Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA): a key factor in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation

Background

PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) has been found in the nuclei of yeast, plant and animal cells that undergo cell division, suggesting a function in cell cycle regulation and/or DNA replication. It subsequently became clear that PCNA also played a role in other processes involving the cell genome.

Scope

This review discusses eukaryotic PCNA, with an emphasis on plant PCNA, in terms of the protein structure and its biochemical properties as well as gene structure, organization, expression and function. PCNA exerts a tripartite function by operating as (1) a sliding clamp during DNA synthesis, (2) a polymerase switch factor and (3) a recruitment factor. Most of its functions are mediated by its interactions with various proteins involved in DNA synthesis, repair and recombination as well as in regulation of the cell cycle and chromatid cohesion. Moreover, post-translational modifications of PCNA play a key role in regulation of its functions. Finally, a phylogenetic comparison of PCNA genes suggests that the multi-functionality observed in most species is a product of evolution.

Conclusions

Most plant PCNAs exhibit features similar to those found for PCNAs of other eukaryotes. Similarities include: (1) a trimeric ring structure of the PCNA sliding clamp, (2) the involvement of PCNA in DNA replication and repair, (3) the ability to stimulate the activity of DNA polymerase δ and (4) the ability to interact with p21, a regulator of the cell cycle. However, many plant genomes seem to contain the second, probably functional, copy of the PCNA gene, in contrast to PCNA pseudogenes that are found in mammalian genomes.     

PSA密度对前列腺癌病理结果的预测价值

目的:评估前列腺特异抗原密度(prostate specific antigen density,PASD)对前列腺癌根治术后不良病理结果的预测价值.方法:回顾性分析50例病理确诊为前列腺癌患者的临床资料,收集患者术前总前列腺特异抗原(total prostate specific antigen,tPSA)、PSAD及穿刺活检Gleason评分结果,比较在手术切缘阳性(positive surgical margins,PSM)、前列腺包膜外侵犯(extracapsular prostatic extension,EPE)、精囊入侵(seminal vesicle invasion,SVI)患者中以上各项指标的差异,对有统计学差异的因素行多元Logistic回归分析,筛选影响浸润的最主要因素,同时运用工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)比较各指标的预测价值.结果:PSM,EPE和SVI患者之间PSAD存在统计学差异,PSAD曲线下面积高于PSA与Gleason评分.多元Logistic回归分析结果表明,PSAD和Gleason评分对PSM和EPE有着统计学意义的预测价值,且PSAD和PSA与SVI有关.结论:PSAD可作为接受前列腺癌根治术的患者术后不良的预测指标.     

A novel protein,sperm head and tail associated protein (SHTAP), interacts with cysteine‐rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) during spermatogenesis in the mouse

Background information. CRISP2 (cysteine‐rich secretory protein 2) is a sperm acrosome and tail protein with the ability to regulate Ca²⁺ flow through ryanodine receptors. Based on these properties, CRISP2 has a potential role in fertilization through the regulation of ion signalling in the acrosome reaction and sperm motility. The purpose of the present study was to determine the expression, subcellular localization and the role in spermatogenesis of a novel CRISP2‐binding partner, which we have designated SHTAP (sperm head and tail associated protein). Results. Using yeast two‐hybrid screens of an adult testis expression library, we identified SHTAP as a novel mouse CRISP2‐binding partner. Sequence analysis of all Shtap cDNA clones revealed that the mouse Shtap gene is embedded within a gene encoding the unrelated protein NSUN4 (NOL1/NOP2/Sun domain family member 4). Five orthologues of the Shtap gene have been annotated in public databases. SHTAP and its orthologues showed no significant sequence similarity to any known protein or functional motifs, including NSUN4. Using an SHTAP antiserum, multiple SHTAP isoforms (～20–87 kDa) were detected in the testis, sperm, and various somatic tissues. Interestingly, only the ～26 kDa isoform of SHTAP was able to interact with CRISP2. Furthermore, yeast two‐hybrid assays showed that both the CAP (CRISP/antigen 5/pathogenesis related‐1) and CRISP domains of CRISP2 were required for maximal binding to SHTAP. SHTAP protein was localized to the peri‐acrosomal region of round spermatids, and the head and tail of the elongated spermatids and sperm tail where it co‐localized with CRISP2. During sperm capacitation, SHTAP and the SHTAP—CRISP2 complex appeared to be redistributed within the head. Conclusions. The present study is the first report of the identification, annotation and expression analysis of the mouse Shtap gene. The redistribution observed during sperm capacitation raises the possibility that SHTAP and the SHTAP—CRISP2 complex play a role in the attainment of sperm functional competence.     

可溶性HLA-A*0203-BSP原核表达载体的构建及其在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

目的：构建HLA-A*0203重链胞外域羧基端融合生物素化酶BirA底物肽(BSP)的融合蛋白（HLA-A*0203-BSP）的原核表达载体并在大肠杆菌中进行表达。方法：以RT-PCR方法从HLA-A2+ 供者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中克隆HLA-A*0203重链基因的cDNA并测序鉴定,然后以PCR方法构建HLA-A*0203-BSP的原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中诱导表达并以免疫印迹鉴定。结果：DNA测序显示,从3名HLA-A2+ 供者PBMC中克隆的cDNA中,只有从供者2获得编码HLA-A*0203重链基因的cDNA。将编码重链胞外域1-276的序列和编码BSP的序列融合,构建HLA-A*0203-BSP融合蛋白的原核表达载体并经测序验证。该融合蛋白在BL21(ED3)中获得高效表达,约占菌体总蛋白的30％;产物相对分子质量约为34 kD,与理论大小一致。Western印迹分析显示融合蛋白完全存在于包涵体中。结论：成功克隆HLA-A*0203重链基因的cDNA,构建HLA-A*0203-BSP融合蛋白的原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达,为制备HLA-A*0203四聚体打下基础。     

Th2 polarization enhanced by oral administration of higher doses of antigen

Although oral administration of a soluble proteinantigen can induce various immune responses, theeffect of the dosage of oral antigen on thepredominance of Th2-type cytokine and antibodyresponses has not been well clarified yet. In thepresent study, we fed T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic(tg) mice various amounts of chicken ovalbumin (0.1,5, and 250 mg) and examined the resulting immuneresponses to this antigen. In these TCR tg mice, theresponses of antigen-specific T cells were greatlyamplified concomitantly with significantantigen-specific cytokine secretion. We found that ahigh dose (250 mg) of antigen significantlyupregulated the serum antigen-specific IgG1 and IgAantibody responses in mice later intraperitoneallyinjected with antigen plus adjuvant. The miceadministered the same oral dose but not immunizedshowed upregulation of Th2-type IL-4 and IL-5secretion and downregulation of Th1-type IL-2 andIFN-. This enhancement of Th2-type cytokineand antibody responses was more marked when largerdoses of antigen orally administered. These resultsdemonstrated that antigen feeding induces thedevelopment of T cells secreting Th2-type cytokines ina dose-dependent manner and that these T cells have ahelper function for the production of antibodies ofthe Th2-type isotypes. This experimental system shouldbe useful to screen foods and other substances thatcan modulate Th2-type responses relating to allergy.     

Immunoperoxidase Staining for Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Archival Formalin Fixed, Paraffin Embedded Breast Carcinomas after Microwave Antigen Retrieval

Immunoperoxidase staining was performed for estrogen and progesterone receptors in 93 cases of primary breast carcinoma. Breast tumor samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Antigen retrieval was performed by microwave heating in citrate buffer, pH 6.0, using precisely defined and reproducible conditions. The cases studied included material from the current year and from paraffin blocks retrieved from archival storage dating back to 1981. In all cases, estrogen and progesterone receptor values determined by biochemical assay were available for comparison with the immunohistochemical results. We found 94% agreement of results between the two methods.     

Brugia pahangi: Immunization with early L3 ES alters parasite migration,and reduces microfilaremia and lymphatic lesion formation in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Previous studies have shown that intradermally (ID) injected Brugia pahangi L3s migrate through various tissues and into the lymphatics of gerbils in a distinct pattern. Excretory/secretory products (ES) produced at the time of invasion of B. pahangi are likely to be important in this early migration phase of the parasite life cycle in their rodent host. Hence, early L3 ES was collected from 24 h in vitro cultures of B. pahangi L3 larvae and used in immunization experiments to investigate the effect of immunity to early L3 ES on worm migration, survival and development of B. pahangi. Immunization of gerbils with ES in RIBI adjuvant produced antibodies to numerous ES proteins eliciting a strong humoral response to ES and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay using anti-ES serum recognized the ES proteins on the surface of B. pahangi L3 larvae. Following ES immunization, gerbils were challenged either ID or intraperitoneally (IP) with 100 L3s of B. pahangi and euthanized at 3 or 106 days post inoculation (DPI). Immunization with early ES slowed the migration of ID inoculated L3 at 3 DPI and significantly altered the locations of adult worms at 106 DPI. Immunization did not induce protection in any treatment group. However, immunized animals had significantly fewer microfilariae per female worm suggesting the antigens in ES are important in microfilariae development or survival in the host. The number of lymphatic granulomas was also significantly reduced in ES immunized animals. It is important to note that microfilariae serve as a nidus in these granulomas. Our results shows immunization with early Brugia malayi L3 ES alters the worm migration, affects circulating microfilarial numbers and reduces lymphatic granulomas associated with B. pahangi infection in gerbils.