Role of the JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 signaling pathway in galectin-1-induced T-cell death

Galectin-1 (gal-1), an endogenous β-galactoside-binding protein, triggers T-cell death through several mechanisms including the death receptor and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In this study we first show that gal-1 initiates the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), and MKK7 as upstream JNK activators in Jurkat T cells. Inhibition of JNK activation with sphingomyelinase inhibitors (20 μM desipramine, 20 μM imipramine), with the protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ) inhibitor rottlerin (10 μM), and with the specific PKCθ pseudosubstrate inhibitor (30 μM) indicates that ceramide and phosphorylation by PKCδ and PKCθ mediate gal-1-induced JNK activation. Downstream of JNK, we observed increased phosphorylation of c-Jun, enhanced activating protein-1 (AP-1) luciferase reporter, and AP-1/DNA-binding in response to gal-1. The pivotal role of the JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway for gal-1-induced apoptosis was documented by reduction of DNA fragmentation after inhibition JNK by SP600125 (20 μM) or inhibition of AP-1 activation by curcumin (2 μM). Gal-1 failed to induce AP-1 activation and DNA fragmentation in CD3-deficient Jurkat 31-13 cells. In Jurkat E6.1 cells gal-1 induced a proapoptotic signal pattern as indicated by decreased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression, induction of proapoptotic Bad, and increased Bcl-2 phosphorylation. The results provide evidence that the JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway plays a key role for T-cell death regulation in response to gal-1 stimulation.     

内毒素肝损伤过程中枯否细胞NF-κB和AP-1活性变化及其生物学意义

为探讨内毒素肝损伤过程中,枯否细胞（Kupffer cells,KCs)内主要转录因子Nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB）、Activator protein-1(AP-1)活性的动态变化规律,采用健康昆虫种小鼠,随机分组如下:Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)尾静脉注射3h的量效关系：正常对照组和低（1mg/kg)、中（5mg/kg)、高（10mg/kg)3个内毒素剂量组;注射5mg/kg LPS的时效关系：正常对照、0．5、1、3、5、8h组。Electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA)法检测KCs中NF－κB、AP－1活性。结果发现,内毒素肝损伤过程中,KCs中NF－κB、AP－1在不同时效和量效均不同程度活化。提示,二者的活化与炎症反应的调控机制紧密相关,抑制其过度活化可能有助于炎症的治疗。     

The crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis: where does this lead?

Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular processes contributing to autophagy have provided insight into the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis. In contrast to the concept of “autophagic cell death,” accumulating evidence suggests that autophagy serves a largely cytoprotective role in physiologically relevant conditions. The cytoprotective function of autophagy is mediated in many circumstances by negative modulation of apoptosis. Apoptotic signaling, in turn, serves to inhibit autophagy. While the mechanisms mediating the complex counter-regulation of apoptosis and autophagy are not yet fully understood, important points of crosstalk include the interactions between Beclin-1 and Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and between FADD and Atg5, caspase- and calpain-mediated cleavage of autophagy-related proteins, and autophagic degradation of caspases. Continued investigation of these and other means of crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms controlling the balance between survival and death both under normal conditions and in diseases including cancer.     

Functional Effect of Pim1 Depends upon Intracellular Localization in Human Cardiac Progenitor Cells

Human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPC) improve heart function after autologous transfer in heart failure patients. Regenerative potential of hCPCs is severely limited with age, requiring genetic modification to enhance therapeutic potential. A legacy of work from our laboratory with Pim1 kinase reveals effects on proliferation, survival, metabolism, and rejuvenation of hCPCs in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that subcellular targeting of Pim1 bolsters the distinct cardioprotective effects of this kinase in hCPCs to increase proliferation and survival, and antagonize cellular senescence. Adult hCPCs isolated from patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation were engineered to overexpress Pim1 throughout the cell (PimWT) or targeted to either mitochondrial (Mito-Pim1) or nuclear (Nuc-Pim1) compartments. Nuc-Pim1 enhances stem cell youthfulness associated with decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, preserved telomere length, reduced expression of p16 and p53, and up-regulation of nucleostemin relative to PimWT hCPCs. Alternately, Mito-Pim1 enhances survival by increasing expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X_L and decreasing cell death after H₂O₂ treatment, thereby preserving mitochondrial integrity superior to PimWT. Mito-Pim1 increases the proliferation rate by up-regulation of cell cycle modulators Cyclin D, CDK4, and phospho-Rb. Optimal stem cell traits such as proliferation, survival, and increased youthful properties of aged hCPCs are enhanced after targeted Pim1 localization to mitochondrial or nuclear compartments. Targeted Pim1 overexpression in hCPCs allows for selection of the desired phenotypic properties to overcome patient variability and improve specific stem cell characteristics.     

Role of Src-specific phosphorylation site on focal adhesion kinase for senescence-associated apoptosis resistance

A decreased apoptotic response toward noxious stress is an issuing characteristic of the aging phenotype. Hydrogen peroxide or staurosporine induced apoptosis readily in young cells but not in senescent cells. We showed that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression and its phosphorylation at Tyr³⁹⁷, autophosphorylation site for focal adhesion formation, and Tyr⁵⁷⁷, Src-dependent phosphorylation site, were both increased in senescent cells. Moreover, FAK was inactivated proteolytically by apoptotic stimuli in young cells, but not in senescent cells. In addition, senescent cells whose FAK expression was downregulated by siRNA showed the increased level of apoptosis by staurosporine treatment via caspase-3 activation but not by hydrogen peroxide treatment. Interestingly dephosphorylation at Tyr⁵⁷⁷ of FAK by PP2 treatment, Src-family kinase inhibitor, induced the apoptosis by staurosporine in senescent cells but dephosphorylation at Tyr³⁹⁷ by downregulation of caveolin-1 was not affected. These data suggest that FAK might differently regulate apoptosis and focal adhesion formation through site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation in senescent cells. Both authors contributed equally to this work.     

人外周血淋巴细胞凋亡与年龄及p21~(WAF1)的关系

 分别从老年人和新生儿外周血中分离淋巴细胞 ,用形态观察、DNA断裂电泳图谱、流式细胞仪分析凋亡峰等手段检测其在体外培养过程中发生凋亡的情况 .结果表明 ,不论是自发凋亡还是用1 0 mmol/L的丁酸钠诱导其凋亡 ,老年人淋巴细胞的凋亡率均高于新生儿组 .进一步检测淋巴细胞凋亡时 p2 1 WAF1的表达变化 ,结果表明老年人淋巴细胞 p2 1 WAF1的下调幅度明显大于新生儿组 .提示老年人淋巴细胞凋亡率高与其 p2 1 WAF1表达容易下调有关 .     

EB病毒LMP-1上调鼻咽癌细胞系AP-1的活性

为了探讨 EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白 1 ( LMP- 1 )通过信号传导途径介导的致瘤分子机制 ,由此首先构建了 AP- 1报告基因 ,用佛波酯诱导确定了其报道 AP- 1的功能 ;通过建立荧光素酶双报道系统 ,研究了 LMP- 1表达对 AP- 1和 NFκB活性的影响 .研究发现 :在 LMP- 1阴性鼻咽癌 ( NPC)细胞系 ,导入 LMP- 1表达质粒后 ,AP- 1和 NFκB的活性均升高 4～ 5倍 ;而在 LMP- 1阳性 NPC细胞系中 ,当导入 LMP- 1反义表达质粒 ,AP- 1和 NFκB的活性则受抑制 ,活性下调 3～ 4倍 .结果表明 ,LMP- 1能上调 NPC细胞系 AP- 1的活性 ,同时再次证实了 LMP- 1能活化 NFκB.     

红藻氨酸致敏癫痫大鼠海马内AP-1 DNA结合活性和成分的改变

一次皮下注射惊厥剂量（７．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）的红藻氨酸（ｋａｉｎｉｃ ａｃｉｄ,ＫＡ）诱发Ｆｉｓｈｅｒ３４４大鼠出现急性癫痫发作,７ｄ后即可形成癫痫敏感大鼠,继用Ｇｅｌ ｓｈｉｆｔ、Ｓｕｐｅｒ－ｓｈｉｆｔ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｍ ｂｌｏｔ方法测定大鼠海马内ＡＰ－１ ＤＮＡ结合活性及其组成成分。Ｇｅｌ ｓｈｉｆｔ结合显示,癫痫敏感大鼠海马内ＡＰ－１ ＤＮＡ结合活性的基础水平较对照组为高;Ｓｕｐｅｒ－ｓｈｉｆｔ实研     

Some Properties of Transglycosylation Activity of Sesame β-Glucosidase

The transglycosylation reaction of partially purified β-glucosidase from sesame seeds with cellobiose is described. Sesame β –glucosidase was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 200,000 by gel filtration. Sesame β-glucosidase showed strong transfer activity to synthesize the trisaccharide from cellobiose. The optimum pH and temperature of the transglycosylation reaction were pH 4.0 and 60°C.     

AP-1与STAT5相互作用协同调节血管紧张素原基因表达

为研究AP-1和STAT5协同调节血管紧张素原基因表达的作用机制,用凝胶电泳迁移率改变分析（EMSA）和染色质免疫沉淀分析（ChIP assay）检测血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）诱导的AP-1和STAT5的DNA结合活性;用凝胶超迁移分析和免疫共沉淀方法观察AP-1和STAT5的相互作用. 结果显示,AngⅡ可分别促进AP-1和STAT5与血管紧张素原基因调控区顺式元件的结合以及二者之间的相互作用;核蛋白与含AP-1结合位点的寡核苷酸探针结合形成的复合物可与抗c-Jun抗体和抗STAT5抗体形成超迁移电泳区带;而用抗c-Jun抗体也可从STAT5 染色质免疫沉淀复合物洗脱液中检测到AP-1的存在. 而且,AP-1和STAT5的相互作用程度及其二者与DNA的结合活性与血管紧张素原表达活性具有一致关系,该效应可被JAK2特异抑制剂AG490所抑制. 上述结果提示,与顺式元件结合的AP-1和STAT5通过相互作用而形成四元复合物协同调节血管紧张素原基因的表达,JAK2对该过程具有诱导活化作用.     

乳腺癌细胞中人血小板衍生生长因子受体β启动子的基础活性研究

目的:探讨低迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和高迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中血小板衍生生长因子β启动子的基础活性及转录调控差异。方法:Real-Time PCR,Weastern blot等技术检测PDGFRβ在2株细胞中的转录和表达差异。双荧光报告系统检测PDGFRβ启动子各缺失突变片段在2株细胞中的活性,筛选差异片段。生物信息学预测启动子区可能存在的转录因子。凝胶迁移实验研究转录因子在两株乳腺癌细胞中对PDGFRβ启动子的调节活性。结果:两株细胞中都有PDGFRβ的内源性表达,且在MDA-MB-231中表达较高。在2株细胞中找到了人PDGFRB 启动子的重要活性调节区,(+539bp,+1457bp)在2株细胞中均呈负调控,(+54bp,+539bp)在两株细胞中均呈正调控,(-983bp,+54bp)在MDA-MB-231中呈显著正调控,在MCF-7中没有活性。转录因子AP1的转录活性和与DNA的结合活性在MDA-MB-231中均高于MCF-7。结论:不同迁移表型的乳腺癌细胞中PDGFRβ存在不同的表达调控机制,PDGFRβ启动子活性片段(-983bp,+54bp)在两株细胞中存在显著活性差异。转录因子AP-1在两株细胞中有表达水平和结合活性差异。     

Micromolar Zinc Affects Endonucleolytic Activity in Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Apoptosis

When damaged by hydrogen peroxide, peripheral blood lymphocytes undergo cell death by apoptosis in the absence of internucleosomal DNA cleavage, while, in the same cells, other apoptosis-inducing treatments bring DNA cleavage to completion. However, the formation of internucleosomal DNA fragments is readily obtained if cells are pretreated with a divalent metal chelator, TPEN, at micromolar concentrations. Since the coadministration of equimolar zinc concentrations abrogates the formation of the ladder, a zinc-inhibitable endonucleolytic activity is accounted for the effect. Most notably, subtraction of zinc ions does not increase the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis, but rather results in a rescue from death.     

Effects of diethylstilbestrol in human lymphocytes in vitro: A dose and time-dependent study on genotoxic, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects

Most of the biological, chemical or physical agents that cause cell death in certain doses and time of exposure may induce either apoptosis or necrosis. This study explores in what ways the genotoxic, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES), a chemical agent currently used in the treatment of various types of cancer, on the human lymphocytes depend upon the dose and the exposure time. For this purpose, firstly it aims to determine in what dosages and durations of DES treatment, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes occur in vitro. Secondly, it explores the effects of DES on sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and apoptosis and their relation with the nitric oxide (NO) levels. Finally, it investigates whether different dosages of DES and duration of treatment with it are correlated with each other. In so doing, we investigated the relationship among the viability, necrosis and apoptosis rates of human lymphocytes which were treated with five different DES concentrations (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 μM) for 24, 48 and 72 h, DNA fragmentation analysis of these cells, their mean SCE values and NO levels. We concluded that 5 μM DES at 24 h is the most effective dosage that induces typical features of apoptosis in human lymphocytes. Despite the fact that there are many other studies on the effects of DES on the cancer cells, we thought it might be worth looking into the effects of DES on human lymphocytes in vitro. We meant the present study to contribute to the research done in the field of cancer treatment. (Mol Cell Biochem 276: 45–53, 2005)