四次跨膜蛋白超家族成员与肿瘤的研究进展

Tetraspanins又称四次跨膜蛋白超家族(transmembrane 4 superfamily,TM4SF),包含33个家族成员,通过形成二聚体或异二聚体,或与其他蛋白质分子如整合素、黏附分子、主要组织相容性复合体II类抗原(major histocompatibility complex class II,MHC II)、T细胞受体等相互作用,调控细胞黏附、增殖、组织分化、免疫反应等生物学过程。越来越多研究表明,一些TM4SF分子也与肿瘤发生发展密切相关,参与迁移、上皮?间质转化、血栓形成、肿瘤干细胞及外泌体信号转导等多阶段过程。对能够促进或抑制肿瘤发生发展的TM4SF功能和调控机制的深入了解,将为未来有针对性的靶向干预提供新的策略。     

梅毒螺旋体免疫相关膜蛋白的研究进展

梅毒是一种由梅毒螺旋体(Treponema.pallidum,Tp)感染所引起的慢性性传播疾病。近年来,其发病率居高不下,引起了全社会广泛的关注。随着分子生物技术的发展和人们的不断探究发现,膜蛋白可能在Tp致病过程中与宿主黏附、宿主免疫炎症反应等方面起着非常重要的作用,可能为Tp的主要致病因子。因此,对Tp膜蛋白的研究是认识其对宿主的致病性和进行致病机制研究的关键,就Tp的几种主要免疫相关膜蛋白的研究进展作了简要综述。     

裂谷热病毒囊膜蛋白基因DNA免疫的研究

分别将裂谷热病毒(Rift Valley Fever Virus,RVFV)囊膜糖蛋白GN、GC和G(N C)基因亚克隆至真核表达载体pCAGGS多克隆位点鸡β-actin转录启动子下游,分别构成pCAGG-RVFV-GN、pCAGG-RVFV-GC和pCAGG-RVFV-G(N C)。免疫沉淀试验结果表明,重组RVFV蛋白GN、GC分别在pCAGG-RVFV-GN、pCAGG-RVFV-G(N C)转染HeLa细胞中获得表达,并具有良好免疫反应性。pCAGG-RVFV-GN、pCAGG-RVFV-GC和pCAGG-RVFV-G(N C)质粒DNA混合物按100μg/只剂量肌肉注射免疫6周龄BALB/c小鼠。每隔4周用相同的剂量加强免疫,第二次加强免疫3周后采血、分离血清备用。分别以杆状病毒表达RVFV囊膜蛋白GN、GC制备的抗原液包被ELISA板,间接ELISA检测DNA免疫鼠血清中RVFV囊膜蛋白G(N C)特异性抗体,具有良好的敏感性和特异性。另外,DNA免疫鼠血清中的特异抗体可有效中和RVFV囊膜蛋白G(N C)介导的伪型VSV重组病毒侵入RVFV易感宿主细胞的感染性。结果表明,pCAGG-RVFV-GN、pCAGG-RVFV-GC和pCAGG-RVFV-G(N C)质粒DNA混合物作为DNA疫苗具有防制裂谷热的潜力。     

Epstein—Barr病毒潜伏膜蛋白（LMP）基因免疫的初步研究

利用基因免疫技术,将重组质粒ＰＢＳ－ＬＭＰ－Ｈｙｇ直接注入ＢＡＬＢ／Ｃ小鼠骨骼肌中,于第２、４、８周,用间接免疫荧光法检测鼠血清中抗ＥＢ病毒潜伏膜蛋白（ＬＭＰ）特异抗体,结果表明,所有免疫小鼠（５／５）均产生特异体体,且抗体滴度随时间变化逐渐增高。     

白斑综合征病毒囊膜蛋白在对虾免疫保护应用中的研究进展

白斑综合征自上世纪90年代初在水产养殖业中爆发以来,其病原体白斑综合征病毒的研究一直在深入开展,特别是WSSV结构蛋白的功能学研究尤为广泛,其主要方向集中在病毒囊膜蛋白对虾体的免疫保护上,并取得了显著的保护效果。从利用病毒囊膜蛋白作为亚单位疫苗免疫虾体、利用囊膜蛋白对应抗体保护虾体、构建囊膜蛋白基因核酸疫苗和利用RNAi干扰技术保护虾体等四个方面,对当前WSSV囊膜蛋白在对虾免疫保护中的应用进行了概述,并对其应用前景作一展望,旨在为及早开发出有效防治白斑综合征疾病的技术途径提供借鉴参考。     

埃巴病毒潜伏膜蛋白的研究进展

埃巴病毒(Epstein-Barr Virus, EBV)是一种在人群中感染率高达90%的γ-疱疹病毒,其感染宿主细胞后常以潜伏形式存在并伴随终生,在一定条件诱导下,由潜伏感染转化为裂解感染,导致多种恶性肿瘤的发生。LMP1和LMP2是EBV编码的重要潜伏膜蛋白,它们锚定于细胞膜脂筏区,通过与宿主细胞内多种信号传递分子如TRAF家族蛋白、Caspase家族蛋白和STAT家族等相互作用,参与细胞内多条信号转导通路,进而影响细胞迁移与凋亡,与淋巴组织增生性疾病和恶性肿瘤的发生有着密切联系。本文阐述了LMP1和LMP2的结构特征,在宿主细胞内的基因表达调控及参与信号转导途径的机制等,旨在推进EBV发病机理研究及疫苗的研发等科研进展。     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过STAT3促进VEGF表达

探讨了EB病毒编码的潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)是否通过STAT3调控诱导血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)的表达.利用蛋白质印迹的方法对HNE2、HNE2-LMP1以及瞬时转染STAT3显性负性突变体STAT3β的HNE2-LMP1细胞中VEGF含量进行检测,发现LMP1可以上调VEGF的表达,而STAT3β可以抑制VEGF的上调;利用LMP1可控表达细胞系tet-on-LMP1-HNE2进行LMP1时间和剂量诱导表达研究,发现VEGF可以随LMP1的动态表达而表达;将VEGF野生型报告基因和VEGF潜在的STAT3转录因子突变体报告基因与LMP1表达载体分别共转染研究发现,LMP1可以激活VEGF的转录,这种转录通过VEGF启动子区STAT3转录因子的结合位点发挥作用;电泳迁移率变动分析(EMSA)确证了STAT3的这种DNA位点的特异性活性.结果表明：EB病毒编码的LMP1 在鼻咽癌细胞中可以增加VEGF的转录和表达,并能通过VEGF启动子区STAT3转录因子结合位点发挥作用.     

九次跨膜超家族蛋白(TM9SF)的表达及功能研究进展

九次跨膜超家族蛋白(transmembrane 9 superfamily proteins,TM9SFs,又称Nonaspanins蛋白)由多个成员构成,目前在哺乳动物中有4个成员被发现(TM9SF1～TM9SF4).TM9SFs结构上均含有一个大的非胞质区和9个跨膜区,在进化过程中高度保守并广谱表达.尽管目前关于该...     

新型YdjM超家族成员的钠/氢逆向转运蛋白功能鉴定

在原核生物中,钠/氢逆向转运蛋白具有催化细胞内的Na~+、Li~+或K~+等碱基阳离子的排出,换取外部质子,以降低有毒碱性金属阳离子的细胞质浓度和维持细胞内pH稳态起到了至关重要的作用。为了进一步挖掘中度嗜盐菌Halobacillus Y5中具有盐碱耐受性的钠/氢逆向转运蛋白基因并对其功能进行鉴定,我们首先提取该菌的基因组DNA,然后采用Sau3AI随机酶切及功能互补的方法获得了一个新型的钠/氢逆向转运蛋白基因Ha_ydjM。生物信息学分析表明,该基因属于YdjM超家族成员,是一个未知功能的膜蛋白,系统发育分析证实,其与来自Halobacillus sp. Marseille-P 3789的YdjM(蛋白登录号WP_101846656. 1)家族成员聚在一起但形成独立分支。研究发现,该基因能够恢复大肠杆菌突变株KNabc对0. 2mol/L NaCl和5mmol/L Li Cl的耐受特性,并且耐受碱性pH 8. 0。功能分析显示,该蛋白呈现pH依赖的钠/氢逆向转运蛋白活性,转运动力学分析表明,Na~+、K~+、Li~+在KNabc中K_m值分别是0. 43±0. 05mmol/L、0. 49±0. 06mmol/L、0. 64±0. 06mmol/L,即对Na~+、K~+、Li~+的亲和力分别是Na~+ K~+ Li~+。综上所述,Ha_ydjM代表了一种新型的钠/氢逆向转运蛋白,这丰富了YdjM超家族成员,并为其他未知膜蛋白功能分析提供依据。     

病毒跨膜蛋白的结构功能与抗病毒药物设计

根据病毒衣壳表面有无囊膜结构, 病毒可被分为无包膜病毒和有包膜病毒。包膜病毒的膜蛋白在病毒的吸附、侵入、脱壳、生物大分子合成、病毒粒子的装配与释放等生命周期中起重要作用。某些包膜病毒的膜蛋白对病毒侵入宿主细胞的膜融合是不可或缺的。结构分析显示, Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型病毒融合蛋白采用类似的膜融合方式。此外, 流行性感冒病毒的M2 蛋白、人类免疫缺陷病毒Ⅰ型( HIV-1) 的Vpu 蛋白、重症急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒( SARS-CoV) 3a蛋白等膜蛋白还具有离子通道的功能。针对这些病毒膜融合蛋白设计的抑制分子, 将为研发抗包膜病毒新型药物提供新思路和策略。本文以3 种病毒膜融合蛋白为例, 对其融合机制、跨膜蛋白离子通道功能及其在抗病毒药物设计中的应用作一简要综述。     

Structural requirements for the inhibitory action of the CD9 large extracellular domain in sperm/oocyte binding and fusion

CD9 has been shown to be essential for sperm/oocyte fusion in mice, the only non-redundant role found for a member of the tetraspanin family. CD9 can act in cis, reconstituting sperm/oocyte fusion when ectopically expressed in oocytes from CD9 null mice, or in trans, inhibiting sperm fusion when the large extracellular domain (LED) is added to CD9-positive oocytes as a soluble protein. In contrast to cis inhibition, the structural requirements of the trans inhibition by soluble CD9 LED are unknown. Here we show that human CD9 LED is as potent an inhibitor as mouse CD9 LED in mouse sperm/oocyte fusion assays and that CD9 LED can also inhibit sperm/oocyte binding. The two disulphide bridges that define membership of the tetraspanin family are critical for structure and function of human CD9 LED and mutation of a pentapeptide sequence in the hypervariable region further defines the critical region for trans inhibition.     

Exosomes: small vesicles participating in intercellular communication

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles, which eukaryotic cells secrete into their extracellular environment. They are formed as intraluminal vesicles by inward budding of the limiting membrane into the lumen of late endosomes. Upon fusion of thus arising multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane, these vesicles are released as exosomes and enter body fluids such as blood plasma, urine and saliva. Containing certain combinations of lipids, adhesion and intercellular signaling molecules as well as RNAs, exosomes participate in intercellular communication processes. Depending on their origin, exosomes can modulate immune-regulatory processes, set up tumor escape mechanisms and mediate regenerative or degenerative processes, amongst others. In summary, exosomes are molecular complex intercellular signaling organelles with multiple functions, which appear as promising new tools for the clinical diagnostics and potentially for novel therapeutic strategies.     

The TspanC8 Subgroup of Tetraspanins Interacts with A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) and Regulates Its Maturation and Cell Surface Expression

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) is a ubiquitous transmembrane metalloprotease that cleaves the extracellular regions from over 40 different transmembrane target proteins, including Notch and amyloid precursor protein. ADAM10 is essential for embryonic development and is also important in inflammation, cancer, and Alzheimer disease. However, ADAM10 regulation remains poorly understood. ADAM10 is compartmentalized into membrane microdomains formed by tetraspanins, which are a superfamily of 33 transmembrane proteins in humans that regulate clustering and trafficking of certain other transmembrane “partner” proteins. This is achieved by specific tetraspanin-partner interactions, but it is not clear which tetraspanins specifically interact with ADAM10. The aims of this study were to identify which tetraspanins interact with ADAM10 and how they regulate this metalloprotease. Co-immunoprecipitation identified specific ADAM10 interactions with Tspan5, Tspan10, Tspan14, Tspan15, Tspan17, and Tspan33/Penumbra. These are members of the largely unstudied TspanC8 subgroup of tetraspanins, all six of which promoted ADAM10 maturation. Different cell types express distinct repertoires of TspanC8 tetraspanins. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells express relatively high levels of Tspan14, the knockdown of which reduced ADAM10 surface expression and activity. Mouse erythrocytes express predominantly Tspan33, and ADAM10 expression was substantially reduced in the absence of this tetraspanin. In contrast, ADAM10 expression was normal on Tspan33-deficient mouse platelets in which Tspan14 is the major TspanC8 tetraspanin. These results define TspanC8 tetraspanins as essential regulators of ADAM10 maturation and trafficking to the cell surface. This finding has therapeutic implications because focusing on specific TspanC8-ADAM10 complexes may allow cell type- and/or substrate-specific ADAM10 targeting.     

Osteoblast-enriched membrane protein IFITM5 regulates the association of CD9 with an FKBP11-CD81-FPRP complex and stimulates expression of interferon-induced genes

Osteoblasts are rich in interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 5 (IFITM5), the expression of which peaks around the early mineralization stage. This membrane protein directly associates with FK506 binding protein 11 (FKBP11). To examine the molecular function of IFITM5, we analyzed the protein interaction network around IFITM5–FKBP11. We found that FKBP11 was associated with CD81, which interacts with prostaglandin F2 receptor negative regulator (FPRP) and CD9; cumulatively, these associations result in the formation of a FKBP11–CD81–[FPRP/CD9] complex. However, CD9 dissociated from the complex following expression of Ifitm5, which also led to osteoblast-specific increased expression of 5 interferon-induced genes: bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (Bst2), interferon inducible protein 1 (Irgm), interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (Ifit3), b(2)-microglobulin (B2m), and MHC (A.CA/J(H-2K-f) class I antigen gene. Induction of these genes likely resulted from dissociation of CD9 from the FKBP11–CD81–[FPRP/CD9] complex. Cumulatively, these results suggest that IFITM5 is involved not only in bone formation, but also in immune system activity.     

Tetraspanin 6 (TSPAN6) Negatively Regulates Retinoic Acid-inducible Gene I-like Receptor-mediated Immune Signaling in a Ubiquitination-dependent Manner

The recognition between retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors (RLRs) and viral RNA triggers an intracellular cascade of signaling to induce the expression of type I IFNs. Both positive and negative regulation of the RLR signaling pathway are important for the host antiviral immune response. Here, we demonstrate that the tetraspanin protein TSPAN6 inhibits RLR signaling by affecting the formation of the adaptor MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling)-centered signalosome. We found that overexpression of TSPAN6 impaired RLR-mediated activation of IFN-stimulated response element, NF-κB, and IFN-β promoters, whereas knockdown of TSPAN6 enhanced the RLR-mediated signaling pathway. Interestingly, as the RLR pathway was activated, TSPAN6 underwent Lys-63-linked ubiquitination, which promoted its association with MAVS. The interaction of TSPAN6 and MAVS interfered with the recruitment of RLR downstream molecules TRAF3, MITA, and IRF3 to MAVS. Further study revealed that the first transmembrane domain of TSPAN6 is critical for its ubiquitination and association with MAVS as well as its inhibitory effect on RLR signaling. We concluded that TSPAN6 functions as a negative regulator of the RLR pathway by interacting with MAVS in a ubiquitination-dependent manner.     

Tetraspan cargo adaptors usher GPI-anchored proteins into multivesicular bodies

Ubiquitinated membrane proteins are sorted into intralumenal endosomal vesicles on their way for degradation in lysosomes. Here we summarize the discovery of the Cos proteins, which work to organize and segregate ubiquitinated cargo prior to its incorporation into intralumenal vesicles of the multivesicular body (MVB). Importantly, cargoes such as GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) that cannot undergo ubiquitination, rely entirely on Cos proteins for sorting into intralumenal vesicles using the same pathway that depends on ESCRTs and ubiquitin ligases that typical polytopic membrane proteins do. Here we show Cos proteins provide functions as not only adaptor proteins for ubiquitin ligases, but also as cargo carriers that can physically usher a variety of other proteins into the MVB pathway. We then discuss the significance of this new sorting model and the broader implications for this cargo adaptor mechanism, whereby yeast Cos proteins, and their likely animal analogs, provide a ubiquitin sorting signal in trans to enable sorting of a membrane protein network into intralumenal vesicles.     

Epithelial Membrane Protein-2 (EMP2) Activates Src Protein and Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Glioblastoma

Despite recent advances in molecular classification, surgery, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies, the clinical outcome of patients with malignant brain tumors remains extremely poor. In this study, we have identified the tetraspan protein epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) as a potential target for glioblastoma (GBM) killing. EMP2 had low or undetectable expression in normal brain but was highly expressed in GBM as 95% of patients showed some expression of the protein. In GBM cells, EMP2 enhanced tumor growth in vivo in part by up-regulating αvβ3 integrin surface expression, activating focal adhesion kinase and Src kinases, and promoting cell migration and invasion. Consistent with these findings, EMP2 expression significantly correlated with activated Src kinase in patient samples and promoted tumor cell invasion using intracranial mouse models. As a proof of principle to determine whether EMP2 could serve as a target for therapy, cells were treated using specific anti-EMP2 antibody reagents. These reagents were effective in killing GBM cells in vitro and in reducing tumor load in subcutaneous mouse models. These results support the role of EMP2 in the pathogenesis of GBM and suggest that anti-EMP2 treatment may be a novel therapeutic treatment.