小鼠FSP27基因沉默的前脂肪细胞系的建立

用含有针对小鼠FSP27基因的siRNA慢病毒,感染小鼠前脂肪细胞系3T3-L1,建立小鼠FSP27基因沉默的前脂肪细胞系,为进一步研究该基因在脂肪细胞分化和脂肪代谢过程中的作用提供实验材料.根据小鼠FSP27基因设计双链siRNA,克隆至pSilencer2.1-U6质粒,形成含U6-siRNAbox的重组质粒.在293T细胞中检测siRNA沉默FSP27基因的效率,结果显示,siRNA可以高效地抑制外源小鼠FSP27的表达.将U6-siRNAbox重组到慢病毒载体FG12上,并将慢病毒载体与其他辅助载体用磷酸钙法转入293T细胞,包装成慢病毒.收集、浓缩、纯化病毒上清并用来感染靶细胞3T3-L1,检测感染效率和内源蛋白表达量的变化.结果显示,该siRNA可以高效地抑制内源小鼠FSP27的表达,并且siRNA插入基因组中,形成稳定表达.至此,小鼠FSP27基因沉默的前脂肪细胞系成功建立,为研究FSP27基因的功能提供了研究基础.     

CYP27A1 inhibits bladder cancer cells proliferation by regulating cholesterol homeostasis

CYP27A1, an enzyme involved in regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis, converts cholesterol into 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC). The relationship between CYP27A1 and cell proliferation was studied to determine the role of CYP27A1 in bladder cancer. The expression of CYP27A1 in three bladder cancer cell lines (T24, UM-UC-3 and 5637) were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, and cells with stable CYP27A1 expression were generated by lentiviral infection. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assays, colony formation assays and a tumor xenograft model in vitro and in vivo, and the intracellular 27-HC and cholesterol secretion levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results revealed that CYP27A1 expression was downregulated in androgen receptor (AR)-positive T24/UM-UC-3 cells compared with AR-negative 5637 cell. After CYP27A1 expression was restored, cell proliferation was inhibited in vitro and in vivo because much more intracellular 27-HC was produced in the CYP27A1-overexpressing cells than in the control cells. Both T24 and UM-UC-3 cells treated with 27-HC showed similar results. In addition, CYP27A1/27HC could reduce the cellular cholesterol level in both T24 and UM-UC-3 cells by upregulating ATP-binding cassette transporters G1 and A1 (ABCG1 and ABCA1) through Liver X receptors (LXRs) pathway and downregulating low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression. These findings all suggest that CYP27A1 is a critical cholesterol sensor in bladder cancer cells that may contribute significantly to bladder cancer proliferation.     

亚砷酸盐诱导HSP27的细胞内移位依赖于p38 MAPK介导的磷酸化

为研究HSP27的磷酸化与其细胞内定位之间的关系,利用定点突变和DNA重组技术构建EGFP融合的HSP27野生型和第82位丝氨酸突变体的真核表达载体并转染NIH 3T3细胞,观察两者在静息状态和亚砷酸盐刺激下的细胞内定位情况.利用p38 MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580预处理细胞后,观察对HSP27磷酸化和细胞内定位的影响.结果发现,野生型HSP27受到NaAsO₂刺激后移位入核,而其突变体HSP27(S82A)不能入核.同时,SB203580的预处理使HSP27的磷酸化和NaAsO₂诱导的移位入核都被阻断.这些结果表明,p38介导的HSP27磷酸化在其细胞内定位中具有重要作用     

p27Kip1 serine 10 phosphorylation determines its metabolism and interaction with cyclin-dependent kinases

p27Kip1 is a critical modulator of cell proliferation by controlling assembly, localization and activity of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). p27Kip1 also plays important roles in malignant transformation, modulating cell movement and interaction with the extracellular matrix. A critical p27Kip1 feature is the lack of a stable tertiary structure that enhances its “adaptability” to different interactors and explains the heterogeneity of its function. The absence of a well-defined folding underlines the importance of p27Kip1 post-translational modifications that might highly impact the protein functions. Here, we characterize the metabolism and CDK interaction of phosphoserine10-p27Kip1 (pS10- p27Kip1), the major phosphoisoform of p27Kip1. By an experimental strategy based on specific immunoprecipitation and bidimensional electrophoresis, we established that pS10-p27Kip1 is mainly bound to cyclin E/CDK2 rather than to cyclin A/CDK2. pS10- p27Kip1 is more stable than non-modified p27Kip1, since it is not (or scarcely) phosphorylated on T187, the post-translational modification required for p27Kip1 removal in the nucleus. pS10-p27Kip1 does not bind CDK1. The lack of this interaction might represent a mechanism for facilitating CDK1 activation and allowing mitosis completion. In conclusion, we suggest that nuclear p27Kip1 follows 2 almost independent pathways operating at different rates. One pathway involves threonine-187 and tyrosine phosphorylations and drives the protein toward its Skp2-dependent removal. The other involves serine-10 phosphorylation and results in the elongation of p27Kip1 half-life and specific CDK interactions. Thus, pS10-p27Kip1, due to its stability, might be thought as a major responsible for the p27Kip1-dependent arrest of cells in G1/G0 phase.     

Monocyte-derived cells express CYP27A1 and convert vitamin D3 into its active metabolite

CYP27A1 catalyses hydroxylations in the biosynthesis of bile acids and the bioactivation of vitamin D3. We investigated the expression of CYP27A1 in human monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and dendritic cells on mRNA and protein levels as well as its enzymatic activity in comparison with the expression of CYP27B1 and CYP24A1. Macrophages showed a strong expression of CYP27A1, whereas monocytes and dendritic cells expressed low levels of CYP27A1 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry revealed CYP27A1 and CYP27B1 protein expression in macrophages. Accordingly, macrophages converted vitamin D3 into the active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3. Dendritic cells also metabolized vitamin D3 although to a lesser extent. This could be due to the high expression of CYP24A1, the enzyme that degrades 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3. Our results show that macrophages and dendritic cells are capable to perform both hydroxylation steps of the vitamin D3 metabolism suggesting a possible role of local 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis by myeloid cells in the skin and gut.     

Novel route for elimination of brain oxysterols across the blood-brain barrier: conversion into 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid

Recently, we demonstrated a net blood-to-brain passage of the oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol corresponding to 4-5 mg/day. As the steady-state levels of this sterol are only 1-2 mug/g brain tissue, we hypothesized that it is metabolized and subsequently eliminated from the brain. To explore this concept, we first measured the capacity of in vitro systems representing the major cell populations found in the brain to metabolize 27-hydroxycholesterol. We show here that 27-hydroxycholesterol is metabolized into the known C(27) steroidal acid 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid by neuronal cell models only. Using an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier, we demonstrate that 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid is efficiently transferred across monolayers of primary brain microvascular endothelial cells. Finally, we measured the concentration of 7alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid in plasma from the internal jugular vein and brachial artery of healthy volunteers. Calculation of the arteriovenous concentration difference revealed a significant in vivo flux of this steroid from the brain into the circulation in human. Together, these studies identify a novel metabolic route for the elimination of 27-hydroxylated sterols from the brain. Given the emerging connections between cholesterol and neurodegeneration, this pathway may be of importance for the development of these conditions.     

27-Hydroxycholesterol enhanced osteoclastogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment

27-Hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) has been implicated in the pathological process of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. However, the role of 27-HC in lung adenocarcinoma is still unclear. Because bone metastasis is a main reason for the high mortality of lung adenocarcinoma, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 27-HC on osteoclastogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment. The results showed that the conditioned media (CM) from lung adenocarcinoma cells cocultured with macrophages promoted osteoclast differentiation, which was enhanced by 27-HC. Further investigation showed that CM inhibited miR-139 expression and promoted c-Fos expression. Luciferase reporter assay identified c-Fos as a direct target of miR-139. CM also induced the expression and nuclear translocation of NFATc1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, which was enlarged by 27-HC but was attenuated by miR-139. Coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that 27-HC increased the interaction between NFATc1 and phosphorylated STAT3, which was restricted by miR-139. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that pSTAT3 could bind to the promoter of c-Fos, c-Fos could bind to the promoter of NFATc1, and both pSTAT3 and NFATc1 could bind to the promoter of Oscar, which were enlarged by 27-HC but were blocked by miR-139. Knockdown of c-Fos mimicked the effect of miR-139. These results suggested that CM, especially containing 27-HC, promoted osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting miR-139 expression and activating the STAT3/c-Fos/NFATc1 pathway.     

IL-27:保持免疫平衡的重要因子

由EBI-3和p28组成的IL-27是IL-12家族的新成员,主要来源于树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DCs)的分泌。当DCs表面的Toll样受体(Toll like receptor,TLR)受到外界信号刺激的时候,通过激活下游因子MyD88、IRF3、c-Rel以及JNK等通路介导IL-27表达。IL-27受体由WSX-1和gp130两个亚基组成,表达于多种免疫细胞和非免疫细胞表面。IL-27对这些细胞的发育、分化和功能都发挥着不可或缺的作用。IL-27与其受体结合后,通过激活下游的STAT1/STAT3途径诱导na?veT细胞向Th1方向分化,同时抑制其向Th2、Th17和Foxp3+Treg方向分化。B细胞抗体类型的转换、DCs表面共刺激分子的表达和促进Th1反应的能力也受到IL-27的调节。另外,IL-27还可以诱导一些非免疫细胞的表面表达MHC分子,使其具有抗原呈递的功能。更具有临床意义的是,IL-27在许多感染性疾病、自身免疫病和肿瘤中都发挥了重要作用,是相关疾病潜在的作用靶点。     

Overexpression of integrin beta1 inhibits proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC-7721 through preventing Skp2-dependent degradation of p27 via PI3K pathway

Integrins may play important roles in many cellular events, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We showed previously that overexpression of integrin beta1 inhibits cell proliferation in SMMC-7721 cells. Here we reported that one of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, p27(Kip1) was involved in proliferation-inhibition induced by overexpression of integrin beta1. Overexpression of integrin beta1 upregulated p27(Kip1) at the protein level, but not mRNA level. The knock-down of p27(Kip1) expression restored cell growth in integrin beta1-overexpressing cells. Cycloheximide (Chx) treatment and pulse-chase experiments revealed that overexpression of integrin beta1 prolonged the half-life of p27(Kip1) by inhibiting its degradation. Proteasome inhibitor (MG132) treatment of the cells indicated that proteasome mediated degradation of p27, and Skp2-dependent degradation might be prevented. Overexpression of integrin beta1 decreased Skp2 at mRNA level, which was regulated by cell adhesion and the subsequent adhesion-dependent signaling. Overexpression of integrin beta1 reduced cell adhesion, accordingly, inactivated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 upregulated p27(Kip1) at post-translational level and downregulate Skp2 at mRNA level, which could mimic the effects of integrin beta1 overexpression on p27(Kip1) and Skp2. Together, these results suggested that overexpression of integrin beta1 inhibited cell proliferation by preventing the Skp2-dependent degradation of p27(Kip1) via PI3K pathway.     

Effects of a 2450 MHz high-frequency electromagnetic field with a wide range of SARs on the induction of heat-shock proteins in A172 cells

In this study, we investigated whether exposure to 2450 MHz high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HFEMFs) could act as an environmental insult to evoke a stress response in A172 cells, using HSP70 and HSP27 as stress markers. The cells were exposed to a 2450 MHz HFEMF with a wide range of specific absorption rates (SARs: 5-200 W/kg) or sham conditions. Because exposure to 2450 MHz HFEMF at 50-200 W/kg SAR causes temperature increases in culture medium, appropriate heat control groups (38-44 degrees C) were also included. The expression of HSP 70 and HSP 27, as well as the level of phosphorylated HSP 27 ((78)Ser) (p-HSP27), was determined by Western blotting. Our results showed that the expression of HSP 70 increased in a time and dose-dependent manner at >50 W/kg SAR for 1-3 h. A similar effect was also observed in corresponding heat controls. There was no significant change in HSP 27 expression caused by HFEMF at 5-200 W/kg or by comparable heating for 1-3 h. However, HSP 27 phosphorylation increased transiently at 100 and 200 W/kg to a greater extent than at 40-44 degrees C. Phosphorylation of HSP 27 reached a maximum after 1 h exposure at 100 W/kg HFEMF. Our results suggest that exposure to a 2450 MHz HFEMF has little or no apparent effect on HSP70 and HSP27 expression, but it may induce a transient increase in HSP27 Phosphorylation in A172 cells at very high SAR (>100 W/kg).     

组蛋白去甲基化酶UTX与胚胎发育及疾病关系

组蛋白3赖氨酸27(histone 3 lysine 27, H3K27)去甲基化酶UTX(ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat on chromosome X, UTX)为X染色体上重复的转录三十四肽,是组蛋白3赖氨酸4(histone 3 lysine 4, H3K4)甲基转移酶复合物MLL2(mixed-lineage leukemia 2, MLL2)中的一员,可调节同源基因HOX(homeobox, HOX)和视网膜母细胞瘤基因RB(retinoblastoma, RB)转录谱系. UTX与BRG1-SWI/SNF重塑复合物(Brg1-containing ATPase-dependent Swi/Snf chromatin-remodeling complex, BRG1-SWI/SNF)相互作用促进染色质重塑. 因其在细胞的正确再编程、胚胎发育和组织特异性分化中扮演重要角色,UTX失活或缺失会导致癌症、胚胎发育缺陷等疾病的发生. 本文将对近年来UTX在胚胎发育及与疾病关系方面的研究进展做一综述.     

p27kip1 overexpression promotes paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in pRb-defective SaOs-2 cells

p27kip1 is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, which controls several cellular processes in strict collaboration with pRb. We evaluated the role of p27kip1 in paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in the pRb-defective SaOs-2 cells. Following 48 h of exposure of SaOs-2 cells to 100 nM paclitaxel, we observed an increase in p27kip1 expression caused by the decrease of the ubiquitin-proteasome activity. Such increase was not observed in SaOs-2 cells treated with the caspase inhibitors Z-VAD-FMK, suggesting that p27kip1 enhancement at 48 h is strictly related to apoptosis. Finally, we demonstrated that SaOs-2 cells transiently overexpressing the p27kip1 protein are more susceptible to paclitaxel-induced apoptosis than SaOs-2 cells transiently transfected with the empty vector. Indeed, after 48 h of paclitaxel treatment, 41.8% of SaOs-2 cells transiently transfected with a pcDNA3-p27kip1 construct were Annexin V-positive compared to 30.6% of SaOs-2 cells transfected with the empty vector (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated that transfection of the pRb-defective SaOs-2 cells with the p27kip1 gene via plasmid increases their susceptibility to paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. The promoting effect of p27kip1 overexpression on apoptosis makes p27kip1 and proteasomal inhibitors interesting tools for therapy in patients with pRb-defective cancers.     

组蛋白变体H3.3 L27M突变与胶质瘤发生

组蛋白变体在基因表达等基本细胞过程中发挥重要调节功能。人类有5种H3变体,分别为H3.1、 H3.2、H3.3、着丝粒特异性CENP-A和睾丸特异性H3t。人H3.3有H3F3A和H3F3B两个基因编码。采用DNA全基因组测序的方法在儿童高级别胶质瘤如恶性胶质瘤（GBM）和弥漫性内在脑桥胶质瘤（DIPG）鉴定出高频的H3F3A突变。超过70%DIPG和30%GBM携带H3.3 K27M氨基酸错义突变（27位赖氨酸被甲硫氨酸代替）。H3.3 K27M通过与组蛋白H3K27甲基转移酶EZH2亚基相互作用而抑制多梳抑制复合物2（PRC2）活性并全面减少H3K27me3含量。因此H3.3 K27M突变重塑了表观修饰状态和基因表达模式,从而驱动肿瘤发生。K27M突变可作为分子标志物以更好区分儿童胶质瘤亚型,还可作为特异、敏感的预后标志物。通过抑制组蛋白去甲基化酶如JMJD3活性而增加H3K27甲基化可作为K27M突变胶质瘤治疗的有效策略。本文综述了组蛋白变体H3.3 K27M在胶质瘤中的突变模式、分子机制和临床应用。     

Fsp27基因沉默载体的构建及其对细胞脂解的影响研究

构建脂肪特异性蛋白27(Fat-specific protein of 27,Fsp27)基因沉默载体,研究沉默Fsp27基因表达对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响,并对其作用机制进行探究。采用RNAi技术,构建Fsp27基因真核干扰载体,下调Fsp27基因的表达。“鸡尾酒”法诱导3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化为成熟脂肪细胞。脂质体转染脂肪细胞,油红O染色脂滴,酶法测定细胞中甘油及甘油三酯的含量。Western blot法检测细胞中Fsp27、HSL、ATGL和PPARγ的蛋白表达。Western blot结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰载体均能有效下调Fsp27的表达,且伴随细胞内ATGL和PPARγ的表达量升高(P<0.05),其中sh-Fsp27-2的沉默效果最好;酶学方法检测结果显示:阳性sh-Fsp27干扰组细胞中甘油三酯含量下降,甘油含量升高(P<0.05);油红O染色结果发现:空白对照组与阴性对照组均有大脂滴堆积,阳性sh-Fsp27组小脂滴分布广泛,未见明显的大脂滴。sh-Fsp27-2组基因沉默载体的沉默效果最好,Fsp27基因沉默可以加快3T3-L1细胞的脂解速率,其主要是通过抑制脂滴融合和增强ATGL酶的水解来完成对脂解的调控。     

Evidence for phosphatase activity of p27SJ and its impact on the cell cycle

p27SJ, a novel protein isolated from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), belongs to an emerging family of DING proteins that are related to a prokaryotic phosphate‐binding protein superfamily. Here we demonstrate that p27SJ exhibits phosphatase activity and that its expression in cells decreases the level of phosphorylated Erk1/2, a key protein of several signaling pathways. Treatment of p27SJ‐expressing cells with phosphatase inhibitors including okadaic acid, maintained Erk1/2 in its phosphorylated form, suggesting that dephosphorylation of Erk1/2 is mediated by p27SJ. Further, expression of p27SJ affects Erk1/2 downstream regulatory targets such as STAT3 and CREB. Moreover, the level of expression of cyclin A that associates with active ERK1/2 and is regulated by CREB, was modestly reduced in p27SJ‐expressing cells. Accordingly, results from in vitro kinase assays revealed a noticeable decrease in the activity of cyclin A in cells expressing p27SJ. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated dysregulation at S and G2/M phases in cells expressing p27SJ, supporting the notion that a decline in cyclin A activity by p27SJ has a biological impact on cell growth. These observations provide evidence that p27SJ alters the state of Erk1/2 phosphorylation, and impacts several biological events associated with cell growth and function. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 400–407, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

用组合肽库技术分析HLA-B27的抗原提呈模式

HLA分子抗原表位提呈模式的分析,在自身免疫病和肿瘤的病因与治疗研究方面有重要意义。本研究采用组合肽库的策略合成19组ORX7型肽亚库,通过与荧光素标记肽的竞争结合试验,分析了与强直性脊柱炎有强相关的HLA-B27分子的抗原提呈模式。结果显示HLA-B27与P1为不同氨基酸残基的19种肽亚库有相近的结合率,提示P1为非锚定残基;中国人群最常见的二种HLA-B27亚型B*2704和B*2705,在提呈肽表位的P1模式方面存在一些小差异,P1为D或E的肽亚库与HLA-B*2704的结合能力要强一些,而P1为K的肽亚库则与HLA-B*2705的结合能力强一些。本研究为HLA-B27与强直性脊柱炎关联机制的研究提供了线索,为开展HLA分子的抗原提呈模式分析打下了基础。