Role of prostacyclin in the cardiovascular response to thromboxane A2

Thromboxane (Tx) A2 is a vasoconstrictor and platelet agonist. Aspirin affords cardioprotection through inhibition of TxA2 formation by platelet cyclooxygenase (COX-1). Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a vasodilator that inhibits platelet function. Here we show that injury-induced vascular proliferation and platelet activation are enhanced in mice that are genetically deficient in the PGI2 receptor (IP) but are depressed in mice genetically deficient in the TxA2 receptor (TP) or treated with a TP antagonist. The augmented response to vascular injury was abolished in mice deficient in both receptors. Thus, PGI2 modulates platelet-vascular interactions in vivo and specifically limits the response to TxA2. This interplay may help explain the adverse cardiovascular effects associated with selective COX-2 inhibitors, which, unlike aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), inhibit PGI2 but not TxA2.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase binds, S-nitrosylates, and activates cyclooxygenase-2

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are two major inflammatory mediators. Here we show that iNOS specifically binds to COX-2 and S-nitrosylates it, enhancing COX-2 catalytic activity. Selectively disrupting iNOS-COX-2 binding prevented NO-mediated activation of COX-2. This synergistic molecular interaction between two inflammatory systems may inform the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.     

Requirement for DARPP-32 in progesterone-facilitated sexual receptivity in female rats and mice

DARPP-32, a dopamine- and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-regulated phosphoprotein (32 kilodaltons in size), is an obligate intermediate in progesterone (P)-facilitated sexual receptivity in female rats and mice. The facilitative effect of P on sexual receptivity in female rats was blocked by antisense oligonucleotides to DARPP-32. Homozygous mice carrying a null mutation for the DARPP-32 gene exhibited minimal levels of P-facilitated sexual receptivity when compared to their wild-type littermates. P significantly increased hypothalamic cAMP levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. These increases were not inhibited by a D1 subclass dopamine receptor antagonist. P also enhanced phosphorylation of DARPP-32 on threonine 34 in the hypothalamus of mice. DARPP-32 activation is thus an obligatory step in progestin receptor regulation of sexual receptivity in rats and mice.     

Prostaglandin E2 promotes colon cancer cell growth through a Gs-axin-beta-catenin signaling axis

How cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its proinflammatory metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) enhance colon cancer progression remains poorly understood. We show that PGE2 stimulates colon cancer cell growth through its heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor, EP2, by a signaling route that involves the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the protein kinase Akt by free G protein betagamma subunits and the direct association of the G protein alphas subunit with the regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain of axin. This leads to the inactivation and release of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta from its complex with axin, thereby relieving the inhibitory phosphorylation of beta-catenin and activating its signaling pathway. These findings may provide a molecular framework for the future evaluation of chemopreventive strategies for colorectal cancer.     

A large deletion within the T-cell receptor beta-chain gene complex in New Zealand white mice

The T-cell receptor beta-chain gene complex contains a duplication of D beta, J beta, and C beta gene segments in mice and man. When DNA from many inbred strains of mice was screened an unusual allele of the beta locus was identified in New Zealand White (NZW) mice. This allele is distinguished by the deletion of an 8.8-kilobase segment of DNA containing C beta 1, D beta 2 and the J beta 2 cluster. Despite the fact that all NZW T-cell receptors must be derived from a single set of beta-chain gene segments, this strain has functional T cells and is phenotypically normal. This deletion of T-cell receptor beta-chain segments occurs in a strain known to contribute to lupus-like autoimmune disease.     

雌激素调控的绿色荧光蛋白在酵母细胞中的表达

采用绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)作为报告基因,用酵母细胞构建环境雌激素(EEH)的评价体系,可敏感、快速、方便地筛选出EEH化合物。通过分子生物学技术,将GFP基因插入到pM P 206/ERE启动子CYC 1的下游,用GFP取代L ac Z基因,并转化于酵母细胞。DNA测序发现ERE-CYC 1-GFP框架正确。对转化子进行PCR鉴定,发现有雌激素受体基因(hER cDNA)和GFP基因特异条带,说明hER cDNA和GFP已重组于酵母细胞。荧光显微镜下发现大量的绿色荧光颗粒,表明GFP基因在酵母细胞中成功表达。酵母细胞经不同浓度雌二醇作用后,与GFP表达量有剂量效应关系。与其他酵母评价体系相比,以GFP为报告基因评价EEH不需要破坏细胞壁,也不需要底物,可在96孔板中完成,这为高通量筛选EEH化合物奠定了基础。     

Females' choice of "good genotypes" as mates is promoted by an insect mating system

Can animal mating systems result in the choice of mates carrying genotypes that are otherwise favored by natural selection? This question is addressed by studying, in natural populations of Colias butterflies, how the phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) enzyme genotype of males mating Colias females varies with degree of female mate discrimination. Certain PGI genotypes (as predicted from their biochemical properties) have been found previously to have an advantage in diverse fitness-related properties: flight capacity, survivorship, and overall mating success. It is shown here that males of these same genotypes have even greater advantage in remating older, more discriminating females than they do in mating previously unmated, less discriminating females. Assortative mating is not found and thus cannot explain this effect. The mating system of these insects does, at least in this case, result in active female choice of generally favorable male genotypes as mates.     

干扰KISS1基因对猪卵巢颗粒细胞功能的影响

【背景】卵泡是卵巢的基本结构和功能单位,其主要功能是排卵和分泌激素。颗粒细胞能促进卵泡发育,其过度凋亡能抑制卵泡发育,诱导卵泡闭锁,进而降低雌性动物发情频率,影响雌性动物繁殖力。现已有研究发现,KISS1在卵巢组织中发挥着重要作用。【目的】研究通过干扰KISS1,以阐释KISS1对猪卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡、周期及分泌雌激素能力的影响,为完善KISS1在猪颗粒细胞中的分子调控机制提供一定的依据。【方法】设计KISS1的干扰片段KISS1-siRNA,转染体外培养的母猪卵巢颗粒细胞,通过实时定量PCR（quantitative real time PCR, qRT-PCR）检测干扰KISS1对母猪卵巢颗粒细胞中磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（phosphoinositide 3-kinase, PI3K）信号通路部分基因转录水平的影响;采用流式检测法、Annexin V- FITC及ELISA技术,分别探究干扰KISS1对颗粒细胞周期、凋亡及雌二醇（estradiol, E₂）分泌量的影响,最后使用qRT-PCR技术检测KISS1对雌激素受体及雌激素信号通路关键基因转录水平的影响。【结果】在猪颗粒细胞内,干扰KISS1后,PI3K通路激活相关基因PIK3CG、PI3CI、PDK1及AKT1转录水平下降,其中关键基因AKT1的转录水平显著降低（P<0.05）,PI3K通路激活抑制相关基因FOXO3、TSC2及BAD转录水平也有所降低;干扰KISS1后,颗粒细胞周期在细胞分裂间期（G0/ G1）阻断,细胞的凋亡率显著上升,细胞中E₂的浓度显著降低（P<0.01）,雌激素受体ESR1和ESR2及雌激素通路的基因Star、CYP17、3B-HSD、17B-HSD和CYP19A转录水平也相应显著下降（P<0.05）。【结论】KISS1能够参与猪颗粒细胞PI3K和雌激素通路,干扰KISS1能够使卵巢颗粒细胞阻滞在细胞分裂间期,促进颗粒细胞凋亡,降低颗粒细胞分泌雌激素的能力,表明KISS1对于卵巢颗粒细胞的分裂与生长、雌激素分泌具有重要作用。     

植物雌激素大豆苷元的药物动力学研究进展

植物雌激素大豆苷元具有抗氧化活性、心血管保护作用、抗癌作用、消炎作用、抗溃疡作用及雌激素等多种药理功能。综述大豆苷元的药物动力学方面的研究进展,为大豆苷元的药剂学研究和发展以大豆苷元为先导物的前药修饰提供科学依据。     

A LAT mutation that inhibits T cell development yet induces lymphoproliferation

Mice homozygous for a single tyrosine mutation in LAT (linker for activation of T cells) exhibited an early block in T cell maturation but later developed a polyclonal lymphoproliferative disorder and signs of autoimmune disease. T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-induced activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) and of nuclear factor of activated T cells, calcium influx, interleukin-2 production, and cell death were reduced or abrogated in T cells from LAT mutant mice. In contrast, TCR-induced Erk activation was intact. These results identify a critical role for integrated PLC-gamma1 and Ras-Erk signaling through LAT in T cell development and homeostasis.     

Sequence and expression of human estrogen receptor complementary DNA

The mechanism by which the estrogen receptor and other steroid hormone receptors regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells is not well understood. In this study, a complementary DNA clone containing the entire translated portion of the messenger RNA for the estrogen receptor from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was sequenced and then expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells to give a functional protein. An open reading frame of 1785 nucleotides in the complementary DNA corresponded to a polypeptide of 595 amino acids and a molecular weight of 66,200, which is in good agreement with published molecular weight values of 65,000 to 70,000 for the estrogen receptor. Homogenates of transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells containing a protein that bound [3H]estradiol and sedimented as a 4S complex in salt-containing sucrose gradients and as an 8 to 9S complex in the absence of salt. Interaction of this receptor-[3H]estradiol complex with a monoclonal antibody that is specific for primate ER confirms the identity of the expressed complementary DNA as human estrogen receptor. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed significant regional homology among the human estrogen receptor, the human glucocorticoid receptor, and the putative v-erbA oncogene product. This suggests that steroid receptor genes and the avian erythroblastosis viral oncogene are derived from a common primordial gene. The homologous region, which is rich in cysteine, lysine, and arginine, may represent the DNA-binding domain of these proteins.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces a yeast substance that exhibits estrogenic activity in mammalian systems

Partially purified lipid extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain a substance that displaces tritiated estradiol from rat uterine cytosol estrogen receptors. The yeast product induces estrogenic bioresponses in mammalian systems as measured by induction of progesterone receptors in cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and by a uterotrophic response and progesterone receptor induction after administration to ovariectomized mice. The findings raise the possibility that bakers' yeast may be a source of environmental estrogens.     

环境雌激素调控的β-半乳糖苷酶酵母细胞的建立

为建立环境雌激素的酵母评价体系,将人工合成的雌激素效应元件插入pMP206质粒的上游,并将该质粒转入人雌激素受体基因重组酵母细胞,使LacZ基因置于雌激素的调控之下,以构建可用于评价环境雌激素的酵母细胞。结果表明：经DNA测序发现pMP206／ERE-LacZ报告质粒DNA框架正确。对转化子进行PCR鉴定,发现有雌激素受体基因和pMP206／ERE-LacZ报告质粒的特异性条带,说明雌激素受体基因和受雌激素调控的LacZ报告基因已重组于酵母细胞。从而证明以LacZ为报告基因的环境雌激素酵母评价细胞重组成功。     

Postnatal sex reversal of the ovaries in mice lacking estrogen receptors alpha and beta

Mice lacking estrogen receptors alpha and beta were generated to clarify the roles of each receptor in the physiology of estrogen target tissues. Both sexes of alphabeta estrogen receptor knockout (alphabetaERKO) mutants exhibit normal reproductive tract development but are infertile. Ovaries of adult alphabetaERKO females exhibit follicle transdifferentiation to structures resembling seminiferous tubules of the testis, including Sertoli-like cells and expression of Müllerian inhibiting substance, sulfated glycoprotein-2, and Sox9. Therefore, loss of both receptors leads to an ovarian phenotype that is distinct from that of the individual ERKO mutants, which indicates that both receptors are required for the maintenance of germ and somatic cells in the postnatal ovary.     

Effects of Estrogen on ER, NGF, and ChAT Expression in Cerebellum of Aging Female Sprague-Dawley Rat

This article discusses the effects of estrogen on the expression of estrogen receptor （ER）, nerve growth factor （NGF）, and choline acetyltransferase （CHAT） in the cerebellum of rats. The model of aging female rat was established to study the expression and distribution of ER, NGF, and ChAT in the cerebellum following 17β-estradiol treatment using the technique of immunohistochemical ultrasensitive SP in sprague-dawley rat. The immunoreactive productions were distributed in stratum Purkinje cell, nucleus dentatus, nucleus interpositus, and nucleus fastigii of cerebellum, and the ER positive production was mainly located in the plasma, cytoplasmic membrane, and neurite, and also existed in nucleus. The general tendency of the expression of ER, NGF, and ChAT positive production in the cerebellum cortex and nuclei of aging rat significantly decreases, while the intensity and quantity of the immunoreactive production ascends predominantly after 17β-estradiol treatment. Simultaneously, the positive neurite of Purkinje cell shows a similar tendency. The above- mentioned results suggest that the estrogen upregulates the expression of NGF and CHAT, and plays a vital role in sustaining and protecting the structure and function of cerebellum neurons. Furthermore, the similarity of their changing tendency implies that they were correlated and cooperated during the course in effect of estrogen on cerebellum. It also showed that the action of estrogen in cerebellum could be via genomic and nongenomic mechanism.     

Activation of endothelial cell protease activated receptor 1 by the protein C pathway

The coagulant and inflammatory exacerbation in sepsis is counterbalanced by the protective protein C (PC) pathway. Activated PC (APC) was shown to use the endothelial cell PC receptor (EPCR) as a coreceptor for cleavage of protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) on endothelial cells. Gene profiling demonstrated that PAR1 signaling could account for all APC-induced protective genes, including the immunomodulatory monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which was selectively induced by activation of PAR1, but not PAR2. Thus, the prototypical thrombin receptor is the target for EPCR-dependent APC signaling, suggesting a role for this receptor cascade in protection from sepsis.     

原花青素对脂多糖诱导的环氧合酶-2表达的抑制作用

以脂多糖(LPS)诱导的RAW264.7细胞为模型,研究原花青素对LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7细胞中环氧合酶-2(COX-2)mRNA转录的抑制机制。采用RT-PCR法测定原花青素对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞中COX-2mRNA转录的影响,采用Western blot和免疫组化法考察原花青素对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞核转录因子κB(NF-κB)亚基p65(NF-κB/p65)及NF-κB结合蛋白(I-κB)表达的影响。结果发现LPS处理RAW264.7细胞可以明显上调COX-2 mRNA的表达,同时降低胞质蛋白I-κB的表达水平,增加NF-κB的水平。原花青素对RAW264.7细胞中COX-2 mRNA的转录有较强抑制作用,抑制NF-κB/p65的表达及I-κB的降解,原花青素可能是通过抑制NF-κB/p65的表达及I-κB/p65的降解而抑制COX-2的表达。