Analysis of an expression profile of genes in the human adipose tissue

Increasing evidence suggests that in addition to storing excess energy as fat, adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ secreting various factors into the blood stream. Every time a new factor is found in adipose tissue, however, its implication is discussed independently, and a systematic analyses based upon a global view of gene expression of this tissue has not been performed. To describe the function of this tissue in terms of gene expression, and to find new factors, we performed random complementary DNA (cDNA) sequencing using a 3'-directed cDNA library that faithfully represents the composition of the messenger RNA (mRNA). Various well-known but unexpected genes, including those for gelsolin, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX-3) and carboxypeptidase E (CPE) were shown to be very active. By comparing the expression profile of active genes in the adipose with those of other tissues and with data in dbEST, we identified seven new genes that are specifically expressed in adipose tissue. Among these, one encoded a protein with collagen-like repeats and a putative secretion signal. These data can be used as new tools for analyses of the physiology of this tissue, as well as the etiology and complications of obesity.     

A new catalog of protein beta-sheets

Systematic protein folding studies depend on protein three-dimensional structure annotation, the assignment of amino acid structural types from atomic coordinates. Significant stabilizing factors between adjacent beta-sheet peptide chains have recently been characterized and were not considered during the development of previously published annotation methods. To produce an accurate beta-sheet domain catalog and to encompass the full beta-sheet spectacle, we developed a method, beta-Spider, which evaluates a packing energy between adjacent peptide chains in accordance with the newly discovered stabilizing factors. While considering important energetic factors, our approach also minimizes the use of subjective criteria, such as (phi,psi) boundaries and sets of H-bonding motifs that are used in other existing methods. As a result of the application of beta-Spider to a set of available high-resolution X-ray crystal structures, we present here a new beta-sheet catalog that differs considerably from the one produced by the most acclaimed DSSP method. The catalog includes new H-bonding motifs that were never reported.     

Nucleoporation of dendritic cells: efficient gene transfer by electroporation into human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Four new members of the ERF (ethylene-response factor) family of plant-specific DNA-binding (GCC box) factors were isolated from tomato fruit (LeERF1–4). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that LeERF2 belongs to a new ERF class, characterized by a conserved N-terminal signature sequence. Expression patterns and cis/trans binding affinities differed between the LeERFs. Combining experimental data and modeled three-dimensional analysis, it was shown that binding affinity of the LeERFs was affected by both the variation of nucleotides surrounding the DNA cis-element sequence and the nature of critical amino acid residues within the ERF domain.     

Mammary branch initiation and extension are inhibited by separate pathways downstream of TGFβ in culture

During the branching morphogenesis process that builds epithelial trees, signaling from stimulatory and inhibitory growth factors is integrated to control branch initiation and extension into the surrounding stroma. Here, we examined the relative roles played by these stimulatory and inhibitory signals in the patterning of branch initiation and extension of model mammary epithelial tubules in culture. We found that although several growth factors could stimulate branching, they did not determine the sites at which new branches formed or the lengths to which branches extended. Instead, branch initiation and extension were defined by two separate signals downstream of the inhibitory morphogen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Branch initiation was controlled by signaling through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, whereas branch extension was controlled by Smad-mediated induction of a second diffusible inhibitor, Wnt5a. These data suggest that mammary epithelial branching is patterned predominately by repulsive signaling, and that TGFβ activates multiple inhibitory pathways to refine the architecture of the tree.     

Reorganization of myosin and focal adhesion proteins in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts induced by transforming growth factor beta

Certain types of cells show a dramatic change in cell morphology cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). To identify cellular components or factors leading to morphological changes, we investigated if any members of cytoskeletal proteins and cell-adhesion molecules were redistributed in TGF-beta-treated Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts by indirect immunofluorescence and Western-blot analysis. Changes in cell morphology became apparent within 12 h of the addition of TGF-beta and new RNA and protein synthesis was necessitated by the changes. While TGF-beta induced reorganization of microfilaments as reported in earlier studies, one of the actin isoforms, alpha actin of smooth muscle, was induced to form stress fibers in Swiss 3T3 cells. It was observed that myosin light chain was relocated from cell periphery to cytoplasmic filamentous structures by TGF-beta treatment, with an increased amount. In addition, the cell-shape change was accompanied by an increase in the level of vinculin and tyrosine phosphorylation at focal adhesions. These results suggest that new protein synthesis is required for the cell-shape change, and acto-myosin filaments and focal adhesion proteins are involved in the alteration of cell morphology induced by TGF-beta in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.     

多功能的蛋白:糖原合成酶激酶-3

糖原合成酶激酶-3(GSK-3)是一个多功能的丝氨酸／苏氨酸类激酶,在真核生物中普遍存在。在哺乳动物中包括两个亚型,即GSK-3a和GSK-3β。GSK-3至少在三条细胞通路上有作用：Wnt/wingless,P13-kinase以及Hedgehog信号通路,该酶的作用主要包括调节糖原的合成代谢,参与细胞的分化与增殖等。研究发现,GSK-3在某些疾病,如阿尔茨海默病和非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病(NIDDM)中,其活性会异常升高。现已发现了几种针对该酶的抑制剂,如aloisine,paullones和马来酰胺类化合物等。这些抑制剂的确在分子水平特异性地抑制GSK-3的活性,而对其他激酶几乎没有作用。关于这些抑制剂的研究工作也已经在细胞水平和动物模型上开展起来,为开发以GSK-3为靶点的新的治疗药物创造了良好的基础。     

新型抗癌药物分子靶标STAT3的研究进展

信号转导与转录激活因子(STATs)是一类发挥信号转导和转录因子调节作用的蛋白质家族,它们可以作为信号转导分子和转录调节因子参与到细胞因子和生长因子对于正常细胞的调控作用中。STATs的异常激活,特别是STAT3激活,和多种人类恶性肿瘤相关联。相关的分子生物学和药理学模型的研究也已确认STAT3在肿瘤发生中的重要作用,这些工作为抗癌药物研发和治疗癌症提供了新的靶标。此外,结构性活化的STAT3突变体就足以诱导瘤原细胞的转化,并且进一步在体内形成肿瘤。结构性激活的STAT3信号通路常常伴随着一些基因如cyclinD1,c-Myc和Bcl-x的上调,同时也会破坏正常细胞生长与生存的调控机制。体外和体内的实验研究结果也证明,对于STAT3信号通路结构性的阻断可以导致STAT3高表达肿瘤类型中的细胞生长抑制和凋亡。这种已被证实了的肿瘤细胞内的结构性激活和生长存活之间的相互联系,为癌症治疗提供了广阔的应用前景。近年来针对STAT3抑制剂的研究逐渐成为热点,本文就此作一综述。     

前体mRNA的选择性多聚腺苷酸化与人类疾病

真核细胞的前体mRNA必须经过复杂的加工过程才能成熟,包括5’端加帽、剪接和3’端加工,其中3’加工包括3’端的切割和多聚腺苷酸化.该过程由前体mRNA上的顺式作用元件以及多个蛋白质因子控制.组成哺乳动物前体mRNA3’端加工机器的核心蛋白质复合体有切割和多聚腺苷酸化特异性因子、切割刺激因子、切割因子Ⅰ和切割因子Ⅱ.其他因子包括poly(A)聚合酶、poly(A)结合蛋白、偶对蛋白(symplekin)等.哺乳动物基因通常含有多个ploy(A)位点,选择性多聚腺苷酸化不仅可产生具有不同长度3’UTR的mRNA异构体,还可能改变基因的CDS区.作为真核生物基因表达调控的关键机制,选择性多聚腺苷酸化在细胞生长、增殖和分化中起着重要作用.本文综述了哺乳动物前体mRNA的3’端加工过程,3’端加工机器的组成及功能,探讨了选择性多聚腺苷酸化在多种人类疾病中的作用机制,以期为读者带来一些新的见解.     

MIP-3α 联合成骨诱导因子诱导大鼠脂肪干细胞向成牙本质样细胞分化*

目的:观察巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-3α(MIP-3α)对大鼠脂肪干细胞(Adipose derived stem cells,ASCs)向成牙本质样细胞体外分化作用的影响。方法:分离、培养并鉴定大鼠ASCs;以MIP-3α联合成骨诱导因子(地塞米松,β-甘油磷酸钠,以及抗坏血酸)诱导第3代大鼠ASCs向成牙本质样细胞定向分化。诱导培养1、4、7d后,分别测定碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatese,ALP)活性,并用RT-PCR及Western Blot检测成牙本质细胞的标志基因dspp及标志物牙本质涎蛋白(DSP)。结果:与单独加入成骨诱导因子相比,MIP-3α与成骨诱导因子联合应用能使ALP活性、dspp的mRNA表达以及DSP升高。结论:本研究显示MIP-3α与成骨诱导因子联合应用可以增强成牙本质细胞相关基因以及蛋白的表达,为牙齿再生种子细胞的寻找开辟了一条新思路。     

The Different Immune Responses by Age Are due to the Ability of the Fetal Immune System to Secrete Primal Immunoglobulins Responding to Unexperienced Antigens

Among numerous studies on coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), we noted that the infection and mortality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) increased with age and that fetuses known to be particularly susceptible to infection were better protected despite various mutations. Hence, we established the hypothesis that a new immune system exists that forms before birth and decreases with aging.Methods: To prove this hypothesis, we established new ex-vivo culture conditions simulating the critical environmental factors of fetal stem cells (FSCs) in early pregnancy. Then, we analyzed the components from FSCs cultivated newly developed ex-vivo culture conditions and compared them from FSCs cultured in a normal condition.Results: We demonstrated that immunoglobulin M (IgM), a natural antibody (NAb) produced only in early B-1 cells, immunoglobulins (Igs) including IgG3, which has a wide range of antigen-binding capacity and affinity, complement proteins, and antiviral proteins are induced in FSCs only cultured in newly developed ex-vivo culture conditions. Particularly we confirmed that their extracellular vesicles (EVs) contained NAbs, Igs, various complement proteins, and antiviral proteins, as well as human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), responsible for immune tolerance.Conclusion: Our results suggest that FSCs in early pregnancy can form an independent immune system responding to unlearned antigens as a self-defense mechanism before establishing mature immune systems. Moreover, we propose the possibility of new solutions to cope with various infectious diseases based on the factors in NAbs-containing EVs, especially not causing unnecessary immune reaction due to HLA-G.