DDX6 recruits translational silenced human reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase mRNA to RNP granules

Erythroid precursor cells lose the capacity for mRNA synthesis due to exclusion of the nucleus during maturation. Therefore, the stability and translation of mRNAs that code for specific proteins, which function in late stages of maturation when reticulocytes become erythrocytes, are controlled tightly. Reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase (r15-LOX) initiates the breakdown of mitochondria in mature reticulocytes. Through the temporal restriction of mRNA translation, the synthesis of r15-LOX is prevented in premature cells. The enzyme is synthesized only in mature reticulocytes, although r15-LOX mRNA is already present in erythroid precursor cells. Translation of r15-LOX mRNA is inhibited by hnRNP K and hnRNP E1, which bind to the differentiation control element (DICE) in its 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). The hnRNP K/E1-DICE complex interferes with the joining of the 60S ribosomal subunit to the 40S subunit at the AUG. We took advantage of the inducible human erythroid K562 cell system that fully recapitulates this process to identify so far unknown factors, which are critical for DICE-dependent translational regulation. Applying RNA chromatography with the DICE as bait combined with hnRNP K immunoprecipitation, we specifically purified the DEAD-box RNA helicase 6 (DDX6) that interacts with hnRNP K and hnRNP E1 in a DICE-dependent manner. Employing RNA interference and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we show that DDX6 colocalizes with endogenous human (h)r15-LOX mRNA to P-body-like RNP granules, from which 60S ribosomal subunits are excluded. Our data suggest that in premature erythroid cells translational silencing of hr15-LOX mRNA is maintained by DDX6 mediated storage in these RNP granules.     

MicroRNA-binding is required for recruitment of human Argonaute 2 to stress granules and P-bodies

Argonaute proteins are the core components of the RNA-induced silencing complex, the central effector of the mammalian RNA interference pathway. In the cytoplasm, they associate with at least two types of cytoplasmic RNA granules; processing bodies and stress granules, which function in mRNA degradation and translational repression, respectively. The significance of Argonaute association with these RNA granules is not entirely clear but it is likely related to their activities within the RNAi pathway. Understanding what regulates targeting of Argonautes to RNA granules may provide clues as to their functions at these organelles. To this end, there are a number of conflicting reports that describe the role of small RNAs in targeting Argonaute proteins in mammalian cells. We employed quantitative microscopic analyses of human Argonaute 2 (hAgo2) mutants to study factors that govern localization of this RNA-binding protein to cytoplasmic RNA granules. We report, for the first time, that hAgo2 is recruited to stress granules as a consequence of its interaction with miRNAs. Moreover, loading of small RNAs onto hAgo2 is not required for its stability, suggesting that a pool of unloaded hAgo2 may exist for extended periods of time in the cytoplasm.     

The proton gradient of secretory granules and glutamate transport in blood platelets during cholesterol depletion of the plasma membrane by methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Glutamate transport in blood platelets resembles that in brain nerve terminals because platelets contain neuronal Na⁺-dependent glutamate transporters, glutamate receptors in the plasma membrane, vesicular glutamate transporters in secretory granules, which use the proton gradient as a driving force, and can release glutamate during aggregation/activation. The acidification of secretory granules and glutamate transport were assessed during acute treatment of isolated platelets with cholesterol-depleting agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). Confocal imaging with the cholesterol-sensitive fluorescent dye filipin showed a quick reduction of cholesterol level in platelets. Using pH-sensitive fluorescent dye acridine orange, we demonstrated that the acidification of secretory granules of human and rabbit platelets was decreased by ∼15% and 51% after the addition of 5 and 15 mM MβCD, respectively. The enrichment of platelet plasma membrane with cholesterol by the application of complex MβCD-cholesterol (1:0.2) led to the additional accumulation of acridine orange in secretory granules indicating an increase in the proton pumping activity of vesicular H⁺-ATPase. MβCD did not evoke release of glutamate from platelets that was measured with glutamate dehydrogenase assay. Flow cytometric analysis did not reveal alterations in platelet size and granularity in the presence of MβCD. These data showed that the dissipation of the proton gradient of secretory granules rather than their exocytosis caused MβCD-evoked decrease in platelet acidification. Thus, the depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol in the presence of MβCD changed the functional state of platelets affecting storage capacity of secretory granules but did not evoke glutamate release from platelets.     

Lipid body formation during maturation of human mast cells

Lipid droplets, also called lipid bodies (LB) in inflammatory cells, are important cytoplasmic organelles. However, little is known about the molecular characteristics and functions of LBs in human mast cells (MC). Here, we have analyzed the genesis and components of LBs during differentiation of human peripheral blood-derived CD34(+) progenitors into connective tissue-type MCs. In our serum-free culture system, the maturing MCs, derived from 18 different donors, invariably developed triacylglycerol (TG)-rich LBs. Not known heretofore, the MCs transcribe the genes for perilipins (PLIN)1-4, but not PLIN5, and PLIN2 and PLIN3 display different degrees of LB association. Upon MC activation and ensuing degranulation, the LBs were not cosecreted with the cytoplasmic secretory granules. Exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) enhanced LB genesis in Triacsin C-sensitive fashion, and it was found to be preferentially incorporated into the TGs of LBs. The large TG-associated pool of AA in LBs likely is a major precursor for eicosanoid production by MCs. In summary, we demonstrate that cultured human MCs derived from CD34(+) progenitors in peripheral blood provide a new tool to study regulatory mechanisms involving LB functions, with particular emphasis on AA metabolism, eicosanoid biosynthesis, and subsequent release of proinflammatory lipid mediators from these cells.     

小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液对支气管肺炎患儿肺通气功能、炎症因子和免疫球蛋白的影响

摘要 目的：观察小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液对支气管肺炎患儿肺通气功能、炎症因子和免疫球蛋白的影响。方法：选择2019年9月-2023年1月期间合肥市第二人民医院收治的100例支气管肺炎患儿,采用双色球法将患儿分为对照组和研究组,各为50例。对照组患儿接受雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液,研究组患儿在对照组的基础上接受小儿肺热咳喘颗粒。对比两组临床症状、炎症因子水平[白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）]、免疫球蛋白[免疫球蛋白（Ig）A、IgM、IgG]、肺通气功能指标[吸气时间（TI）、呼气时间（TE）、吸呼比（TI/TE）、达峰时间比（TPF%TE）、达峰容积比（VPF%VE）]和不良反应发生率。结果：与对照组相比,研究组的肺部湿啰音消失时间、咳嗽消失时间、咳痰消失时间、退热时间更短（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后CRP、IL-6、PCT低于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后IgA、IgM、IgG高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后VT、TI、TE、TI/TE、TPF%TE、VPF%VE高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比未见差异（P>0.05）。结论：小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液治疗支气管肺炎,可有效缩短临床症状缓解时间,改善肺通气功能,降低炎症因子水平,调节免疫球蛋白,且安全性较好。     

基于网络药理学与分子对接技术的清瘟护肺颗粒防治新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的潜在药效物质研究

本文通过网络药理学和分子对接技术探讨清瘟护肺颗粒防治新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的潜在药效物质.首先,通过TCMSP数据库,BATMAN-TCM数据库及TCMIP数据库检索清瘟护肺颗粒中十六味药的化学成分及作用靶点,利用GeneCards和OMIM数据库检索COVID-19的相关疾病靶点.然后,通过venny2...     

齿痛消炎灵颗粒联合牙周激光对牙周炎的应用效果及对口气和舌苔指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨齿痛消炎灵颗粒联合牙周激光对牙周炎的应用效果及对口气和舌苔指标的影响。方法：选取我院2020年7月到2023年7月收治的80例牙周炎患者,分为观察组与对照组,各40例。对照组采取常规治疗与口服齿痛消炎灵颗粒,观察组以对照组为基础,增加牙周激光治疗。对比两组患者临床疗效,对比其治疗前与治疗4周后菌斑指数（PLI）,出血指数（BI）、探诊深度（PD）、临床附着丧失（CAL）相关牙周健康指标,口气感官值（OS）、口腔挥发硫化物（VSCs）相关口气指标以及舌苔厚度（Tt）、舌苔面积（Ta）相关舌苔指标变化。结果：观察组治疗总有效率较对照组高（P＜0.05）;治疗前两组患者CAL、PD、BI、PLI水平对无差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后两组均降低,且与对照组相比,观察组较低（P＜0.05）;治疗前两组患者OS、VSCs水平对比无差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后两组均降低,且与对照组相比,观察组较低（P＜0.05）;治疗前两组患者Tt、Ta评分对比无差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后两组均降低,且观察组较对照组低（P＜0.05）。结论：齿痛消炎灵颗粒联合牙周激光治疗牙周炎效果较好,改善患者牙周健康程度,减少舌苔情况,改善口气情况。     

Battling for Ribosomes: Translational Control at the Forefront of the Antiviral Response

In the early stages of infection, gaining control of the cellular protein synthesis machinery including its ribosomes is the ultimate combat objective for a virus. To successfully replicate, viruses unequivocally need to usurp and redeploy this machinery for translation of their own mRNA. In response, the host triggers global shutdown of translation while paradoxically allowing swift synthesis of antiviral proteins as a strategy to limit collateral damage. This fundamental conflict at the level of translational control defines the outcome of infection. As part of this special issue on molecular mechanisms of early virus–host cell interactions, we review the current state of knowledge regarding translational control during viral infection with specific emphasis on protein kinase RNA-activated and mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated mechanisms. We also describe recent technological advances that will allow unprecedented insight into how viruses and host cells battle for ribosomes.