Caspases 3 and 7: key mediators of mitochondrial events of apoptosis

The current model of apoptosis holds that upstream signals lead to activation of downstream effector caspases. We generated mice deficient in the two effectors, caspase 3 and caspase 7, which died immediately after birth with defects in cardiac development. Fibroblasts lacking both enzymes were highly resistant to both mitochondrial and death receptor-mediated apoptosis, displayed preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and had defective nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Furthermore, the early apoptotic events of Bax translocation and cytochrome c release were also delayed. We conclude that caspases 3 and 7 are critical mediators of mitochondrial events of apoptosis.     

Ceramide biogenesis is required for radiation-induced apoptosis in the germ line of C. elegans

Ceramide engagement in apoptotic pathways has been a topic of controversy. To address this controversy, we tested loss-of-function (lf) mutants of conserved genes of sphingolipid metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Although somatic (developmental) apoptosis was unaffected, ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis of germ cells was obliterated upon inactivation of ceramide synthase and restored upon microinjection of long-chain natural ceramide. Radiation-induced increase in the concentration of ceramide localized to mitochondria and was required for BH3-domain protein EGL-1-mediated displacement of CED-4 (an APAF-1-like protein) from the CED-9 (a Bcl-2 family member)/CED-4 complex, an obligate step in activation of the CED-3 caspase. These studies define CEP-1 (the worm homolog of the tumor suppressor p53)-mediated accumulation of EGL-1 and ceramide synthase-mediated generation of ceramide through parallel pathways that integrate at mitochondrial membranes to regulate stress-induced apoptosis.     

细胞凋亡对宰后肌肉嫩化作用机理的研究进展

嫩度是决定肉食用品质的重要指标。宰后肉的嫩度发生不连续变化,严重降低了消费者的购买意愿,因此阐明宰后嫩化机理一直是肉品科学领域的研究热点。自“凋亡”的概念引入至宰后肌肉嫩化过程后一直广受关注,动物被屠宰放血后,活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）大量累积,ATP（adenosine triphosphate）逐渐耗尽,必然导致细胞死亡。宰后肌细胞死亡和肌肉嫩化都是在一系列调控因子作用下激活肌肉内源酶,并由内源酶水解蛋白质破坏细胞结构,因此这两个生化过程被认为高度相关。本文综述了宰后肌细胞主要以凋亡的形式死亡,分析了除凋亡外,宰后早期产生少量ROS时细胞会通过自噬启动自身防御系统,宰后后期ATP逐渐耗尽肌细胞可能从凋亡转变为坏死;明确了线粒体通路是宰后肌肉中细胞凋亡酶激活的关键路径,线粒体死亡因子释放是细胞内死亡级联反应的总开关,其开放状态直接决定着细胞以何种途径进行死亡,并进一步从线粒体膜通透化和内膜嵴重构两方面,讨论了宰后线粒体损伤诱导凋亡因子的释放机理;综述了线粒体损伤变化及其对嫩化过程的影响,并从线粒体通过参与能量代谢影响肌肉pH以及通过释放凋亡因子调控细胞凋亡酶活性两方面分析了其潜在机理;探讨了宰后肌肉线粒体与内质网间相互作用以影响Ca²⁺信号传导以及细胞凋亡过程,或与溶酶体相互作用,破坏溶酶体膜稳定性,使其释放组织蛋白酶以激活线粒体Bax和Bid而加速线粒体膜通透性;综述了细胞凋亡酶在宰后早期被激活,并参与部分肌原纤维蛋白的有限降解,但随着宰后时间的延长,ATP逐渐耗尽等因素导致细胞凋亡酶失活,因此细胞凋亡酶只参与宰后早期的嫩化过程。综述内容可为完善宰后肌肉嫩化过程提供理论参考。     

Postfertilization autophagy of sperm organelles prevents paternal mitochondrial DNA transmission

In sexual reproduction of most animals, the spermatozoon provides DNA and centrioles, together with some cytoplasm and organelles, to the oocyte that is being fertilized. Paternal mitochondria and their genomes are generally eliminated in the embryo by an unknown degradation mechanism. We show that, upon fertilization, a Caenorhabditis elegans spermatozoon triggers the recruitment of autophagosomes within minutes and subsequent paternal mitochondria degradation. Whereas the nematode-specific sperm membranous organelles are ubiquitinated before autophagosome formation, the mitochondria are not. The degradation of both paternal structures and mitochondrial DNA requires an LC3-dependent autophagy. Analysis of fertilized mouse embryos shows the localization of autophagy markers, which suggests that this autophagy event is evolutionarily conserved to prevent both the transmission of paternal mitochondrial DNA to the offspring and the establishment of heteroplasmy.     

Mitochondrial DNA mutations, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mammalian aging

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate in tissues of mammalian species and have been hypothesized to contribute to aging. We show that mice expressing a proofreading-deficient version of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase g (POLG) accumulate mtDNA mutations and display features of accelerated aging. Accumulation of mtDNA mutations was not associated with increased markers of oxidative stress or a defect in cellular proliferation, but was correlated with the induction of apoptotic markers, particularly in tissues characterized by rapid cellular turnover. The levels of apoptotic markers were also found to increase during aging in normal mice. Thus, accumulation of mtDNA mutations that promote apoptosis may be a central mechanism driving mammalian aging.     

捻转血矛线虫肌动蛋白基因的克隆与表达及其DNA疫苗的构建

根据秀丽新杆线虫等其他几种线虫的肌动蛋白(Actin)开放阅读框(ORF)设计简并引物,以捻转血矛线虫总RNA为模板,合成cDNA,用RT-PCR方法扩增出约为1 100 bp的DNA片段。将该片段克隆到T载体后进行序列测定和分析,结果表明该基因的ORF为1 131 bp,与秀丽新杆线虫、新杆状线虫、肿孔古柏线虫等的同源性高达86%以上,推导出其蛋白质序列含有376个氨基酸,与胎生网尾线虫、秀丽新杆线虫、新杆状线虫、马来丝虫等的肌动蛋白相似性均为98%以上,说明成功克隆了捻转血矛线虫actin基因。将捻转血矛线虫肌动蛋白基因的ORF克隆到pET-28a(+)中,构建了原核表达载体,用IPTG进行诱导表达。SDS-PAGE分析发现,该基因获得了表达,且以包涵体的形式存在,融合蛋白相对分子质量约46×103。以此重组蛋白为抗原,用自然感染捻转血矛线虫山羊血清为第一抗体进行Western blot分析,结果出现1条特异性条带,表明捻转血矛线虫Actin蛋白在自然感染过程中能被宿主的免疫系统识别,可能是一种天然抗原。用纯化重组Actin蛋白免疫小鼠,制备抗血清,以该血清为第一抗体进行Western blot,结果发现该血清能识别捻转血矛线虫成虫蛋白谱中相对分子质量约为42×103的蛋白条带。将捻转血矛线虫actin基因亚克隆到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了DNA疫苗pVAX1-ACT,动物免疫试验结果表明该DNA疫苗在机体内获得了表达。     

Critical role of cytochrome c1 and its cleavage in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus nonstructural protein 4-induced cell apoptosis via interaction with nsp4

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV) actively induces cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo,which can contribute critically to viral pathogenesis.Previous studies have shown that the PRRSV nonstructural protein 4(nsp4) is an important mediator of this process,but the underlying molecular details remain poorly understood.In this study,we found that the PRRSV nsp4 interacted with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein cytochrome c1(cyto.c1) and induced its proteolytic cleavage.Interestingly,the cleaved N-terminal fragment of cyto.c1 was found to exert apoptotic activity,which could cause mitochondrial fragmentation,resulting in apoptotic cell death.And RNA interference(RNAi) silencing experiments further confirmed the crucial role which cyto.c1 played in nsp4-and PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis.Thus,our data provide an important piece of mechanistic clues for PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis and also elucidate a novel mechanism for the 3 C-like proteases in this finding.     

Caenorhabditis elegans p53: role in apoptosis, meiosis, and stress resistance

We have identified a homolog of the mammalian p53 tumor suppressor protein in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that is expressed ubiquitously in embryos. The gene encoding this protein, cep-1, promotes DNA damage-induced apoptosis and is required for normal meiotic chromosome segregation in the germ line. Moreover, although somatic apoptosis is unaffected, cep-1 mutants show hypersensitivity to hypoxia-induced lethality and decreased longevity in response to starvation-induced stress. Overexpression of CEP-1 promotes widespread caspase-independent cell death, demonstrating the critical importance of regulating p53 function at appropriate levels. These findings show that C. elegans p53 mediates multiple stress responses in the soma, and mediates apoptosis and meiotic chromosome segregation in the germ line.     

Protein kinase C beta and prolyl isomerase 1 regulate mitochondrial effects of the life-span determinant p66Shc

The 66-kilodalton isoform of the growth factor adapter Shc (p66Shc) translates oxidative damage into cell death by acting as reactive oxygen species (ROS) producer within mitochondria. However, the signaling link between cellular stress and mitochondrial proapoptotic activity of p66Shc was not known. We demonstrate that protein kinase C beta, activated by oxidative conditions in the cell, induces phosphorylation of p66Shc and triggers mitochondrial accumulation of the protein after it is recognized by the prolyl isomerase Pin1. Once imported, p66Shc causes alterations of mitochondrial Ca2+ responses and three-dimensional structure, thus inducing apoptosis. These data identify a signaling route that activates an apoptotic inducer shortening the life span and could be a potential target of pharmacological approaches to inhibit aging.     

微囊藻毒素缺氧/厌氧降解产物Adda对秀丽线虫的毒性

微囊藻毒素(MCs)在缺氧/厌氧条件下可以被湖泊沉积物中的土著微生物降解,产生并积累一种降解产物Adda。为了揭示该降解过程的环境安全性,以秀丽线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans)作为模式生物研究了MCs缺氧/厌氧降解产物Adda的毒性。结果表明,低浓度Adda(≤0.05μmol·L-1)暴露对秀丽线虫各项指标均无显著影响,而0.1μmol·L-1的Adda可显著降低线虫的头部和身体摆动频率,说明Adda对线虫运动能力影响较大。当Adda暴露浓度达到0.5μmol·L-1时,可显著影响线虫的寿命、发育、运动能力和生殖能力,但是对畸形率没有显著影响。这些结果说明,Adda的毒性远小于MCLR,因此缺氧/厌氧降解可以有效降低MCLR的毒性。但是考虑到高浓度Adda具有一定毒性,如果Adda大量积累仍可能造成一定的生态影响。     

BAX and BAK regulation of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+: a control point for apoptosis

BAX and BAK are "multidomain" proapoptotic proteins that initiate mitochondrial dysfunction but also localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient for BAX and BAK (DKO cells) were found to have a reduced resting concentration of calcium in the ER ([Ca2+]er) that results in decreased uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria after Ca2+ release from the ER. Expression of SERCA (sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase) corrected [Ca2+]er and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in DKO cells, restoring apoptotic death in response to agents that release Ca2+ from intracellular stores (such as arachidonic acid, C2-ceramide, and oxidative stress). In contrast, targeting of BAX to mitochondria selectively restored apoptosis to "BH3-only" signals. A third set of stimuli, including many intrinsic signals, required both ER-released Ca2+ and the presence of mitochondrial BAX or BAK to fully restore apoptosis. Thus, BAX and BAK operate in both the ER and mitochondria as an essential gateway for selected apoptotic signals.     

利用线粒体DNA(mtDNA)鉴别玉米各类不育胞质种子的研究

提取黑暗中培养的玉米雄性不育胞质材料Ｔ群、Ｃ群、Ｓ群、ＹⅡ－１型和正常可育胞质的黄化苗体内的线粒体ＤＮＡ（ｍｔＤＮＡ）,通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析未经酶切和酶切（限制性核酸内切酶分别为ｘｈｏＩ和ＢａｍＨＩ）的ｍｔＤＮＡ的电泳特性。发现：Ｔ群、Ｃ群、Ｓ群以及ＹⅡ－１型彼此ｍｔＤＮＡ组成上都存在差异。据此,可用ｍｔＤＮＡ鉴别玉米各类不育胞质种子。     

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Maize

14 isoplasmic and allonuclear cytoplasmic male sterile lines were used as female parents, 8 tester lines as male parents, 101 F1 progenies were obtained. Fertility restoration response of 101 F1 progenies were investigated through field observation and pollen stainability examination under microscope. 14 isoplasmic and allonuclear cytoplasmic male sterile lines were developed by repeated backcross with recurrent male parent lines for more than 8 generations. The result shows: tester line Zifeng1 not only restored the isoplasmic and allonuclear sterile lines of group C backcrossed with Mo17, Yu30 and Heer, but also completely restored the isoplasmic and allonuclear cytoplasm male sterile lines of group T backcrossed with Mo17, HZS , 1792 ,292 and Yu30. Therefore, nuclear background limits the use of Zifeng1 as a tester for identification of cytoplasmic male sterility. Furthermore RFLPs of mitochondrial DNA of 6 isonuclear and alloplasmic cytoplasmic male sterile lines were analyzed with Bam H Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ restriction endonuclease and mitochondrial DNA probes pBcmH3 and Cox Ⅱ. The same RFLPs were found within sterile cytoplasm of group C, including C,Chuan G, Lei 2 and Lei 3, but a different RFLP pattern was observed among sterile cytoplasm of group S, C,T and the normal cytoplasm. This result suggested that the RFLP markers tightly linked to sterile mitochondrial genes of different groups could be applied in the identifcation of cytoplasmic male sterility.     

运动、胸腺细胞凋亡与机制研究

主要通过文献资料法,对细胞凋亡的机制及运动与胸腺细胞凋亡的关系等进行了述评,其中细胞凋亡与死亡受体信号转导途径、细胞凋亡与线粒体凋亡途径和细胞凋亡与内质网凋亡途径是本文论述的重点。结果显示,有关胸腺细胞凋亡的死亡受体信号转导途径机制和线粒体机制研究不多,有关胸腺细胞凋亡的内质网机制甚少。现有研究显示运动诱导胸腺细胞凋亡与线粒体凋亡途径关系密切,其他有待进一步研究证实。     

VDAC2 inhibits BAK activation and mitochondrial apoptosis

The multidomain proapoptotic molecules BAK or BAX are required to initiate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. How cells maintain the potentially lethal proapoptotic effector BAK in a monomeric inactive conformation at mitochondria is unknown. In viable cells, we found BAK complexed with mitochondrial outer-membrane protein VDAC2, a VDAC isoform present in low abundance that interacts specifically with the inactive conformer of BAK. Cells deficient in VDAC2, but not cells lacking the more abundant VDAC1, exhibited enhanced BAK oligomerization and were more susceptible to apoptotic death. Conversely, overexpression of VDAC2 selectively prevented BAK activation and inhibited the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Death signals activate "BH3-only" molecules such as tBID, BIM, or BAD, which displace VDAC2 from BAK, enabling homo-oligomerization of BAK and apoptosis. Thus, VDAC2, an isoform restricted to mammals, regulates the activity of BAK and provides a connection between mitochondrial physiology and the core apoptotic pathway.     

A conserved checkpoint monitors meiotic chromosome synapsis in Caenorhabditis elegans

We report the discovery of a checkpoint that monitors synapsis between homologous chromosomes to ensure accurate meiotic segregation. Oocytes containing unsynapsed chromosomes selectively undergo apoptosis even if a germline DNA damage checkpoint is inactivated. This culling mechanism is specifically activated by unsynapsed pairing centers, cis-acting chromosome sites that are also required to promote synapsis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Apoptosis due to synaptic failure also requires the C. elegans homolog of PCH2, a budding yeast pachytene checkpoint gene, which suggests that this surveillance mechanism is widely conserved.     

Cell corpse engulfment mediated by C. elegans phosphatidylserine receptor through CED-5 and CED-12

During apoptosis, phosphatidylserine, which is normally restricted to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, is exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells and has been suggested to act as an "eat-me" signal to trigger phagocytosis. It is unclear how phagocytes recognize phosphatidylserine. Recently, a putative phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) was identified and proposed to mediate recognition of phosphatidylserine and phagocytosis. We report that psr-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of PSR, is important for cell corpse engulfment. In vitro PSR-1 binds preferentially phosphatidylserine or cells with exposed phosphatidylserine. In C. elegans, PSR-1 acts in the same cell corpse engulfment pathway mediated by intracellular signaling molecules CED-2 (homologous to the human CrkII protein), CED-5 (DOCK180), CED-10 (Rac GTPase), and CED-12 (ELMO), possibly through direct interaction with CED-5 and CED-12. Our findings suggest that PSR-1 is likely an upstream receptor for the signaling pathway containing CED-2, CED-5, CED-10, and CED-12 proteins and plays an important role in recognizing phosphatidylserine during phagocytosis.     

Mediation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1-dependent cell death by apoptosis-inducing factor

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) protects the genome by functioning in the DNA damage surveillance network. PARP-1 is also a mediator of cell death after ischemia-reperfusion injury, glutamate excitotoxicity, and various inflammatory processes. We show that PARP-1 activation is required for translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the nucleus and that AIF is necessary for PARP-1-dependent cell death. N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, H2O2, and N-methyl-d-aspartate induce AIF translocation and cell death, which is prevented by PARP inhibitors or genetic knockout of PARP-1, but is caspase independent. Microinjection of an antibody to AIF protects against PARP-1-dependent cytotoxicity. These data support a model in which PARP-1 activation signals AIF release from mitochondria, resulting in a caspase-independent pathway of programmed cell death.     

棉酚对多浪羊淋巴细胞凋亡及其对核酸降解的研究

 主要通过使用RPMI 1640培养基培养淋巴细胞、瑞氏—吉姆萨染色、DNA和RNA电泳等方法来研究棉酚对多浪羊淋巴细胞的凋亡效应和对淋巴细胞核酸影响。研究结果表明,经瑞氏—吉姆萨染色4h淋巴细胞出现凋亡小体;DNA和RNA通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测在4h分别出现梯状条带和18S降解。可见,当细胞培养液中棉酚浓度为1.35μmol/L,培养淋巴细胞4h后,可抑制多浪羊淋巴细胞的增殖,并且促进凋亡及其核酸的降解。     

Degradation of paternal mitochondria by fertilization-triggered autophagy in C. elegans embryos

The mitochondrial genome is believed to be maternally inherited in many eukaryotes. Sperm-derived paternal mitochondria enter the oocyte cytoplasm upon fertilization and then normally disappear during early embryogenesis. However, the mechanism responsible for this clearance has been unknown. Here, we show that autophagy, which delivers cytosolic components to lysosomes for degradation, is required for the elimination of paternal mitochondria in Caenorhabditis elegans. Immediately after fertilization, sperm-derived components trigger the localized induction of autophagy around sperm mitochondria. Autophagosomes engulf paternal mitochondria, resulting in their lysosomal degradation during early embryogenesis. In autophagy-defective zygotes, paternal mitochondria and their genome remain even in the first larval stage. Thus, fertilization-triggered autophagy is required for selective degradation of paternal mitochondria and thereby maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA.