Reg基因家族蛋白对胰岛β细胞生长的影响

Reg基因家族蛋白,属于C型凝集素超家族,具有相同的钙依赖性碳水化合物识别域,在损伤、感染、糖尿病及肿瘤中发生作用.近年来,已有18个Reg基因家族成员被克隆和鉴定.本文综述Reg基因家族蛋白的分类和基因表达调节,以及Reg基因家族蛋白对胰岛β细胞增殖与在自身免疫中的作用.Reg I和人胰岛再生相关蛋白(INGAP)在体外或体内参与胰腺的再生.在1型糖尿病发生中,Reg I和Reg II可做为自身抗原.尽管Reg基因蛋白的功能尚不清楚,但为1型糖尿病的治疗带来新的希望.     

胰岛再生源蛋白(Reg)在组织修复中的功能和调控机制

胰岛再生源蛋白(regenerating islet-derived protein,Reg)是一个多功能分子,在多种生理、病理活动中发挥重要作用。该文主要综述Reg蛋白在组织损伤后促进细胞增殖、抑制炎症因子过表达、调控细胞凋亡和抑制病原微生物生长和扩散的功能及调控机制,为治疗组织损伤提供新思路和新途径。     

抑菌蛋白Reg3A的表达纯化与功能

利用原核表达系统表达人源抑菌蛋白Reg3A,经包涵体的复性和纯化获得有体外抑菌功能的活性抑菌蛋白,并对其体外抑菌功能进行初步研究。构建Reg3A原核表达载体PET-32a-Reg3A转化补充稀缺tRNA基因的表达菌株大肠杆菌BL21-Codonplus,阳性重组子采用诱导培养基诱导5h后,采用超声破碎的方法提取包涵体蛋白,经包涵体蛋白的纯化和透析复性后通过Ni-NTA亲和层析交换柱,获得纯度达95%的蛋白质。Western blot鉴定显示在15 kD处有特异性条带。使用纯化后的蛋白进一步进行抑菌圈实验和抑菌活性实验,对获得蛋白的体外抑菌活性进行评估,从而为进一步进行Reg3A蛋白功能的评估及应用奠定基础。     

脑红蛋白在胶质瘤中表达的研究进展

脑红蛋白(neuroglobin,NGB)是2000年Burmester发现的神经系统特异的携氧蛋白,广泛分布于人和动物组织器官中,主要在脊椎动物脑组织高度表达。目前研究认为,NGB在脑缺血缺氧状态下对神经元保护起着重要作用,缺氧能够诱导NGB的表达,而高表达的NGB则能够保护神经元免受缺氧损伤,从而在神经系统缺氧、缺血损伤中具有重要的神经保护功能,可为脑中风、新生儿窒息等缺血缺氧性神经系统病变及帕金森病、阿尔茨海默病等神经系统退行性疾病的治疗带来新的希望。NGB在肿瘤细胞缺氧微环境中的作用也开始受到关注,其在肿瘤细胞中的表达研究开始成为这一领域内的研究热点。本文就NGB的生物学结构、功能和它在神经胶质细胞瘤中分布及其在临床医学中的应用等研究进展作一综述。     

BAG-1蛋白及其对神经系统疾病调控研究进展

B细胞CLL/淋巴瘤2关联凋亡基因1（B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2-associated athanogene-1,BAG-1）编码的蛋白是一种多功能结合蛋白,包含不同功能的结构域,可与抗凋亡蛋白（Bcl-2）、热激蛋白70（heat shock protein 70,Hsp70/Hsc70）、细胞转化分裂介质（Raf-1）、类固醇激素受体和DNA等结合,对于调节细胞凋亡、信号传导、基因转录、细胞增殖与分化等具有重要作用。BAG-1参与多种神经系统疾病（如阿尔茨海默病、帕金森氏病、亨廷顿舞蹈病、脑中风、脊髓损伤以及神经精神障碍疾病）的发生发展过程。主要就BAG-1的结构、功能及其对神经系统疾病影响的研究进展进行了综述,以期为神经系统疾病的研究和治疗提供参考。     

RegⅣ在食管癌变过程中的表达

目的:探讨RegⅣ基因在食管癌变过程中的表达。方法:应用免疫组织化学S-P法检测RegⅣ基因在17例癌变组和40例非癌变组中的表达。结果:RegⅣ在癌变组中的表达增高(P<0.05)。结论:RegⅣ基因的表达和食管癌的发生有关,该基因表达的变化可能是食管癌变过程中的早期事件。     

MicroRNA在神经系统不同部位特异分布及其在神经损伤再生中的变化和作用

MicroRNA是一类内源性的非编码RNA,在mRNA转录后水平调节靶基因的表达.近年来国内外研究表明,生理条件下microRNA在神经系统存在特异性表达并发挥重要作用.而在神经系统损伤后,多种microRNA的分布和表达发生改变,从而对神经再生过程产生影响.microRNA的这一作用对临床诊断和治疗神经系统损伤意义重大.     

Hap1在神经系统疾病中的研究进展

亨廷顿蛋白相关蛋白1 (Huntingtin-associated protein 1, Hap1)在神经系统中高表达，并与多种蛋白质相互作用。Hap1的功能包括囊泡运输、基因转录和信号转导等，与神经系统的诸多活动密切相关。本文综述了Hap1的结构与分布，总结了与Hap1相互作用并在神经活动中发挥重要作用的蛋白质，以及Hap1在相关神经系统疾病中作用的最新研究进展，为神经系统疾病的治疗提供新思路和新靶点。     

血红素加氧酶-1在中枢神经系统疾病中的作用

血红素加氧酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)是一种应激蛋白,可将血红素降解为胆绿素、游离铁和一氧化碳。目前,国内外普遍认为HO-1在神经系统损伤后的应激反应中有至关重要的作用,其表达量与神经元凋亡和神经变性密切相关。本文对近年来HO-1在神经系统损伤性疾病中的现有研究结果进行了总结分析,旨在为相关研究的发展提供新的思路和方向。     

神经系统富亮氨酸重复超家族成员LRRN3 C端结构域蛋白的原核表达和纯化

神经系统富亮氨酸重复超家族成员LRRN3是一种重要的膜蛋白,与神经系统发生发育和损伤后修复密切相关．运用多聚酶链式反应（PCR）方法,获得长555bp的DNA序列,扩增产物克隆至pET21质粒中,构建Mal和His融合表达质粒,在大肠杆菌中诱导表达融合蛋白,经Ni^＋-NTA agarose亲和层析纯化获得融合蛋白,并以Western blotting鉴定,为进一步研究LRRN3基因的结构和功能奠定了基础．     

Activation of the Reg family genes by pancreatic-specific IGF-I gene deficiency and after streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mouse pancreas

We have recently reported that Pdx1-Cre-mediated whole pancreas inactivation of IGF-I gene [in pancreatic-specific IGF-I gene-deficient (PID) mice] results in increased beta-cell mass and significant protection against both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Because the phenotype is unlikely a direct consequence of IGF-I deficiency, the present study was designed to explore possible activation of proislet factors in PID mice by using a whole genome DNA microarray. As a result, multiple members of the Reg family genes (Reg2, -3alpha, and -3beta, previously not known to promote islet cell growth) were significantly upregulated in the pancreas. This finding was subsequently confirmed by Northern blot and/or real-time PCR, which exhibited 2- to 8-fold increases in the levels of these mRNAs. Interestingly, these Reg family genes were also activated after streptozotocin-induced beta-cell damage and diabetes (wild-type T1D mice) when islet cells were undergoing regeneration. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased Reg proteins in exocrine as well as endocrine pancreas and suggested their potential role in beta-cell neogenesis in PID or T1D mice. Previously, other Reg proteins (Reg1 and islet neogenesis-associated protein) have been shown to promote islet cell replication and neogenesis. These uncharacterized Reg proteins may play a similar but more potent role, not only in normal islet cell growth in PID mice, but also in islet cell regeneration after T1D.     

Expression and localization of regenerating gene I in a rat liver regeneration model

Regenerating gene (Reg) I has been identified as a regenerative/proliferative factor for pancreatic islet cells. We examined Reg I expression in the regenerating liver of a rat model that had been administered 2-acetylaminofluorene and treated with 70% partial hepatectomy (2-AAF/PH model), where hepatocyte and cholangiocyte proliferation was suppressed and the hepatic stem cells and/or hepatic progenitor cells were activated. In a detailed time course study of activation of hepatic stem cells in the 2-AAF/PH model, utilizing immunofluorescence staining with antibodies of Reg I and other cell-type-specific markers, we found that Reg I-expressing cells are present in the bile ductules and increased during regeneration. Reg I-expressing cells were colocalized with CK19, OV6, and AFP. These results demonstrate that Reg I is significantly upregulated in the liver of the 2-AAF/PH rat model, accompanied by the formation of bile ductules during liver regeneration.     

Cyclin D1 activation through ATF-2 in Reg-induced pancreatic beta-cell regeneration

Regenerating gene product (Reg) is induced in pancreatic beta-cells and acts as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor for regeneration via a cell surface Reg receptor. However, the manner by which Reg induces beta-cell regeneration was unknown. In the present study, we found that Reg increased phospho-ATF-2, which binds to -57 to -52 of the cyclin D1 gene to activate the promoter. The Reg/ATF-2-induced cyclin D1 promoter activation was attenuated by PI(3)K inhibitors such as LY294002 and wortmannin. In Reg knockout mouse islets, the levels of phospho-ATF-2, cyclin D1, and phospho-Rb were greatly decreased. These results indicate that the Reg-Reg receptor system stimulates the PI(3)K/ATF-2/cyclin D1 signaling pathway to induce beta-cell regeneration.     

Diabetes and tumor formation in transgenic mice expressing Reg I

To examine the effect of overexpressed regenerating gene (Reg) I on pancreatic beta-cells, we generated transgenic mice expressing Reg I in islets (Reg-Tg mice). Three lines of Reg-Tg mice were established. In line-1 Reg-Tg mice, the expression level of Reg I mRNA in islets was 7 times higher than those in lines 2 and 3 of Reg-Tg mice, and line 1 mice developed diabetes by apoptosis of beta-cells, as well as various malignant tumors. In addition to the decrease in beta-cells, compensatory islet regeneration and proliferation of ductal epithelial cells were observed in line-1 Reg-Tg mice. Because Reg I protein was secreted primarily into pancreatic ducts from acinar cells, it may primarily stimulate the proliferation of ductal epithelial cells, and not beta-cells, and their differentiation into islets. Moreover, the tumor-promoting activity of Reg I protein should be considered for its possible clinical applications.     

Identification of a receptor for reg (regenerating gene) protein, a pancreatic beta-cell regeneration factor

Reg (regenerating gene) was isolated as a gene specifically expressed in regenerating islets (Terazono, K., Yamamoto, H., Takasawa, S., Shiga, K., Yonemura, Y., Tochino, Y., and Okamoto, H. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2111-2114). Rat and human Reg gene products, Reg/REG proteins, have been demonstrated to stimulate islet beta-cell growth in vitro and in vivo and to ameliorate experimental diabetes. In the present study, we isolated a cDNA for the Reg protein receptor from a rat islet cDNA library. The cDNA encoded a cell surface 919-amino acid protein, and the cells into which the cDNA had been introduced bound Reg protein with high affinity. When the cDNA was introduced into RINm5F cells, a pancreatic beta-cell line that shows Reg-dependent growth, the transformants exhibited significant increases in the incorporation of 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine as well as in the cell numbers in response to Reg protein. A homology search revealed that the cDNA is a homologue to a human multiple exostoses-like gene, the function of which has hitherto been unknown. These results strongly suggest that the receptor is encoded by the exostoses-like gene and mediates a growth signal of Reg protein for beta-cell regeneration.     

Reg genes are CCK2 receptor targets in ElasCCK2 mice pancreas

We previously demonstrated that expression of the gastrin receptor, CCK2R, in pancreatic acini of transgenic ElasCCK2 mice induced alteration of acinar morphology and differentiation, increased sensitivity to a carcinogen and development of preneoplastic lesions and tumours. Reg proteins are suggested to be involved in pancreatic cancer and in regeneration of endocrine pancreas. Reg I gene is a known target of gastrin. We examined whether an expression of CCK2R in the pancreatic acini of ElasCCK2 mice is linked to induction of Reg proteins expression. We analyzed Reg expression by Western-blot and immunohistochemistry in pancreas from ElasCCK2 and control mice. Islet neogenesis, glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion and content were also evaluated. Reg I is exclusively produced in acini in ElasCCK2 and control mice. In tumoral pancreas, Reg I and Reg III proteins are expressed in duct-like cells in preneoplastic lesions or in the periphery of tumours and in adjacent acini. The expression of Reg III proteins is increased in ElasCCK2 pancreas before the development of preneoplastic lesions in a subpopulation of islet cells and in small islet-like cell clusters dispersed within the acinar tissue. Several criteria of an enhanced neogenesis are fulfilled in ElasCCK2 pancreas. Moreover, ElasCCK2 mice have an improved response to glucose load, an increased insulin secretion and a doubling of insulin content compared to control mice. We show that Reg proteins are targets of CCK2R activation and are induced during early steps of carcinogenesis in ElasCCK2 mice pancreas. Alterations of exocrine tissue homeostasis in ElasCCK2 pancreas concomitantly activate regenerative responses of the endocrine pancreas possibly linked to paracrine actions of Reg III proteins.     

Pancreatic islet-specific overexpression of Reg3β protein induced the expression of pro-islet genes and protected the mice against streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Reg family proteins have been implicated in islet β-cell proliferation, survival, and regeneration. The expression of Reg3β (pancreatitis-associated protein) is highly induced in experimental diabetes and acute pancreatitis, but its precise role has not been established. Through knockout studies, this protein was shown to be mitogenic, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory in the liver and pancreatic acinars. To test whether it can promote islet cell growth or survival against experimental damage, we developed β-cell-specific overexpression using rat insulin I promoter, evaluated the changes in normal islet function, gene expression profile, and the response to streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Significant and specific overexpression of Reg3β was achieved in the pancreatic islets of RIP-I/Reg3β mice, which exhibited normal islet histology, β-cell mass, and in vivo and in vitro insulin secretion in response to high glucose yet were slightly hyperglycemic and low in islet GLUT2 level. Upon streptozotocin treatment, in contrast to wild-type littermates that became hyperglycemic in 3 days and lost 15% of their weight, RIP-I/Reg3β mice were significantly protected from hyperglycemia and weight loss. To identify specific targets affected by Reg3β overexpression, a whole genome DNA microarray on islet RNA isolated from the transgenic mice revealed more than 45 genes significantly either up- or downregulated. Among them, islet-protective osteopontin/SPP1 and acute responsive nuclear protein p8/NUPR1 were significantly induced, a result further confirmed by real-time PCR, Western blots, and immunohistochemistry. Our results suggest that Reg3β is unlikely an islet growth factor but a putative protector that prevents streptozotocin-induced damage by inducing the expression of specific genes.     

Circulating Reg1α proteins and autoantibodies to Reg1α proteins as biomarkers of β-cell regeneration and damage in type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where β-cells are in a constant process of death and renewal. Reg genes play a role in β-cells regeneration. Reg proteins may be target of an autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes with consequent production of autoantibodies and failure of regeneration. The objective of this work was to characterize the role of Reg1α proteins and anti-Reg1α antibodies as biomarkers of β-cell regeneration and damage. Serum levels of Reg1α protein were investigated in 87 type 1 diabetic subjects (31 newly diagnosed and 56 long standing), 63 type 2 diabetic subjects, 39 subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a nonpancreatic autoimmune disorder, and 64 healthy subjects. The presence of anti-Reg1α antibodies and correlation with metabolic, immune, and genetic parameters were analyzed in diabetic subjects. Increased levels of Reg1α protein were observed in newly diagnosed (p=0.002), and long standing (p=0.001) type 1 diabetes patients and type 2 diabetic subjects (p<0.001). Anti-Reg1α antibodies were found in 47% of patients with type 1 diabetes. No correlation was found with metabolic, immune, and genetic parameters. Patients with SLE showed no increase in Reg1α protein. We report here for the first time raised serum Reg1α protein in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and anti-Reg1α antibodies in type 1 diabetes. Reg1α levels appear not to be influenced by genetic or metabolic control. These findings allow considering future studies on Reg1α protein and autoantibody as new tools in the evaluation and monitoring of β-cells regeneration and autoimmunity.     

Purification of a bioactive recombinant human Reg IV expressed in Escherichia coli

Regenerating gene (Reg) IV is a newly discovered member of the regenerating gene family belonging to the calcium (C-type) dependent lectin superfamily. Reg IV is highly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and markedly up-regulated in colon adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the physiological and pathological functions of Reg IV are largely unknown, partly due to the limited access of the bioactive protein. We report here the first expression and purification of Reg IV proteins using a prokaryotic system. Human Reg IV was expressed in Escherichia coli as an insoluble protein which was identified in the fraction of inclusion body after ultrasonication of the bacteria. After the protein aggregate was solubilized by guanidine–HCl, it was refolded by sucrose and arginine-assisted procedures and purified using cation-exchange chromatography. The protein identity and purity of the final preparation were confirmed by analysis of the protein mass and immune specificity in SDS–PAGE, Western blotting, and HPLC assay. The biological activity of the protein was determined by the HCT116 and HT29 cell proliferation assays. The highly purified bioactive human Reg IV should aid in further characterization of its physiological and pathological functions.