Study of binding glycyrrhetic acid to AT1 receptor

Glycyrrhiza is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine. Modern pharmacology suggests that glycyrrhiza possesses the functions of anti-allergy, anti-virus, lowering cholesterol level, anti-ulcerate, protecting liver tissue, and anti-inflammatory effect like glucocorticoids and miner-alocorticoids. Glycyrrhiza drugs are hydrolyzed by stomach acid or degraded by b-glucuronidase in liver to GA. Under the action of intestinal bacteria, GA is partially turned into 3-epi-GA and a small amount of 3…     

Mechanism of the persistent sodium current activator veratridine-evoked Ca2+ elevation: implication for epilepsy

Although the role of Na⁺ in several aspects of Ca²⁺ regulation has already been shown, the exact mechanism of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) increase resulting from an enhancement in the persistent, non‐inactivating Na⁺ current (I_Na,P), a decisive factor in certain forms of epilepsy, has yet to be resolved. Persistent Na⁺ current, evoked by veratridine, induced bursts of action potentials and sustained membrane depolarization with monophasic intracellular Na⁺ concentration ([Na⁺]_i) and biphasic [Ca²⁺]_i increase in CA1 pyramidal cells in acute hippocampal slices. The Ca²⁺ response was tetrodotoxin‐ and extracellular Ca²⁺‐dependent and ionotropic glutamate receptor‐independent. The first phase of [Ca²⁺]_i rise was the net result of Ca²⁺ influx through voltage‐gated Ca²⁺ channels and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ sequestration. The robust second phase in addition involved reverse operation of the Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ release. We excluded contribution of the endoplasmic reticulum. These results demonstrate a complex interaction between persistent, non‐inactivating Na⁺ current and [Ca²⁺]_i regulation in CA1 pyramidal cells. The described cellular mechanisms are most likely part of the pathomechanism of certain forms of epilepsy that are associated with I_Na,P. Describing the magnitude, temporal pattern and sources of Ca²⁺ increase induced by I_Na,P may provide novel targets for antiepileptic drug therapy.     

丹参酮ⅡA调节microRNA-1保护缺氧心肌细胞的作用研究

目的:研究丹参酮Ⅱ A(TanshinoneⅡA)通过调节microRNA-1抗心肌细胞缺氧损伤的作用。方法:原代培养新生大鼠心肌细胞,建立心肌细胞缺氧模型。MTT法检测心肌细胞存活率(%);TUNEL、流式细胞术测心肌细胞凋亡率;激光共聚焦检测心肌细胞内钙离子[Ca2+]i浓度的变化情况。结果:MTT结果显示丹参酮ⅡA对缺氧心肌细胞及过表达miR-1引起心肌细胞损伤具有保护作用。丹参酮ⅡA增加了缺氧心肌细胞的存活率(P0.05),同时给予丹参酮ⅡA和miR-1组与单独miR-1损伤组相比较,存活率也明显升高,呈现剂量依赖性。TUNEL结果显示丹参酮ⅡA可以抑制缺氧诱导的细胞凋亡,丹参酮ⅡA可以明显降低由缺氧导致的细胞凋亡率(P0.05)。共聚焦检测结果显示,缺氧损伤的心肌细胞内[Ca2+]i显著升高1322.72±5.16(vs正常对照组,P0.05),丹参酮ⅡA则有效抑制由缺氧引起过高的[Ca2+]i。miR-1诱导的细胞内[Ca2+]i升高至1349.33±62.63,约为正常对照组的1.96倍,而丹参酮ⅡA则有效抑制胞内过高的[Ca2+]i,从而发挥心肌保护作用。结论:丹参酮ⅡA可能是通过抑制胞内miR-1的表达,参与对钙离子浓度的调控,发挥其对心肌细胞的保护作用。     

Endothelins regulate arachidonic acid release and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in Schwann cells

Immortalized rat Schwann cells (iSC) express endothelin (ET) receptors coupled to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of phospholipase C (PLC). These effects precede phenotypic changes and increased DNA synthesis. We have investigated the role of ETs in the regulation of arachidonic acid (AA) release and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Both ET-1 and ET-3 increased AA release in iSC. This effect was sensitive to the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitors E:-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H:-pyran-2-one and arachidonyl-trifluoromethyl ketone but was insensitive to inhibitors of PLC or phospholipase D-dependent diacylglycerol generation. ET-1-dependent AA release was also unaffected by removal of extracellular Ca(2+) and blocking the concomitant elevation in [Ca(2+)](i), consistent with participation of a Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2). Treatment of iSC with ETs also resulted in activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. A cause-effect relationship between agonist-dependent AA release and stimulation of MAPKs, but not the opposite, was suggested by activation of JNK by exogenous AA and by the observation that inhibition of MAPK kinase or p38 MAPK was inconsequential to ET-1-induced AA release. Similar effects of ETs on AA release and MAPK activity were observed in cultures expanded from primary SC and in iSC. Regulation of these effectors may mediate the control of proliferation and differentiation of SC by ETs during peripheral nerve development and regeneration.     

BAPTA‐AM dramatically improves maturation and development of bovine oocytes from grade‐3 cumulus‐oocyte complexes

Intracellular free calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) is essential for oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Here, we investigated the role of [Ca²⁺]_i in oocytes from cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) with respect to maturation and early embryonic development, using the calcium‐buffering agent BAPTA‐AM (1,2‐bis[2‐aminophenoxy]ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid tetrakis [acetoxymethyl ester]). COCs were graded based on compactness of the cumulus mass and appearance of the cytoplasm, with Grade 1 indicating higher quality and developmental potential than Grade 3. Results showed that: (i) [Ca²⁺]_i in metaphase‐II (MII) oocytes from Grade‐3 COCs was significantly higher than those from Grade‐1 COCs, and was significantly reduced by BAPTA‐AM; (ii) nuclear maturation of oocytes from Grade‐3 COCs treated with BAPTA‐AM was enhanced compared to untreated COCs; (iii) protein abundance of Cyclin B and oocyte‐specific Histone 1 (H1FOO) was improved in MII oocytes from Grade‐3 COCs treated with BAPTA‐AM; (iv) Ca²⁺ transients were triggered in each group upon fertilization, and the amplitude of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations increased in the Grade‐3 group upon treatment with BAPTA‐AM, with the magnitude approaching that of the Grade‐1 group; and (v) cleavage rates and blastocyst‐formation rates were improved in the Grade‐3 group treated with BAPTA‐AM compared to untreated controls following in vitro fertilization and parthenogenetic activation. Therefore, BAPTA‐AM dramatically improved oocyte maturation, oocyte quality, and embryonic development of oocytes from Grade‐3 COCs.     

Synergistically regulated spontaneous calcium signaling is attributed to cartilaginous extracellular matrix metabolism

Ca²⁺ has been recognized as a key molecule for chondrocytes, however, the role and mechanism of spontaneous [Ca ²⁺] _i signaling in cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism regulation are unclear. Here we found that spontaneous Ca ²⁺ signal of in-situ porcine chondrocytes was [Ca ²⁺] _o dependent, and mediated by [Ca ²⁺] _i store release. T-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (T-VDCC) mediated [Ca ²⁺] _o influx was associated with decreased cell viability and expression levels of ECM deposition genes. Further analysis revealed that chondrocytes expressed both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) and Orai isoforms. Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca ²⁺ release and store-operated calcium entry significantly abolished spontaneous [Ca ²⁺] _i signaling of in-situ chondrocytes. Moreover, blocking ER Ca ²⁺ release with InsP3R inhibitors significantly upregulated ECM degradation enzymes production, and was accompanied by decreased proteoglycan and collagen type II intensity. Taken together, our data provided evidence that spontaneous [Ca ²⁺] _i signaling of in-situ porcine chondrocytes was tightly regulated by [Ca ²⁺] _o influx, InsP3Rs mediated [Ca ²⁺] _i store release, and Orais mediated calcium release-activated calcium channels activation. Both T-VDCC mediated [Ca ²⁺] _o influx and InsP3Rs mediated ER Ca ²⁺ release were found crucial to cartilaginous ECM metabolism through distinct regulatory mechanisms.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ受体1、VEGF和MVD在乳腺癌中的表达及相关性研究

目的:研究AT1受体、VEGF和CD34在乳腺癌中的表达、并探讨其相关性及临床意义。方法:该实验采用免疫组化方法(SP法),对102例乳腺癌患者石蜡包埋切片中的AT1受体、VEGF和CD34进行检测。结果:AT1受体在乳腺癌中阳性表达率为48%,在乳腺癌中有腋淋巴结转移组为61．8%,无腋淋巴结转移组为31．9%,两者差别有统计学意义(P＜0．05)。VEGF在乳腺癌中表达率为40．2%,有腋淋巴结转移组44．4%,无腋淋巴结转移组为23．5%,两者差别有统计学意义(P＜0．01)。AT1R阴性表达组的VEGF阳性表达率为11．3%(6/53),AT1R阳性表达组的VEGF阳性表达为71．4%(35/49),两者差别有统计学意义(P＜0．05); AT1R阴性表达组的MVD值为17．35±5．67,AT1R阳性表达组的MVD值为20．37±7．30,两组差别有显著性(P＜0．05)。VEGF阴性表达组的MVD表达率为17．14±5．78,VEGF阳性表达组的MVD表达为21．27±7．14,两组差别有统计学意义(P＜0．05)。结论:乳腺癌组织中AT1受体的阳性表达率为48%(49/102)AT1受体表达与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、ER、PR无相关性,而与腋淋巴结转移成正相关;乳腺癌组织中VEGF的阳性表达率为40．2%(41/102),VEGF表达与患者年龄、肿瘤大小、ER、PR无相关性,而与腋淋巴结转移成正相关;AT1受体表达与VEGF表达成正相关。在乳腺癌组织中MVD和AT1R和VEGF表达均成正相关。     

Enhancement of arachidonic acid signaling pathway by nicotinic acid receptor HM74A

HM74A is a G protein-coupled receptor for nicotinic acid (niacin), which has been used clinically to treat dyslipidemia for decades. The molecular mechanisms whereby niacin exerts its pleiotropic effects on lipid metabolism remain largely unknown. In addition, the most common side effect in niacin therapy is skin flushing that is caused by prostaglandin release, suggesting that the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))/arachidonic acid (AA) pathway is involved. Various eicosanoids have been shown to activate peroxisome-proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) that play a diverse array of roles in lipid metabolism. To further elucidate the potential roles of HM74A in mediating the therapeutic effects and/or side effects of niacin, we sought to explore the signaling events upon HM74A activation. Here we demonstrated that HM74A synergistically enhanced UTP- and bradykinin-mediated AA release in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner in A431 cells. Activation of HM74A also led to Ca(2+)-mobilization and enhanced bradykinin-promoted Ca(2+)-mobilization through Gi protein. While HM74A increased ERK1/2 activation by the bradykinin receptor, it had no effects on UTP-promoted ERK1/2 activation.Furthermore, UTP- and bradykinin-mediated AA release was significantly decreased in the presence of both MAPK kinase inhibitor PD 098059 and PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. However, the synergistic effects of HM74A were not dramatically affected by co-treatment with both inhibitors, indicating the cross-talk occurred at the receptor level. Finally, stimulation of A431 cells transiently transfected with PPRE-luciferase with AA significantly induced luciferase activity, mimicking the effects of PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone, suggesting that alteration of AA signaling pathway can regulate gene expression via endogenous PPARs.     

Role of Asp297 of the AT2 receptor in high-affinity binding to different peptide ligands

To determine how ligand-receptor interaction is affected by the charges of the amino acids at position 2 of the ligands and position 297 of the AT2 receptor, we generated the Asp297Lys mutant of AT2 and a ligand SarAsp²Ile. Asp297Lys mutant lost affinity to Ang II and SarIle however retained partial affinity to ¹²⁵I-CGP42112A. The SarAsp²Ile had high affinity to Asp297Lys (IC₅₀3.5nM) and partial affinity to the AT2 (IC₅₀15nM). Therefore, not only the charge, but also the length of the side arms of the amino acids at position 2 of the ligand and position 297 of the receptor affect their interaction.     

不同年龄白发性高血压大鼠肾脏AT1R和AT2R的表达

目的本研究观察不同月龄自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）肾脏ALR和ALR表达,初步探讨AT1R和AT2R在高血压发生、发展过程中的可能作用。方法1月龄组（S1）、2月龄组（S2）、3月龄组（S3）、6月龄组（S6）和9月龄组（墨）雄性SHR共5组,每组各6只,各组均有相应月龄匹配的Wistar-Kyoto大鼠（WKY）作对照。采用RBP-I型大鼠血压心率测定仪测量大鼠尾动脉收缩压（SBP）;放免法测定血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）;免疫组化染色结合计算机图像分析方法测定肾脏AT1R和ALR表达水平。结果（1）SHR SBP随着月龄的增加而上升,S6后趋于稳定。（2）1个月后SHR血浆AngⅡ浓度均高于S1（P〈0.05）,而S2、S3、S6和S9之间无明显差别（P〉0.05）;1个月后SHR血浆AngⅡ浓度均高于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）;而WKY各月龄组均无明显差别（P〉0.05）。（3）SHR肾脏AT1R随着月份的增加而增加（P〈0.05）,且高于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）。SHR肾脏ABR随着月份的增加而降低,S6明显降低（P〈0.05）,S6和S9比较无明显差别（P〉0.05）;且均低于相应配对的WKY组（P〈0.05）。WKY各月龄组AT1R和AT2R无明显差别（P〉0.05）。结论SHR肾脏AT1R表达水平比WKY高,并随着年龄的增加而递增;AT2R表达水平比WKY低,并随着年龄的增加而降低。     

aFGF对人脐静脉内皮细胞TPK、PKC活性及Ca2+浓度的影响

为了观察酸性成纤维细胞生长因子 ( acidic fibroblast growth factor,a FGF)与人脐静脉内皮细胞 ( human umbilical vein endothelial cell,HUVEC)膜上特异受体结合后引起的细胞内信号转导途径 ,探讨 a FGF导致细胞增殖的机理 ,经 Scatchard曲线分析人脐静脉内皮细胞膜受体性质 .以不同浓度的 a FGF处理人脐静脉内皮细胞 ,利用 [γ- 3 2 P]ATP参入外源性底物的方法测定受体的酪氨酸蛋白激酶 ( tyrosine protein kinase,TPK)及蛋白激酶 C( protein kinase C,PKC)的活性 ;用 Fura-2 /AM为荧光指示剂测定 [Ca2 ]i.结果显示 :Scatchard曲线证明 a FGF与 HUVEC膜受体特异结合呈一条曲线 ,即受体为一种结合位点 ,Kd 为 3.6× 1 0 -10～ 9.6× 1 0 -10 mol/L,每个细胞受体数为2 70 90 .随着 a FGF浓度增加 ,TPK及 PKC活性随之升高 .当 a FGF浓度为 1 .1 2 mg/L时 ,a FGF处理组的 TPK活性是对照组的 3倍 ;膜 PKC活性是对照组 3.4倍 ,胞浆 PKC活性是对照组的 1 .87倍 .胞浆 [Ca2 ]是对照组的 3倍 .结果指出 :该细胞中 a FGF受体具有 TPK活性 .TPK激活后进一步促进蛋白质和酶磷酸化级联反应 ,而使 PKC活性及 [Ca2 ]i 升高 ,即 PKC和 Ca2 为 TPK的下游信号分子 ,进一步促进基因表达增加 ,导致细胞增殖 .     

Thermodynamic characterization of OsGID1-gibberellin binding using calorimetry and docking simulations

Gibberellins (GAs) are phytohormones regulating various developmental processes in plants. In rice, the initial GA-signaling events involve the binding of a GA to the soluble GA receptor protein, GID1. Although X-ray structures for certain GID1/GA complexes have recently been determined, an examination of the complexes does not fully clarify how GID1s discriminate among different GAs. Herein, we present a study aimed at defining the types of forces important to binding via a combination of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and computational docking studies that employed rice GID1 (OsGID1), OsGID1 mutants, which were designed to have a decreased possible number of hydrogen bonds with bound GA, and GA variants. We find that, in general, GA binding is enthalpically driven and that a hydrogen bond between the phenolic hydroxyl of OsGID1 Tyr134 and the C-3 hydroxyl of a GA is a defining structural element. A hydrogen-bond network that involves the C-6 carboxyl of a GA that directly hydrogen bonds the hydroxyl of Ser198 and indirectly, via a two-water-molecule network, the phenolic hydroxyl of Tyr329 and the NH of the amide side-chain of Asn255 is also important for GA binding. The binding of OsGID1 by GA(1) is the most enthalpically driven association found for the biologically active GAs evaluated in this study. This observation might be a consequence of a hydrogen bond formed between the hydroxyl at the C-13 position of GA(1) and the main chain carbonyl of OsGID1 Phe245. Our results demonstrate that by combining ITC experiments and computational methods much can be learned about the thermodynamics of ligand/protein binding.     

Potent inhibition of angiotensin AT1 receptor signaling by RGS8: importance of the C-terminal third exon part of its RGS domain

R4/B subfamily RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) proteins play roles in regulation of many GPCR-mediated responses. Multiple RGS proteins are usually expressed in a cell, and it is difficult to point out which RGS protein species are functionally important in the cell. To evaluate intrinsic potency of these RGS proteins, we compared inhibitory effects of RGS1, RGS2, RGS3, RGS4, RGS5, RGS8 and RGS16 on AT₁ receptor signaling. Intracellular Ca²⁺ responses to angiotensin II were markedly attenuated by transiently expressed RGS2, RGS3 and RGS8, compared to weak inhibition by RGS1, RGS4, RGS5 and RGS16. N-terminally deleted RGS2 (RGS2 domain) lost this potent inhibitory effect, whereas RGS domains of RGS3 and RGS8 showed strong inhibition similar to those of the full-length proteins. To investigate key determinants that specify the differences in potency, we constructed chimeric domains by replacing one or two of three exon parts of RGS8 domain with the corresponding part of RGS5. The chimeric RGS8 domains containing the first or the second exon part of RGS5 showed strong inhibitory effects similar to that of wild type RGS8, but the chimeric domain with the third exon part of RGS5 lost its activity. On the contrary, replacement of the third exon part of RGS5 with the corresponding residues of RGS8 increased the inhibitory effect. The role of the third exon part of RGS8 domain was further confirmed with the chimeric RGS8/RGS4 domains. These results indicate the potent inhibitory activity of RGS8 among R4/B subfamily proteins and importance of the third exon.     

Impact of genetic variability in the ABCG2 gene on ABCG2 expression,function, and interaction with AT1 receptor antagonist telmisartan

The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 plays a prominent role in cardiovascular and cancer pathophysiology, is involved in the pathogenesis of gout, and affects pharmacokinetics of numerous drugs. Telmisartan, a widely used AT1 receptor antagonist, inhibits the transport capacity of ABCG2 and may cause drug–drug interactions, especially in individuals carrying polymorphism that facilitate the telmisartan–ABCG2 interaction. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify ABCG2 polymorphisms and somatic mutations with relevance for the telmisartan–ABCG2 interaction. For this purpose, a cellular system for the conditional expression of ABCG2 was established. ABCG2 variants were generated via site-directed mutagenesis. Interaction of telmisartan with these ABCG2 variants was investigated in HEK293-Tet-On cells using the pheophorbide A efflux assay. Moreover, expression of ABCG2 variants was studied in these cells. Importantly, protein levels of the Q141K and F489L variant were significantly reduced, a phenomenon that was partly reversed by pharmacological proteasome inhibition. Moreover, basal pheophorbide A efflux capacity of S248P, F431L, and F489L variants was significantly impaired. Interestingly, inhibition of ABCG2-mediated pheophorbide A transport by telmisartan was almost abolished in cells expressing the R482G variant, whereas it was largely increased in cells expressing the F489L variant. We conclude that the arginine residue at position 482 of the ABCG2 molecule is of major importance for the interaction of telmisartan with this ABC transporter. Furthermore, individuals carrying the F489L polymorphism may be at increased risk of developing adverse drug reactions in multi-drug regimens involving ABCG2 substrates and telmisartan.     

Combined effects of PI3K and SRC kinase inhibitors with imatinib on intracellular calcium levels,autophagy, and apoptosis in CML-PBL cells

Imatinib induces a complete cytogenetic regression in a large percentage of patients affected by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) until mutations in the kinase domain of BCR-ABL appear. Alternative strategies for CML patients include the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is constitutively activated in leukemia cells and seems important for the regulation of cell proliferation, viability, and autophagy. In this study, we verified the effect of imatinib mesylate (IM), alone or in association with LY294002 (LY) (a specific PI3K protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor) or 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (PP1) (a Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor), on viability, intracellular calcium mobilization, apoptosis, and autophagy, in order to verify possible mechanisms of interaction. Our data demonstrated that PP1 and LY interact synergistically with IM by inducing apoptosis and autophagy in Bcr/Abl+ leukemia cells and this mechanism is related to the stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Our findings suggest a reasonable relationship between apoptotic and autophagic activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the functionality of smooth ER Ca²⁺-ATPase and inositol triphosphate receptors, independently of intracellular calcium levels. Therapeutic strategies combining imatinib with PI3K and/or Src kinase inhibitors warrant further investigations in Bcr/Abl+ malignancies, particularly in the cases of imatinib mesylate-resistant disease.