GSK3β在几种气道上皮损伤模型中的表达

目的观察糖原合成酶激酶3β(glycogen synthase kinase 3β,GSK3β)在气道上皮细胞(airway epithelialcells,AECs)损伤修复中的变化。方法利用吸烟/香烟提取物(cigarette smoke extract,CSE)、脂多糖(lipopolysacchor-id,LPS)和博来霉素(bleomycin,BLM)刺激分别建立几种体内、外气道上皮损伤模型,采用免疫细胞荧光、共聚焦成像和Western blot方法,观察GSK3β在几种不同损伤模型中的表达变化。结果①荧光共聚焦成像:GS3β在对照组小鼠AECs胞质内呈均匀分布的红色荧光颗粒,而吸烟、LPS和BLM三种体内模型中AEC胞质内红色荧光均明显减弱;免疫细胞荧光:GSK3β在对照组AECs胞质内呈强阳性均匀分布的红色荧光颗粒,而CSE、LPS、BLM刺激后的三种体外模型GSK3β在胞质内红色荧光均明显减弱。②Western blot:在体内模型中,吸烟组、LPS刺激组及BLM刺激组GSK3β表达均低于对照组,其中吸烟1w、LPS刺激1d、BLM刺激7d时表达最低(P≤0.05);而P-GSK3β均高于对照组,其中吸烟1w、LPS刺激7d和14d达到高峰(P<0.05)。在体外模型中,以上三种刺激均可导致抑制性磷酸化GSK3β的水平升高并呈浓度依赖性(P<0.05),而GSK3β表达则完全相反,随着浓度的升高趋势越明显(P<0.05)。结论吸烟/CSE,LPS、BLM刺激致AEC损伤修复过程中伴有GSK3β表达的活性改变,提示其在损伤修复中发挥重要作用。     

糖原合酶激酶3β和腺瘤性结肠息肉病蛋白在气道上皮细胞机械损伤修复过程的时空分布

为了探讨糖原合酶激酶3β（glycogen synthase kinase 3β,GSK3β）和腺瘤性结肠息肉病（adenomatous polyposis coli, APC）蛋白在气道上皮细胞（airway epithelial cells,AECs）损伤和修复中的作用,我们采用机械划线损伤的方法建立体外气道上皮损伤修复模型,采用Western blot、免疫荧光双标共聚焦成像和免疫沉淀的方法观察损伤修复过程中APC蛋白和GSK3β在AECs中表达及分布的动态变化。结果显示：（1）用Western blot方法观察到划线损伤0．5 h后即有GSK3β磷酸化增强（P〈 0．05）,6 h达到高峰（P〈0．05）,持续到12 h（P〈0．05）,24 h开始下降,而GSK3β总量大致保持一致。（2）在免疫荧光双标共聚焦成像实验中,划线损伤0 h组APC蛋白主要表达于胞浆,而划线损伤6 h后APC蛋白主要聚集于损伤前沿区的迁移活跃细胞。（3）免疫共沉淀的实验结果显示,划线损伤0 h时GSK3B和APC蛋白能共同沉淀,但在划线损伤6 h之后,两者发生了分离。以上结果表明：划线损伤后AECs立即启动修复过程,此时GSK3B的活性被抑制,促使APC蛋白游离出来;游离出来的APC蛋白则与微管正极结合,增加了微管的稳定性,从而调节细胞骨架运动,促进气道上皮的损伤修复。     

阿里红多糖组分对APP/PS1双转基因模型小鼠海马区AKT/GSK3β/Tau/P-tau蛋白表达的影响

探究阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)对阿尔茨海默症模型小鼠海马区AKT/GSK3β/Tau/P-tau蛋白表达的影响。实验选用64只3月龄雄性APP/PS1双转基因AD模型小鼠,随机分为模型组、多奈哌齐组(0.65 mg/kg)、阿里红多糖a组分(FOPS-a)与阿里红多糖b组分(FOPS-b)高、中、低(60、30、15 mg/kg),同月龄野生型C57BL/6J小鼠为正常组,每组8只,各组分别给与药物和生理盐水灌胃给药90天。6月龄时通过跳台、旷场实验检测小鼠行为学的变化,采用尼氏染色观察各组小鼠海马区神经元形态变化,应用RT-PCR法检测小鼠海马区AKT、GSK3β、Tau mRNA转录水平,Western-blot法检测AKT、GSK3β、Tau、P-tau蛋白的表达。结果发现阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)均能明显改善小鼠学习与记忆功能并保护海马区神经元的损伤,上调AKT mRNA转录水平和蛋白表达,下调GSK3β、Tau mRNA转录水平和GSK3β、Tau、P-tau蛋白表达。研究表明阿里红多糖组分(FOPS-a和FOPS-b)通过减少海马区神经元纤维缠结从而保护神经元的损伤,发挥拮抗AD的作用。     

Wnt通路中蓬松蛋白DNA甲基化对骨质疏松患者骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化影响

摘要 目的：探讨蓬松蛋白（DVL）DNA甲基化对骨质疏松（OP）患者骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）成骨分化及Wnt通路的影响。方法：分离、培养OP患者的BMSCs,成骨诱导培养BMSCs 0、7、14、21天,观察BMSCs细胞形态变化,检测碱性磷酸酶（ALP）染色及活性,检测茜素红染色及钙结节形成,荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）及免疫印迹检测远端缺失同源盒5（Dlx5）、核心结合蛋白因子2（Runx2）、成骨细胞特异性转录因子（OSX）、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白（Colla Ⅰ）表达。检测DVL1、Wnt、糖原合成酶激酶3（GSK3）、β连环蛋白（β-catenin）表达及DVL DNA甲基化水平。在成骨诱导培养基中加入甲基转移酶抑制剂5-Aza,将BMSCs分为对照组（Control组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂组（5-Aza组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂+si-NC组（5-Aza+si-NC组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂+si-Wnt组（5-Aza+si-Wnt组）,依次进行ALP活性测定,茜素红染色及钙结节形成测定。RT-PCR检测Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla 1水平,免疫印迹检测Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ、DVL1、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin的蛋白表达量,并检测DVL DNA甲基化水平。结果：成骨诱导后BMSCs具有强的ALP活性和矿化结节生成能力,且随着培养时间的增长,BMSCs细胞ALP活性和矿化结节生成能力增强,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA水平和Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达升高,DVL DNA甲基化水平降低（P＜0.05）。5-Aza组较Control组ALP染色加深,活性增强,钙结节形成增多（P＜0.05）,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白表达、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达升高,DVL DNA甲基化水平降低（P＜0.05）。5-Aza+si-Wnt组较5-Aza+si-NC组ALP染色变浅,活性降低,钙结节形成减少（P＜0.05）,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白表达、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达降低,DVL DNA甲基化水平升高（P＜0.05）。结论：DVL DNA甲基化可以通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制OP患者BMSCs成骨分化。     

H102对转基因AD小鼠脑内NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白的影响

目的：研究β片层阻断肽H102对转基因AD小鼠脑内NF-κB通路相关蛋白活性及表达的影响。方法：将30只8周龄APP/PS1双转基因小鼠随机分为模型组和给药组,另选15只同周龄同背景的C57BL/6J小鼠设为对照组（n=15）。给药组每日经鼻腔给予H102溶液5 μl （5.8 mg/kg）,对照组和模型组每日给予等量空白辅料溶液。给药16周后,采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠的空间参考记忆变化,采用免疫组织化学方法和免疫印迹技术测定小鼠脑组织内β样淀粉样蛋白（Aβ_1-42）、核因子-κB （NF-κB）、核因子-κB抑制蛋白（IκB）、IκB蛋白激酶（IKK）及其磷酸化蛋白（p-NF-κB、p-IκB、p-IKK）以及诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）和活化型半胱天冬酶-3（cleaved Caspase 3）蛋白的表达。结果：①Morris水迷宫测试：模型组小鼠的空间学习记忆能力较对照组显著降低,给药组较模型组显著提高（P<0.05）。②免疫组化及免疫印迹检测结果模型组小鼠脑组织内Aβ_1-42、p-IKK、p-NF-κB、p-IκB、核内NF-κB及iNOS和cleaved Caspase 3蛋白的表达较对照组显著增高,给药组蛋白表达较模型组显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：H102可抑制APP/PS1双转基因小鼠脑内NF-κB信号转导通路,抑制细胞凋亡和炎症反应,明显改善转基因AD小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

TGF-β3在动物面神经损伤后修复中的应用研究

目的：探讨外源性转化生长因子β3（Transforming growth factorβ3,TGF—β3）对动物面神经愈合的作用。方法：采用新西兰大白兔面神经损伤模型,将50ng/μgTGF—β3注射到神经切断嵌入的硅胶管明胶海绵内,16只成年兔随机分为1周组及3月组。两组内右侧面神经上颊支为实验组,左侧为对照组;通过GFAP（胶原纤维酸性蛋白）及Nestin（巢蛋白）等免疫组织化学染色方法进行愈合评估。结果：给予TGF—β3的1周组Nestin及GFAP,3月组Nestin及GFAP及1周组与3月组Nestin及GFAP与对照组之间都统计学有差异。结论：在外源性TGF—β3作用可促进内源性TGF—β3产生或共同通过Smad通路引起神经损伤后修复标志物Nestin及GFAP的表达增加,这表明TGF-β3在面神经的损伤后修复起促进愈合作用。     

甘油诱导的骨骼肌损伤修复过程肌间脂形态学及肌分泌因子表达变化

研究发现在甘油诱导的小鼠肌肉损伤修复过程中可能存在肌间脂的沉积,而肌肉分泌因子（myokines）作为特殊的蛋白参与了肌肉与脂肪的多种生理过程.为研究肌肉内注射甘油后对肌间脂生成的影响,以及注射后肌肉分泌因子在肌肉损伤后修复及肌间脂沉积过程中的表达趋势,本文选用三月龄C57BL/6品系小鼠,右腿胫骨前肌注射50% HBSS(V/V）甘油,左腿胫骨前肌注射等量的HBSS缓冲液作为对照.取注射后不同时期小鼠的胫骨前肌,冰冻切片技术检测肌肉再生及肌间脂沉积状况,实时定量PCR检测各分泌因子（IL-6、IL-15、MSTN、FNDC5、FGF21、myonectin和Insl6）的mRNA表达变化,酶联免疫分析（ELISA）检测分泌因子的蛋白表达变化.结果表明,在甘油诱导的肌肉损伤再生修复过程中存在肌间脂的生成,同时IL-6、Insl6、FGF21和IL-15的mRNA相对表达量在肌肉损伤修复过程中的前、中期变化明显,而MSTN和myonectin的mRNA相对表达量则在中、后期变化明显. IL-6、Insl6的蛋白表达量在前、中期明显升高.综上所述,甘油注射可引起肌肉损伤修复,并在这一过程中伴随着肌间脂的沉积,而肌肉分泌因子作为肌肉与脂肪之间的信息交换因子可能参与了肌肉损伤后的再生修复以及肌间脂的形成.     

糖原合成酶激酶3在猪气道上皮细胞鳞状分化中作用的初步探讨

为探讨糖原合成酶激酶3（glycogen synthase kinase 3,GSK3）在气道（气管和支气管）上皮细胞鳞状分化中的作用,培养原代猪气道上皮细胞,用GSK3的高度选择性抑制剂氯化锂处理,观察细胞形态变化,用Western blot检测β-连环素、磷酸化GSK3和鳞状分化标记物外皮蛋白的表达、RT-PCR检测鳞状分化标记物小脯氨酸丰富蛋白mRNA的表达、荧光素酶报告基因分析β-连环素／Tcf信号的激活状态。结果显示,锂能诱导猪气道上皮细胞出现鳞状形态、增加小脯氨酸丰富蛋白mRNA和外皮蛋白的表达、促进GSK3的抑制性丝氨酸磷酸化和β-连环素的细胞核内转位;锂能激活β-连环素／Tcf信号,但该作用出现于鳞状分化标记物增加之后。上述结果提示,GSK3可能参与猪气道上皮细胞的鳞状分化。     

支架蛋白IQGAP1参与气道上皮细胞损伤修复过程

气道上皮损伤修复过程包括细胞延伸、迁移和增殖.IQGAP1 (IQ domain GTPase-activating protein 1)是一个在许多细胞生命活动中非常有意义的蛋白,但其在肺上皮细胞中的作用尚未阐述清楚.本文采用目前广泛应用的刮伤气道上皮细胞的体外模型来研究IQGAP1的功能.结果显示,IQGAP1在小鼠、大鼠、猪和人气道上皮细胞中有丰富表达.它与微管骨架共定位,可被微管解聚剂nocodazole破坏.刮伤6～9h后,IQGAP1 mRNA及蛋白表达上调.过表达外源性IQGAP1导致β-catenin核转位,从而活化Tcf/Lef信号.此外,刮伤还影响IQGAP1与β-catenin、结肠腺瘤病(adenomatous polyposis coli, APC)蛋白及细胞质连接蛋白-170 (cytoplasmic linker protein-170, CLIP-170)之间的相互作用.通过小干扰RNA (small interference RNA, siRNA)沉默IQGAP1表达则明显延迟损伤愈合.结果提示,IQGAP1信号参与气道上皮细胞损伤修复过程.     

miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究

摘要 目的：探究miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究。方法：SPF级C57BL/6J ApoE^-/-雄性小鼠根据研究目的将实验小鼠分为对照组、AS模型组和miR-19抑制剂组。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉组织中miR-19的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析小鼠主动脉PTEN、HMGB1和AKT的蛋白表达。通过荧光素酶活性检测miR-19a与PTEN的靶向关系。通过组织学和红油O染色分析小鼠胸腹主动脉和主动脉窦中的AS斑块面积。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉主动脉弓内膜中促炎细胞因子和趋化因子的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析主动脉弓内膜中ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达。结果：AS模型组miR-19mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组miR-19mRNA表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组PTEN蛋白表达较对照组降低,HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组PTEN蛋白表达较AS模型组升高,miR-19抑制剂组HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较对照组增加（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较AS模型组减少（P<0.05）。AS模型组TNF-α、IL-β、IL-6和CXCL2的mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-β和CXCL2的mRNA表达较AS模型降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。结论：miR-19通过靶向调控PTEN表达激活HMGB1/PI3K/Akt信号通路,这可能会促进VSMCs的异常增殖、迁移和炎症反应,有助于AS的进展。     

GSK-3beta is required for memory reconsolidation in adult brain

Activation of GSK-3beta is presumed to be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by memory disturbances during early stages of the disease. The normal function of GSK-3beta in adult brain is not well understood. Here, we analyzed the ability of heterozygote GSK-3beta knockout (GSK+/-) mice to form memories. In the Morris water maze (MWM), learning and memory performance of GSK+/- mice was no different from that of wild-type (WT) mice for the first 3 days of training. With continued learning on subsequent days, however, retrograde amnesia was induced in GSK+/- mice, suggesting that GSK+/- mice might be impaired in their ability to form long-term memories. In contextual fear conditioning (CFC), context memory was normally consolidated in GSK+/- mice, but once the original memory was reactivated, they showed reduced freezing, suggesting that GSK+/- mice had impaired memory reconsolidation. Biochemical analysis showed that GSK-3beta was activated after memory reactivation in WT mice. Intraperitoneal injection of a GSK-3 inhibitor before memory reactivation impaired memory reconsolidation in WT mice. These results suggest that memory reconsolidation requires activation of GSK-3beta in the adult brain.     

Insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity is unaltered in ob/ob and db/db mouse skeletal muscle membranes

Insulin binding and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity were examined in two rodent models with genetic insulin resistance using partially-purified skeletal muscle membrane preparations. Insulin binding activity was decreased about 50% in both 12-week (219 +/- 184 vs 1255 +/- 158 fmoles/mg, p less than 0.01) and 24-week old (2120 +/- 60 vs 1081 +/- 60 fmoles/mg, p less than 0.01) ob/ob mice. In contrast, insulin binding to membrane derived from 24-week old db/db mice was not significantly different from lean controls (1371 +/- 212 vs 1253 +/- 247 fmoles/mg). Insulin-associated tyrosine kinase activity of membranes from ob/ob skeletal muscle was decreased, compared to its normal lean littermate, when compared on a per mg of protein basis in both 12-week (37 +/- 3 vs 21 +/- 3 pmoles/min/mg, p less than 0.05) and 24-week old (71 +/- 5 vs 37 +/- 6 pmoles/min/mg, p less than 0.01) mice. However, no significant differences in kinase activities were observed when the data were normalized and compared on a per fmole of insulin-binding activity basis for the 12-week (12 +/- 1 vs 11 +/- 2) and 24-week (27 +/- 2 vs 20 +/- 3) age groups. Insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity of db/db skeletal muscle membranes was not different than its normal lean littermate whether expressed on a protein (34 +/- 7 vs 30 +/- 3) or fmole of insulin-binding activity (21 +/- 4 vs 18 +/- 4) basis. These data suggest that insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is not associated with the insulin resistance observed in ob/ob and db/db mice and demonstrate differences in receptor regulation between both animal models.     

Role of the PDK1-PKB-GSK3 pathway in regulating glycogen synthase and glucose uptake in the heart

In order to investigate the importance of the PDK1-PKB-GSK3 signalling network in regulating glycogen synthase (GS) in the heart, we have employed tissue specific conditional knockout mice lacking PDK1 in muscle (mPDK1-/-), as well as knockin mice in which the protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation site on glycogen synthase kinase-3alpha (GSK3alpha) (Ser21) and GSK3beta (Ser9) is changed to Ala. We demonstrate that in hearts from mPDK1-/- or double GSK3alpha/GSK3beta knockin mice, insulin failed to stimulate the activity of GS or induce its dephosphorylation at residues that are phosphorylated by GSK3. We also establish that in the heart, both GSK3 isoforms participate in the regulation of GS, with GSK3beta playing a more prominent role. This contrasts with skeletal muscle where GSK3beta is the major regulator of insulin-induced GS activity. Despite the inability of insulin to stimulate glycogen synthesis in hearts from the mPDK1-/- or double GSK3alpha/GSK3beta knockin mice, these animals possessed normal levels of cardiac glycogen, demonstrating that total glycogen levels are regulated independently of insulin's ability to stimulate GS in the heart and that mechanisms such as allosteric activation of GS by glucose-6-phosphate and/or activation of GS by muscle contraction, could operate to maintain normal glycogen levels in these mice. We also demonstrate that in cardiomyocytes derived from the mPDK1-/- hearts, although the levels of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) are increased 2-fold, insulin failed to stimulate glucose uptake, providing genetic evidence that PDK1 plays a crucial role in enabling insulin to promote glucose uptake in cardiac muscle.     

实验性肺纤维化大鼠发病过程中肺组织FIZZ1蛋白和mRNA表达的动态变化

为了探讨FIZZ1（found in inflammatory zone 1）在肺纤维化发病中的作用,应用博莱霉素（5mg／kg体重）气管内注入复制实聆性人鼠肺纤维化模犁,采用HE染色、Masson三联染色、羟脯氨酸含量测定、免疫组织化学染色、原位杂交等方法,观察实验性人鼠肺纤维化的发病过程及其肺组织中FIZZ1蛋白、mRNA表达水平的动态变化。结果显示：（1）实验性人鼠肺纤维化发病过程中,呈现舆型的肺泡炎（7d）、纤维组织增生（14～2ld）及稳定的肺纤维化（28d）等表现;（2）FIZZ1蛋白在正常肺组织表达较弱,存肺纤维化组7d时表达明显增强,14d时较7d时有所减弱,21及28d明显减弱;（3）FIZZ1 mRNA在正常肺组织巾表达较弱,在肺纤维化组7d时表达明显增强,14d时开始减弱,2l及28d明显减弱,但仍强于正常组。上述结果提示,FIZZ1蛋白和mRNA在实验性大鼠肺纤维化发病过程中呈现明显的动态变化,并可能参与了肺纤维化的发生。     

Epidermal growth factor in serum, urine, submandibular glands and kidneys of diabetic mice

Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serum were significantly decreased in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice (446 +/- 168 pg/ml after 1 week and 423 +/- 52 after 4 weeks vs 766 +/- 162 pg/ml in controls, P.002 and less than .001. respectively) and in genetically diabetic ob/ob mice (455 +/- 285 vs 962 +/- 453 pg/ml in nondiabetic ob/+ controls, P.043). The urinary excretion of EGF was significantly increased in STZ mice (104 +/- 53 vs 51 +/- 23 ng/h, P.013) but unchanged in ob/ob mice (33 +/- 9 vs 45 +/- 16 ng/h, P.134). However, when expressed per mg creatinine it was decreased in both cases: in STZ mice to 680 +/- 250 ng/mg at 1 week and 684 +/- 211 at 4 weeks vs 1250 +/- 303 ng/mg in controls (P less than .01); and in the ob/ob mice to 552 +/- 117 vs 1237 +/- 300 ng/mg in ob/+ controls (P less than .01). EGF content of the submandibular glands of STZ mice remained unchanged at 1 week (13.1 +/- 2.9 vs 11.0 +/- 1.8 micrograms/mg protein, P.170) but dropped by 4 weeks (4.7 +/- 1.2 micrograms/mg, P less than .001); in the ob/ob mice it was less than 20% that of controls (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs 12.2 +/- 3.6 micrograms/mg protein). In kidneys, the EGF content was not altered in either ob/ob (524 +/- 50 vs 571 +/- 33 pg/mg protein) or STZ mice (652 +/- 183 vs 665 +/- 80 pg/mg). The preproEGF mRNA level in STZ-treated mice was reduced after 4 weeks in submandibular glands but not in kidneys. The results show that diabetes affects EGF production, utilization and/or excretion in mice and that kidneys are spared from suppression of EGF synthesis that is pronounced in the submandibular glands.     

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta is a natural activator of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1)

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3 beta) is implicated in many biological events, including embryonic development, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and insulin response. GSK3 beta has now been shown to induce activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase MEKK1 and thereby to promote signaling by the stress-activated protein kinase pathway. GSK3 beta-binding protein blocked the activation of MEKK1 by GSK3 beta in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed a physical association between endogenous GSK3 beta and MEKK1 in HEK293 cells. Overexpression of axin1, a GSK3 beta-regulated scaffolding protein, did not affect the physical interaction between GSK3 beta and MEKK1 in transfected HEK293 cells. Exposure of cells to insulin inhibited the activation of MEKK1 by GSK3 beta, and this inhibitory effect of insulin was abolished by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Furthermore, MEKK1 activity under either basal or UV- or tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated conditions was reduced in embryonic fibroblasts derived from GSK3 beta knockout mice compared with that in such cells from wild-type mice. Ectopic expression of GSK3 beta increased both basal and tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated activities of MEKK1 in GSK3 beta(-/-) cells. Together, these observations suggest that GSK3 beta functions as a natural activator of MEKK1.     

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta together with 14-3-3 protein regulates diabetic cardiomyopathy: effect of losartan and tempol

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3beta is a multifunctional protein that positively regulates myocardial apoptosis and negatively regulates hypertrophy. However, the role of GSK3beta in the diabetic myocardium is largely unknown. We found that GSK3beta became more active (less phosphorylated at serine 9) via decreased Akt phosphorylation, in parallel to c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase activation, which correlated with increased activated caspase 3 and myocardial apoptosis 3 days after streptozotocin (STZ) injection in mice. However, 28 days after STZ injection, GSK3beta became inactive, which correlated with the enhanced protein kinase C beta2 and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase expression, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells c3, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. All of the above parameters were exacerbated in dominant-negative 14-3-3 transgenic mice. Our results suggest that GSK3beta together with 14-3-3 protein plays essential roles in the signaling of diabetic cardiomyopathy, and treatment with either losartan or tempol prevents these changes.     

Anesthetic preconditioning: triggering role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in isolated hearts

We postulated that anesthetic preconditioning (APC) is triggered by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). We used the isolated guinea pig heart perfused with L-tyrosine, which reacts with ROS and RNS to form strong oxidants, principally peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), and then forms fluorescent dityrosine. ROS scavengers superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione (SCG) and NO. synthesis inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) were given 5 min before and after sevoflurane preconditioning stimuli. Drugs were washed out before 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Groups were control (nontreated ischemia control), APC (two, 2-min periods of perfusion with 0.32 +/- 0.02 mM of sevoflurane; separated by a 6-min period of perfusion without sevoflurane), SCG, APC + SCG, L-NAME, and APC + L-NAME. Effluent dityrosine at 1 min reperfusion was 56 +/- 6 (SE), 15 +/- 5, 40 +/- 5(++), 39 +/- 4(++), 35 +/- 4(++) , and 33 +/- 5(++) units ((++)P< 0.05 vs. APC), respectively; left ventricular pressure (%baseline) at 60 min of reperfusion was 30 +/- 5(++), 60 +/- 4, 35 +/- 5(++), 37 +/- 5(++), 44 +/- 4, and 47 +/- 4; and infarct size (%total heart weight) was 50 +/- 5(++), 19 +/- 2, 48 +/- 3(++), 46 +/- 4(++), 42 +/- 4(++), and 45 +/- 2(++). Thus APC is initiated by ROS as shown by improved function, reduced infarct size, and reduced dityrosine on reperfusion; protective and ROS/RNS-reducing effect of APC were attenuated when bracketed by ROS scavengers or NO* inhibition.