Major metabolic homocysteine-derivative, homocysteine thiolactone, exerts changes in pancreatic beta-cell glucose-sensing, cellular signal transduction and integrity

Homocysteine can be converted to its reactive thioester, homocysteine thiolactone. Cytotoxic properties of these amino thiols have been attributed to protein homocysteinylation, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis. This study used pancreatic BRIN-BD11 beta-cells to examine functional defects caused by acute and long-term exposure to homocysteine thiolactone in comparison with homocysteine. Acute and long-term exposure to both agents caused concentration-dependent inhibitions of glucose-induced insulin secretion while impairing the insulin-secretory responses to alanine, KCl, elevated Ca(2+), forskolin and PMA. Acute exposures also caused significant reduction in the amplitude of KCl-induced membrane depolarisation but no effects on changes of intracellular Ca(2+) induced by alanine or KCl. Cellular insulin content and DNA damage were not altered following culture, however, there were early signs of apoptosis consistent with impaired cellular integrity. In conclusion, exposure to homocysteine thiolactone, like homocysteine, induced beta-cell dysfunction and demise by mechanisms independent of changes in membrane potential and [Ca(2+)](i).     

Protein kinase D1 is essential for contraction-induced glucose uptake but is not involved in fatty acid uptake into cardiomyocytes

Increased contraction enhances substrate uptake into cardiomyocytes via translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 and the long chain fatty acid (LCFA) transporter CD36 from intracellular stores to the sarcolemma. Additionally, contraction activates the signaling enzymes AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase D1 (PKD1). Although AMPK has been implicated in contraction-induced GLUT4 and CD36 translocation in cardiomyocytes, the precise role of PKD1 in these processes is not known. To study this, we triggered contractions in cardiomyocytes by electric field stimulation (EFS). First, the role of PKD1 in GLUT4 and CD36 translocation was defined. In PKD1 siRNA-treated cardiomyocytes as well as cardiomyocytes from PKD1 knock-out mice, EFS-induced translocation of GLUT4, but not CD36, was abolished. In AMPK siRNA-treated cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocytes from AMPKα2 knock-out mice, both GLUT4 and CD36 translocation were abrogated. Hence, unlike AMPK, PKD1 is selectively involved in glucose uptake. Second, we analyzed upstream factors in PKD1 activation. Cardiomyocyte contractions enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using ROS scavengers, we found that PKD1 signaling and glucose uptake are more sensitive to changes in intracellular ROS than AMPK signaling or LCFA uptake. Furthermore, silencing of death-activated protein kinase (DAPK) abrogated EFS-induced GLUT4 but not CD36 translocation. Finally, possible links between PKD1 and AMPK signaling were investigated. PKD1 silencing did not affect AMPK activation. Reciprocally, AMPK silencing did not alter PKD1 activation. In conclusion, we present a novel contraction-induced ROS-DAPK-PKD1 pathway in cardiomyocytes. This pathway is activated separately from AMPK and mediates GLUT4 translocation/glucose uptake, but not CD36 translocation/LCFA uptake.     

Phosphorylation of Serine 1137/1138 of Mouse Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) 2 Regulates cAMP-dependent Binding to 14-3-3 Proteins and IRS2 Protein Degradation

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 2 as intermediate docking platform transduces the insulin/IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor 1) signal to intracellular effector molecules that regulate glucose homeostasis, β-cell growth, and survival. Previously, IRS2 has been identified as a 14-3-3 interaction protein. 14-3-3 proteins can bind their target proteins via phosphorylated serine/threonine residues located within distinct motifs. In this study the binding of 14-3-3 to IRS2 upon stimulation with forskolin or the cAMP analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP was demonstrated in HEK293 cells. Binding was reduced with PKA inhibitors H89 or R_p-8-Br-cAMPS. Phosphorylation of IRS2 on PKA consensus motifs was induced by forskolin and the PKA activator N⁶-Phe-cAMP and prevented by both PKA inhibitors. The amino acid region after position 952 on IRS2 was identified as the 14-3-3 binding region by GST-14-3-3 pulldown assays. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed serine 1137 and serine 1138 as cAMP-dependent, potential PKA phosphorylation sites. Mutation of serine 1137/1138 to alanine strongly reduced the cAMP-dependent 14-3-3 binding. Application of cycloheximide revealed that forskolin enhanced IRS2 protein stability in HEK293 cells stably expressing IRS2 as well as in primary hepatocytes. Stimulation with forskolin did not increase protein stability either in the presence of a 14-3-3 antagonist or in the double 1137/1138 alanine mutant. Thus the reduced IRS2 protein degradation was dependent on the interaction with 14-3-3 proteins and the presence of serine 1137/1138. We present serine 1137/1138 as novel cAMP-dependent phosphorylation sites on IRS2 and show their importance in 14-3-3 binding and IRS2 protein stability.     

Biological and Structural Characterization of Glycosylation on Ephrin-A1, a Preferred Ligand for EphA2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in a number of malignancies and is activated by ephrin ligands, most commonly by ephrin-A1. The crystal structure of the ligand-receptor complex revealed a glycosylation on the Asn-26 of ephrin-A1. Here we report for the first time the significance of the glycosylation in the biology of EphA2 and ephrin-A1. Ephrin-A1 was enzymatically deglycosylated, and its activity was evaluated in several assays using glioblastoma (GBM) cells and recombinant EphA2. We found that deglycosylated ephrin-A1 does not efficiently induce EphA2 receptor internalization and degradation, and does not activate the downstream signaling pathways involved in cell migration and proliferation. Data obtained by surface plasmon resonance confirms that deglycosylated ephrin-A1 does not bind EphA2 with high affinity. Mutations in the glycosylation site on ephrin-A1 result in protein aggregation and mislocalization. Analysis of Eph/ephrin crystal structures reveals an interaction between the ligand''s carbohydrates and two residues of EphA2: Asp-78 and Lys-136. These findings suggest that the glycosylation on ephrin-A1 plays a critical role in the binding and activation of the EphA2 receptor.     

母婴间菌群传递的研究进展

肠道菌群的结构对婴儿肠道系统发育及免疫系统构建具有重要的影响,研究表明最初的婴儿肠道菌群在母亲子宫内就已经存在并受分娩方式和喂养方式的影响。本研究从母亲怀孕、分娩、喂养三个阶段综述母婴间的菌群传递,为母婴间菌群传递机制及婴儿肠道菌群对其免疫系统构建的影响提供一定的理论依据。     

Subcellular Localization of Rat Brain Insulin Binding Sites

Fractions and subcellular structures were prepared from rat brain homogenate and their purity was assessed using enzyme markers, gamma-aminobutyric acid binding, DNA content, and electron microscopy. Insulin binding was highest on the plasma membrane preparations and approximately 50% less so on brain homogenate crude mitochondrial (P2), myelinated axon, and synaptosome preparations. Very low levels of binding were found on mitochondria and nuclei. Differences in binding between fractions were due to numbers of binding sites, and not variable binding affinity. There was a close relationship between insulin binding and the activity of Na/K ATPase (E.C. 3.6.1.4) in all fractions (r = 0.98). Insulin binding to the P2 was compared with plasma membrane fractions in seven brain regions, and the results demonstrated the same close relationship between insulin binding and plasma membrane content in all regions except hypothalamus. Plasma membrane insulin binding was well represented by the binding on P2 membranes in all regions except hypothalamus and brainstem. It was concluded that insulin binding is distributed evenly over the surface of brain cells and is not increased on nerve endings.     

痛泻要方对“肝气乘脾”泄泻小鼠肠黏膜及肠内容物消化酶活性的影响

目的探讨痛泻要方对"肝气乘脾"泄泻小鼠肠道酶活性的影响。方法采用"番泻叶-离心管束缚夹尾法"进行"肝气乘脾"泄泻造模,造模成功后以痛泻要方治疗,造模和治疗后分别分析小鼠肠道酶活性。结果造模后,模型组小鼠肠道内容物的淀粉酶活性显著降低(t=4.007,P=0.015),纤维素酶、蛋白酶、蔗糖酶活性下降不显著。模型组小鼠肠黏膜蛋白酶、淀粉酶、蔗糖酶活性显著下降(t_蛋=5.652,P=0.005;Z_淀=-1.964,P=0.050;t_蔗=4.737,P=0.009)。痛泻要方治疗后,中药干预组小鼠肠道内容物蛋白酶、纤维素酶、乳糖酶和蔗糖酶活性变化不显著;自然恢复组的淀粉酶活性显著高于正常组(t=-7.497,P=0.002)。中药干预组小鼠肠道前段黏膜蛋白酶、乳糖酶、淀粉酶、蔗糖酶活性恢复不显著;中药干预组小鼠肠道黏膜中段乳糖酶、蔗糖酶活性显著低于自然恢复组(t_乳=4.074,P=0.013;t_蔗=8.072,P0.001),而蛋白酶、淀粉酶及纤维素酶活性均高于自然恢复组;中药干预组小鼠肠道后段黏膜乳糖酶、蔗糖酶及淀粉酶活性显著高于正常组(t_乳=-7.962,P0.001;t_蔗=-15.921,P0.001;Z_淀=6.489,P=0.034),蛋白酶与纤维素酶活性均有所升高。结论 "肝气乘脾"泄泻肠道内容物及黏膜淀粉酶活性显著降低,痛泻要方对"肝气乘脾"泄泻小鼠肠黏膜乳糖酶、蔗糖酶及淀粉酶活性作用显著。     

结直肠息肉切除术患者肠道微生态失调分析及其与癌变进展的相关性

目的分析结直肠息肉切除术患者肠道微生态失调情况及其与癌变进展的相关性。方法前瞻性选择2015年7月至2016年7月在我院行结直肠息肉切除术的89例患者为研究对象,评价所有研究对象手术前后肠道菌群计数、肠道菌群失调情况,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的影响因素。结果结直肠息肉患者术后大肠埃希菌计数(10.85±0.50)、粪肠球菌计数(10.12±0.55)显著高于术前(8.34±0.41,7.76±0.37)(均P0.01),结直肠息肉患者术后双歧杆菌计数(2.56±0.68)、乳杆菌计数(2.83±0.71)显著低于术前(5.20±1.06,5.93±0.88)(均P0.01)。结直肠息肉患者术后Ⅰ度菌群失调比例(23.60%)显著低于术前(55.06%)(P0.05),结直肠息肉患者术后Ⅱ、Ⅲ度菌群失调比例(50.56%,25.84%)显著高于术前(34.83%,10.11%)(均P0.05)。随访3年显示89例结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率为33.71%,性别、病理类型不同的结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率差异无统计学意义(均P0.05),年龄、遗传史、息肉直径、肠道菌群失调程度不同的结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变率差异具有统计学意义(均P0.05)。年龄、遗传史、肠道菌群失调程度是结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的影响因素(均P0.05)。结论结直肠息肉切除术患者存在明显肠道微生态失调情况,肠道微生态失调是结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变的危险因素,这对临床防治结直肠息肉切除术患者癌变有重要指导意义。     

Lack of REDD1 reduces whole body glucose and insulin tolerance,and impairs skeletal muscle insulin signaling

A lack of the REDD1 promotes dysregulated growth signaling, though little has been established with respect to the metabolic role of REDD1. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the role of REDD1 on glucose and insulin tolerance, as well as insulin stimulated growth signaling pathway activation in skeletal muscle. First, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of glucose or insulin were administered to REDD1 wildtype (WT) versus knockout (KO) mice to examine changes in blood glucose over time. Next, alterations in skeletal muscle insulin (IRS-1, Akt, ERK 1/2) and growth (4E-BP1, S6K1, REDD1) signaling intermediates were determined before and after IP insulin treatment (10 min). REDD1 KO mice were both glucose and insulin intolerant when compared to WT mice, evident by higher circulating blood glucose concentrations and a greater area under the curve following IP injections of glucose or insulin. While the REDD1 KO exhibited significant though blunted insulin-stimulated increases (p < 0.05) in Akt S473 and T308 phosphorylation versus the WT mice, acute insulin treatment has no effect (p < 0.05) on REDD1 KO skeletal muscle 4E-BP1 T37/46, S6K1 T389, IRS-1 Y1222, and ERK 1/2 T202/Y204 phosphorylation versus the WT mice. Collectively, these novel data suggest that REDD1 has a more distinct role in whole body and skeletal muscle metabolism and insulin action than previously thought.     

Pivotal role of ADP-ribosylation factor 6 in Toll-like receptor 9-mediated immune signaling

CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) cellular uptake into endosomes, the rate-limiting step of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling, is critical in eliciting innate immune responses. ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) is a member of the Ras superfamily, which is critical to a wide variety of cellular events including endocytosis. Here, we found that inhibition of ARF6 by dominant mutants and siRNA impaired CpG ODN-mediated responses, whereas cells expressing the constitutively active ARF6 mutant enhanced CpG ODN-induced cytokine production. Inhibition of ARF6 impaired TLR9 trafficking into endolysosomes, thereby inhibiting proceed functional cleavage of TLR9. Additional studies showed that CpG ODN uptake was increased in ARF6-activated cells but impaired in ARF6-defective cells. Furthermore, cells pretreated with CpG ODN but not GpC ODN had increased CpG ODN uptake due to CpG ODN-induced ARF6 activity. Further studies with ARF6-defective and ARF6-activated cells demonstrated that class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) was required for downstream ARF6 regulation of CpG ODN uptake. Together, our findings demonstrate that a novel class III PI3K-ARF6 axis pathway mediates TLR9 signaling by regulating the cellular uptake of CpG ODN.