IGF-1基因产物的结构和功能多样化

胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)基因包含6个外显子,具有转录和翻译产物多样化的特点,原因在于存在多个转录起始位点的选择性应用,转录产物的选择性剪接,以及不同多聚腺苷酸化位点的使用.长期以来人们普遍关注由外显子3和4编码的循环型IGF-1在生长发育中的作用,最近对肌肉、神经等组织自分泌/旁分泌的局部型IGF-1研究发现,选择性剪接产生的IGF-1变体具有外显子5和6编码的延伸肽(E肽),并表现出特殊的生物学功能,如IGF-1Ea、IGF-1Eb(MGF)及其E肽在骨骼肌、心肌、神经等组织中表现出促进生长和损伤修复的功能,这些特殊功能可能通过细胞表面的一种特殊E肽受体介导.     

Insulin-like growth factor-1 protects peroxynitrite-induced cell death by preventing cytochrome c-induced caspase-3 activation

We investigated the effect of IGF-1 on cell death induced by peroxynitrite in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Exposure of the cells to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite donor, caused cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, caspase-3-like activation, and cell death. Pre-incubation of the cells with the caspase-3 inhibitor partially prevented SIN-1-induced cell death. Simultaneous addition of IGF-1 reduced SIN-1-induced caspase-3-like activation and cell death, whereas IGF-1 failed to reduce the release of cytochrome c. IGF-1 increased Akt phosphorylation, and Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In addition, wortmannin prevented IGF-1-evoked inhibition of cell death and caspase-3-like activation. In a cell-free system, addition of cytochrome c to cytosolic fraction resulted in caspase-3-like activation. The activation was reduced when the cytosolic fraction prepared from IGF-1-treated cells was used. These results suggest that IGF-1 protects peroxynitrite-induced cell death downstream of cytochrome c release through the inhibition of caspase-3-like activation.     

Neuroprotective effects of short peptides derived from the Insulin-like growth factor 1

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) is a peptide synthesized in response to growth hormone stimulation. While most of the circulating IGF-1 comes from the liver, it can also be produced in other tissues and both its expression and processing undergo tissue-specific regulation. The predominant form, IGF-1Ea is a circulating factor while two others, IGF-1Eb and IGF-1Ec (MGF), are mostly expressed in different tissues or in response to various stimuli and show some preferences with respect to the signal transduction pathways they activate.In skeletal muscle specific forms of IGF-1 play a role in development and growth and in addition to these physiological roles IGF-1 functions in the damaged muscle. IGF-1 is also important for the developing and adult brain and can reduce neuronal death caused by different types of injuries.Like many other peptide hormones IGF-1 originates from a precursor pro-hormone that undergoes extensive post-translational modifications. Processing liberates the mature peptide, which acts via the specific IGF-1 receptor but additional short peptides can arise from both N- and C-termini of various IGF-1 isoforms. These derivatives function as autonomous biologically active peptides and extremely potent neuroprotective agents. Their biological effects are independent of the activation of the IGF-1 receptor. Unfortunately, little is known about their mechanism(s) of action. Likewise, the existence of the endogenous production and wider biological effects of these short peptides are uncertain. However, considering the difference in the modes of action it might be possible to dissociate the unwanted and potentially dangerous mitogenic activity of the full-length IGF-1 exerted via its receptor from the neuroprotective effects of short derivatives mediated through different pathways. Such small molecules show good penetration through the blood brain barrier, can be inexpensively manufactured and modified to increase their stability. Therefore, they are good candidates for development into a neuroprotective therapeutic modality.     

力生长因子表达调节及其功能机制

力生长因子(mechano growth factor,MGF)是胰岛素样生长因子1（insulin-like growth factor-1,IGF-1)的选择性剪接变异体,具有力敏感性.本文综述了MGF在组织细胞中的表达、调节及其功能机制的最新研究.首先阐述了MGF在多种细胞和组织中的表达和功能,其次说明MGF表达受应力、损伤、激素、温度等多种因素的调节.综述各项研究显示,MGF不依靠IGF-1R发挥作用,而是直接激活骨骼肌卫星细胞,促肌细胞增殖,进而促骨骼肌肥大,修复受损肌肉. 通过激活Erk磷酸化促成肌细胞增殖、保护心肌细胞,上调血红素加氧酶-1（heme oxygenase-1,HO-1）,激活蛋白激酶Cε(protein kinase Cε,PKCε）和NF-E2-相关因子2（NF-E2-related factor2,Nrf2 )发挥保护神经的作用.另外,MGF发挥作用还可能与Wnt/β-catenin信号有关.对MGF作用及其作用机制深入研究有助于未来MGF在临床的运用.     

MicroRNA-1 transfected embryonic stem cells enhance cardiac myocyte differentiation and inhibit apoptosis by modulating the PTEN/Akt pathway in the infarcted heart

microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as critical modulators of various physiological processes including stem cell differentiation. Indeed, miR-1 has been reported to play an integral role in the regulation of cardiac muscle progenitor cell differentiation. However, whether overexpression of miR-1 in embryonic stem (ES) cells (miR-1-ES cells) will enhance cardiac myocyte differentiation following transplantation into the infarcted myocardium is unknown. In the present study, myocardial infarction (MI) was produced in C57BL/6 mice by left anterior descending artery ligation. miR-1-ES cells, ES cells, or culture medium (control) was transplanted into the border zone of the infarcted heart, and 2 wk post-MI, cardiac myocyte differentiation, adverse ventricular remodeling, and cardiac function were assessed. We provide evidence demonstrating enhanced cardiac myocyte commitment of transplanted miR-1-ES cells in the mouse infarcted heart as compared with ES cells. Assessment of apoptosis revealed that overexpression of miR-1 in transplanted ES cells protected host myocardium from MI-induced apoptosis through activation of p-AKT and inhibition of caspase-3, phosphatase and tensin homolog, and superoxide production. A significant reduction in interstitial and vascular fibrosis was quantified in miR-1-ES cell and ES cell transplanted groups compared with control MI. However, no statistical significance between miR-1-ES cell and ES cell groups was observed. Finally, mice receiving miR-1-ES cell transplantation post-MI had significantly improved heart function compared with respective controls (P < 0.05). Our data suggest miR-1 drives cardiac myocyte differentiation from transplanted ES cells and inhibits apoptosis post-MI, ultimately giving rise to enhanced cardiac repair, regeneration, and function.     

IGF-Ⅰ和 MGF 长期基因治疗对小鼠血糖代谢的影响

为研究IGF-Ⅰ和MGF长期基因治疗对哺乳动物血糖代谢的生理影响,首先构建了包含MGF和IGF-Ⅰ全长编码基因的真核表达载体,然后使用活体基因导入仪将其导入小鼠的左侧股四头肌,每2周一次共导入3次,首次导入15周后进行糖耐量测定实验。实验证实IGF-Ⅰ的长期持续表达会导致小鼠的糖代谢能力降低,血糖最高值可达到12.07±1.35mmol/L比对照(10.15±0.87mmol/L)和MGF组(10.58±0.61mmol/L)有显著性的升高(P<0.05),MGF单独存在情况下在糖代谢方面则没有上述作用,但是IGF-Ⅰ和MGF共同导入的小鼠的血糖调节能力更明显减弱,其最高值(16.30±2.69mmol/L)明显高于其它3组(P<0.001)。因此推测与胰岛素进行拮抗作用的主要是IGF-Ⅰ的N段序列,而产生与糖代谢相关功能的则为暴露的IGF-ⅠC段序列;另一种可能是MGF促进了肌肉细胞对外源DNA的吸收和表达因此其可以作为基因导入的佐剂。     

Neuroprotective effects of short peptides derived from the Insulin-like growth factor 1

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) is a peptide synthesized in response to growth hormone stimulation. While most of the circulating IGF-1 comes from the liver, it can also be produced in other tissues and both its expression and processing undergo tissue-specific regulation. The predominant form, IGF-1Ea is a circulating factor while two others, IGF-1Eb and IGF-1Ec (MGF), are mostly expressed in different tissues or in response to various stimuli and show some preferences with respect to the signal transduction pathways they activate.

In skeletal muscle specific forms of IGF-1 play a role in development and growth and in addition to these physiological roles IGF-1 functions in the damaged muscle. IGF-1 is also important for the developing and adult brain and can reduce neuronal death caused by different types of injuries.

Like many other peptide hormones IGF-1 originates from a precursor pro-hormone that undergoes extensive post-translational modifications. Processing liberates the mature peptide, which acts via the specific IGF-1 receptor but additional short peptides can arise from both N- and C-termini of various IGF-1 isoforms. These derivatives function as autonomous biologically active peptides and extremely potent neuroprotective agents. Their biological effects are independent of the activation of the IGF-1 receptor. Unfortunately, little is known about their mechanism(s) of action. Likewise, the existence of the endogenous production and wider biological effects of these short peptides are uncertain. However, considering the difference in the modes of action it might be possible to dissociate the unwanted and potentially dangerous mitogenic activity of the full-length IGF-1 exerted via its receptor from the neuroprotective effects of short derivatives mediated through different pathways. Such small molecules show good penetration through the blood brain barrier, can be inexpensively manufactured and modified to increase their stability. Therefore, they are good candidates for development into a neuroprotective therapeutic modality.     

Insulin-like growth factor-1 protects H9c2 cardiac myoblasts from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in cardiac injuries during ischemia/reperfusion. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes cell survival in a number of cell types, but the effect of IGF-1 on the oxidative stress has not been elucidated in cardiac muscle cells. Therefore, we examined the role of IGF-1 signaling pathway in cell survival against H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac myoblasts. H2O2 treatment induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells, and pretreatment of cells with IGF-1 suppressed apoptotic cell death. The antiapoptotic effect of IGF-1 was blocked by LY294002 (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) and by PD98059 (an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)). The protective effect of IGF-1 was also blocked by rapamycin (an inhibitor of p70 S6 kinase). Furthermore, H9c2 cells stably transfected with constitutively active PI 3-kinase (H9c2-p110*) and Akt (H9c2-Gag-Akt) constructs were more resistant to H2O2 cytotoxicity than control cells. Although H2O2 activates both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), IGF-1 inhibited only JNK activation. Activated PI 3-kinase (H9c2-p110*) and pretreatment of cells with IGF-1 down-regulated Bax protein levels compared to control cells. Taken together, our results suggest that IGF-1 transmits a survival signal against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells via PI 3-kinase and ERK-dependent pathways and the protective effect of IGF-1 is associated with the inhibition of JNK activation and Bax expression.     

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and ErbB kinase inhibitor combinations block proliferation and induce apoptosis through cyclin D1 reduction and Bax activation

The insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and ErbB family of receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases that play important roles in cancer. Lack of response and resistance to therapies targeting ErbB receptors occur and are often associated with activation of the IGF-1R pathway. Combinations of agents that inhibit IGF-1R and ErbB receptors have been shown to synergistically block cancer cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. To determine the mechanism by which targeting both IGF-1R and ErbB receptors causes synergistic effects on cell growth and survival, we investigated the effects of combinations of selective IGF-1R and ErbB kinase inhibitors on proliferative and apoptotic signaling. We identified A431 squamous cell carcinoma cells as most sensitive to combinations of ErbB and IGF-1R inhibitors. The inhibitor combinations resulted in not only blockade of A431 cell proliferation, but also induced apoptosis, which was not seen with either agent alone. Upon examining phosphorylation states and expression levels of proteins in the IGF-1R and ErbB signaling pathways, we found a correlation between the ability of combinations to inhibit proliferation and to decrease levels of phosphorylated Akt and cyclin D1. In addition, the massive cell death induced by combined IGF-1R/ErbB inhibition was associated with Mcl-1 reduction and Bax activation. Thus, targeting both IGF-1R and ErbB receptors simultaneously results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through combined effects on Akt, cyclin D1, and Bax activation.     

IGF-1 regulates cardiac fibroblast apoptosis induced by osmotic stress

In this study we have determined the ability of IGF-1 to protect cardiac fibroblasts against osmotic-induced apoptosis and investigated the potential mechanism(s) underlying this protection. Treatment with IGF-1 (1-100 ng/ml) promoted a dose dependent increase in cell survival against osmotic cell death. Both Akt and ERK1/2 were rapidly phosphorylated by IGF-1 and blocked by wortmannin and PD98059, inhibitors of their upstream activators respectively. However, IGF-1-induced protection was mediated via a wortmannin-dependent but PD98059-independent pathway as determined by cell survival assay suggesting a role of PI3-K/Akt. Furthermore, IGF-1 appeared to reduce the activation of a number of early components in the apoptotic pathway in a wortmannin dependent manner including the osmotic stress-induced perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential, cleavage and activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. Thus, the results suggest that IGF-1 regulates osmotic stress-induced apoptosis via the activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway at a point upstream of the mitochondria and caspase-3.     

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1) Ec/Mechano Growth Factor – A Splice Variant of IGF-1 within the Growth Plate

Human insulin-like growth factor 1 Ec (IGF-1Ec), also called mechano growth factor (MGF), is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which has been shown in vitro as well as in vivo to induce growth and hypertrophy in mechanically stimulated or damaged muscle. Growth, hypertrophy and responses to mechanical stimulation are important reactions of cartilaginous tissues, especially those in growth plates. Therefore, we wanted to ascertain if MGF is expressed in growth plate cartilage and if it influences proliferation of chondrocytes, as it does in musculoskeletal tissues. MGF expression was analyzed in growth plate and control tissue samples from piglets aged 3 to 6 weeks. Furthermore, growth plate chondrocyte cell culture was used to evaluate the effects of the MGF peptide on proliferation. We showed that MGF is expressed in considerable amounts in the tissues evaluated. We found the MGF peptide to be primarily located in the cytoplasm, and in some instances, it was also found in the nucleus of the cells. Addition of MGF peptides was not associated with growth plate chondrocyte proliferation.     

机械生长因子E肽的功能及研究展望

机械生长因子(MGF)E肽是胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)基因剪接后的一段长40个氨基酸残基的延伸肽,其编码基因由IGF-Ⅰ基因的外显子5、6及部分外显子4组成。近年来的实验证明,MGFE肽能独立发挥促进肌肉肥大、修复肌肉损伤、保护神经元、提高心脏功能等多种重要的生理作用,有望对肌肉萎缩、肌营养不良、神经退行性疾病及大脑局部缺血等相关病症的新型药物开发产生重大推动,引起了国内外学者的广泛关注。     

Akt activation prevents Apop-1-induced death of cells

Apop-1 is a novel protein identified in cultured atherosclerotic smooth muscle cells of ApoE-deficient mice, and the expression of the Apop-1 protein induces the death of cultured cells. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a well-characterized survival factor for VSMC; however, the interaction between Apop-1 and survival factor IGF-1 in the mediation of cell death is poorly understood. In this report, we show that the IGF-1 signaling cascade protects VSMC against Apop-1-induced death. Furthermore, our data indicate that the inhibition of Apop-1-induced death by IGF-1 is mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

力生长因子在大肠杆菌中的表达及活性分析

MGF(Mechano-growth factor)是一种IGF-1变体形式, 研究发现该因子具有应力敏感性, 并且具有促进肌肉肥大、再生以及神经损伤修复的功能。通过RT-PCR从拉伸刺激的人成骨细胞中克隆MGF cDNA序列, 并去除5'端9 bp的序列, 使N端缺少对肠激酶(Enterokinase, EK)具有抑制作用的脯氨酸, 将截短型MGF (des(1-3) MGF) cDNA序列克隆入pET32a(+)质粒, 构建重组表达质粒。重组质粒转化E. coli BL21(DE3), 在30oC培养下以可溶形式表达融合蛋白Trx/ des(1-3)MGF, 采用离子交换层析和Ni2+金属亲和层析, 获得纯度95%以上的融合蛋白。再对融合蛋白EK酶切, rpHPLC分离获得纯度达98%的des(1-3)MGF, SDS-PAGE电泳及质谱分析蛋白分子量与理论值相符。生物活性实验显示, 所制备的des(1-3)MGF比des(1-3)IGF-1更显著的促进MC3T3-E1细胞的增值和迁移。     

Assessment of cardiac function with the pressure-volume conductance system following myocardial infarction in mice

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of heart failure (HF) with the progressive worsening of cardiac performance due to structural and functional alterations. Therefore, we studied cardiac function in adult mice following MI using the Millar pressure-volume (P-V) conductance catheter system in vivo during the later phase of compensatory remodeling and decompensation to HF. We evaluated load-dependent and -independent parameters in control and 2-, 4-, 6-, and 10-wk post-MI mice and integrated changes in function with changes in gene expression. Our results indicated a significant deterioration of cardiac function in post-MI mice over time, reflected first by systolic dysfunction, followed by a transient improvement before further decline in both systolic and diastolic function. Associated with the function and adaptive remodeling were transient changes in fetal gene and extracellular matrix gene expression. However, undermining the compensatory remodeling response was a continual decline in cardiac contractility, which promoted the transition into failure. Our study provided a scheme of integrated cardiac function and gene expression changes occurring during the adaptive and maladaptive response of the heart independent of systemic vascular properties during the transition to HF following MI in mice. P-V loop analysis was used to quantitatively evaluate the gradual deterioration in cardiac function post-MI. P-V loop analysis was found to be an appropriate method for assessment of global cardiac function under varying load-dependent and -independent conditions in the murine model with many similarities to data obtained from larger animals and humans.     

Hyperosmotic stress-dependent NFkappaB activation is regulated by reactive oxygen species and IGF-1 in cultured cardiomyocytes

We have recently shown that hyperosmotic stress activates p65/RelB NFkappaB in cultured cardiomyocytes with dichotomic actions on caspase activation and cell death. It remains unexplored how NFkappaB is regulated in cultured rat cardiomyocytes exposed to hyperosmotic stress. We study here: (a) if hyperosmotic stress triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and in turn whether they regulate NFkappaB and (b) if insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) modulates ROS production and NFkappaB activation in hyperosmotically-stressed cardiomyocytes. The results showed that hyperosmotic stress generated ROS in cultured cardiac myocytes, in particular the hydroxyl and superoxide species, which were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Hyperosmotic stress-induced NFkappaB activation as determined by IkappaBalpha degradation and NFkappaB DNA binding. NFkappaB activation and procaspase-3 and -9 fragmentation were prevented by NAC and IGF-1. However, this growth factor did not decrease ROS generation induced by hyperosmotic stress, suggesting that its actions over NFkappaB and caspase activation may be due to modulation of events downstream of ROS generation. We conclude that hyperosmotic stress induces ROS, which in turn activates NFkappaB and caspases. IGF-1 prevents NFkappaB activation by a ROS-independent mechanism.