Effects of Neonatal Cerebral Hypoxia-Ischemia on the In Vitro Phosphorylation of Synapsin 1 in Rat Synaptosomes

Synapsins are phosphoproteins related to the anchorage of synaptic vesicles to the actin skeleton. Hypoxia-ischemia causes an increased calcium influx into neurons through ionic channels gated by activation of glutamate receptors. In this work seven-day-old Wistar rats were submitted to hypoxia-ischemia and sacrificed after 21 hours, 7, 30, or 90 days. Synaptosomal fractions were obtained by Percoll gradients and incubated with ³²P (10Ci/g). Proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE and radioactivity incorporated into synapsin 1 was counted by liquid scintillation. Twenty-one hours after hypoxia-ischemia we observed a reduction on the in vitro phosphorylation of synapsin 1, mainly due to hypoxia, rather than to ischemia; this effect was reversed at day 7 after the insult. There was another decrease in phosphorylation 30 days after the event interpreted as a late effect of hypoxia-ischemia. No changes were observed at day 90. Our results suggest that decreased phosphorylation of synapsin 1 could be related to neuronal death that follows hypoxia-ischemia.     

Characteristic Expression of Extracellular Matrix in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Development and Adipogenesis; Comparison with Visceral Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue is a connective tissue specified for energy metabolism and endocrines, but functional differences between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) have not been fully elucidated. To reveal the physiological role of SAT, we characterized in vivo tissue development and in vitro adipocyte differentiation. In a DNA microarray analysis of SAT and VAT in Wistar rats, functional annotation clusters of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes were found in SAT, and major ECM molecules expressed in adipose tissues were profiled. In a histological analysis and quantitative expression analysis, ECM expression patterns could be classified into two types: (i) a histogenesis-correlated type such as type IV and XV collagen, and laminin subunits, (ii) a high-SAT expression type such as type I, III, and V collagen and minor characteristic collagens. Type (i) was related to basal membrane and up-regulated in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and in histogenesis at depot-specific timings. In contrast, type (ii) was related to fibrous forming and highly expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Exceptionally, fibronectin was abundant in developed adipose tissue, although it was highly expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The present study showed that adipose tissues site-specifically regulate molecular type and timing of ECM expression, and suggests that these characteristic ECM molecules provide a critical microenvironment, which may affect bioactivity of adipocyte itself and interacts with other tissues. It must be important to consider the depot-specific property for the treatment of obesity-related disorders, dermal dysfunction and for the tissue regeneration.     

Quinolinic Acid Stimulates Somatostatin Gene Expression in Cultured Rat Cortical Neurons

Striatal atrophy in Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by selective preservation of a subclass of neurons colocalizing NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), somatostatin (SS), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which have been reported to show three- to fivefold increases in SS-like immunoreactivity (SSLI) and NPY content. Since HD brain is capable of producing excessive quantities of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (Quin), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, and since experimental Quin lesions show neuronal loss with sparing of NADPH-d/SS/NPY neurons, it has been suggested that Quin may be important in the pathogenesis of HD. In the present study we determined whether Quin stimulates SS gene function in cultured cortical cells known to be rich in NADPH-d/SS/NPY neurons. Cultures of dispersed fetal rat cortical cells were exposed to Quin (1 and 10 mM) with or without (-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV; 0.5 mM), an NMDA receptor antagonist, NMDA (0.2 and 0.5 mM), and glutamate (Glu; 0.5 mM). Medium and cellular SSLI was determined by radioimmunoassay and SS mRNA by Northern analysis with a cRNA probe. Quin induced significant (p less than 0.01) 1.6- and 2.5-4 fold increases in SSLI and SS mRNA accumulation, respectively, which were abolished by APV. Release of SSLI into the culture medium was stimulated two- to fivefold by Quin over a 2- to 20-h period. The increase in SS mRNA produced by Quin was time and dose dependent. A similar dose-dependent increase in SS mRNA comparable with that observed with Quin was induced by NMDA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rat Sertoli cell aromatase cytochrome P450: Regulation by cell culture conditions and relationship to the state of cell differentiation

Summary Primary cultures of immature rat Sertoli cells in plastic dishes are highly responsive to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and its second messenger, cAMP, in metabolizing testosterone to estradiol, thus indicating the presence of an active, hormone-regulated aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom). However, in vivo studies indicated that P450arom is FSH-responsive only in very young animals, where the cells have not yet differentiated, but they lose this ability later on in development. Sertoli cells grown on Matrigel (a reconstituted basement membrane), laminin (a basement membrane component), or in bicameral chambers coated with Matrigel, assume structural and functional characteristics more similar to that of in vivo differentiated Sertoli cells. When the cells were cultured on laminin or Matrigel, the FSH- and cAMP-induced estradiol production was greatly reduced by 30 and 60%, respectively. When Sertoli cells were cultured in bicameral chambers coated with Matrigel, no induction of testosterone aromatization by FSH or cAMP was observed. However, FSH-induced cAMP formation was greater when the cells were cultured on basement membrane or in the chambers than on plastic dishes. These results suggest that culture conditions favoring the assumption by Sertoli cells of a phenotype closer that of the differentiated cells in vivo (tall columnar and highly polarized) suppress the induction of P450arom by FSH and cAMP. We then examined the mechanism(s) by which cell phenotype affects p450arom activity. Northern blot analyses of Sertoli cell RNA revealed one major band of 1.9 Kb and two minor bands of 3.3 and 5.2 Kb. However, there were no changes at the level of the expression of P450arom messenger RNA under the different culture conditions. No differences were found in P450arom enzymatic activity measured by the³H₂O release method in microsomes prepared from Sertoli cells cultured under the various conditions. Similarly, no differences were observed in the amount of protein detected by immunoblot analysis of Sertoli cell extracts using an antiserum raised against the human placental enzyme. Recombination experiments using microsomes from cells cultured on plastic or in the chambers and cytosol from control or FSH-treated cells cultured on plastic also proved inadequate in inducing P450arom activity. These data suggest that: a) P450arom activity could be used as a specific marker for Sertoli cell differentiation, and b) the differentiation process in Sertoli cells is associated with specific changes in the microenvironment or the regulation of P450arom, or both, that rendered the enzyme insensitive to FSH or cAMP induction.     

Evidence for Cell Surface Extracellular Matrix Binding Proteins in Hydra vulgaris

The present study was designed to identify and functionally characterize potential cell surface extracellular matrix binding proteins in Hydra vulgaris. Using [³H]-laminin as a probe, radioreceptor analysis of a dissociated mixed hydra cell preparation indicated that the average number of laminin binding sites per cell was about 10,000 with a dissociation constant of 1.49 nM. These binding sites could be displaced with unlabelled laminin in a dose-dependent manner and with high concentrations (500 nM) of unlabelled fibronectin. No displacement with type-IV collagen and type-I collagen was observed. Immunoscreerting studies with a battery of antibodies raised to mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM) binding proteins indicated potential cell surface binding sites for the anti-β₁ integrin monoclonal antibody, mAb JG22. Cell adhesion studies indicated that mAb JG22 blocked binding of hydra cells to laminin, but did not affect their binding to fibronectin, type-IV collagen, or type-I collagen. Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical studies indicated that mAb JG22 localized to the basal plasma membrane of ectodermal and endodermal epithelial cells. Immunoprecipitation studies identified two major bands with masses of about 196 kDa and 150 kDa under reducing conditions, and two bands with masses of >200 kDa under non-reducing conditions. Functional studies indicated that mAb JG22 could reversibly block morphogenesis of hydra cell aggregates, and could block in vivo interstitial cell migration in hydra grafts. These observations indicate that hydra has cell surface binding sites for ECM components which are functionally important during development of this simple Cnidarian     

重组PAI－2对肿瘤细胞降解细胞外基质的影响

重组ＰＡＩ－２对肿瘤细胞降解细胞外基质的影响曹祥荣（南京师范大学生物系,２１００２４）关键词纤溶酶原激活剂抑制剂－２,基因重组,细胞外基质降解肿瘤细胞转移过程中最重要的因素是肿瘤细胞侵袭能力,其生化过程即为细胞外基质（ＥＯＭ）降解作用。纤溶酶系统（纤...     

Tetanus Toxin Inhibits Depolarization-Stimulated Protein Phosphorylation in Rat Cortical Synaptosomes: Effect on Synapsin I Phosphorylation and Translocation

Synapsin I, a prominent phosphoprotein in nerve terminals, is proposed to modulate exocytosis by interaction with the cytoplasmic surface of small synaptic vesicles and cytoskeletal elements in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Tetanus toxin (TeTx), a potent inhibitor of neurotransmitter release, attenuated the depolarization-stimulated increase in synapsin I phosphorylation in rat cortical particles and in synaptosomes. TeTx also markedly decreased the translocation of synapsin I from the small synaptic vesicles and the cytoskeleton into the cytosol, on depolarization of synaptosomes. The effect of TeTx on synapsin I phosphorylation was both time and TeTx concentration dependent and required active toxin. One- and two-dimensional peptide maps of synapsin I with V8 proteinase and trypsin, respectively, showed no differences in the relative phosphorylation of peptides for the control and TeTx-treated synaptosomes, suggesting that both the calmodulin- and the cyclic AMP-dependent kinases that label this protein are equally affected. Phosphorylation of synapsin IIb and the B-50 protein (GAP43), a known substrate of protein kinase C, was also inhibited by TeTx. TeTx affected only a limited number of phosphoproteins and the calcium-dependent decrease in dephosphin phosphorylation remained unaffected. In vitro phosphorylation of proteins in lysed synaptosomes was not influenced by prior TeTx treatment of the intact synaptosomes or by the addition of TeTx to lysates, suggesting that the effect of TeTx on protein phosphorylation was indirect. Our data demonstrate that TeTx inhibits neurotransmitter release, the phosphorylation of a select group of phosphoproteins in nerve terminals, and the translocation of synapsin I. These findings contribute to our understanding of the basic mechanism of TeTx action.     

CECMAtlas 1.0: 人类肿瘤相关的细胞外基质基因数据库

细胞外基质（extracellular matrix,ECM）是细胞微环境的重要组成部分,它不仅能为细胞提供物理支持,而且还参与了多种生物学过程。近年来,已经鉴定出来数百种与癌症相关的ECM（cancer-related ECM,C-ECM）基因,其中一些已作为潜在靶标。目前,有关于C-ECM基因的丰富信息还散布在成千上万的出版物中,并且它们在肿瘤发生过程中的作用也未被系统的整理。本文构建了CECMAtlas数据库（http://biokb.ncpsb.org.cn/CECMAtlas/）,该数据库使用文献挖掘和人工判读收集了225个C-ECM基因,以及相关生物学过程信息,该数据库将有助于研究肿瘤的发生机制和开展可能的临床应用。     

细胞外基质硬度调控间充质干细胞分化

新近研究表叽细胞外基质（extracellularmatrix,ECM）的物理性质,特别是硬度或弹性,能对细胞的黏附、铺展、迁移、增殖、分化和凋亡等多种功能和行为产生重要影响。间充质干细胞（mesenchymalstemcells,MSCs）是组织工程和细胞治疗的理想种子细胞。ECM硬度可诱导MSCs向脂肪、软骨、神经、肌肉和骨等方向分化。该文综合论述了ECM硬度对干细胞分化的影响,涵盖了构建ECM硬度的测量、调控与表征等,不同培养条件下干细胞对硬度的响应和分化以及硬度和其他因素的联合作用;在此基础上,进一步论述了干细胞分化过程中细胞感应ECM硬度并转化为生物学信号的机制和信号通路。该文还总结了在ECM硬度调控干细胞分化行为领域最新的研究进展情况,较为系统地分析了材料学、细胞生物学、分子生物学水平的主要影响因素,并对本领域未来需要重点研究的问题进行了展望。     

靶向细胞外基质磷酸糖蛋白的microRNA的筛选及鉴定

目的:寻找靶向细胞外基质磷酸糖蛋白(MEPE)基因的微小RNA(miRNA),并检测其对人HeLa细胞内源性Mepe基因表达的影响。方法:通过NCBI检索人源Mepe的3’UTR,利用miRNA预测工具TargetScan预测可能靶向Mepe的所有miRNA,通过双萤光素酶报告基因系统检测miRNA与Mepe3’UTR的结合情况,从而初步筛选出可能靶向Mepe的miRNA;同时,用Western印迹检测miRNA经转染后对Mepe基因表达的影响。结果:利用TargetScan预测出36条可能靶向Mepe的miRNA,根据分值及匹配情况从中挑选出6条进行验证;与转染空载体pGL3-cm的相对荧光素值相比,转染miR-376a的相对荧光素值降低较为明显,而当Mepe3’UTR与miR-376a结合位点突变后,miR-376a不能抑制萤光素酶的活性;Western印迹结果显示miR-376a能明显抑制MEPE的表达。结论:miRNA-376a可能是靶向Mepe基因的miRNA,为进一步研究MEPE的功能奠定了基础。     

丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白对胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导物基因转录的影响

目的：探讨丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）核心蛋白对胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导物（EMMPRIN）基因转录的影响。方法：构建HCV核心蛋白真核表达载体和EMMPRIN启动子删除突变体pGL3载体,应用双萤光素酶报告基因系统检测EMMPRIN启动子不同删除突变体的转录活性,并寻找核心蛋白上调EMMPRIN转录相关的关键启动子区段。结果：HCV核心蛋白可以显著上调EMMPRIN的表达;调节EMMPRIN转录的启动子关键区段为＋1～435bp,HCV核心蛋白主要通过该关键区段上调EMMPRIN的转录,并呈现剂量依赖性。结论：HCV核心蛋白有可能通过EMMPRIN启动子关键区段上调EMMPRIN的转录,从而上调基质金属蛋白酶,最终导致肝癌转移。     

n-6脂肪酸去饱和酶fat-1基因对神经元细胞凋亡的抑制作用

将C．elegans n-6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因fat-1的cDNA插入到腺病毒的穿梭载体pAd-CMV中,并与骨架载体同源重组,构建腺病毒重组体（Ad．GFP．fat1）,通过包装细胞系（293）产生重组腺病毒,感染原代培养的大鼠皮层细胞．在显微镜下观察、细胞增殖试剂盒（MTT）和凋亡染色试剂盒分析fat-1基因对大鼠皮层细胞凋亡的影响,核糖核酸酶保护性分析,检测fat-1基因在大鼠皮层细胞内的表达,酶联免疫分析花生四烯酸类（Eicosanoids）前列腺素（Prostaglandin E2）的含量．结果表明,通过基因重组技术,得到预期的重组病毒;fat-1基因在原代培养的大鼠皮层细胞中能有效异源表达,2d后,可检测到fat-1 mRNA的条带,与对照Ad．GFP细胞相比,fat-1基因明显抑制了大鼠皮层细胞因诱导产生的凋亡（35％）,受保护细胞的前列腺素含量也明显地减少（30％）．     

Thermostimulation-Induced Modulation of Conditioned Reflex Movement-Related Reactions of Cortical Neurons of the Cat

In awake cats trained to perform a food-procuring conditioned operant reflex (placing movement), we studied impulse reactions of 86 neurons of the motor cortex (field 4) related to realization of the above movements. As conditioning stimuli (CS) initiating the reflex, we used either non-noxious electrocutaneous stimulation (ECS) of the contralateral forelimb or an acoustic stimulus (sound click). Impulsation of cortical neurons was recorded under conditions of (i) isolated presentation of the CS (control), (ii) presentation of the CS (either ECS or acoustic stimulus) combined with thermostimulation (heating with a miniature electric bulb) of the skin of the working forelimb, and (iii) the same, but with stimulation of the resting forelimb. When we recorded spike activity of neurons within the projection motor zone of the resting limb subjected to ESC, alternating thermostimulation of both forelimbs resulted in considerable intensification and an increase in the duration of neuronal responses, especially in cases where thermostimulation was applied to the working limb ipsilateral to the recording site (a two- to threefold increase). When spike reactions were recorded within the motor cortex of the working forelimb, thermostimulation resulted in a considerable increase in the intensity of these reactions and a decrease in their latency, but only when such stimulation was applied to the working forelimb. Thermostimulation of the resting (ipsilateral, subjected to ESC) limb evoked opposite effects (the intensity of neuronal reactions dropped). In both situations, placing movements remained within the control limits. When sound click was used as a distant CS, thermostimulation of the working limb enhanced neuronal responses, increased their duration by 50-100%, and also increased the time of forestalling of the movement initiation by spike neuronal reactions. Thermostimulation of the resting forelimb in this situation also suppressed neuronal reactions. We conclude that foreign stimulations directed toward modifications of the receptor model of the operant reflex experimental situation formed in the animal result in a decrease in the intensity of the spike responses of field-4 neurons and prolongation of the latencies of these responses, while stimulations promoting the inflow of afferent information to the cortical projection of the working limb evoke opposite effects, an increase in the intensity of neuronal spike responses and a decrease in their latencies.     

Emerging Role of Syndecans in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) offers a structural basis for regulating cell functions while also acting as a collection point for bioactive molecules and connective tissue cells. To perform pathological functions under a pathological condition, the involved cells need to regulate the ECM to support their altered functions. This is particularly common in the development of cancer. The ECM has been recognized as a key driver of cancer development and progression, and ECM remodeling occurs at all stages of cancer progression. Thus, cancer cells need to change the ECM to support relevant cell surface adhesion receptor–mediated cell functions. In this context, it is interesting to examine how cancer cells regulate ECM remodeling, which is critical to tumor malignancy and metastatic progression. Here, we review how the cell surface adhesion receptor, syndecan, regulates ECM remodeling as cancer progresses, and explore how this can help us better understand ECM remodeling under these pathological conditions