Overexpression of cyclin E does not influence homologous recombination in Chinese hamster cells

Overexpressed cyclin E in tumours is a prognosticator for poor patient outcome. Cells that overexpress cyclin E have been shown to be impaired in S-phase progression and exhibit genetic instability that may drive this subset of cancers. However, the origin for genetic instability caused by cyclin E overexpression is unknown. Homologous recombination plays an important role in S-phase progression and is also regulated by the same proteins that regulate cyclin E-associated kinase activity, i.e., p53 and p21. To test the hypothesis that overexpressed cyclin E causes genetic instability through homologous recombination, we investigated the effect of cyclin E overexpression on homologous recombination in the hprt gene in a Chinese hamster cell line. Although cyclin E overexpression shortened the G1 phase in the cell cycle as expected, we could see no change in neither spontaneous nor etoposide-induced recombination. Also, overexpression of cyclin E did not affect the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and failed to potentiate the cytotoxic effects of etoposide. Our data suggest that genetic instability caused by overexpression of cyclin E is not mediated by aberrant homologous recombination.     

Cloning, purification, and characterization of thermostable hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT, EC 2.4.2.8) from a newly characterized thermophile Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Analytical gel filtration suggested that the enzyme exist as a homotetramer in solution. The optimal pH for the forward reaction was found to be 8.0 and the optimal temperature 70 degrees C. The steady-state kinetic characteristics suggest that hypoxanthine is the most effective substrate. This enzyme showed a half-life of 75min at 50 degrees C and no apparent loss of activity after 3 months at 4 degrees C.     

Nampt及高糖高胰岛素微环境对人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞株增殖和转移的影响

摘要 目的：探究烟酰胺磷酸核糖转移酶（Nampt）及高糖高胰岛素（HG+HI）微环境对人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞增殖和转移的影响。方法：将人顺铂耐药细胞株A549/DDP分为6组（n=6）：对照组（control）、高糖高胰岛素干预组（HH，使用添加30 mmol/L的葡萄糖和500 mU/L的胰岛素的培养基培养72 h）、分别转染sh-NC和sh-Nampt组（sh-NC和sh-Nampt，使用Lipofectamine 2000将sh-NC和sh-Nampt分别转染到细胞中，转染时间为48 h）、HH干预sh-NC和sh-Nampt组（HH+sh-NC和HH+sh-Nampt）。每组6个重复样本。qRT-PCR检测转染效率，MTT法检测细胞增殖，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡，Transwell检测细胞迁移和侵袭，qRT-PCR检测Nampt mRNA，Western blot检测Nampt、Bcl-2、Bax、MMP-2、MMP-9、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-AKT和AKT蛋白表达。结果：与对照组和sh-NC组比较，sh-Nampt组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量降低，而细胞凋亡率升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平降低，Bax蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.005）。与对照组和sh-NC组比较，HH组和HH+sh-NC组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平升高，Bax蛋白表达水平降低（P<0.005）。与HH组和HH+sh-NC组比较，HH+sh-Nampt组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量降低，细胞凋亡率升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平降低，Bax蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.005）。结论：高糖高胰岛素微环境可能通过上调Nampt/PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞的增殖和转移。     

Determination of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl-transferase in tobacco

A fast procedure was developed for the extraction and assay of quinolinic acid (QA) phosphoribosyl (PR) transferase based on gel filtration through a prepacked disposable PD 10 column and on reversed-phase HPLC. This makes the use of radiolabelled QA unnecessary. The specific activities determined in different organs of tobacco and in cell suspension cultures were determined; they indicate that this enzyme is probably involved in the regulation of nicotine biosynthesis. With a preparation from the roots of Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun, the K_m values for QA and PR-pyrophosphate were 5.1 and 21 μM, respectively.     

Crystal structure of a purine/pyrimidine phosphoribosyltransferase-related protein from Thermus thermophilus HB8

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRTase) is a widely distributed enzyme involved in the salvage of adenine to form an adenine nucleotide. We crystallized and determined the X-ray crystallographic structure of a purine/pyrimidine phosphoribosyltransferase-related protein from the thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8. The crystal space group was C2 with unit cell dimensions of a = 167.42 A, b = 61.41 A, c = 102.39 A, beta = 94.0 degrees . Initial phases were determined to 2.6 A using the multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion method and selenomethionine substituted protein (Se-MAD), and refined using a 1.9 A "native" data set. The asymmetric unit contains two pairs of identical dimers, each related by noncrystallographic two-fold symmetry. The fifth monomer forms a similar dimer across a crystallographic two-fold axis. These dimers appear to be the biological unit with both monomers contributing to an unusual highly charged arginine-rich bridge region separating the two active sites. Comparison with distantly related APRTases reveal similarities and differences of the active site.     

A non-active site mutation in human hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase expands substrate specificity

Human hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) lacks the ability to phosphoribosylate xanthine, a property exhibited by HGPRTs from many parasitic protozoa. Using random mutagenesis we have obtained a mutant, F36L, of human HGPRT that phosphoribosylates xanthine. Examination of the structure indicates that F36 does not make direct contact with the purine, but long-range modulation via loop IV, a segment contacting purine at C2 position, could influence substrate specificity. Expanded substrate specificity to include xanthine probably arises from increased flexibility of loop IV as a consequence of mutation at F36. Mutation of the corresponding residue, L44 in Plasmodium falciparum HGPRT, also results in alteration of K(m) and k(cat) for xanthine, substantiating its role in affecting purine base affinity. Our studies show that mutation of this residue in the core of the protein also affects the stability of both enzymes.     

Methods for the determination of intracellular levels of ribose phosphates

Ribose phosphates are either synthesized through the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway or stem from the phosphorolytic cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond of ribonucleosides. The two major pentose phosphates, ribose-5-phosphate and ribose-1-phosphate, can be readily interconverted by phosphopentomutase. Ribose-5-phosphate is also the direct precursor of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate, which is used for both de novo and salvage synthesis of nucleotides. On the other hand, the phosphorolysis of deoxyribonucleosides is the major source of deoxyribose phosphates. While the destiny of the nucleobase stemming from nucleoside phosphorolysis has been extensively investigated, the fate of the sugar moiety has been somehow neglected. However, extensive advances have been made in elucidating the pathways by which the pentose phosphates, arising from nucleoside phosphorolysis, are either recycled, without opening of their furanosidic ring, or catabolized as a carbon and energy source. Nevertheless, many aspects of pentose phosphate metabolism, and the possible involvement of these compounds in a number of cellular processes still remain obscure. The comprehension of the role played by pentose phosphates may be greatly facilitated by the knowledge of their steady-state intracellular levels and of their changes in response to variations of intra- and extracellular signals.     

Mapping QTLs and candidate genes for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice of Madhukar×Swarna RILs

Identifying QTLs/genes for iron and zinc in rice grains can help in biofortification programs. 168 F(7) RILs derived from Madhukar×Swarna were used to map QTLs for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice grains. Iron ranged from 0.2 to 224ppm and zinc ranged from 0.4 to 104ppm. Genome wide mapping using 101 SSRs and 9 gene specific markers showed 5 QTLs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 significantly linked to iron, zinc or both. In all, 14 QTLs were identified for these two traits. QTLs for iron were co-located with QTLs for zinc on chromosomes 7 and 12. In all, ten candidate genes known for iron and zinc homeostasis underlie 12 of the 14 QTLs. Another 6 candidate genes were close to QTLs on chromosomes 3, 5 and 7. Thus the high priority candidate genes for high Fe and Zn in seeds are OsYSL1 and OsMTP1 for iron, OsARD2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2 for zinc and OsNAS3, OsNRAMP1, Heavy metal ion transport and APRT for both iron and zinc together based on our genetic mapping studies as these genes strictly underlie QTLs. Several elite lines with high Fe, high Zn and both were identified.     

A rationally designed monomeric variant of anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase from Sulfolobus solfataricus is as active as the dimeric wild-type enzyme but less thermostable

The anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase from Sulfolobus solfataricus (ssAnPRT) forms a homodimer with a hydrophobic subunit interface. To elucidate the role of oligomerisation for catalytic activity and thermal stability of the enzyme, we loosened the dimer by replacing two apolar interface residues with negatively charged residues (mutations I36E and M47D). The purified double mutant I36E+M47D formed a monomer with wild-type catalytic activity but reduced thermal stability. The single mutants I36E and M47D were present in a monomer-dimer equilibrium with dissociation constants of about 1 μM and 20 μM, respectively, which were calculated from the concentration-dependence of their heat inactivation kinetics. The monomeric form of M47D, which is populated at low subunit concentrations, was as thermolabile as monomeric I36E+M47D. Likewise, the dimeric form of I36E, which was populated at high subunit concentrations, was as thermostable as dimeric wild-type ssAnPRT. These findings show that the increased stability of wild-type ssAnPRT compared to the I36E+M47D double mutant is not caused by the amino acid exchanges per se but by the higher intrinsic stability of the dimer compared to the monomer. In accordance with the negligible effect of the mutations on catalytic activity and stability, the X-ray structure of M47D contains only minor local perturbations at the dimer interface. We conclude that the monomeric double mutant resembles the individual wild-type subunits, and that ssAnPRT is a dimer for stability but not for activity reasons.