植物细胞质介导GFP-NLS蛋白入核转运的HeLa细胞系统的建立北大核心CSCD

细胞核作为细胞中重要的遗传物质存储、复制和转录的结构,涉及大量信息和物质的传输活动,尤其是蛋白质的入核转运一直以来都是研究的热点问题之一。本研究证明,植物细胞质可以有效应用于动物细胞体系研究蛋白质入核转运。本文利用病毒SV40抗原蛋白中的核定位信号(nuclear localization signal,NLS)标记绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP),通过拟南芥细胞质的介导,利用He La细胞核建立研究蛋白质入核转运的半细胞体系。结果显示,植物细胞质结合NLS片段能改变GFP在He La细胞核内外的分布,实现对目标蛋白入核过程的介导,使GFP-NLS最后定位于细胞核内。这也意味着通过He La细胞建立起的半细胞体系能为蛋白质入核转运研究提供一个有效的研究体系。     

多肽TAT与核定位信号介导的蛋白质入核递送

增强型绿色荧光蛋白与蛋白质转导结构域TAT、SV40大T抗原的核定位信号以融合蛋白的形式在大肠杆菌中表达 ,纯化后转导A431细胞 ,大部分细胞核内都可以观察到绿色荧光 ,说明TAT NLS可以有效介导蛋白质的入核递送。这种蛋白质递送系统可望用于转录治疗等研究领域。     

植物细胞质介导GFP-NLS蛋白入核转运的HeLa细胞系统的建立

细胞核作为细胞中重要的遗传物质存储、复制和转录的结构,牵涉着大量信息和物质的传输活动,尤其是蛋白质的入核转运一直以来都是研究的热点问题之一。本文利用病毒SV40抗原蛋白中的核定位信号（nuclear localization signal,NLS）标记GFP蛋白,通过拟南芥细胞质的介导,利用HeLa细胞核建立起了研究蛋白质入核转运的半细胞体系。结果显示,植物细胞质结合NLS片段能改变GFP在HeLa细胞核内外的分布,实现对目标蛋白入核过程的介导,使GFP-NLS最后定位于细胞核内。这也意味着通过HeLa细胞建立起的半细胞体系能为蛋白入核转运研究提供一个有效的研究体系。     

大鼠谷氨酰胺转运蛋白SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白的表达与鉴定

谷氨酰胺转运蛋白是中枢神经系统中一种重要的中性氨基酸转运蛋白,对谷氨酰胺的跨膜转运十分重要。为了更方便地研究大鼠谷氨酰胺转运蛋白2(SNAT2)在细胞膜上的表达与定位,利用亚克隆技术将增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)构建于SNAT2的C端,通过菌液PCR、酶切和DNA测序鉴定重组真核表达质粒;将测序正确的重组质粒瞬时转染人胚胎肾细胞(HEK293T cells),用Western blot和激光共聚焦电子显微镜荧光检测技术鉴定SNAT2-EGFP的表达与亚细胞定位。结果表明,SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白重组质粒在细胞中表达并正确定位于细胞膜上。SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白重组质粒的成功构建为今后深入研究SNAT2的结构和功能提供了一个有效的工具。     

大鼠心肌细胞核钙调素入核转运与核钙调节关系的探讨

最近发现,钙调素作为细胞内钙受体,除了调节胞浆的多种功能之外,可能还参与胞浆信号向核内快速传递。本研究观察大鼠心肌细胞核对钙调素的入核转运与钙浓度的关系,并初步探讨其调节机制。大鼠心肌细胞核采用差速离心和密度梯度离心分离提纯。用荧光分光光度计测定荧光标记钙调素向细胞核转入量发现,大鼠心肌细胞核对核外的CaM向核孔转运量具有[Ca~(2+)]浓度依赖性,随核外[Ca~(2+)]浓度的增加而增加(P<0.001),在[Ca~(2+)]浓度为10~(-3)mol/L时,ryanodine受体的拮抗剂rutheniumred和cADP ribose受体拮抗剂8-Br cADP ribose显著抑制CaM的细胞核孔转运(分别降低20％和18％,P<0.05),而IP_3受体拮抗剂heparin和Ca~(2+)-ATPase抑制剂thapsigargin抑制CaM的细胞核孔转运更显著(分别降低90％和89％,P<0.001)。上述结果表明心肌细胞核对CaM的向核转运,受核外[Ca~(2+)]和核钙摄取、释放所调节。     

HPV16L1核浆运输的动力学过程

利用增强型绿色荧光蛋白(Enhancegreenflurenscentprotein,EGFP)标记不同的截短型HPV16L1蛋白(Humanpapillomavirustype16L1protein,HPV16L1),分析HPV16L1蛋白核定位信号(Nucleuslocationsignal,NLS)的作用。构建重组pFB-EGFP、pFB-EGFP-HPV16L1、pFB-EGFP-HPV16L1△NLS和pFB-EGFP-NLSHPV16L1p转移载体;在DH10Bac宿主菌内经Tn7转座子介导的同源重组后转染Sf-9细胞,获得重组Ac-EGFP、Ac-EGFP-HPV16L1、Ac-EGFP-HPV16L1△NLS和Ac-EGFP-NLSHPV16L1杆状病毒,感染Sf-9昆虫细胞表达相应截短型HPV16L1融合蛋白;利用荧光显微镜和激光共聚焦显微镜观察不同融合蛋白的荧光特性和核浆转运动力学过程。结果发现Ac-EGFP杆状病毒感染的Sf-9细胞内明亮的绿色荧光均匀分布;重组Ac-EGFP-HPV16L1和Ac-EGFP-NLSHPV16L1杆状病毒感染的Sf-9细胞,明亮的绿色荧光主要位于细胞核内;重组Ac-EGFP-HPV16L1△NLS杆状病毒感染的Sf-9细胞,绿色荧光局限于细胞浆内,细胞核内无绿色荧光。说明HPV16L1蛋白羧基端的23个氨基酸(GKRKATPTTSSTSTTAKRKKRKL)具有完全核定位作用,能引导HPV16L1蛋白和EGFP突破核膜屏障进入Sf-9细胞核内。     

人SDCT2蛋白亚细胞定位信号分析

为了确定人高亲和力钠离子依赖性二羧酸共转运蛋白（high-affinity sodium-dependent dicarboxylate co-transporter, SDCT2,NaDC3）在细胞内的定位,构建了SDCT2与增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）的融合蛋白表达载体,并转染肾小管上皮细胞LLC-PK1,激光共聚焦显微镜观察显示,SDCT2蛋白主要定位于细胞的基底侧膜上.同时将SDCT2-EGFP融合基因mRNA显微注射到爪蟾卵母细胞中表达,可见融合蛋白的绿色荧光仅分布在细胞膜上.为了进一步确定该蛋白质的亚细胞定位信号序列,将SDCT2基因的N端及C端分别缺失,并构建缺失突变体与EGFP的融合蛋白表达载体,将它们转染到LLC-PK1中,观察SDCT2 缺失体在细胞内的分布情况.结果显示,N端缺失的SDCT2蛋白主要位于细胞质中,顶膜和基底侧膜上也有表达;C端缺失的SDCT2蛋白主要位于基底侧膜上,顶膜几乎没有表达,细胞质中表达很少.免疫组化结果也显示,SDCT2只表达于人近端肾小管上皮细胞的基底侧膜.这表明SDCT2蛋白的N端序列对其亚细胞定位是必需的,人SDCT2蛋白的基底膜定位信号位于N端序列中.     

蛋白质通量化定位体系的建立及初步应用

目的:对于蛋白质功能而言,蛋白质定位与蛋白质的表达和修饰等同等重要。传统的蛋白质定位一直沿用单个基因、逐个的研究方法,本实验拟建立一种通量蛋白质定位研究体系。方法:采用并优化了细胞微阵列技术,结合绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)标签、激光扫描共聚焦显微镜及反转染技术,用于大规模蛋白质定位研究。结果:初步建立的蛋白质定位微阵列包含107个GFP标记的cDNA表达载体,分别编码107个重要细胞信号传导通路的蛋白质,并与定位数据库中的已知结果进行了比对;对该系统的有效性进行了验证评价。结论:本定位系统可有效地用于通量化蛋白质定位研究,并可以发展用于蛋白质相互作用、泛素-蛋白酶体通路底物筛选等进一步的功能研究。     

人乳头状瘤病毒癌蛋白E6和E7双标记质粒的构建及应用

目的:构建人乳头状瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)-16 E6、E7癌蛋白及其突变型的双筛选标记质粒并筛选出稳定表达HPV-16癌蛋白的肺癌A549细胞株。方法:以携带新霉素抗性基因neo的pEGFP质粒(pEGFP-N1)为空载体,在EcoRⅠ和BamHⅠ位点间插入HPV-16 E6、E7及其突变型基因。新构建的质粒鉴定后转染A549细胞并用G418筛选,多次挑取单克隆后用流式细胞仪分选带荧光的细胞。结果:PCR、双酶切鉴定结果及DNA序列测定结果均证实质粒构建正确;PCR扩增结果显示细胞中存在目的基因;流式细胞术结果显示细胞阳性率高;Western blotting结果显示细胞能表达HPV-16 E6、HPV-16 E7蛋白。结论:成功构建pEGFP-E6、E7质粒并筛选出稳定表达E6和E7癌蛋白的A549细胞株,为进一步研究HPV对肺癌的影响奠定了基础;同时发现G418筛选结合流式细胞仪分选可提高稳定转染细胞的阳性率。     

鸡贫血病毒VP3蛋白序列与其核定位功能的相关性

鸡贫血病毒（chicken anemia virus, CAV）编码一种小蛋白VP3.通过构建vp3基因与绿色荧光蛋白基因的真核融合表达载体,转染5种肿瘤/转化细胞株, 观察绿色荧光在亚细胞区域的定位,证实VP3具有核定位的功能;分析VP3的氨基酸序列,将其具核定位序列（nuclear localization sequence, NLS）特征的区域删除,再构建此缺失的VP3的基因与绿色荧光蛋白基因的真核融合表达载体、转染实验显示核定位现象消失;进一步将具核定位序列特征的区域亚克隆到绿色荧光蛋白真核表达载体上,核定位功能再现.从而推断这一区域是VP3蛋白核定位的功能区.此区域位于VP3的C端,且富含碱性氨基酸,二级结构预测发现这一区域形成特定的β折叠结构.用碘丙锭(propidium iodide, PI)染色的方法还得到了VP3促进肿瘤细胞凋亡的初步证据.     

蛋白质的入核运送和它在基因表达中的调节作用

蛋白质进入细胞核是由蛋白质分子内部的核定位信号（nuclear localization signal, NLS）引导的.NLS蛋白首先与NLS受体结合,然后在多种胞浆因子及核孔复合物蛋白的作用下穿过核孔、转位入核.蛋白质上存在NLS并不一定总能够引导蛋白质入核.当NLS被修饰或遮掩时,它们便不能被核转运装置所识别.因而,NLS的遮掩被解除之前,蛋白质一直被扣留在胞浆中.以调节转录因子的入核运送来控制转录因子的活性是基因表达调节的一个新概念,也是细胞生长和分化的另一水平的调节.     

STAT3 入核分子机制的初步研究

为了研究Stat3入核的分子机制,将SV40大T抗原的经典核定位序列NLS(nuclear localization sequence)分别融合在Stat3-GFP分子和缺失突变体Dstat3-GFP的分子之间,构建Stat3-NLS-GFP和Dstat3-NLS-GFP融合分子。转染293T细胞,以NLS-GFP为阳性对照,通过激光共聚焦显微镜的观察融合分子的亚细胞位置,未经白介素-6刺激的Stat3-NLS-GFP和经白介素-6刺激的Stat3-GFP呈胞核分布,未经白介素-6刺激的Stat3-GFP和Dstat3-NLS-GFP呈胞浆分布,初步证明Stat3入核是由于获得了核定位序列。     

胃癌中CDK1和CDK2的表达及预后意义

目的探讨胃癌中CDK1和CDK2的表达情况及预后意义。方法应用免疫组化S-P法对48例各期胃癌和癌旁正常组织中CDK1和CDK2的表达情况进行检测。结果早期胃癌中CDK1和CDK2中表达较低(P0.05),进展期胃癌中表达更高(P0.05)。结论CDK1和CDK2可望成为胃癌早期预后指标和分子治疗的靶标。     

Nuclear Import of Cdk/Cyclin Complexes: Identification of Distinct Mechanisms for Import of Cdk2/Cyclin E and Cdc2/Cyclin B1

Reversible phosphorylation of nuclear proteins is required for both DNA replication and entry into mitosis. Consequently, most cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)/cyclin complexes are localized to the nucleus when active. Although our understanding of nuclear transport processes has been greatly enhanced by the recent identification of nuclear targeting sequences and soluble nuclear import factors with which they interact, the mechanisms used to target Cdk/cyclin complexes to the nucleus remain obscure; this is in part because these proteins lack obvious nuclear localization sequences. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for Cdk/cyclin transport, we examined nuclear import of fluorescent Cdk2/cyclin E and Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes in digitonin-permeabilized mammalian cells and also examined potential physical interactions between these Cdks, cyclins, and soluble import factors. We found that the nuclear import machinery recognizes these Cdk/cyclin complexes through direct interactions with the cyclin component. Surprisingly, cyclins E and B1 are imported into nuclei via distinct mechanisms. Cyclin E behaves like a classical basic nuclear localization sequence–containing protein, binding to the α adaptor subunit of the importin-α/β heterodimer. In contrast, cyclin B1 is imported via a direct interaction with a site in the NH₂ terminus of importin-β that is distinct from that used to bind importin-α.     

Sequence requirements for plasmid nuclear import

The nuclear envelope is a major barrier for nuclear uptake of plasmids and represents one of the most significant unsolved problems of nonviral gene delivery. We have previously shown that the nuclear entry of plasmid DNA is sequence-specific, requiring a 366-bp fragment containing the SV40 origin of replication and early promoter. In this report, we show that, although fragments throughout this region can support varying degrees of nuclear import, the 72-bp repeats of the SV40 enhancer facilitate maximal transport. The functions of the promoter and the origin of replication are not needed for nuclear localization of plasmid DNA. In contrast to the import activity of the SV40 enhancer, two other strong promoter and enhancer sequences, the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter and the Rous sarcoma virus LTR, were unable to direct nuclear localization of plasmids. The inability of the CMV promoter to mediate plasmid nuclear import was confirmed by measurement of the CMV promoter-driven expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in microinjected cells. At times before cell division, as few as 3 to 10 copies per cell of cytoplasmically injected plasmids containing the SV40 enhancer gave significant GFP expression, while no expression was obtained with more than 1000 copies per cell of plasmids lacking the SV40 sequence. However, the levels of expression were the same for both plasmids after cell division in cytoplasmically injected cells and at all times in nuclear injected cells. Thus, the inclusion this SV40 sequence in nonviral vectors may greatly increase their ability to be transported into the nucleus, especially in nondividing cells.     

Nap1 and Chz1 have Separate Htz1 Nuclear Import and Assembly Functions

We analyzed the nuclear import and regulation of the yeast histone variant Htz1 (H2A.Z), and the role of histone chaperones Nap1 and Chz1 in this process. Copurification suggested that Htz1 and H2B dimerized in the cytoplasm prior to import. Like H2B, Htz1 contained a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in its N‐terminus that is recognized by multiple karyopherins (also called importins), indicating multiple transport pathways into the nucleus. However, Kap114 and Kap123 appeared to play the major role in Htz1 import. We also identified a role for Nap1 in the import of Htz1/H2B heterodimers, and Nap1 formed a RanGTP‐insensitive import complex with Htz1/H2B and Kap114. Nap1 was necessary for maintaining a soluble pool of Htz1, indicating that its chaperone function may be important for the dynamic exchange of histones within nucleosomes. In contrast, Chz1 was imported by a distinct import pathway, and Chz1 did not appear to interact with Htz1 in the cytoplasm. Genetic analysis indicated that NAP1 has a function in the absence of HTZ1 that is not shared with CHZ1. This provides further evidence that the histone chaperones Nap1 and Chz1 have separate Htz1‐dependent and ‐independent functions.     

Discovery of a novel class of 2-aminopyrimidines as CDK1 and CDK2 inhibitors

A series of new 2-(2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)phenol derivatives were synthesized as potential antitumor compounds. Substitution with pyrrolidine-3,4-diol at the 4-position of phenol provided potent inhibitory activity against CDK1 and CDK2. X-ray crystal structural studies were performed to account for the effect of the substituent on both the enzymatic and cell growth inhibitory activities.     

Molecular mechanisms of activation in CDK2

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are enzymes involved in crucial cellular processes. Their biological activity is directly linked to their high conformational variability, which involves large protein conformational rearrangements. We present here the application of an enhancing sampling technique to the study of conformational transitions between the open and closed state of CDKs. The analysis of the conformational intermediates supports the idea that the process is regulated by two important protein regions, which sequentially rearrange in order to allow the protein to reach its final conformation. Furthermore, the two paths involve additional (minor) protein rearrangements which are specific to the paths. Our results show that our procedure can provide reasonable transition pathways between the two protein forms at a very reduced computational cost. The robustness and the simplicity of our approach make it of general application to describe virtually any macromolecular conformational transitions.