Crystal structure of the kinase and UBA domains of SNRK reveals a distinct UBA binding mode in the AMPK family

Sucrose non-fermenting (Snf1)-related kinase (SNRK) is a novel member of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family and is involved in many metabolic processes. Here we report the crystal structure of an N-terminal SNRK fragment containing kinase and adjacent ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domains. This structure shows that the UBA domain binds between the N- and C-lobes of the kinase domain. The mode of UBA binding in SNRK largely resembles that in AMPK and brain specific kinase (BRSK), however, unique interactions play vital roles in stabilizing the KD-UBA interface of SNRK. We further propose a potential role of the UBA domain in the regulation of SNRK kinase activity. This study provides new insights into the structural diversities of the AMPK kinase family.     

LKB1, Salt-Inducible Kinases,and MEF2C Are Linked Dependencies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

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Salt-inducible kinase 1 is present in lung alveolar epithelial cells and regulates active sodium transport

Salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) in epithelial cells mediates the increases in active sodium transport (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase-mediated) in response to elevations in the intracellular concentration of sodium. In lung alveolar epithelial cells increases in active sodium transport in response to β-adrenergic stimulation increases pulmonary edema clearance. Therefore, we sought to determine whether SIK1 is present in lung epithelial cells and to examine whether isoproterenol-dependent stimulation of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase is mediated via SIK1 activity. All three SIK isoforms were present in airway epithelial cells, and in alveolar epithelial cells type 1 and type 2 from rat and mouse lungs, as well as from human and mouse cell lines representative of lung alveolar epithelium. In mouse lung epithelial cells, SIK1 associated with the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α-subunit, and isoproterenol increased SIK1 activity. Isoproterenol increased Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity and the incorporation of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase molecules at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, those effects were abolished in cells depleted of SIK1 using shRNA, or in cells overexpressing a SIK1 kinase-deficient mutant. These results provide evidence that SIK1 is present in lung epithelial cells and that its function is relevant for the action of isoproterenol during regulation of active sodium transport. As such, SIK1 may constitute an important target for drug discovery aimed at improving the clearance of pulmonary edema.     

小麦Na^＋／H^＋反转运蛋白基因的克隆和特性

以水稻 (OryzasativaL .)Na /H 反转运蛋白cDNA片段为探针 ,从小麦盐胁迫cDNA文库中筛选和克隆了 2个小麦Na /H 反转运蛋白基因 ,分别命名为TaNHX1和TaNHX2。序列分析表明TaNHX1为 2 0 2 9bp ,包含一个完整的 16 38bp的ORF ,编码 5 4 6个氨基酸 ,其中含有DIFFIYLLPPI跨膜区。TaNHX2为 16 93bp ,包含部分ORF及 80 8bp的 3′_UTR。这 2个基因与已知的水稻、拟南芥 (Arabidopsisthialiana)和滨藜 (Atriplexgmelini)中的同类基因NHX的相似性约为 70 %。RT_PCR分析表明小麦苗经 4 0 0mmol/LNaCl处理 1h后 ,TaNHX1的转录水平有所提高。     

The contribution of the Drosophila model to lipid droplet research

Intracellular lipid droplets have long been misconceived as evolutionarily conserved but functionally frugal components of cellular metabolism. An ever-growing repertoire of functions has elevated lipid droplets to fully-fledged cellular organelles. Insights into the multifariousness of these organelles have been obtained from a range of model systems now employed for lipid droplet research including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. This review summarizes the progress in fly lipid droplet research along four main avenues: the role of lipid droplets in fat storage homeostasis, the control of lipid droplet structure, the lipid droplet surface as a dynamic protein-association platform, and lipid droplets as mobile organelles. Moreover, the research potential of the fruit fly model is discussed with respect to the prevailing general questions in lipid droplet biology.     

盐诱导激酶对TORC-CREB复合体的调节及其与高血压、糖尿病的关系

环腺苷酸反应元件结合蛋白(cyclic AMP responsive element-binding protein,CREB)是受cAMP和Ca²⁺共同激活的转录因子,其目的基因产物涉及广泛的生理过程,如细胞增殖与存活、糖与脂类代谢、类固醇激素合成、学习与记忆等．新近发现的CREB活性调节转导子(transducer of regulated CREB activity,TORC)通过核-质穿梭调节CREB的活性而控制目的基因的转录与表达．盐诱导激酶(salt-inducible kinase,SIK)是一组丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶,包含SIK1、SIK2和SIK3．这些蛋白激酶通过影响TORC的磷酸化水平,改变其在核-质中的分布,间接影响CREB目的基因的转录与表达．在某些器官与组织中,SIK(SIK1)也是CREB目的基因之一,因此SIK与TORC-CREB复合体形成一个完整的负反馈调节环路．TORC-CREB复合体广泛存在于多种器官与组织,如胰岛β-细胞、肝脏、肾上腺皮质和骨骼肌中,与胰岛β-细胞存活、肝脏糖异生、类固醇激素合成、骨骼肌线粒体增生与脂肪酸β氧化密切相关．将重点讨论SIK对TORC-CREB复合体的反馈调节及其与高血压、糖尿病发生的关系．     

控制基因盐诱导且根系优势表达的小麦启动子Tasipro3克隆及功能分析

在土壤盐胁迫下,小麦根系吸收水分和营养物质的功能受到抑制,从而影响植株的经济产量。因而,开展小麦耐盐育种,提高根系耐盐性是重要途径之一。使耐盐基因在根系中优势表达,并且在盐胁迫下增强表达,将显著提高根系耐盐性。而克隆和鉴定具有双重控制功能的启动子,是实现耐盐基因精准调控的基础。鉴于此,本研究利用Genevestigator在线生物信息学分析软件,筛选到425个盐诱导根系优势表达的探针,并从中选出2个候选探针,用于启动子验证。以1周龄小麦品种中国春的幼苗为材料,将其根系置于200 mmol/L的NaCl溶液中,分别于0 h、0.5 h、1 h、2 h、4 h和8 h进行根系取样,用于表达模式分析。结果表明,Ta.5463.1.A1_at探针的基因表达模式更符合生物信息学预测的结果,受盐胁迫诱导表达显著上调,且基因优势表达于根系。为进一步验证相应基因启动子的功能,对此探针对应的启动子区进行了克隆,并连接到启动子验证载体中,遗传转化获得转基因拟南芥植株。盐诱导后GUS染色的实验结果表明,该启动子使GUS报告基因在盐处理下表达量显著提高,且主要在根系表达。本研究成功克隆了耐盐遗传改良专用启动子,为小麦分子抗逆育种提供了优异资源。     

小麦Na+/H+反转运蛋白基因的克隆和特性

以水稻(Oryza sativa L.) Na+/H+反转运蛋白cDNA片段为探针,从小麦盐胁迫cDNA文库中筛选和克隆了2个小麦Na+/H+反转运蛋白基因,分别命名为TaNHX1 和 TaNHX2.序列分析表明TaNHX1为2 029 bp,包含一个完整的1 638 bp的ORF,编码546个氨基酸,其中含有DIFFIYLLPPI跨膜区.TaNHX2为1 693 bp,包含部分ORF及808 bp的3′-UTR.这2个基因与已知的水稻、拟南芥(Arabidopsis thialiana)和滨藜(Atriplex gmelini)中的同类基因NHX的相似性约为70%.RT-PCR分析表明小麦苗经400 mmol/L NaCl处理1 h后,TaNHX1的转录水平有所提高.     

The 14-3-3 proteins in regulation of cellular metabolism

Thirty years ago, it was discovered that 14-3-3 proteins could activate enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. In the following decades, 14-3-3s have been shown to be involved in many different signaling pathways that modulate cellular and whole body energy and nutrient homeostasis. Large scale screening for cellular binding partners of 14-3-3 has identified numerous proteins that participate in regulation of metabolic pathways, although only a minority of these targets have yet been subject to detailed studies. Because of the wide distribution of potential 14-3-3 targets and the resurging interest in metabolic pathway control in diseases like cancer, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, we review the role of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of core and specialized cellular metabolic functions. We cite illustrative examples of 14-3-3 action through their direct modulation of individual enzymes and through regulation of master switches in cellular pathways, such as insulin signaling, mTOR- and AMP dependent kinase signaling pathways, as well as regulation of autophagy. We further illustrate the quantitative impact of 14-3-3 association on signal response at the target protein level and we discuss implications of recent findings showing 14-3-3 protein membrane binding of target proteins.