乙酰化修饰对人非组蛋白稳定性调控功能的最新进展

乙酰化修饰是一种广泛存在于生物体中的可逆性蛋白质翻译后修饰方式,主要发生于蛋白质赖氨酸残基的侧链NH2基团上,最早在组蛋白中发现。乙酰化修饰主要通过修饰组蛋白影响细胞的染色质结构以及激活细胞核内转录因子,从基因组水平来调控细胞的生命活动。随着乙酰化修饰检测技术和生物学研究的发展,发现乙酰化修饰也大量存在于非组蛋白中,并调控蛋白质的功能,进而影响多种生物学过程。其中,乙酰化修饰可以调控非组蛋白的稳定性,使其在细胞中更加稳定和持久地存在,这种调控机制在细胞的生长和分化等过程中具有重要作用,并影响多种疾病的发生发展。该文介绍了乙酰化修饰及其主要的生物学功能,系统总结了乙酰化修饰对人非组蛋白稳定性调控的机制与功能的影响,并介绍了乙酰化修饰调控蛋白质稳定性对疾病发生发展的作用,有助于解析疾病的发生机制,为疾病的治疗提供新的思路和方法。     

转录因子的巯基亚硝基化修饰及其生理学意义

巯基亚硝基化(S-nitrosylation)修饰是一种一氧化氮(nitric oxide, NO)介导的氧化还原依赖的、可逆性蛋白质翻译后修饰。生理条件下,S-nitrosylation通过调控蛋白质的稳定性、蛋白质活性、亚细胞定位及蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用,在维持细胞稳态中发挥重要作用。而在多种病理条件下,蛋白质S-nitrosylation及其产物表现出异常的升高或降低。转录因子又称反式作用因子,通过识别并结合调控元件而影响基因转录。本文简要综述转录因子的S-nitrosylation修饰的研究进展及其生理学意义。     

乳腺癌相关蛋白的类泛素化修饰研究进展

类泛素蛋白SUMO在调节蛋白质的稳定性和功能中起着关键的作用,此外它还能够通过对转录因子及其共调节因子的修饰来调节蛋白质相互作用、蛋白亚细胞定位、蛋白质二聚化及调控基因转录等。本文通过总结SUMO系统对雌激素信号通路蛋白的修饰作用,以及其他乳腺癌相关蛋白的修饰作用,阐释其在乳腺癌发生发展中的重要功能。     

丝状真菌糖生物学

蛋白质的糖基化修饰是一种保守的真核生物蛋白质翻译后修饰,存在于从酵母到人的所有真核生物中,赋予了蛋白质功能的多样性。目前对蛋白质糖基化修饰的了解主要来源于对酵母和哺乳动物细胞的研究,但单细胞真核生物或动物细胞水平的研究,很难反映糖基化修饰在多细胞真核生物的发育分化过程中的复杂功能。由于丝状真菌是多细胞真核生物,有相对简单的发育分化过程,因而是研究多细胞真核生物糖基化功能的理想模型之一,在过去10年中,丝状真菌的糖生物学研究开始受到重视,目前的研究结果表明糖基化修饰与丝状真菌的生长、发育密切相关。     

蛋白质O-GlcNAc糖基化及其细胞生物学功能

糖基化是蛋白质翻译后修饰的一项重要内容,大多数蛋白质糖基化发生在细胞膜表面,且糖链结构复杂。而发生在细胞浆与细胞核内的、单个O-GlcNAc修饰的蛋白质糖基化现象,因其独特的细胞定位、糖链连接方式以及重要的生物学调控作用而日益成为糖生物学领域研究的热点。现对蛋白质O-GlcNAc修饰及其细胞生物学功能研究进展情况进行综述。     

糖组学研究技术及其进展

多细胞生物机体内,蛋白质糖基化是一个重要后修饰事件 . 蛋白质的糖链不仅仅是区别细胞种类的标志,且与众多的生物现象有关,如细胞发育、分化、形态、肿瘤转移、微生物感染等 . 糖组学的内容主要涉及单个个体的全部糖蛋白结构分析,确定编码糖蛋白的基因和蛋白质糖基化的机制 . 综述了糖组学的分离和结构鉴定技术及其最新进展 .     

精子磷酸化蛋白质组学研究应用

蛋白质磷酸化是生物体中广泛存在的翻译后修饰方式,参与多种过程的调节。精子是高度分化的特殊细胞,不具有转录活性,主要依赖于蛋白质的磷酸化完成精子成熟、分化和受精等过程。因此,对于精子磷酸化蛋白质组学的研究有助于进一步了解精子发生、精子获能、超激活以及精卵识别等过程的调控机制。本文简要综述了精子磷酸化蛋白质组学的研究方法及磷酸化蛋白质组学在精子中的应用,为精子磷酸化蛋白质组学在实际科研应用中提供了理论参考。     

Sp1和Sp3介导的转录调控

基本转录因子Sp1和Sp3对转录调控区GC盒有很强的亲和力,参与几乎所有细胞功能,包括细胞增殖、凋亡、分化和新生物的转化.但在同一细胞中Sp1和Sp3对不同基因的作用并不相同,二者对基因特异性的转录调控是Sp1和Sp3研究领域的重要问题.近年来发现,Sp1和Sp3自身表达水平、结合的靶序列、磷酸化、糖基化等翻译后修饰,其他蛋白质的结合以及染色质结构与修饰等方面均可影响Sp1和Sp3的转录活性.本文从Sp1和Sp3蛋白参与转录调节的机制以及影响其基因特异性转录活性的诸方面因素这两大侧面,介绍了近年来的最新进展.     

长链非编码RNA的免疫调节机制研究进展

真核生物的基因表达受多个层面调控,包括染色体水平、DNA水平、转录水平和转录后水平的调控等.长链非编码RNA(lnc RNA)是一类转录本超过200 nt的非编码RNA,其对基因表达的调控涉及上述各个层面,如组蛋白修饰、DNA甲基化的调控、转录的促进和抑制、m RNA的剪辑及对转录因子的调控等.其作用方式复杂多样,可与DNA、mRNA和蛋白质等相互作用而发挥调节作用.LncRNA保守性较差,但其表达却有较高的细胞、组织和分化阶段特异性.免疫系统的发育和分化受到精密的调控,且具有较高的阶段性和特异性.因此研究lnc RNA的功能及作用机制,免疫系统是较好的选择,这能促进我们对免疫调控的理解,为免疫性疾病的治疗提供新的思路和方法.本文主要介绍lnc RNA的分类和lnc RNA作用的一般分子机制,及其对T细胞、B细胞、固有免疫细胞和炎症因子的分子调控机制及其进展.     

基于高覆盖(磷酸化)蛋白质组对人胚胎干细胞干性维持调控网络的解析

目的:对人胚胎干细胞H9的(磷酸化)蛋白质组进行鉴定和深入分析,探讨维持人胚胎干细胞干性的核心调控网络。方法:利用新近发表的TAFT磷酸化肽段富集策略和高精度质谱鉴定技术,采用无标定量方法对H9细胞(磷酸化)蛋白进行定量分析;结合MOTIFX、iGPS、IPA等多种生物信息学分析软件,分析H9细胞的磷酸化基序-激酶、转录因子-靶基因调控网络。结果:获得了目前高度覆盖的H9细胞(磷酸化)蛋白质组数据集,鉴定到8674种蛋白质,其中3898种能够发生磷酸化修饰,包括13 676条磷酸化肽段,高可信度(class 1)磷酸化位点有11 870种。与已有的H9细胞磷酸化蛋白质组数据相比,其中2247种磷酸化蛋白质和10 025种磷酸化位点是本研究新鉴定到的。基于基序和激酶预测分析,推导出与干性维持相关的已知转录调节因子的新的磷酸化修饰基序以及调控其发生磷酸化的激酶。结合多能性转录因子对靶基因的调控信息,构建了多能性调控分子磷酸化修饰及其转录调控的核心网络。此外,还对特定位点的磷酸化修饰水平及其对应蛋白的总体丰度水平进行了比较及功能分析。基于各自的百分位数,比较磷酸化修饰水平与其对应蛋白的总体丰度,发现具有高丰度但低磷酸化修饰水平的蛋白倾向于参与物质转换或物质运输等生物过程,而低丰度但高磷酸化水平的蛋白质倾向于参与信息转导或调控过程。结论:提供了人胚胎干细胞H9高覆盖的(磷酸化)蛋白质组数据,这些数据有助于深入了解蛋白质磷酸化修饰在胚胎干细胞干性维持中所发挥的重要作用,为胚胎干细胞基础和应用研究提供了宝贵的数据资源。     

Macronuclear DNA demethylation is involved in the encystment process of the ciliate Colpoda inflata.

Ciliate encystment is an eukaryotic cell differentiation process which involves a specific gene expression, to form the resting stage. In this study, we investigate, for first time, the DNA methylation pattern changes during encystment in the ciliate Colpoda inflata, and the 5-azacytidine effect on growing cells and encystment. Results indicate that 5-methylcytosine is present in macronuclear DNA of this ciliate and the 5-azacytidine treatment induces encystment in growth conditions. From restriction enzyme digestion and 5-azacytidine experiments, we conclude that a specific DNA demethylation is probably involved in the encystment gene expression of this ciliate.     

Macronuclear DNA demethylation is involved in the encystment process of the ciliate Colpoda inflata.

Ciliate encystment is an eukaryotic cell differentiation process which involves a specific gene expression, to form the resting stage. In this study, we investigate, for first time, the DNA methylation pattern changes during encystment in the ciliate Colpoda inflata, and the 5-azacytidine effect on growing cells and encystment. Results indicate that 5-methylcytosine is present in macronuclear DNA of this ciliate and the 5-azacytidine treatment induces encystment in growth conditions. From restriction enzyme digestion and 5-azacytidine experiments, we conclude that a specific DNA demethylation is probably involved in the encystment gene expression of this ciliate.     

Cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes during encystment of free-living amoebae

Free-living amoebae are protozoa found in soil and water. Among them, some are pathogenic and many have been described as potential reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria. Their cell cycle is divided into at least two forms, the trophozoite and the cyst, and the differentiation process is named encystment. As cysts are more resistant to disinfection treatments than trophozoites, many studies focused on encystment, but until recently, little was known about cellular, biochemical, and molecular modifications operating during this process. Important signals and signaling pathways at play during encystment, as well as cell responses at the molecular level, have been described. This review summarizes our knowledge and focuses on new findings.     

The differentiation of cellular structure during encystment in the soil hypotrichous ciliate Australocirrus cf. australis (Protista,Ciliophora)

Ciliates are able to form resting cysts as a survival strategy in response to stressful environmental factors. Studies on the characteristics of cellular structure during encystment may provide useful information for further understanding of the regulatory mechanism of cellular patterns and supply new clues regarding the phylogeny of ciliates. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were used to observe the ultrastructure of cells during encystment of the soil ciliate Australocirrus cf. australis. The dedifferentiation of ciliature was revealed for the first time. Ciliary shafts first shortened, and the remaining ciliature, including basal bodies and the fibrillar cirral basket, retracted into the cytoplasm and was surrounded by the autophagic vacuoles and then gradually digested. A large number of autophagic vacuoles were observed in mature resting cysts. Autophagy might not only be necessary for the differentiation of cellular structures during encystment but might also be important to sustain the basic life activities in the resting stage. Australocirrus cf. australis formed a kinetosome-resorbing cyst and contained four layers in the cyst wall: the ectocyst, mesocyst, endocyst and granular layer. The ciliature resorbing state and the number of layers in the cyst wall were consistent with those found in other oxytrichous ciliates. However, the phenomenon wherein the two macronuclear nodules are not fused during encystment is not commonly observed among oxytrichids. Additionally, the octahedral granules in the mesocyst of this species exhibit different morphology from the congeners.     

Population Dynamics of Active and Total Ciliate Populations in Arable Soil Amended with Wheat

Soil protozoa are characterized by their ability to produce cysts, which allows them to survive unfavorable conditions (e.g., desiccation) for extended periods. Under favorable conditions, they may rapidly excyst and begin feeding, but even under optimal conditions, a large proportion of the population may be encysted. The factors governing the dynamics of active and encysted cells in the soil are not well understood. Our objective was to determine the dynamics of active and encysted populations of ciliates during the decomposition of freshly added organic material. We monitored, in soil microcosms, the active and total populations of ciliates, their potential prey (bacteria and small protozoa), their potential competitors (amoebae, flagellates, and nematodes), and their potential predators (nematodes). We sampled with short time intervals (2 to 6 days) and generated a data set, suitable for mathematical modeling. Following the addition of fresh organic material, bacterial numbers increased more than 1,400-fold. There was a temporary increase in the number of active ciliates, followed by a rapid decline, although the size of the bacterial prey populations remained high. During this initial burst of ciliate growth, the population of cystic ciliates increased 100-fold. We suggest that internal population regulation is the major factor governing ciliate encystment and that the rate of encystment depends on ciliate density. This model provides a quantitative explanation of ciliatostasis and can explain why protozoan growth in soil is less than that in aquatic systems. Internally governed encystment may be an essential adaptation to an unpredictable environment in which individual protozoa cannot predict when the soil will dry out and will survive desiccation only if they have encysted in time.     

Population dynamics of active and total ciliate populations in arable soil amended with wheat

Soil protozoa are characterized by their ability to produce cysts, which allows them to survive unfavorable conditions (e.g., desiccation) for extended periods. Under favorable conditions, they may rapidly excyst and begin feeding, but even under optimal conditions, a large proportion of the population may be encysted. The factors governing the dynamics of active and encysted cells in the soil are not well understood. Our objective was to determine the dynamics of active and encysted populations of ciliates during the decomposition of freshly added organic material. We monitored, in soil microcosms, the active and total populations of ciliates, their potential prey (bacteria and small protozoa), their potential competitors (amoebae, flagellates, and nematodes), and their potential predators (nematodes). We sampled with short time intervals (2 to 6 days) and generated a data set, suitable for mathematical modeling. Following the addition of fresh organic material, bacterial numbers increased more than 1,400-fold. There was a temporary increase in the number of active ciliates, followed by a rapid decline, although the size of the bacterial prey populations remained high. During this initial burst of ciliate growth, the population of cystic ciliates increased 100-fold. We suggest that internal population regulation is the major factor governing ciliate encystment and that the rate of encystment depends on ciliate density. This model provides a quantitative explanation of ciliatostasis and can explain why protozoan growth in soil is less than that in aquatic systems. Internally governed encystment may be an essential adaptation to an unpredictable environment in which individual protozoa cannot predict when the soil will dry out and will survive desiccation only if they have encysted in time.     

DNA methylation in ciliates: implications in differentiation processes.

Much experimental evidence on the role of DNA methylation in gene expression has been reported. Here we review reports on DNA methylation in ciliated protozoa, emphasizing its implications in cell differentiation processes. Both types of methylated bases (adenine and cytosine) can be found in macronuclear DNA. The division cycle and conjugation have been studied with regard to adenine methylation, and several different functions have been assigned to the methylation changes detected in these processes. Cytosine methylation changes were analyzed during stomatogenesis of Paramecium and encystment of Colpoda inflata. A comparative analysis with other similar microbial eukaryotic differentiation processes is carried out.     

Culture Age, Intracellular Ca2+ Concentration, and Protein Phosphorylation in Encystment-Induced Colpoda cucullus

In Colpoda cucullus, intracellular Ca²⁺ mediates the encystment induction and protein phosphorylation that occur just prior to morphogenetic transformation into the resting form. When rapidly growing cells were stimulated to encyst, encystment was not readily induced, and the protein phosphorylation level was lower. On the other hand, in post-growing cells stimulated to encyst, the encystment rate and protein phosphorylation level were elevated. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation is closely linked to encystment induction. Why, then, are the protein phosphorylation level and encystment rate difficult to elevate in the rapidly growing cells? Fura 2 ratiometry showed that the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration (F₃₄₀/F₃₈₀ ratio) was raised in rapidly growing cells as well as in post-growing cells when the cells were stimulated to encyst. It is presumed that the Ca²⁺-mediated signal transduction pathways for protein phosphorylation and encystment may be triggered in rapidly growing cells, but downstream certain steps may be suppressed by certain intracellular components.     

异毛虫形成包囊过程中细胞皮层及纤毛结构分化的扫描电镜观察

在纤毛虫无性生殖中,生命活动受阻时经常会发生形成包囊的现象。研究纤毛虫的包囊现象,已成为揭示真核细胞的结构与功能、细胞模式形成与控制机理的一个重要方面。目前,对腹毛目纤毛虫中游仆虫类包囊的形态及其生理生化特征已进行了较系统的研究,积累了较多的资料,但对其他类     

Ciliate cryptobiosis: a microbial strategy against environmental starvation

This review outlines the main features of ciliate resting-cyst formation or encystment. It represents a strategy against several environmental stresses (such as starvation), which involves a highly gene-regulated cell differentiation process and originates a more resistant, differentiated form or resting cyst. This process is mainly characterized by drastic cytoplasmic dehydration that induces a general metabolic rate decrease, intense autophagic activity, the formation of a permeable cyst wall protecting the cell against the adverse environmental conditions, and a gene-silencing mechanism after opening the specific encystment genes.