PSA启动子中RFA调节序列结合蛋白的初步研究

为了确定前列腺特异抗原(PSA)启动子中与雄激素调节相关的序列, 发现PSA启动子ARE上游一段15 bp的区域(-396～-382 bp), 是雄激素受体(AR)对PSA启动子激活所必需的, 将其命名为RFA. 转染和CAT分析显示该序列中某些核苷酸置换可显著降低雄激素对PSA基因启动子的诱导活性, 体外竞争结合实验证实某些前列腺细胞核内的非受体蛋白因子可与其特异结合, 但其突变型则丧失了这种能力, 该序列可能是一个新的辅助性顺式元件. 以RFA为探针, 利用亲和层析分离纯化了RFA结合蛋白, SDS-PAGE和蛋白质初步鉴定结果表明, 该蛋白与已知的多功能蛋白hnRNPA1, A2高度同源. RFA结合蛋白可能作为辅激活因子协同AR对PSA启动子的反式激活作用. 研究结果有助于深入理解PSA启动子的作用机制和组织特异性.     

The RFA regulatory sequence-binding protein in the promoter of prostate-specific antigen gene

To assure what sequence associated with the androgen regulation, a 15 bp region at the upstream of the ARE of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter, termed RFA, was found indispensable for androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transactivation of PSA promoter. In transfection and CAT assays, some nucleotides substitution in RFA could significantly decrease the androgen inducibility for PSA promoter. The in vitro DNA binding assay demonstrated that RFA bound specifically with some non-receptor protein factors in prostate cell nucleus, but the mutant type of RFA lost this ability, so RFA might be a novel accessory cis-element. The RFA-binding proteins were isolated and purified by affinity chromatography using RFA probes. SDS-PAGE and preliminary protein identification showed these proteins possessed sequence high homology with multifunctional protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1, A2 (hnRNP A1, A2). RFA-binding proteins possibly cooperate with AR-mediated transactivation for PSA promoter as coactivator. The study results will facilitate further understanding the mechanism and tissue specificity of PSA promoter.     

隐窝干细胞和结肠癌的发生

肠道上皮细胞系是人体细胞更新最快的组织,更新速率甚至远远超过了肿瘤组织,这种无与伦比的更新速率如同一把双刃剑,一方面可以迅速的更新和修复肠粘膜,另一方面却大大增加了肠道细胞恶化的易感性。Wnt信号、Notch信号、BMP信号都参与了隐窝干细胞增殖分化的平衡,它们中任何一个组分发生突变或异常都将会导致结肠癌的发生。结肠癌的发生很可能是肠隐窝干细胞分化受阻的结果,隐窝干细胞是致瘤起始事件或突变的标靶。