Conformational control of the Ste5 scaffold protein insulates against MAP kinase misactivation

Cells reuse signaling proteins in multiple pathways, raising the potential for improper cross talk. Scaffold proteins are thought to insulate against such miscommunication by sequestering proteins into distinct physical complexes. We show that the scaffold protein Ste5, which organizes the yeast mating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, does not use sequestration to prevent misactivation of the mating response. Instead, Ste5 appears to use a conformation mechanism: Under basal conditions, an intramolecular interaction of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain with the von Willebrand type A (VWA) domain blocks the ability to coactivate the mating-specific MAPK Fus3. Pheromone-induced membrane binding of Ste5 triggers release of this autoinhibition. Thus, in addition to serving as a conduit guiding kinase communication, Ste5 directly receives input information to decide if and when signal can be transmitted to mating output.     

Rewiring MAP kinase pathways using alternative scaffold assembly mechanisms

How scaffold proteins control information flow in signaling pathways is poorly understood: Do they simply tether components, or do they precisely orient and activate them? We found that the yeast mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase scaffold Ste5 is tolerant to major stereochemical perturbations; heterologous protein interactions could functionally replace native kinase recruitment interactions, indicating that simple tethering is largely sufficient for scaffold-mediated signaling. Moreover, by engineering a scaffold that tethers a unique kinase set, we could create a synthetic MAP kinase pathway with non-natural input-output properties. These findings demonstrate that scaffolds are highly flexible organizing factors that can facilitate pathway evolution and engineering.     

水稻纹枯病菌MAPK级联信号途径分析及信号通路模型预测

MAPK级联信号途径在植物病原真菌的生长、发育、繁殖及致病性等方面起着重要作用。根据已公布的5个水稻纹枯病菌(Rhizoctonia solani)全基因组数据利用生物信息学方法对该病原菌的MAPK(mitogenactivated protein kinase)级联信号途径基因进行了鉴定,并预测水稻纹枯病菌MAPK级联途径图。蛋白结构域和motif分析结果表明,水稻纹枯病菌的MAPK信号途径基因均含有丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶结构域,并且基因序列具有较高保守性。多重序列比对结果表明,水稻纹枯病菌基因组中存在11个MAPKKK基因,分属于Ste11、Bck1和Ssk2类;10个MAPKK基因,分别为Ste7、Pbs2及Mkk1类;12个MAPK基因,被分类为Kss1/Fus3、Hog1、Slt2和Ime2。在5个水稻纹枯病菌基因组中,水稻纹枯病菌(taxid:456999)和AG-3 Rhs 1 AP(taxid:1086054)基因组中存在Kss1/Fus3-MAPK、Hog1-MAPK、Slt2-MAPK和Ime2-MAPK信号通路,AG-1 IB(taxid:1108050)基因组中存在Kss1/Fus3-MAPK、Hog1-MAPK和Slt2-MAPK通路,AG-8 WAC10335(taxid:1287689)基因组中仅存在Hog1-MAPK通路,而AG-1 IA(taxid:983506)基因组中只有2个MAPKKK基因未找到完整的信号通路。依据上述研究结果预测了水稻纹枯病菌的Kss1/Fus3、Hog1、Slt2和Ime2级联途径模型,此结果为深入研究水稻纹枯病菌的MAPK家族功能奠定了重要的理论基础。     

Feedback loops shape cellular signals in space and time

Positive and negative feedback loops are common regulatory elements in biological signaling systems. We discuss core feedback motifs that have distinct roles in shaping signaling responses in space and time. We also discuss approaches to experimentally investigate feedback loops in signaling systems.     

Interlinked fast and slow positive feedback loops drive reliable cell decisions

Positive feedback is a ubiquitous signal transduction motif that allows systems to convert graded inputs into decisive, all-or-none outputs. Here we investigate why the positive feedback switches that regulate polarization of budding yeast, calcium signaling, Xenopus oocyte maturation, and various other processes use multiple interlinked loops rather than single positive feedback loops. Mathematical simulations revealed that linking fast and slow positive feedback loops creates a "dual-time" switch that is both rapidly inducible and resistant to noise in the upstream signaling system.     

Mechanism of divergent growth factor effects in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation

Closely related signals often lead to very different cellular outcomes. We found that the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into bone-forming cells is stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) but not platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to comprehensively compare proteins that were tyrosine phosphorylated in response to EGF and PDGF and their associated partners. More than 90% of these signaling proteins were used by both ligands, whereas the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway was exclusively activated by PDGF, implicating it as a possible control point. Indeed, chemical inhibition of PI3K in PDGF-stimulated cells removed the differential effect of the two growth factors, bestowing full differentiation effect onto PDGF. Thus, quantitative proteomics can directly compare entire signaling networks and discover critical differences capable of changing cell fate.     

A model for neuronal competition during development

We report that developmental competition between sympathetic neurons for survival is critically dependent on a sensitization process initiated by target innervation and mediated by a series of feedback loops. Target-derived nerve growth factor (NGF) promoted expression of its own receptor TrkA in mouse and rat neurons and prolonged TrkA-mediated signals. NGF also controlled expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-4, which, through the receptor p75, can kill neighboring neurons with low retrograde NGF-TrkA signaling whereas neurons with high NGF-TrkA signaling are protected. Perturbation of any of these feedback loops disrupts the dynamics of competition. We suggest that three target-initiated events are essential for rapid and robust competition between neurons: sensitization, paracrine apoptotic signaling, and protection from such effects.     

半番鸭与番鸭精巢组织差异表达转录组测序分析

【目的】研究半番鸭与番鸭精巢组织转录组差异表达基因,为进一步阐明半番鸭不育的遗传机制奠定理论基础。【方法】利用转录组测序方法对半番鸭和番鸭的精巢组织进行研究,筛选其差异表达基因,并对其功能进行注释和荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,QRT-PCR)验证。【结果】测序共获得43.84Gb Clean Data,组装后共获得193 535条Unigene。DESeq分析发现3 597个基因在两个鸭品种间差异表达,其中上调基因1 194个和下调基因2 403个,包括与生殖功能相关的基因,如成纤维细胞生长因子(fibroblast growth factor,FGF)、蛋白激酶A(protein kinase A,PKA)、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶7(mitogen-activated protein kinase 7-like,partial,BMK)、生长因子受体结合蛋白2(growth factor receptor-bound protein 2,GRB2)、c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)和肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族成员6(tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6,FAS)等。GO(gene Ontology)分析发现382个差异基因获得功能注释,其中97个基因涉及发育繁殖生物学过程。KEGG(kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes)通路分析表明差异表达基因共富集到50条信号通路中,其中17个通路显著富集,包括丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导通路(mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway,MAPK)、甘油酯代谢(glycerolipid metabolism)以及钙信号途径(calcium signaling pathway)信号通路等,与生殖功能密切相关的有促性腺激素释放激素信号通路(gonadotropin releasing hormone(Gn RH)signaling pathway)和MAPK信号转导通路。经QRT-PCR验证,差异基因表达变化模式与转录组测序结果一致,测序结果可靠。【结论】在转录组水平上筛选出半番鸭和番鸭精巢组织差异表达基因,揭示了Gn RH和MAPK信号通路在鸭的生殖活动中发挥了重要作用,为进一步探索半番鸭生殖系统的分化机理提供可靠的参考依据。     

Redox regulation of germline and vulval development in Caenorhabditis elegans

In vitro studies have indicated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the oxidation of signaling molecules are important mediators of signal transduction. We have identified two pathways by which the altered redox chemistry of the clk-1 mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans acts in vivo on germline development. One pathway depends on the oxidation of an analog of vertebrate low density lipoprotein (LDL) and acts on the germline through the Ack-related tyrosine kinase (ARK-1) kinase and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) signaling. The other pathway is the oncogenic ras signaling pathway, whose action on germline as well as vulval development appears to be modulated by cytoplasmic ROS.     

脑心肌炎病毒VP1蛋白抑制Ⅰ型IFN信号通路和促进病毒体外增殖

脑心肌炎病毒是一种重要的人畜共患病病原,为了初步研究EMCV介导的天然免疫反应的分子机制,将VP1蛋白克隆至真核表达载体pCMV-HA,转染HEK293细胞后,使其在细胞内过表达,通过ELISA和实时荧光定量PCR检测VP1过表达对IFN-β表达和RLRs信号通路相关因子,以及下游刺激基因表达的影响。结果表明,VP1蛋白可显著抑制IFN-β的表达。进一步研究发现,VP1可显著抑制EMCV引起的RLRs信号通路相关因子mRNA水平(P<0.01),并且随着VP1的表达,MAVS蛋白的表达明显减少,但对MDA5表达无影响。实验数据初步表明,VP1蛋白可以通过抑制MAVS的表达,进而抑制Ⅰ型IFN基因的表达并阻断其下游信号通路发挥作用。     

Specificity of Drosophila cytonemes for distinct signaling pathways

Cytonemes are types of filopodia in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc that are proposed to serve as conduits in which morphogen signaling proteins move between producing and target cells. We investigated the specificity of cytonemes that are made by target cells. Cells in wing discs made cytonemes that responded specifically to Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and cells in eye discs made cytonemes that responded specifically to Spitz (the Drosophila epidermal growth factor protein). Tracheal cells had at least two types: one made in response to Branchless (a Drosophila fibroblast growth factor protein, Bnl), to which they segregate the Bnl receptor, and another to which they segregate the Dpp receptor. We conclude that cells can make several types of cytonemes, each of which responds specifically to a signaling pathway by means of the selective presence of a particular signaling protein receptor that has been localized to that cytoneme.     

野生罗非鱼响应低温胁迫的脑组织转录组测序分析

【目的】比较低温胁迫下野生罗非鱼和养殖吉富罗非鱼的基因表达模式,揭示野生罗非鱼低温应答的特有分子调控机制,为后续开展野生罗非鱼耐冷亲本大范围筛选打下基础。【方法】挑选规格相近的野生罗非鱼和养殖吉富罗非鱼进行梯度降温试验,水温先以1℃/12 h的速度从26℃降至14℃,并保持288 h（12 d）,于26℃、20℃及14℃保持0、120和288 h等5个时间点分别解剖罗非鱼采集脑组织样品,构建cDNA文库后以Illumina HiSeq×Ten测序平台进行双端测序及比较转录组分析,并采用实时荧光定量PCR对具有重要功能的差异表达基因（DEGs）进行表达验证。【结果】野生罗非鱼在11℃时开始出现死亡个体,但在8℃时仍有50.0%的存活个体,说明野生罗非鱼较养殖吉富罗非鱼具有更强的低温耐受能力。在14℃的长时间低温胁迫过程中,养殖吉富罗非鱼脑组织中表达显著上调的差异表达基因数量约是野生罗非鱼的10倍,即养殖吉富罗非鱼的应激反应远比野生罗非鱼强烈。KEGG信号通路富集分析结果显示,养殖吉富罗非鱼和野生罗非鱼在14℃保持120和288 h的上调差异表达基因均富集到核糖体发生、内质网蛋白加工及剪接体信号等信号通路上,野生罗非鱼的上调差异表达基因还额外富集到核苷酸切除修复、N-糖基化生物合成和DNA复制信号等通路上。与养殖吉富罗非鱼相比,在野生罗非鱼中发现577个特有的差异表达基因,主要富集在NOD受体信号通路、凋亡和内吞等通路上,且表现为NOD受体信号通路被启动,而细胞凋亡受抑制。在野生罗非鱼中,参与NOD受体信号通路的关键功能基因（Nemo、NFκB、p38、JNK和IL-1β）在长时间低温胁迫中均维持在一个较高的表达水平,而内吞途径关键基因的表达上升倍数也明显高于养殖吉富罗非鱼。【结论】野生罗非鱼通过避免过度的应激反应和维持低水平代谢的细胞稳定以减轻低温胁迫对机体的损伤,并持续启动NOD受体信号通路及内吞途径以维持其免疫能力,而具有较养殖罗非鱼更强的低温耐受力。     

金针菇JA/SA信号通路基因鉴定及其对外源JA/SA应答

本研究鉴定了金针菇茉莉酸(JA)信号通路的4个关键基因:COI1、PDF1.2、MYC2-1、MYC2-2与水杨酸(SA)信号通路的4个关键基因:PR1-1、PR1-2、NPR1-1、NPR1-2。NBT染色法和荧光定量结果表明,金针菇JA/SA信号通路可应答外源JA/SA,50μmol·L~(-1)外源JA和500μmol·L~(-1)外源SA处理金针菇菌丝12h可显著提高JA/SA信号通路基因的转录水平,基因PDF1.2响应JA诱导最明显,可作为JA信号通路标记基因;JA/SA信号转导途径间存在协同或拮抗作用:SA信号转导通路中NPR1蛋白对JA信号转导通路中PDF1.2基因表达有抑制作用,外源JA/SA的相对浓度决定其作用的强弱。