Structural insights into the catalytic mechanism of 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate isomerase

5-Methylthioribose 1-phosphate isomerase (M1Pi) is a crucial enzyme involved in the universally conserved methionine salvage pathway (MSP) where it is known to catalyze the conversion of 5-methylthioribose 1-phosphate (MTR-1-P) to 5-methylthioribulose 1-phosphate (MTRu-1-P) via a mechanism which remains unspecified till date. Furthermore, although M1Pi has a discrete function, it surprisingly shares high structural similarity with two functionally non-related proteins such as ribose-1,5-bisphosphate isomerase (R15Pi) and the regulatory subunits of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). To identify the distinct structural features that lead to divergent functional obligations of M1Pi as well as to understand the mechanism of enzyme catalysis, the crystal structure of M1Pi from a hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 was determined. A meticulous structural investigation of the dimeric M1Pi revealed the presence of an N-terminal extension and a hydrophobic patch absent in R15Pi and the regulatory α-subunit of eIF2B. Furthermore, unlike R15Pi in which a kink formation is observed in one of the helices, the domain movement of M1Pi is distinguished by a forward shift in a loop covering the active-site pocket. All these structural attributes contribute towards a hydrophobic microenvironment in the vicinity of the active site of the enzyme making it favorable for the reaction mechanism to commence. Thus, a hydrophobic active-site microenvironment in addition to the availability of optimal amino-acid residues surrounding the catalytic residues in M1Pi led us to propose its probable reaction mechanism via a cis-phosphoenolate intermediate formation.     

Roles of M3 receptor in the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride upregulated beta-arrestin-1 expression in LPS-stimulated HPMVEC

Background: This study is to investigate the roles of muscarinic receptor 3 (M₃ receptor) in the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) upregulated beta-arrestin-1 expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMVEC).

Methods: HPMVECs were transfected with a shRNA-containing plasmid that specifically targets M₃ receptor mRNA. Cells were collected to measure F-actin contents, levels of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), as well as changes of F-actin cytoskeleton arrangement by Laser scanning confocal. Beta-arrestin-1 protein expressions were determined by Western blot and beta-arrestin-1 mRNA expressions were measured by Real-time PCR.

Results: Similar to normal cells, PHC could also increase F-actin contents and beta-arrestin-1 expressions, reduce ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions, and inhibit LPS-stimulated reorganization of F-actin and formation of stress fiber in M₃ receptor shRNA group. Compared with normal cells, F-actin cytoskeleton was neat, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions were decreased, as well as F-actin contents were increased in M₃ receptor shRNA group. However, there were no differences in beta-arrestin-1 expressions between normal cell groups and M₃ receptor shRNA groups.

Conclusion: These results indicate that M₃ receptor plays an important role in pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier function, and knock-out of M₃ receptor could attenuate LPS-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelial injury. However, upregulative effect of PHC on beta-arrestin-1 expression is independent with presence of M₃ receptor.     

Involvement of lipid transfer proteins in resistance against a non-host powdery mildew in Arabidopsis thaliana

Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are involved in the transport of lipophilic compounds to the cuticular surface in epidermal cells and in the defence against pathogens. The role of glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored LTPs (LTPGs) in resistance against non-host mildews in Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated using reverse genetics. Loss of either LTPG1, LTPG2, LTPG5 or LTPG6 increased the susceptibility to penetration of the epidermal cell wall by Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh). However, no impact on pre-penetration defence against another non-host mildew, Erysiphe pisi (Ep), was observed. LTPG1 was localized to papillae at the sites of Bgh penetration. This study shows that, in addition to the previously known functions, LTPGs contribute to pre-invasive defence against certain non-host powdery mildew pathogens.     

大胡蜂蜂毒中多肽和蛋白质结构和功能的多样性

为证明大胡蜂Vespa magnifica(Smith)蜂毒具有较大的药用开发价值,本研究采用超高效液相色谱-质谱和电泳技术对其多肽和蛋白质的分布进行分析,发现其蛋白质的相对分子质量主要分布在17~45kDa范围内。蜂毒多肽类物质的相对分子质量呈"单峰"式分布,61%在500~3000Da范围内,为大胡蜂蜂毒中多肽含量最为丰富的部分。通过牛津杯法对蜂毒的抑菌活性进行研究,且以HepG2人肝癌细胞及B16黑色素瘤细胞为研究对象,用MTT法检测蜂毒的细胞毒性活性,证明其具有良好的抑菌作用和细胞毒活性,其结果与已报道的其他蜂类既有相似性又存在具体差异,展示了大胡蜂蜂毒的分子多样性,为后续该毒素的物质基础研究及药用价值开发提供参考。     

未折叠蛋白质的普遍初始热力学亚稳态

探索和理解蛋白质折叠问题一直是分子生物学、结构生物学和生物物理学的终极挑战.未折叠的蛋白质应该存在一种普遍初始热力学亚稳态,否则无法解释蛋白质是如何在剧烈的热振动干扰下完成快速精确折叠的.本文通过分析水溶液环境和蛋白质折叠的相关性,揭示了一种由水分子屏蔽效应引起的未折叠蛋白质的普遍初始热力学亚稳态,该亚稳态的存在是水溶液环境中水分子的物理性质决定,并赋予未折叠蛋白质抵抗热扰动和避免错误折叠的能力.我们通过研究已发表的实验数据和建立分子模型,找到了该初始热力学亚稳态存在的相关证据,并推测了该亚稳态导致蛋白质精确折叠的相关物理学机制.     

Seasonal dependence of cadmium molecular effects on Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) protamine‐like protein properties

Mussels have a seasonal reproduction and cadmium is a common stressor in estuarine and coastal environments. In previous studies, we have shown that exposure to subtoxic doses of cadmium produced alterations in the properties of winter Mytilus galloprovincialis sperm protamine‐like (PL) proteins. In this study, it was analyzed the possibility that these cadmium effects may be seasonal. Winter and summer mussels were exposed to CdCl₂, and it was tested the PL‐proteins for cadmium bioaccumulation, electrophoretic pattern, DNA binding, and potentiality to induce DNA oxidative damage. It was found that cadmium exposure did not produce the same effects on PL‐proteins of summer mussels that were produced on PL‐proteins of winter mussels, that is: cadmium bioaccumulation, alterations in the acetic acid‐urea polyacrylamide gels (AU‐PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐PAGE pattern, a reduced DNA binding affinity and the ability to induce DNA oxidative damage. PL‐proteins from summer mussels, apart from not being affected by all the abovementioned effects of cadmium, also showed a very low DNA binding affinity, independent of cadmium exposure. This study reveals clock‐associated seasonal responses to cadmium in M. galloprovincialis. Understanding the mechanisms through which environmental signals guide biological rhythms is fundamental to understanding the seasonal sensitivity of this bioindicator, to use M. galloprovincialis in appropriate seasonal periods.     

NEK5 regulates cell cycle progression during mouse oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryonic development

NEK5, a member of never in mitosis‐gene A‐related protein kinase, is involved in the regulation of centrosome integrity and centrosome cohesion at mitosis in somatic cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of NEK5 during mouse oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryonic development. The results showed that NEK5 was expressed from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII) stages during oocyte maturation with the highest level of expression at the GV stage. It was shown that NEK5 localized in the cytoplasm of oocytes at GV stage, concentrated around chromosomes at germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage, and localized to the entire spindle at prometaphase I, MI and MII stages. The small interfering RNA‐mediated depletion of Nek5 significantly increased the phosphorylation level of cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 in oocytes, resulting in a decrease of maturation‐promoting factor activity, and severely impaired GVBD. The failure of meiotic resumption caused by Nek5 depletion could be rescued by the depletion of Wee1B. We found that Nek5 depletion did not affect CDC25B translocation into the GV. We also found that NEK5 was expressed from 1‐cell to blastocyst stages with the highest expression at the blastocyst stage, and Nek5 depletion severely impaired preimplantation embryonic development. This study demonstrated for the first time that NEK5 plays important roles during meiotic G2/M transition and preimplantation embryonic development.     

抑制p38MAPK信号通路对Bpiv3复制的影响

由牛副流感病毒3型(Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3,Bpiv3)感染引起的牛副流感病已成为各国牛场最重要的传染病之一,每年都会给世界养牛业造成巨大的经济损失,但关于该病致病的分子机制研究较少。本研究通过观察Bpiv3感染对MDBK细胞中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MKK3)及其下游分子p38丝裂酶原活化的蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)的表达的影响,探讨相关的信号转导机制,对p38 MAPK通路在Bpiv3感染过程中的作用进行了初步研究。Bpiv3感染细胞后,采用Western Blot检测MKK3,p38 MAPK在蛋白水平的表达变化,并采用ELISA法检测细胞上清中IL-6,IL-8,IL-13和TNF-α的水平变化,采用SPSS 12软件进行统计学分析。结果表明,Bpiv3在感染后能够诱导MKK3的激活以及p38的磷酸化,激活了p38 MAPK信号通路。而且p38 MAPK信号通路参与了Bpiv3的复制过程。ELISA检测Bpiv3感染后以及使用抑制剂SB202190处理后的细胞上清中IL-6、IL-8、IL-13和TNF-α的水平发现,p38 MAPK信号通路参与了Bpiv3诱导的炎症反应。研究证实Bpiv3感染能够激活p38 MAPK通路,显著上调MKK3的表达并诱导p38发生磷酸化,进一步激活下游分子发挥生物学活性,促进Bpiv3的复制及诱导促炎细胞因子的产生。p38 MAPK信号通路的激活可能是Bpiv3感染诱发炎症反应的机制之一。     

厚壳贻贝一种新型贝壳胶原蛋白的重组表达与功能分析

贝壳是一种具有优异力学性能的生物硬组织,贝壳基质蛋白质对贝壳的形成具有重要意义。厚壳贻贝(Mytilus coruscus)贝壳中发现一种类似胶原蛋白质的新型贝壳基质蛋白质,命名为collagen-like protein 2（CLP-2）。然而,该蛋白质的结构与功能以及对贝壳形成的影响机制尚不清楚。为此,本研究对CLP 2开展了序列分析;进一步采取密码子优化结合原核重组表达策略,开展了CLP-2的重组表达;在此基础上分析了重组CLP-2对酸钙结晶的诱导、结晶速率抑制以及碳酸钙结合能力。对CLP-2的序列分析结果表明,该蛋白质序列中含有信号肽及两个Von Willebrand factor A（VWA）结构域。CLP-2在数据库中尚无高同源性蛋白质存在,表明这是一种较为新颖的贝壳基质蛋白。所获得的重组CLP-2对碳酸钙体外结晶表现出明显的诱导作用,扫描电镜以及傅里叶红外光谱结果表明,重组CLP-2可诱导碳酸钙晶体的形貌由立方体形转化为球形,并在高浓度下进一步转化为哑铃形;同时,重组CLP-2可促使碳酸钙晶体的晶型由方解石型向文石型转化;重组CLP-2在体外具有碳酸钙晶体结合作用;此外,重组CLP-2能显著抑制碳酸钙晶体的结晶速度（P<0.01）,并具有浓度依赖性。上述结果表明,厚壳贻贝贝壳CLP-2蛋白质在贝壳,特别是文石型肌棱柱层的生物矿化过程中具有重要作用。上述研究为深入了解贻贝贝壳的形成机制,以及胶原类蛋白质对生物矿化过程的影响奠定了基础。     

上调CTRP4基因表达通过抑制炎症因子调控食欲调节相关蛋白的表达

上调中枢补体C1q/肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白4(complement-C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 4,CTRP4)可以改变下丘脑食欲调节相关蛋白的表达,抑制小鼠摄食且降低其体重。然而,CTRP4如何调控食欲调节相关蛋白的表达尚不清楚。本研究通过上调小鼠神经母细胞瘤细胞(N2a)中的CTRP4,探讨CTRP4调控食欲调节相关蛋白的潜在作用机制。通过对N2a细胞未做干预、转染绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)重组腺病毒和CTRP4过表达重组腺病毒,将其分为空白对照组(Control组)、阴性对照组(Ad-GFP组)及CTRP4过表达组(AdCTRP4组)。干预72 h时,用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测细胞CTRP4 mRNA表达,采用Western印迹检测细胞CTRP4、Pomc、Npy、p-STAT3/t-STAT3、TNF-α、IL-6、SOCS3在蛋白质水平的表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,Ad-CTRP4组的CTRP4 mRNA水平(26 258. 44±10 403. 47vs. 1. 81±0. 79 vs. 1. 00±0. 00,P<0. 01)及蛋白质水平显著增加(10. 44±7. 99 vs.0. 64±0. 62 vs.1. 00±0. 75,P<0. 01)。Ad-CTRP4组的p-STAT3/t-STAT3(3. 38±1. 70 vs. 0. 86±0. 57 vs. 1. 00±0. 63,P<0. 01)和Pomc(1. 81±0. 19 vs. 1. 15±0. 18 vs. 1. 00±0. 22,P <0. 01)表达均显著增高;SOCS3(0. 69±0. 15 vs. 1. 00±0. 12 vs. 1. 00±0. 07,P<0. 01),IL-6(0. 40±0. 19 vs. 1. 03±0. 17 vs.1. 00±0. 16,P<0. 01),TNF-α(0. 39±0. 27 vs. 1. 05±0. 46 vs. 1. 00±0. 29,P<0. 05)及Npy (0. 55±0. 14 vs. 1. 21±0. 38 vs. 1. 00±0. 24,P <0. 05)表达均显著下降。上述结果提示,在N2a细胞中,上调CTRP4可能通过抑制炎症因子TNF-α和IL-6,降低负性调节因子SOCS3的表达,增加STAT3磷酸化表达水平,从而调控食欲调节相关蛋白的表达。