁶CPCP⁹ tetrapeptide and form a similar conformation with that of hGIF, however, the conformation of the first five amino acid residues in the N-terminus was quite different. In hGIF, the five residues are twisted and form a restricted conformation, while in the IG6 mutant this peptide extends more naturally and smoothly, which is similar to that of MT2. As to the IG8 mutant, the Gly insertion broke the ⁶CPCP⁹ motif, thus probably abolishing the interactions with other molecules and eliminating its inhibitory activity. Based on these results, we suggested that although the structure adopted by the ⁶CPCP⁹ motif is the determinant factor of the inhibitory bioactivity of hGIF, other residues within the N-terminal fragment (residue 1-13) may also influence the peptide conformation and contribute to the protein’s bioactivity.     

Novel Neuronal Effects of Midkine on Embryonic Cerebellar Neurons Examined Using a Defined Culture System

1. Midkine (MK) is known to be a member of a family of heparin-binding neurotrophic factors. We used a chemically defined culture system to examine neuronal activities of MK on embryonic rat cerebellar cells.2. In the culture system, a substrate surface was chemically modified either with amine or with laminin peptide to homogenize substrate conditions for culturing neurons.3. At the optimal concentration (2.5 ng/ml), MK moderately promoted survivability (1.3-fold) and accelerated neurite outgrowth (1.4-fold) of cerebellar cells, putatively granule neurons, grown on an amine-modified surface.4. Higher dosages (10 ng/ml or more) of MK, however, caused cellular fragmentation and detachment. Such degenerative effects were diminished by increasing the surface adhesiveness using laminin peptide, suggesting that the cellular degeneration might be caused by changes in the adhesive property of the neuron.5. Using this culture system, we have found that MK has a novel modulatory activity of neuronal adhesiveness on the cultured cerebellar granule cells. Together with the expression pattern of MK, our study supports the idea that MK may be involved in the developmental events of the cerebellum.     

Receptor Level Mechanisms Are Required for Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-stimulated Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) Activity Pulses

In both physiological and cell culture systems, EGF-stimulated ERK activity occurs in discrete pulses within individual cells. Many feedback loops are present in the EGF receptor (EGFR)-ERK network, but the mechanisms driving pulsatile ERK kinetics are unknown. Here, we find that in cells that respond to EGF with frequency-modulated pulsatile ERK activity, stimulation through a heterologous TrkA receptor system results in non-pulsatile, amplitude-modulated activation of ERK. We further dissect the kinetics of pulse activity using a combination of FRET- and translocation-based reporters and find that EGFR activity is required to maintain ERK activity throughout the 10–20-minute lifetime of pulses. Together, these data indicate that feedbacks operating within the core Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK cascade are insufficient to drive discrete pulses of ERK activity and instead implicate mechanisms acting at the level of EGFR.     

不同EGF和胰岛素水平对体外培养的大熊猫皮肤成纤维细胞的影响

用DME∶Ham sF12(1∶1)培养液,添加3个水平的EGF和2个水平的胰岛素,组合成6种培养体系(CS)分别培养大熊猫皮肤成纤维细胞。通过对细胞生长速度和染色体数目变异率进行测定,测得在添加10μg/ml的胰岛素和40 ng/ml的表皮生长因子的培养体系中,以1.673±0.185×105/ml密度接种细胞,经3.5天,密度达到6.890×105/ml,其生长速度最快;染色体数目为二倍体的百分率为75.77%。综合衡量,CS-5在本研究中更适合大熊猫皮肤成纤维细胞的培养。