A2A adenosine receptor ligand binding and signalling is allosterically modulated by adenosine deaminase

A2ARs (adenosine A2A receptors) are highly enriched in the striatum, which is the main motor control CNS (central nervous system) area. BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) assays showed that A2AR homomers may act as cell-surface ADA (adenosine deaminase; EC 3.5.4.4)-binding proteins. ADA binding affected the quaternary structure of A2ARs present on the cell surface. ADA binding to adenosine A2ARs increased both agonist and antagonist affinity on ligand binding to striatal membranes where these proteins are co-expressed. ADA also increased receptor-mediated ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) phosphorylation. Collectively, the results of the present study show that ADA, apart from regulating the concentration of extracellular adenosine, may behave as an allosteric modulator that markedly enhances ligand affinity and receptor function. This powerful regulation may have implications for the physiology and pharmacology of neuronal A2ARs.     

p38/MKP-1-regulated AKT coordinates macrophage transitions and resolution of inflammation during tissue repair

Repair of damaged tissue requires the coordinated action of inflammatory and tissue-specific cells to restore homeostasis, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper, we report new roles for MKP-1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] phosphatase-1) in controlling macrophage phenotypic transitions necessary for appropriate muscle stem cell-dependent tissue repair. By restricting p38 MAPK activation, MKP-1 allows the early pro- to antiinflammatory macrophage transition and the later progression into a macrophage exhaustion-like state characterized by cytokine silencing, thereby permitting resolution of inflammation as tissue fully recovers. p38 hyperactivation in macrophages lacking MKP-1 induced the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21), which in turn reduced PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) levels, thereby extending AKT activation. In the absence of MKP-1, p38-induced AKT activity anticipated the acquisition of the antiinflammatory gene program and final cytokine silencing in macrophages, resulting in impaired tissue healing. Such defects were reversed by temporally controlled p38 inhibition. Conversely, miR-21-AKT interference altered homeostasis during tissue repair. This novel regulatory mechanism involving the appropriate balance of p38, MKP-1, miR-21, and AKT activities may have implications in chronic inflammatory degenerative diseases.     

TCR bias of in vivo expanded T cells in pancreatic islets and spleen at the onset in human type 1 diabetes

Autoreactive T cells, responsible for the destruction of pancreatic β cells in type 1 diabetes, are known to have a skewed TCR repertoire in the NOD mouse. To define the autoreactive T cell repertoire in human diabetes, we searched for intraislet monoclonal expansions from a recent onset in human pancreas to then trace them down to the patient's peripheral blood and spleen. Islet infiltration was diverse, but five monoclonal TCR β-chain variable expansions were detected for Vβ1, Vβ7, Vβ11, Vβ17, and Vβ22 families. To identify any sequence bias in the TCRs from intrapancreatic T cells, we analyzed 139 different CDR3 sequences. We observed amino acid preferences in the NDN region that suggested a skewed TCR repertoire within infiltrating T cells. The monoclonal expanded TCR sequences contained amino acid combinations that fit the observed bias. Using these CDR3 sequences as a marker, we traced some of these expansions in the spleen. There, we identified a Vβ22 monoclonal expansion with identical CDR3 sequence to that found in the islets within a polyclonal TCR β-chain variable repertoire. The same Vβ22 TCR was detected in the patient's PBMCs, making a cross talk between the pancreas and spleen that was reflected in peripheral blood evident. No other pancreatic monoclonal expansions were found in peripheral blood or the spleen, suggesting that the Vβ22 clone may have expanded or accumulated in situ by an autoantigen present in both the spleen and pancreas. Thus, the patient's spleen might be contributing to disease perpetuation by expanding or retaining some autoreactive T cells.     

Lifeguard/neuronal membrane protein 35 regulates Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis in neurons via microdomain recruitment

Fas ligand (FasL)-receptor system plays an essential role in regulating cell death in the developing nervous system, and it has been implicated in neurodegenerative and inflammatory responses in the CNS. Lifeguard (LFG) is a protein highly expressed in the hippocampus and the cerebellum, and it shows a particularly interesting regulation by being up-regulated during postnatal development and in the adult. We show that over-expression of LFG protected cortical neurons from FasL-induced apoptosis and decreased caspase-activation. Reduction of endogenous LFG expression by small interfering RNA sensitized cerebellar granular neurons to FasL-induced cell death and caspase-8 activation, and also increased sensitivity of cortical neurons. In differentiated cerebellar granular neurons, protection from FasL-induced cell death could be attributed exclusively to LFG and appears to be independent of FLICE inhibitor protein. Thus, LFG is an endogenous inhibitor of FasL-mediated neuronal death and it mediates the FasL resistance of CNS differentiated neurons. Finally, we also demonstrate that LFG is detected in lipid rafts microdomains, where it may interact with Fas receptor and regulate FasL-activated signaling pathways.     

Brassinolide activities of 2alpha,3alpha-diols versus 3alpha,4alpha-diols in the bean second internode bioassay: explanation by molecular modeling methods

In general, the structural requirements postulated for a high brassinolide activity are: 2alpha,3alpha-diol, 6-ketone or better 7-oxalactone in B-ring, A/B trans fused ring junction, a cis C-22,C-23-diol preferentially with RR configurations, and a C-24 methyl or ethyl substituent [Takatsuto S, Yazawa N, Ikekawa N, Takematsu T, Takeuchi Y, Koguchi M. Structure-activity relationship of brassinosteroids. Phytochemistry 1983;22:2437-41; Thompson MJ, Meudt WJ, Mandava NB, Dutky SR, Lusby WR, Spaulding DW. Synthesis of brassinosteroids and relationship of structure to plant growth-promoting effects. Steroids 1982;39:89-105]. We found that the 3alpha,4alpha-diols 4, 6 and 8 are more active than the 2alpha,3alpha-diols 3, 5 and 7 [Sísa M, Budesínsky M, Kohout L. Synthesis of 7a-homo and 7a,7b-dihomo-5alpha-cholestane analogues of brassinolide. Collect Czech Chem Commun 2003;68:2171-89]. This fact is in strong contrast with the structure requirements mentioned above. Our hypothesis suggests that the lower activity of 2alpha,3alpha-diols and/or the higher activity of 3alpha,4alpha-diols could be explained by twisting and distortion of the molecule due to the seven- or eight-membered B-ring and also by the position of a carbonyl group relative to the A-ring diol. 3D-SAR computer methodologies as alignments and overlaps of GRID maps and 3D-QSAR analysis GRID-GOLPE (CoMFA-like) were used as an effort to explain the higher bioactivity of 3alpha,4alpha-diols 4, 6 and 8 in comparison with the 2alpha,3alpha-diols 3, 5 and 7 of B-ring enlarged brassinosteroids.     

Effects of Duration,Frequency, and Severity of the Non-flow Period on Stream Biofilm Metabolism

Ecosystems - Temporary streams make up the majority of river networks in many regions around the world. Although they are known to have non-flow periods, it is uncertain in what ways the temporal...