金属还原酶FreB2对烟曲霉铁吸收及氧化压力应答的影响

利用构建的烟曲霉金属还原酶基因(AFUA-1G00350,Fre B2)缺失突变株,对烟曲霉金属还原酶基因Fre B2功能进行初步研究,为揭示该基因与烟曲霉的致病关系提供依据。比较野生株和基因缺失突变株在AMM和无铁AMM液体培养基中生长时高铁还原酶的活性,绘制不同时间野生株和基因缺失突变株在AMM和无铁AMM液体培养基中生长时高铁还原酶活性曲线。利用Real-Time PCR方法分析Sre A、Sid A、Fet C、Ftr A和Fre B这些与铁的吸收相关基因的mRNA的表达量变化。测定野生株和基因缺失突变株对氧化压力的敏感性及胞内活性氧物质含量。不论在AMM液体培养基中还是在无铁AMM液体培养基中培养时,突变株高铁还原酶的活性都明显高于野生株高铁还原酶活性。与野生株相比培养60 h时,突变株Sre A、Sid A、Fet C、Ftr A和Fre B这些与铁的吸收相关基因的表达量出现明显上调。氧化压力敏感性实验显示,基因缺失突变株对H2O2的敏感性显著增强,同时胞内活性氧物质含量明显增多。金属还原酶基因Fre B2在烟曲霉铁吸收及氧化压力应答过程中发挥作用;烟曲霉与铁吸收相关基因之间存在功能互补效应。     

STAMPing into Mitochondria

Six transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) is a protein that has been extensively studied due to its association with prostate cancer. Currently, STAMP2 is well known for its critical role in metabolism and modulating inflammatory signals. Even so, the molecular mechanism of STAMP2 activity and its downstream effectors are still largely unknown. Here, we review the current knowledge of STAMP2, and suggest possible explanations for some of its less well-understood features. A few studies suggest that STAMP2 may interact with mitochondria. Considering STAMP2 functions as a potential component of mitochondrial biology may yield valuable insight into this protein.     

Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate 3 Promotes Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Steatosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological syndrome characterized by excessive deposition of fatty acids in the liver. Further deterioration leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, creating a heavy burden on human health and the social economy. Currently, there are no effective and specific drugs for the treatment of NAFLD. Therefore, it is important to further investigate the pathogenesis of NAFLD and explore effective therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of the disease. Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 3 (STEAP3), a STEAP family protein, is a metalloreductase. Studies have shown that it can participate in the regulation of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury, hepatocellular carcinoma, myocardial hypertrophy, and other diseases. In this study, we found that the expression of STEAP3 is upregulated in NAFLD. Deletion of STEAP3 inhibits the development of NAFLD in vivo and in vitro, whereas its overexpression promotes palmitic acid/oleic acid stimulation-induced lipid deposition in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, it interacts with transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) to regulate the progression of NAFLD by promoting TAK1 phosphorylation and activating the TAK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results provide further insight into the involvement of STEAP3 in liver pathology.