The X protein of hepatitis B virus inhibits apoptosis in hepatoma cells through enhancing the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A gene expression and reducing S-adenosylmethionine production

The X protein (HBx) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) promotes the growth of liver cancer cells through altering S-adenosylmethionine homeostasis. Thus, we speculated that a link between HBx and MAT2A may contribute to HCC development. In this study, the effects of HBx on MAT2A expression and cell apoptosis were investigated, and the molecular mechanism by which HBx and MAT2A regulate tumorigenesis was evaluated. Results from immunohistochemistry analyses of 37 pairs of HBV-associated liver cancer tissues/corresponding peritumor tissues showed that HBx and MAT2A are highly expressed in most liver tumor tissues. Our in vitro results revealed that HBx activates MAT2A expression in a dose-dependent manner in hepatoma cells, and such regulation requires the cis-regulatory elements NF-κB and CREB on the MAT2A gene promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) further demonstrated that HBx facilitates the binding of NF-κB and CREB to MAT2A gene promoter. In addition, overexpression of HBx or MAT2A inhibits cell apoptosis, whereas knockdown of MAT2A expression stimulates apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HBx reduces MAT1A expression and AdoMet production but enhances MAT2β expression. Thus, we proposed that HBx activates MAT2A expression through NF-κB and CREB signaling pathways to reduce AdoMet production, inhibit hepatoma cell apoptosis, and perhaps enhance HCC development. These findings should provide new insights into our understanding how the molecular mechanisms underline the effects of HBV infection on the production of MAT2A and the development of HCC.     

Cloning in Bacillus subtilis of temperature-dependent promoter fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Using promoter-probe plasmids, more than 200 promoter-containing fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis were cloned in B. subtilis . Among these, 15 promoter fragments were highly temperature-dependent in activity compared to the promoter sequence (TTGAAA for the −35 region, TATAAT for the −10 region) of the amylase gene, amyT , from B. stearothermophilus . Some fragments exhibited higher promoter activities at elevated temperature (48°C), others showed higher activities at lower temperature (30°C). Active promoter fragments at higher and lower temperatures were obtained mainly from the thermophile ( B. stearothermophilus ) and the mesophile ( B. subtilis ), respectively. A promoter fragment active at high temperature was sequenced, and the feature of the putative promoter region was discussed.     

积磷小月菌调控蛋白Mlp21700的异源表达及其与多聚磷酸盐(Poly-P)代谢基因启动子的结合

【背景】积磷小月菌(Microlunatus phosphovorus)是重要的聚磷微生物,在好氧条件下积累聚磷酸盐并在厌氧条件分解聚磷酸盐,这个过程可能受到精细的基因调控。【目的】利用凝胶迁移实验(EMSA)分析调控蛋白Mlp21700结合的多聚磷酸盐(Poly-P)代谢基因启动子,找到Mlp21700可能的调控靶点。【方法】以积磷小月菌JN459菌株的基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增Mlp21700编码序列,构建重组质粒p ET28a-21700并转化到大肠杆菌Transetta(DE3)菌株,诱导表达后采用非变性方法纯化获得Mlp21700融合蛋白。利用PCR方法分别扩增各个Poly-P代谢基因的启动子,用生物素标记后作为探针。采用EMSA分析Mlp21700在试验条件下是否结合启动子以及结合强度。【结果】DNA测序和酶切验证表明p ET28a-21700携带正确的Mlp21700编码序列。SDS-PAGE分析显示试验条件下Transetta(DE3)菌株大量表达可溶性Mlp21700,纯化的重组Mlp21700蛋白纯度大于90%,含量为0.64 mg/mL。EMSA分析表明在试验条件下Mlp21700能够结合Mlp26610基因ppgk和Mlp44770基因ppx的启动子。【结论】调控蛋白Mlp21700可能参与Mlp26610和Mlp44770基因的转录调控,进而调控Poly-P的分解过程。