Phosphorylation of ULK1 (hATG1) by AMP-activated protein kinase connects energy sensing to mitophagy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved sensor of intracellular energy activated in response to low nutrient availability and environmental stress. In a screen for conserved substrates of AMPK, we identified ULK1 and ULK2, mammalian orthologs of the yeast protein kinase Atg1, which is required for autophagy. Genetic analysis of AMPK or ULK1 in mammalian liver and Caenorhabditis elegans revealed a requirement for these kinases in autophagy. In mammals, loss of AMPK or ULK1 resulted in aberrant accumulation of the autophagy adaptor p62 and defective mitophagy. Reconstitution of ULK1-deficient cells with a mutant ULK1 that cannot be phosphorylated by AMPK revealed that such phosphorylation is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and cell survival during starvation. These findings uncover a conserved biochemical mechanism coupling nutrient status with autophagy and cell survival.     

GSK3-TIP60-ULK1 signaling pathway links growth factor deprivation to autophagy

In metazoans, cells depend on extracellular growth factors for energy homeostasis. We found that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), when deinhibited by default in cells deprived of growth factors, activates acetyltransferase TIP60 through phosphorylating TIP60-Ser(86), which directly acetylates and stimulates the protein kinase ULK1, which is required for autophagy. Cells engineered to express TIP60(S86A) that cannot be phosphorylated by GSK3 could not undergo serum deprivation-induced autophagy. An acetylation-defective mutant of ULK1 failed to rescue autophagy in ULK1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Cells used signaling from GSK3 to TIP60 and ULK1 to regulate autophagy when deprived of serum but not glucose. These findings uncover an activating pathway that integrates protein phosphorylation and acetylation to connect growth factor deprivation to autophagy.     

Autophagy genes are essential for dauer development and life-span extension in C. elegans

Both dauer formation (a stage of developmental arrest) and adult life-span in Caenorhabditis elegans are negatively regulated by insulin-like signaling, but little is known about cellular pathways that mediate these processes. Autophagy, through the sequestration and delivery of cargo to the lysosomes, is the major route for degrading long-lived proteins and cytoplasmic organelles in eukaryotic cells. Using nematodes with a loss-of-function mutation in the insulin-like signaling pathway, we show that bec-1, the C. elegans ortholog of the yeast and mammalian autophagy gene APG6/VPS30/beclin1, is essential for normal dauer morphogenesis and life-span extension. Dauer formation is associated with increased autophagy and also requires C. elegans orthologs of the yeast autophagy genes APG1, APG7, APG8, and AUT10. Thus, autophagy is a cellular pathway essential for dauer development and life-span extension in C. elegans.     

黄曲霉毒素B1诱导MEK/ERK/ROS介导的巨噬细胞自噬反应

为研究黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)能否诱导细胞自噬,并初步探讨其可能的作用机制。利用免疫荧光、酶标仪检测、免疫印迹等技术检测经AFB1处理过的细胞的自噬水平、相关蛋白的表达量以及活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)的产生情况。结果表明:AFB1能够引起RAW264.7细胞和Hela细胞的自噬反应,并且该自噬为完全自噬。AFB1诱导的小鼠单核巨噬细胞RAW264.7自噬是依赖细胞外信号调节激酶(Extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK)途径发生的,并受ROS的调节。此外,发现AFB1诱导ROS产生呈浓度依赖性,而ROS抑制剂同时抑制了ROS和自噬发生,但自噬抑制剂并没有有效地抑制ROS的产生,表明ROS处于AFB1诱导自噬的上游,对自噬起到调节作用。这表明AFB1诱导的自噬现象在细胞中普遍存在,而自噬作为机体的免疫机制,在抵抗AFB1毒力侵染的过程中发挥重要作用。     

红细胞免疫与免疫复合物疾病

20世纪90年代,天然免疫研究升温,成了现代免疫学研究前沿,红细胞天然免疫研究又掀起了新的高潮。红细胞具有许多与免疫有关的物质,它们具有识别、黏附、浓缩、杀伤抗原、清除循环免疫复合物,还参与机体免疫的调控。随着免疫学的不断发展、免疫技术的不断改进,免疫复合物疾病越来越引起临床工作者的重视。本文主要研究红细胞对免疫复合物的调控作用,以及红细胞Ⅰ型补体受体(CR1)在循环免疫复合物清除中的作用机理,阐明红细胞CR1数量与活性的改变对免疫复合物疾病的影响。     

AMPK is a direct adenylate charge-regulated protein kinase

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates whole-body and cellular energy balance in response to energy demand and supply. AMPK is an αβγ heterotrimer activated by decreasing concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and increasing AMP concentrations. AMPK activation depends on phosphorylation of the α catalytic subunit on threonine-172 (Thr(172)) by kinases LKB1 or CaMKKβ, and this is promoted by AMP binding to the γ subunit. AMP sustains activity by inhibiting dephosphorylation of α-Thr(172), whereas ATP promotes dephosphorylation. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), like AMP, bound to γ sites 1 and 3 and stimulated α-Thr(172) phosphorylation. However, in contrast to AMP, ADP did not directly activate phosphorylated AMPK. In this way, both ADP/ATP and AMP/ATP ratios contribute to AMPK regulation.     

Helical structures of ESCRT-III are disassembled by VPS4

During intracellular membrane trafficking and remodeling, protein complexes known as the ESCRTs (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) interact with membranes and are required for budding processes directed away from the cytosol, including the budding of intralumenal vesicles to form multivesicular bodies; for the budding of some enveloped viruses; and for daughter cell scission in cytokinesis. We found that the ESCRT-III proteins CHMP2A and CHMP3 (charged multivesicular body proteins 2A and 3) could assemble in vitro into helical tubular structures that expose their membrane interaction sites on the outside of the tubule, whereas the AAA-type adenosine triphosphatase VPS4 could bind on the inside of the tubule and disassemble the tubes upon adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis. CHMP2A and CHMP3 copolymerized in solution, and their membrane targeting was cooperatively enhanced on planar lipid bilayers. Such helical CHMP structures could thus assemble within the neck of an inwardly budding vesicle, catalyzing late steps in budding under the control of VPS4.     

生物钟在蛋鸡排卵-产蛋过程中的调控作用

生物体内源性的昼夜节律使其能够预测周边环境周期性的变化,使机体的内在代谢和周边环境保持一致。在禽类卵泡的成熟、排卵和蛋的形成过程中,不同生理进程在时间上的吻合显示了机体自身以及机体与环境之间的协调统一。动物对营养物质的摄入、内分泌激素的生成、能量代谢等一系列的行为和生理过程都有生物钟参与调控。文章从光照和营养两种因素入手,综述了生物钟在神经内分泌、能量摄入和能量代谢中的调控作用,揭示了蛋鸡的排卵和产蛋机制。1.光信号通过调控生物钟影响下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴(HPG轴),从而调控机体的繁殖活动。在光信号刺激下,位于禽类视交叉上核(SCN)和松果体的中枢生物钟作用于下丘脑,使下丘脑定时性释放促性腺激素释放激素(Gn RH)和促性腺激素抑制激素(Gn IH),Gn RH和Gn IH继而作用于垂体调节释放促性腺激素-促黄体生成素(LH)和促卵泡激素(FSH),卵巢中存在的外周生物钟接受中枢的同步化信号来维持生物节律,促使禽类的卵泡成熟和定时排卵;2.除了受到HPG的神经内分泌调控之外,蛋鸡的排卵-产蛋过程还受到机体能量代谢的影响。中枢和外周的生物钟基因能够调控食欲调节系统,从而影响能量摄入;生物钟能够通过调控代谢过程中重要限速酶的表达、整合核受体和营养信号蛋白、调节代谢感受器和代谢物、影响肠道微生物等途径来调节能量代谢,影响卵黄前体物质的合成、转运和沉积;禽类松果体分泌的褪黑素可通过介导降钙素、甲状旁腺素(PTH)及雌激素分泌,节律性地调节体内钙代谢,影响蛋壳的形成。能量摄入的时间和行为、机体能量代谢和能量状态也可以通过腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体α(PPARα)等一些与食欲调控和能量代谢相关的细胞因子反过来调控生物钟。营养-生物钟-能量代谢三者之间相互作用,使生物体适应环境的能力增强,能量利用达到最优。因此,通过调整进食时间和食物组分(如饲料能量水平和钙水平),能够改变能量代谢从而调节生物钟的功能。将环境(光照管理)和营养(饲喂时间、饲料配方)综合研究并加以运用,使机体生物钟成为连接外部环境信号和内部能量代谢的纽带,既能响应外界环境刺激,又能同时调控机体能量代谢进程,从而使各项生理功能得到更好地发挥,这将为蛋鸡的产蛋调控机制研究提供新的视角。     

Hypothalamic mTOR signaling regulates food intake

The mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) protein is a serine-threonine kinase that regulates cell-cycle progression and growth by sensing changes in energy status. We demonstrated that mTOR signaling plays a role in the brain mechanisms that respond to nutrient availability, regulating energy balance. In the rat, mTOR signaling is controlled by energy status in specific regions of the hypothalamus and colocalizes with neuropeptide Y and proopiomelanocortin neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Central administration of leucine increases hypothalamic mTOR signaling and decreases food intake and body weight. The hormone leptin increases hypothalamic mTOR activity, and the inhibition of mTOR signaling blunts leptin's anorectic effect. Thus, mTOR is a cellular fuel sensor whose hypothalamic activity is directly tied to the regulation of energy intake.     

α-酮戊二酸对脂多糖刺激断奶仔猪肌肉能量代谢的影响

 【目的】研究α-酮戊二酸(AKG)对经脂多糖(LPS)多次刺激后断奶仔猪肌肉能量代谢的影响及其分子机制。【方法】采用2×2因子试验设计,LPS刺激(有、无)和AKG添加量(0、1%)为2个主效应,共4个处理组。选取24头(6.79±0.32)kg的断奶仔猪(杜洛克×长白×大白),随机分配到4个处理组,每个处理设6个重复(猪)。LPS刺激组仔猪在试验的第10、13和15 天腹腔注射100 μg?kg-1 BW LPS,无LPS刺激组注射等量的生理盐水。第16 天仔猪麻醉后进行屠宰,取腓肠肌样品,反相高效液相色谱法检测腓肠肌细胞内腺苷酸水平,Western blotting检测腓肠肌AMP激活蛋白激酶(AMPK)和乙酰CoA羧化酶(ACC)表达及其磷酸化。【结果】()日粮添加1%AKG和LPS刺激对仔猪腓肠肌AMP含量和AMP/ATP的影响存在交互作用(P＜0.05)。仔猪日粮中添加1% AKG能显著提高腓肠肌ADP水平(P＜0.05),缓解了LPS刺激引起的AMP水平和AMP/ATP升高、ADP和能荷(EC)降低(P＜0.05)。(2)LPS刺激和日粮中添加AKG对AMPK表达量和AMPK磷酸化水平(pAMPK/AMPK)均无影响。(3)日粮中添加1% AKG抑制了ACC的磷酸化;LPS刺激使ACC表达量升高(P＜0.05),并促进ACC磷酸化(P＜0.05)。【结论】LPS刺激增加肌肉能量损耗,日粮中添加1% AKG有利于肌肉维持正常的能量代谢;日粮添加AKG通过调控ACC的活性与表达影响肌肉能量代谢;AKG可能通过ACC信号影响肌肉能量代谢,进而改善LPS刺激下机体能量代谢状态。     

Function and molecular mechanism of acetylation in autophagy regulation

Protein acetylation emerged as a key regulatory mechanism for many cellular processes. We used genetic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify Esa1 as a histone acetyltransferase required for autophagy. We further identified the autophagy signaling component Atg3 as a substrate for Esa1. Specifically, acetylation of K19 and K48 of Atg3 regulated autophagy by controlling Atg3 and Atg8 interaction and lipidation of Atg8. Starvation induced transient K19-K48 acetylation through spatial and temporal regulation of the localization of acetylase Esa1 and the deacetylase Rpd3 on pre-autophagosomal structures (PASs) and their interaction with Atg3. Attenuation of K19-K48 acetylation was associated with attenuation of autophagy. Increased K19-K48 acetylation after deletion of the deacetylase Rpd3 caused increased autophagy. Thus, protein acetylation contributes to control of autophagy.     

Cold plasma promotes Sertoli cell proliferation via AMPK–mTOR signaling pathway

This study investigated cold plasmas for multiple biological applications. Our previous work has found dielectric barrier discharge plasma improves chicken sperm quality. The number of Sertoli cells (SCs) decides spermatogenesis. However, whether cold plasma can regulate SC proliferation remains unclear. This study explored the effects of cold plasma on immature chicken SC proliferation and the regulation mechanism. Results showed that cold plasma exposure at 2.4 W for 30 s twice with an interval of 6 h produced (P<0.05) the maximum SC viability, cell growth, and cell cycle progression. SC proliferation-promoting effect of cold plasma treatment was regulated by increasing (P<0.05) the adenosine triphosphate production and the respiratory enzyme activity in the mitochondria. This process was potentially mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which was regulated by the microRNA (miRNA) targeting regulation directly and by the intracellular reactive oxygen species homeostasis indirectly. The cold plasma treatment increased (P<0.01) the miR-7450-5p expression and led to a decreased (P<0.01) AMPKα1 level. On the other hand, miR-100-5p expression was reduced (P<0.05) and led to an increased (P<0.05) mTOR level in SCs. A single-stranded synthetic miR-7450-5p antagomir and a double-stranded synthetic miR-100-5p agomir reduced (P<0.05) the SC proliferation. However, this could be ameliorated (P<0.05) by the cold plasma treatment. Our findings suggest that appropriate cold plasma treatment provides a safe strategy to improve SC proliferation, which is beneficial to elevating male chicken reproductive capacity.     

Essential cytoplasmic translocation of a cytokine receptor-assembled signaling complex

Cytokine signaling is thought to require assembly of multicomponent signaling complexes at cytoplasmic segments of membrane-embedded receptors, in which receptor-proximal protein kinases are activated. Indeed, CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member, forms a complex containing adaptor molecules TRAF2 and TRAF3, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (c-IAP1/2), IkappaB kinase regulatory subunit IKKgamma (also called NEMO), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase MEKK1 upon ligation. TRAF2, Ubc13, and IKKgamma were required for complex assembly and activation of MEKK1 and MAPK cascades. However, these kinases were not activated unless the multicomponent signaling complex translocated from CD40 to the cytosol upon c-IAP1/2-induced degradation of TRAF3. This two-stage signaling mechanism may apply to other innate immune receptors, accounting for spatial and temporal separation of MAPK and IKK signaling.     

FLCN对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖及泌乳功能的影响

FLCN基因参与多种代谢途径和细胞过程,国内外关于FLCN在奶牛乳腺发育过程中表达及调节的研究鲜有报道。应用RNA干扰技术和质粒转染技术改变FLCN基因在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中表达量,流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖,采用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测FLCN对泌乳相关功能基因AMPK、mTOR、CyclinD1、Caspase3和β-酪蛋白表达的影响。结果表明,FLCN正向调节mTOR磷酸化水平,促进乳蛋白合成和细胞增殖,抑制细胞凋亡,负调控能量代谢调节子AMPK。FLCN在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中可通过mTOR信号通路调控细胞增殖及乳蛋白合成,研究对揭示FLCN调控奶牛乳腺上皮细胞增殖和泌乳具有重要作用。     

选择性自噬的研究进展

自噬是真核细胞中高度保守的一种亚细胞降解途径。该途径中,一些损坏、标记的大分子物质(如蛋白质等)或细胞器被自噬体包裹后送入溶酶体(动物)或液泡(酵母和植物)中降解并重新利用。长期以来,人们认为自噬在降解大量的细胞质成分时是一种非选择性的过程。然而,最近几年的研究结果表明,无论是酵母还是高等的真核生物细胞中均存在许多类型的选择性自噬。该研究主要综述了近几年选择性自噬过程与分子机制的研究进展。     

A conserved family of enzymes that phosphorylate inositol hexakisphosphate

Inositol pyrophosphates are a diverse group of high-energy signaling molecules whose cellular roles remain an active area of study. We report a previously uncharacterized class of inositol pyrophosphate synthase and find it is identical to yeast Vip1 and Asp1 proteins, regulators of actin-related protein-2/3 (ARP 2/3) complexes. Vip1 and Asp1 acted as enzymes that encode inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol heptakisphosphate (IP7) kinase activities. Alterations in kinase activity led to defects in cell growth, morphology, and interactions with ARP complex members. The functionality of Asp1 and Vip1 may provide cells with increased signaling capacity through metabolism of IP6.     

Control of nutrient-sensitive transcription programs by the unconventional prefoldin URI

Prefoldins (PFDs) are members of a recently identified, small-molecular weight protein family able to assemble into molecular chaperone complexes. Here we describe an unusually large member of this family, termed URI, that forms complexes with other small-molecular weight PFDs and with RPB5, a shared subunit of all three RNA polymerases. Functional analysis of the yeast and human orthologs of URI revealed that both are targets of nutrient signaling and participate in gene expression controlled by the TOR kinase. Thus, URI is a component of a signaling pathway that coordinates nutrient availability with gene expression.     

Crystal structures of the adenylate sensor from fission yeast AMP-activated protein kinase

The 5'-AMP (adenosine monophosphate)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) coordinates metabolic function with energy availability by responding to changes in intracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and AMP concentrations. Here, we report crystal structures at 2.9 and 2.6 A resolution for ATP- and AMP-bound forms of a core alphabetagamma adenylate-binding domain from the fission yeast AMPK homolog. ATP and AMP bind competitively to a single site in the gamma subunit, with their respective phosphate groups positioned near function-impairing mutants. Unexpectedly, ATP binds without counterions, amplifying its electrostatic effects on a critical regulatory region where all three subunits converge.     

AMP-activated protein kinase regulates neuronal polarization by interfering with PI 3-kinase localization

Axon-dendrite polarization is crucial for neural network wiring and information processing in the brain. Polarization begins with the transformation of a single neurite into an axon and its subsequent rapid extension, which requires coordination of cellular energy status to allow for transport of building materials to support axon growth. We found that activation of the energy-sensing adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway suppressed axon initiation and neuronal polarization. Phosphorylation of the kinesin light chain of the Kif5 motor protein by AMPK disrupted the association of the motor with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), preventing PI3K targeting to the axonal tip and inhibiting polarization and axon growth.