GRP78 from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) provides cytoplasm protection against thermal and Pb2+ stress

Glucose regulated protein (GRP) located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was a member of heat shock protein (Hsp) family. The protective mechanism adapted to ER stimuli was closely related to GRP. GRP78, known as BiP, was one of central regulator responded to stress in ER. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) GRP78 (CiGRP78) was up-regulated in almost tissues, especially in liver, under heat shock (34 °C), cold stress (4 °C) or lead nitrate (0.25 mmol/L) stress. In order to understand the function of CiGRP78 in cellular protection, CiGRP78 ORF cDNA was inserted into the plasmid of pET-32a(+) or pEGFP-C1 respectively, then the recombinant plasmids were transformed or transfected into Escherichia coli cells, mouse myeloma cells (SP2/0) or grass carp kidney cells (CIK). In the cells, CiGRP78 was over-expressed following thermal, cold or Pb²⁺ stress. Results showed that CiGRP78 not only contributed to protecting prokaryotic cells against thermal or cold extremes, but also played the same role in SP2/0 and CIK cells. After treatment with heat stress at 42 °C for 1 h, although the viability of the cells declined a lot, CIK cells with pEGFP-C1/CiGRP78 exhibited a higher survival rate (28%) than wild-type cells (7%) or cells with only pEGFP-C1 (5.1%). When the time lag extended to 2.5 h, the survival rates were 19%, 5.7%, 4.8% respectively. In addition, CiGRP78 would also provide a transient cytoplasm protection against Pb²⁺ stress in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treatment with lead nitrate at concentration of 10 μmol/L for 12 h, 24 h or 36 h, the survival rates of cells with pEGFP-C1 or wild-type cells were 46.7% or 46.7% (12 h), 25% or 22% (24 h), 10% or 11% (36 h) respectively. When the cells were treated with lead nitrate at the concentration of 25 μmol/L, the survival rates of cells with pEGFP-C1 or wild-type cells were 45.5% or 30% (12 h), 16.7% or 25% (24 h), 6.5% or 8% (36 h), respectively. CiGRP78 provided a distinct protection in CIK cells at the low concentration for 24 h. The survival rates of CIK cells with pEGFP-C1/CiGRP78 treated with lead nitrate at concentration of 10 μmol/L or 25 μmol/L were 65.9% or 58.8% respectively. When the cells were treated with lead nitrate at concentration of 50 μmol/L for 24 h, the survival rate of the CIK cells was only about 30%. If the process-time was extended to 36 h, CiGRP78 could not provide any cytoplasm protection for CIK cells.     

T cell receptor-mediated signaling induces GRP78 expression in T cells: the implications in maintaining T cell viability

The 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) is an important molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induced by various stresses. This study showed that stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb, PMA plus ionomycin, or an antigen increased the levels of GRP78 mRNA in primary T cells, which was inhibited by Ca²⁺ chelators EGTA and BAPTA-AM and by an inhibitor of calcineurin FK506. In addition, the specific knockdown of GRP78 protein expression induced apoptosis in mouse EL-4 T cell line associated with CHOP induction and caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, overexpression of GRP78 inhibited PMA/ionomycin-induced cell death in EL-4 cells. Collectively, GRP78 expression is induced by TCR activation via a Ca²⁺-dependent pathway and may play a critical role in maintaining T cell viability in the steady and TCR-activated states. These results suggest a novel regulatory mechanism and an essential function of GRP78 in T cells.     

Presynaptic malfunction: the neurotoxic effects of cadmium and lead on the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles and glutamate transport

Exposure to Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ has neurotoxic consequences for human health and may cause neurodegeneration. The study focused on the analysis of the presynaptic mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic effects of non-essential heavy metals Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. It was shown that the preincubation of rat brain nerve terminals with Cd²⁺ (200 μM) or Pb²⁺ (200 μM) resulted in the attenuation of synaptic vesicles acidification, which was assessed by the steady state level of the fluorescence of pH-sensitive dye acridine orange. A decrease in l-[¹⁴C]glutamate accumulation in digitonin-permeabilized synaptosomes after the addition of the metals, which reflected lowered l-[¹⁴C]glutamate accumulation by synaptic vesicles inside of synaptosomes, may be considered in the support of the above data. Using isolated rat brain synaptic vesicles, it was found that 50 μM Cd²⁺ or Pb²⁺ caused dissipation of their proton gradient, whereas the application of essential heavy metal Mn²⁺ did not do it within the range of the concentration of 50-500 μM. Thus, synaptic malfunction associated with the influence of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ may result from partial dissipation of the synaptic vesicle proton gradient that leads to: (1) a decrease in stimulated exocytosis, which is associated not only with the blockage of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels, but also with incomplete filling of synaptic vesicles; (2) an attenuation of Na⁺-dependent glutamate uptake.     

Bioremoval capacity of three heavy metals by some microalgae species (Egyptian Isolates)

Three fresh water microalgal isolates [Phormidium ambiguum (Cyanobacterium), Pseudochlorococcum typicum and Scenedesmus quadricauda var quadrispina (Chlorophyta)] were tested for tolerance and removal of mercury (Hg²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) in aqueous solutions as a single metal species at conc. 5–100 mg / L under controled laboratory conditions. The obtained results showed that Hg²⁺ was the most toxic of the three metal ions to the test algae even at low concentration (< 20 mg/L). While lower concentration of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ (5–20 mg / L) enhanced the algal growth (chlorophyll a and protein), elevated concentrations (40–100 mg / L) were inhibitory to the growth. The results also revealed that Ph. ambiguum was the most sensitive alga to the three metal ions even at lower concentrations (5 and 10 mg / L) while P. typicum and S. quadricauda were more tolerant to high metal concentrations up to 100 mg / L. The bioremoval of heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺) by P. typicum from aqueous solution showed that the highest percentage of metal bioremoval occurred in the first 30 min of contact recording 97% (Hg²⁺), 86% (Cd²⁺) and 70% (Pb²⁺). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the interaction between heavy metal ions and P. typicum cells. At ultrastructural level, an electron dense layers were detected on the algal cell surfaces when exposed to Cd, Hg and Pb. At the same time, dark spherical electron dense bodies were accumulated in the vacuoles of the algal cells exposed to Pb. Excessive accumulation of starch around the pyrenoids were recorded as well as deteriorations of the algal cell organelles exposed to the three metal ions.     

Effects of trace metals on mouse B16 melanoma cells in culture

The effects of fourteen metal ions (As³⁺, As⁵⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Hg²⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Se⁴⁺, V⁵⁺, VO²⁺) on the proliferation and differentiation in mouse B16 melanoma cells cultivated in vitro were analyzed. Cell number assays, melanin, and protein measurements, a 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction test (MTT survival test), and a clonal growth assay were performed. At 10⁻⁴ M, metal ions such as As³⁺, As⁵⁺, Cd²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Se⁴⁺, V⁵⁺, VO²⁺, and, to a minor extent, Li⁺, Hg²⁺, and Co²⁺ significantly reduced the number of the B16 melanoma cells. For the same molar concentration, the order of the levels of cell toxicity of the metal compounds to B16 cells as measured by the MTT test was as follows: Hg²⁺>Cr⁶⁺=Cd²⁺>As³⁺, As⁵⁺>V⁵⁺, VO²⁺>Se⁴⁺=Ni²⁺=Co²⁺=Li⁺. An increased synthesis of melanin in B16 cells was noted after incubation with Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Li⁺, whereas Se⁴⁺ had, on the contrary, an inhibiting effect on melanogenesis.     

Toxicity of heavy metals to Asellus aquaticus (L.) (Crustacea,Isopoda)

Effects of heavy metals on the isopod Asellus aquaticus (L.) are studied by static toxicity tests. Results demonstrate that the species is sensitive to Cd⁺², Cr⁺⁶, Cu⁺², Fe⁺³, Hg⁺², Ni⁺² Pb⁺² and Zn⁺², but the toxicity of each metal is different. Differences are also found between adults and between adults and juveniles. The comparative analysis of all data on the toxicity has been performed on the concentrations of metal ions and not on metal compound concentrations.Criteria for establishing water quality in order to guarantee protection of the environment are discussed.     

The unfolded protein response to endoplasmic reticulum stress in cultured astrocytes and rat brain during experimental diabetes

Oxidative-nitrosative stress and inflammatory responses are associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in diabetic retinopathy, raising the possibility that disturbances in ER protein processing may contribute to CNS dysfunction in diabetics. Upregulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) is a homeostatic response to accumulation of abnormal proteins in the ER, and the present study tested the hypothesis that the UPR is upregulated in two models for diabetes, cultured astrocytes grown in 25 mmol/L glucose for up to 4 weeks and brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats with diabetes for 1–7 months. Markers associated with translational blockade (phospho-eIF2α and apoptosis (CHOP), inflammatory response (inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS), and nitrosative stress (nuclear translocation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, GAPDH) were not detected in either model. Nrf2 was present in nuclei of low- and high-glucose cultures, consistent with oxidative stress. Astrocytic ATF4 expression was not altered by culture glucose concentration, whereas phospho-IRE and ATF6 levels were higher in low- compared with high-glucose cultures. The glucose-regulated chaperones, GRP78 and GRP94, were also expressed at higher levels in low- than high-glucose cultures, probably due to recurrent glucose depletion between feeding cycles. In STZ-rat cerebral cortex, ATF4 level was transiently reduced at 4 months, and p-IRE levels were transiently elevated at 3 months. However, GRP78 and GRP94 expression was not upregulated, and iNOS, amyloid-β, and nuclear accumulation of GAPDH were not evident in STZ-diabetic brain. High-glucose cultured astrocytes and STZ-diabetic brain are relatively resistant to diabetes-induced ER stress, in sharp contrast with cultured retinal Müller cells and diabetic rodent retina.     

The human xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is irreversibly inhibited by inorganic (Hg) and organic mercury (CH3Hg): Mechanism and kinetics

Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is a xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme that biotransforms aromatic amine chemicals. We show here that biologically-relevant concentrations of inorganic (Hg²⁺) and organic (CH₃Hg⁺) mercury inhibit the biotransformation functions of NAT1. Both compounds react irreversibly with the active-site cysteine of NAT1 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 250 nM and k_inact = 1.4 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for Hg²⁺ and IC₅₀ = 1.4 μM and k_inact = 2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for CH₃Hg⁺). Exposure of lung epithelial cells led to the inhibition of cellular NAT1 (IC₅₀ = 3 and 20 μM for Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺, respectively). Our data suggest that exposure to mercury may affect the biotransformation of aromatic amines by NAT1.     

Glucose-regulated protein 78 may play a crucial role in promoting the pulmonary microvascular remodeling in a rat model of hepatopulmonary syndrome

Objective

This study is to investigate the role of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the pulmonary microvascular remodeling during hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) development.

Methods

The rat models with liver cirrhosis and HPS were induced by multiple pathogenic factors for 4 to 8 wk. The concentrations of alanine transferase (ALT) and endotoxin in plasma were detected in the models, followed by the detection of GRP78 expression. RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to examine the expression of a specific vascular marker, factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII-RAg), and several cell proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins, including CHOP/GADD153, caspase-12, Bcl-2 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB.

Results

The levels of endotoxin and ALT in plasma were gradually increased as the disease progressed, so did GRP78, which were in a positive correlation. The expression levels of VEGF (both mRNA and protein) and FVIII-RAg were significantly elevated in the HPS models, indicating active angiogenesis, which was also positively correlated with GRP78 expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins of CHOP/GADD153 and caspase-12 were dramatically decreased, while the anti-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 and NF-κB were significantly elevated, in the HPS models. There were also close correlation between these proteins and GRP78.

Conclusions

Over-expression of GRP78 in lungs may be the critical pathogenic factor for HPS. Through promoting cell proliferation and survival and inhibiting apoptosis, GRP78 may promote the pulmonary microvascular remodeling in HPS pathogenesis. Our results provide a potential therapeutic target for clinical prevention and treatment for HPS and related complications.     

Effects of heavy metals on seed germination and early seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

Seed is a developmental stage that is highly protective against external stresses in the plant life cycle. In this study, we analyzed toxicity of essential (Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) and non-essential heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺) on seed germination and seedling growth in the model species Arabidopsis. Our results show that seedling growth is more sensitive to heavy metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) in comparison to seed germination, while Cd²⁺ is the exception that inhibited both of these processes at similar concentrations. To examine if toxicity of heavy metals is altered developmentally during germination, we incubated seeds with Hg²⁺ or Cd²⁺ only for a restricted period during germination. Hg²⁺ displayed relatively strong toxicity at period II (12–24 h after imbibition), while Cd²⁺ was more effective to inhibit germination at period I (0–12 h after imbibition) rather than at period II. The observed differences are likely to be due in part to selective uptake of different ions by the intact seed, because isolated embryos (without seed coat and endosperm) are more sensitive to both Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ at period I. We assessed interactive toxicity between heavy metals and non-toxic cations, and found that Ca²⁺ was able to partially restore the inhibition of seedling growth by Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺.     

Attenuation of unfolded protein response and apoptosis by mReg2 induced GRP78 in mouse insulinoma cells

Murine regenerating (mReg) genes have been implicated in preserving islet cell biology. Expanding on our previous work showing that overexpression of mReg2 protects MIN6 insulinoma cells against streptozotocin-induced apoptosis, we now demonstrate that mReg2 induces glucose-regulated peptide 78 (GRP78) expression via the Akt–mTORC1 axis and protects MIN6 cells against ER stress induced by thapsigargin and glucolipotoxicity. Activation of mTORC1 activity results from both mReg2-induced increased mTOR phosphorylation as well as increased expression of Raptor and GβL. Inhibition of Akt and mTORC1 blunted the ability of mReg2 to induce GRP78 and attenuate unfolded protein response (UPR). Knockdown of GRP78 sensitized the cells overexpressing mReg2 to UPR without affecting its ability to activate Akt–mTORC1 signaling. Induced expression of mReg2 may protect insulin producing cells from ER stress in diabetes.     

Can the dual-functional capability of CIK cells be used to improve antitumor effects?

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, which display both potent anti-tumor ability of T lymphocytes and non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted killing tumor cells capacity of natural killer (NK) cells are capable of recognizing and lysing a broad array of tumor targets. They have begun to be used in clinical care with good prospects for treatment success. CIK cells are a heterogeneous cell population that contain CD3⁺CD56⁺ cells, CD3⁻CD56⁺ natural killer (NK) cells and CD3⁺CD56⁻ T cells on which much attention has been focused. This review will summarize the connections and differences among CD3⁺CD56⁺CIK cells, CD3⁻CD56⁺ NK cells and CD3⁺CD56⁻ T cells in the following aspects: the main cell surface molecule, killing mechanism, and clinical applications so that treatment with CIK cells can be optimized and further to enhance the antitumor effect.     

糖调节蛋白78抗四氯化碳诱导的人HepG2细胞脂肪合成

为研究糖调节蛋白78（glucose regulated protein 78, GRP78）对肝细胞脂肪变性的影响,采用四氯化碳（carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄）刺激人肝癌HepG₂细胞,油红O染色证实,CCl₄作用HepG₂细胞后,细胞浆中脂肪颗粒明显增加,同时固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, SREBP-1)蛋白水平和3羟3甲基戊二酸单酰CoA还原酶（HMGCoA还原酶）mRNA水平分别为对照组的1.55倍和1.70倍.构建人GRP78启动子荧光素酶报告基因载体pGL3/hGRP78P转染人肝癌HepG₂细胞后,结果发现,CCl₄促进GRP78基因转录,转录活性为诱导前的1.92倍. 构建人GRP78 RNAi沉默质粒pSuper/GRP78转染人肝癌HepG₂细胞后,该质粒能特异性沉默内源性GRP78;内源性GRP78沉默后的人肝癌HepG₂细胞经CCl₄诱导, HMGCoA还原酶mRNA和SREBP-1蛋白的表达较对照组进一步升高,分别为对照组的1.48倍和2.38倍;人肝癌HepG₂细胞GRP78的体外过表达能降低CCl₄介导的HMGCoA还原酶mRNA和SREBP-1蛋白诱导表达,分别为对照组的78.5％和51.5％;油红O染色进一步证实,GRP78过表达可明显减少脂肪颗粒在HepG2细胞浆中的集聚.综上表明,GRP78可抑制CCl₄的SREBP-1和HMGCoA还原酶的诱导表达以及HepG₂细胞脂肪变性,提示GRP78的表达增加在肝细胞脂肪变性损伤过程中具有潜在的保护作用.     

Ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid and salicylic acid improve anti-oxidative ability of maize seedling leaves under heavy-metal and polyethylene glycol 6000-simulated drought stress

Stress caused by divalent heavy metal ions and drought exert many toxic and adverse effects on seedling growth and development of plants, especially on leave growth. Organic acids such as ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) and salicylic acid (SA) have been shown to alleviate the unfavorable effects exerted by these stresses on seedling growth and metabolism. In order to reveal the physiological mechanism underlying these toxic effects and the alleviated effects exerted by organic acids, maize seedling leaves (genotype “Zhengdan958”) were exposed for 7 days to different concentrations of cadmium (Cd²⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺), and lead (Pb²⁺) ions and to the drought stress-inducing polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. The same experiments were also carried out in the presence of EGTA or SA. Treated leaves were analyzed for activities of the anti-oxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and for the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that stress treatments with the heavy metals Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ and with PEG all affected the activities of CAT, POD, and SOD, although the extent and patterns of these changes were different under different stress conditions. Both heavy metal and drought stress caused a concentration-dependent increase in MDA content. Treatments in the presence with EGTA or SA showed that both these compounds exerted certain alleviative effects on seedling growth under Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ stresses and PEG-simulated drought stress, with SA generally showing better effects than EGTA.     

Expression of the 78 kD glucose-regulated protein is induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of hepatopulmonary syndrome

Objective

This study is to explore the role of 78 kD glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) in the development of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in rats.

Methods

The rat model of liver cirrhosis and HPS were induced with multiple pathogenic factors. Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining was performed to detect the pathological changes of the lung and liver tissues. The levels of alanine transferase (ALT), endotoxin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma and TNF-α and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissues were detected. RT-PCR and Western blotting were conducted to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 in lungs.

Results

The plasma endotoxin level was gradually increased as HPS developed, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 in lungs were also increased as the disease progressed. The levels of ALT and TNF-α in plasma and the contents of TNF-α and MDA in lung tissues were gradually increased along with the disease progression, with a strong positive correlation. Compared with controls, the plasma TNF-α level and the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 in lung tissues were significantly higher in rats with HPS. The levels of endotoxin and ALT in plasma and the level of MDA in lungs were significantly higher in rats with HPS than controls.

Conclusions

The increased GRP78 expression is indicative of endoplasmic reticulum stress response during HPS, which may play an important role in the disease pathogenesis.     

Purification and characterization of a thiol amylase over produced by a non-cereal non-leguminous plant, Tinospora cordifolia

A 43 kDa α-amylase was purified from Tinospora cordifolia by glycogen precipitation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography, and HPGPLC. The enzyme was optimally active in pH 6.0 at 60 °C and had specific activity of 546.2 U/mg of protein. Activity was stable in the pH range of 4-7 and at temperatures up to 60 °C. PCMB, iodoacetic acid, iodoacetamide, DTNB, and heavy metal ions Hg²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Cd²⁺ inhibited enzyme activity while Ca²⁺ improved both activity and thermostability. The enzyme was a thiol amylase (3 SH group/mole) and DTNB inhibition of activity was released by cysteine. N-terminal sequence of the enzyme had poor similarity (12-24%) with those of plant and microbial amylases. The enzyme was equally active on soluble starch and amylopectin and released maltose as the major end product.     

CD4CD8 thymocytes are induced to cell death by a small dose of puromycin via ER stress

When the CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymic lymphoma cells were treated with puromycin, we found that most of the cells died at 0.3-1 μg/ml of puromycin within 24 h. However, cell death was greatly reduced when the dose of puromycin was increased. Similar dose-pattern of cell death was observed in thymocytes and the sensitivity to puromycin was greater in CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes than CD4⁺CD8⁻ thymocytes. The induction of apoptosis was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, and to some extent by transfection of Bcl-xL or Bcl-2 genes. Expression of GRP78 was up-regulated after treatment with a small dose of puromycin, and the cell death by puromycin was blocked in the presence of caspase 12 inhibitor. These results indicated that the induction of cell death by low-dose puromycin was due to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, we found that dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, and puromycin worked synergistically to induce cell death in thymocytes.     

Apelin alleviates diabetes-associated endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pancreas of Akita mice

Apelin, a newly identified bioactive adipokine, has been found to play important roles in multiple diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases with unclear molecular mechanisms. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of apelin on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pancreas of Akita mice, a well-established type 1 diabetic model. Apelin-13 (400 pmol/kg) was injected from tail vein for 10 weeks. The physiological characters of experimental animals were evaluated, pancreatic islet morphology and insulin content were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and ER stress markers in the pancreas were examined by Western blots. Our results indicate apelin treatment significantly ameliorates diabetes-induced reduction in pancreatic islet mass and insulin content. Further studies suggested apelin treatment alleviates ER stress by inhibiting the diabetes induced up-regulation of PERK and IRE1α and chaperones (GRP78, calnexin and Hsp70) levels in Akita mice. We also demonstrated that apelin treatment normalizes the diabetes induced alteration of AKT and ERK activations in the pancreas of Akita mice. Taken together, these results suggest a novel physiological role of apelin in alleviating ER stress in the pancreas of type 1 diabetes.     

Calumenin has a role in the alleviation of ER stress in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Disturbance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis causes ER stress (ERS), and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) that consequently reduces accumulation of unfolded proteins by increasing the quantity of ER chaperones. Calumenin, a Ca²⁺-binding protein with multiple EF hand motifs, which is located in the ER/SR, is highly expressed during the early developmental stage of the heart, similar to other ER-resident chaperones. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional role of calumenin during ERS in the heart. Like other chaperones (e.g., GRP94 and GRP78), calumenin expression was highly upregulated during ERS induced by 10 μg/ml tunicamycin, but attenuated in the presence of 500 μM PBA, the chemical chaperone in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVCs). Upon 7.5-fold overexpression of calumenin using a recombinant adenovirus system, the expression levels of ERS markers (GRP78, p-PERK, and p-elF2α) and ER-initiated apoptosis markers (CHOP and p-JNK) were reduced, whereas the survival protein BCL-2 was upregulated during ERS compared to the control. Evaluation of cell viability by TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis was also significantly reduced by calumenin overexpression in ERS-induced cells. Taken together, our results suggest that calumenin plays an essential role in the alleviation of ERS in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.