Graded activation of CRAC channel by binding of different numbers of STIM1 to Orai1 subunits

The Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channel pore is formed by Orai1 and gated by STIM1 after intracellular Ca²⁺ store depletion. To resolve how many STIM1 molecules are required to open a CRAC channel, we fused different numbers of Orai1 subunits with functional two-tandem cytoplasmic domains of STIM1 (residues 336-485, designated as S domain). Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of these chimeric molecules revealed that CRAC current reached maximum at a stoichiometry of four Orai1 and eight S domains. Further experiments indicate that two-tandem S domains specifically interact with the C-terminus of one Orai1 subunit, and CRAC current can be gradually increased as more Orai1 subunits can interact with S domains or STIM1 proteins. Our data suggest that maximal opening of one CRAC channel requires eight STIM1 molecules, and support a model that the CRAC channel activation is not in an “all-or-none” fashion but undergoes a graded process via binding of different numbers of STIM1.     

Inhibition of thyroid-restricted genes by follicular thyroglobulin involves iodinated degree

Follicular thyroglobulin (TG) reflects the storage of both iodine and thyroid hormone. This is because it is a macromolecular precursor of thyroid hormone and organic iodinated compound in follicular lumen. Thus, it may have an important feedback role in thyroid function. In this study, monolayer cells were cultured and follicles were reconstituted with primary pig thyroid cells in vitro. Reconstituted follicles were treated with iodine and methimazole (MMI), a drug that blocks iodine organification and reduces the degree of TG iodination in follicular lumen. The high degree of iodinated TG in follicular lumen was observed to inhibit thyroid-restricted gene expression. To confirm this finding, monolayer thyroid cells were treated with a different degree of TG iodination at the same concentration. These iodinated TG were extracted from reconstituted follicles of different groups. In this manner, this study provides firsthand evidence suggesting that follicular TG inhibits the expressions of thyroid-restricted genes NIS, TPO, TG, and TSHr.     

Mapping the interacting domains of STIM1 and Orai1 in Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel activation

STIM1 and Orai1 are essential components of Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) channels (CRACs). After endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) store depletion, STIM1 in the endoplasmic reticulum aggregates and migrates toward the cell periphery to co-localize with Orai1 on the opposing plasma membrane. Little is known about the roles of different domains of STIM1 and Orai1 in protein clustering, migration, interaction, and, ultimately, opening CRAC channels. Here we demonstrate that the coiled-coil domain in the C terminus of STIM1 is crucial for its aggregation. Amino acids 425-671 of STIM1, which contain a serine-proline-rich region, are important for the correct targeting of the STIM1 cluster to the cell periphery after calcium store depletion. The polycationic region in the C-terminal tail of STIM1 also helps STIM1 targeting but is not essential for CRAC channel activation. The cytoplasmic C terminus but not the N terminus of Orai1 is required for its interaction with STIM1. We further identify a highly conserved region in the N terminus of Orai1 (amino acids 74-90) that is necessary for CRAC channel opening. Finally, we show that the transmembrane domain of Orai1 participates in Orai1-Orai1 interactions.     

Spatiotemporal Detection and Analysis of Exocytosis Reveal Fusion “Hotspots” Organized by the Cytoskeleton in Endocrine Cells

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscope has often been used to study the molecular mechanisms underlying vesicle exocytosis. However, the spatial occurrence of the fusion events within a single cell is not frequently explored due to the lack of sensitive and accurate computer-assisted programs to analyze large image data sets. Here, we have developed an image analysis platform for the nonbiased identification of different types of vesicle fusion events with high accuracy in different cell types. By performing spatiotemporal analysis of stimulus-evoked exocytosis in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells, we statistically prove that individual vesicle fusion events are clustered at hotspots. This spatial pattern disappears upon the disruption of either the actin or the microtubule network; this disruption also severely inhibits evoked exocytosis. By demonstrating that newcomer vesicles are delivered from the cell interior to the surface membrane for exocytosis, we highlight a previously unappreciated mechanism in which the cytoskeleton-dependent transportation of secretory vesicles organizes exocytosis hotspots in endocrine cells.     

Calcium transport mechanisms of PC12 cells

Many studies of Ca2+ signaling use PC12 cells, yet the balance of Ca2+ clearance mechanisms in these cells is unknown. We used pharmacological inhibition of Ca2+ transporters to characterize Ca2+ clearance after depolarizations in both undifferentiated and nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells. Sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA), and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) account for almost all Ca2+ clearance in both cell states, with NCX and PMCA making the greatest contributions. Any contribution of mitochondrial uniporters is small. The ATP pool in differentiated cells was much more labile than that of undifferentiated cells in the presence of agents that dissipated mitochondrial proton gradients. Differentiated PC12 cells have a small component of Ca2+ clearance possessing pharmacological characteristics consistent with secretory pathway Ca2+ ATPase (SPCA), potentially residing on Golgi and/or secretory granules. Undifferentiated and differentiated cells are similar in overall Ca2+ transport and in the small transport due to SERCA, but they differ in the fraction of transport by PMCA and NCX. Transport in neurites of differentiated PC12 cells was qualitatively similar to that in the somata, except that the ER stores in neurites sometimes released Ca2+ instead of clearing it after depolarization. We formulated a mathematical model to simulate the observed Ca2+ clearance and to describe the differences between these undifferentiated and NGF-differentiated states quantitatively. The model required a value for the endogenous Ca2+ binding ratio of PC12 cell cytoplasm, which we measured to be 268 +/- 85. Our results indicate that Ca2+ transport in undifferentiated PC12 cells is quite unlike transport in adrenal chromaffin cells, for which they often are considered models. Transport in both cell states more closely resembles that of sympathetic neurons, for which differentiated PC12 cells often are considered models. Comparison with other cell types shows that different cells emphasize different Ca2+ transport mechanisms.     

A unified deep-learning network to accurately segment insulin granules of different animal models imaged under different electron microscopy methodologies

Insulin is important for body metabolism regulation and glucose homeostasis,and its dysregulation often leads to metabolic syndrome(MS)and diabetes.Insulin is normally stored in large dense-core vesicles(LDCVs)in pancreatic beta cells,and significant reductions in the number,size,gray level and density of insulin granules confer diabetes both in mice(Xue et al.,2012)and humans(Masini et al.,2012).     

鱼类肌节的组成及装配

肌节作为横纹肌上最小的收缩单位,是一个高度有序的结构,主要由粗丝和细丝构成。其装配过程十分复杂,涉及到一系列结构蛋白和相关蛋白质的组装。其中,Z带和M带的正确装配是维持肌节结构的关键。该文结合近期的研究进展,对肌节中的主要组分进行综述,并探讨了鱼类肌节的装配机制。     

磁珠富集法筛选大弹涂鱼CA微卫星序列

以大弹涂鱼(Boleophthalmus pectinirostris)基因组DNApool为材料,构建基因组PCR文库,采用链霉亲和素包被的磁珠富集法筛选目的片段.目的片段经克隆、测序验证后获得大弹涂鱼微卫星序列.在筛选的409个菌落中共获得209个阳性克隆,其中具有144个微卫星序列(GenBank登录号为HQ852252 - HQ852395),除去重复测序和侧翼链不足的序列,可以设计引物的微卫星序列有117条.     

中国森林生态系统服务功能及其价值评价

针对我国森林生态系统服务功能及其价值评估相对滞后的局面,提出尽快开展我国森林生态系统服务功能及其价值评估的研究工作.首先,在我国森林生态系统类型划分的基础上,研究不同森林生态类型(包括人工和半人工森林生态类型)的服务功能,将我国各类森林总体服务功能划分为林木产品、林副产品、森林游憩、涵养水源、固碳释氧、养分循环、净化环境、土壤保持和维持生物多样性八大类型.其次,在Costanza等提出的全球生态系统服务功能评价指标的基础上,结合我国森林生态系统的特点,针对不同的森林生态系统类型,分别提出和建构一系列可用于我国不同类型森林生态系统价值评估指标体系.利用该指标体系估算出我国森林生态系统服务功能的总价值为30601.20×10⁸元,其中直接经济价值和间接经济价值分别为1920.23×10⁸和28680.97×10⁸元,间接经济价值是直接经济价值的14.94倍.该研究的目的在于尽快将自然资源和环境因素纳入国民经济核算体系而最终为实现绿色GDP提供基础,为实现可持续发展和生态环境保护提供科学依据.