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.     

Coupling of stress in the ER to activation of JNK protein kinases by transmembrane protein kinase IRE1

Malfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induce cellular stress and activate c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs or SAPKs). Mammalian homologs of yeast IRE1, which activate chaperone genes in response to ER stress, also activated JNK, and IRE1alpha-/- fibroblasts were impaired in JNK activation by ER stress. The cytoplasmic part of IRE1 bound TRAF2, an adaptor protein that couples plasma membrane receptors to JNK activation. Dominant-negative TRAF2 inhibited activation of JNK by IRE1. Activation of JNK by endogenous signals initiated in the ER proceeds by a pathway similar to that initiated by cell surface receptors in response to extracellular signals.     

BID, BIM, and PUMA are essential for activation of the BAX- and BAK-dependent cell death program

Although the proteins BAX and BAK are required for initiation of apoptosis at the mitochondria, how BAX and BAK are activated remains unsettled. We provide in vivo evidence demonstrating an essential role of the proteins BID, BIM, and PUMA in activating BAX and BAK. Bid, Bim, and Puma triple-knockout mice showed the same developmental defects that are associated with deficiency of Bax and Bak, including persistent interdigital webs and imperforate vaginas. Genetic deletion of Bid, Bim, and Puma prevented the homo-oligomerization of BAX and BAK, and thereby cytochrome c-mediated activation of caspases in response to diverse death signals in neurons and T lymphocytes, despite the presence of other BH3-only molecules. Thus, many forms of apoptosis require direct activation of BAX and BAK at the mitochondria by a member of the BID, BIM, or PUMA family of proteins.     

Unfolded proteins are Ire1-activating ligands that directly induce the unfolded protein response

The unfolded protein response (UPR) detects the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and adjusts the protein-folding capacity to the needs of the cell. Under conditions of ER stress, the transmembrane protein Ire1 oligomerizes to activate its cytoplasmic kinase and ribonuclease domains. It is unclear what feature of ER stress Ire1 detects. We found that the core ER-lumenal domain (cLD) of yeast Ire1 binds to unfolded proteins in yeast cells and to peptides primarily composed of basic and hydrophobic residues in vitro. Mutation of amino acid side chains exposed in a putative peptide-binding groove of Ire1 cLD impaired peptide binding. Peptide binding caused Ire1 cLD oligomerization in vitro, suggesting that direct binding to unfolded proteins activates the UPR.     

The unfolded protein response: from stress pathway to homeostatic regulation

The vast majority of proteins that a cell secretes or displays on its surface first enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they fold and assemble. Only properly assembled proteins advance from the ER to the cell surface. To ascertain fidelity in protein folding, cells regulate the protein-folding capacity in the ER according to need. The ER responds to the burden of unfolded proteins in its lumen (ER stress) by activating intracellular signal transduction pathways, collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). Together, at least three mechanistically distinct branches of the UPR regulate the expression of numerous genes that maintain homeostasis in the ER or induce apoptosis if ER stress remains unmitigated. Recent advances shed light on mechanistic complexities and on the role of the UPR in numerous diseases.     

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK: a requisite gateway to mitochondrial dysfunction and death

Multiple death signals influence mitochondria during apoptosis, yet the critical initiating event for mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo has been unclear. tBID, the caspase-activated form of a "BH3-domain-only" BCL-2 family member, triggers the homooligomerization of "multidomain" conserved proapoptotic family members BAK or BAX, resulting in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. We find that cells lacking both Bax and Bak, but not cells lacking only one of these components, are completely resistant to tBID-induced cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Moreover, doubly deficient cells are resistant to multiple apoptotic stimuli that act through disruption of mitochondrial function: staurosporine, ultraviolet radiation, growth factor deprivation, etoposide, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress stimuli thapsigargin and tunicamycin. Thus, activation of a "multidomain" proapoptotic member, BAX or BAK, appears to be an essential gateway to mitochondrial dysfunction required for cell death in response to diverse stimuli.     

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.     

油菜素内酯参与调控植物生长发育与抗逆性的机制及其育种应用研究

油菜素内酯（brassinosteroids,BRs）是一类重要的植物促生激素,参与调控植物生长发育。最近的研究表明,BRs能增加作物产量和增强作物抗逆性。在BRs信号转导过程中,蛋白激酶的磷酸化功能与转录因子的磷酸化和脱磷酸化过程是BRs信号重要的生化调控机制,其中起始BRs信号由胞外向胞内转导的蛋白激酶BRI1和 BAK1,以及BRs信号下游调控不同性状基因表达的转录因子BZR1和BZR2/BES1,是BRs信号途径中关键的功能基因。基于重要蛋白激酶和转录因子的蛋白结构和功能分析,通过不同氨基酸功能位点的基因定点突变和修饰技术,能实现BRs信号途径的功能研究与植物性状改良,从而提高植物对环境的适应性。综述了BRs信号途径与植物生长发育和环境胁迫的研究,期望为植物分子育种提供很好的借鉴。     

烟草NbbZIP28突变体的创建及其对病毒侵染胁迫的响应

【目的】bZIP类转录因子参与植物的生长发育、激素信号、抗病性及抗逆性等多种生物胁迫过程。前期研究表明黄瓜花叶病毒(Cucumber mosaic virus,CMV)或烟草花叶病毒(Tobacco mosaic virus,TMV)侵染本氏烟(Nicotiana benthamiana)上调内质网应激（endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERs）因子NbbZIP28;NbbZIP28沉默导致病毒积累量上升,本研究旨在验证NbbZIP28对病毒侵染胁迫的响应机制。【方法】通过CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术和烟草遗传转染创建NbbZIP28基因突变植株,以野生型植株为对照,分别浸润接种侵染性克隆TMV-GFP、摩擦接种TMV-GFP或CMV接种液,检测突变体植株对病毒侵染胁迫的敏感性变化,接种CMV后0-48 h,采用qRT-PCR检测内质网应激相关的未折叠蛋白反应（unfolded protein response,UPR)基因的表达。本氏烟接种TMV 24 h、接种CMV 48 h后,在接种叶上浸润融合蛋白NbbZIP28-GFP,瞬时表达48 h后,采用Western blot检测病毒诱导NbbZIP28蛋白的水解激活;采用在线搜索工具PlantCARE分析NbbZIP28启动子区域中参与防卫和应激反应的顺式作用元件。【结果】CRISPR/Cas9定点敲除NbbZIP28后,目的基因靶位点缺失了10个碱基,导致翻译错误、蛋白功能变化。在正常生长条件下,转基因阳性植株与野生型无显著的表型差异。植株接种TMV-GFP后4-8 d,突变体中的病毒浸润斑亮度或初侵染点数目均显著高于野生型,扩展至新叶的速度较快。接种CMV后12-48 h,突变体中UPR相关基因BiP、PDI、CAM及NbbZIP28下游基因NF-YC2的表达量显著低于野生型;5-7 d突变体中的病毒外壳蛋白（coat protein,CP）基因表达量显著高于野生型,花叶及皱缩症状更显著。蛋白质序列比对分析显示NbbZIP28具有与拟南芥AtbZIP28相同的S1P和S2P蛋白酶水解位点。Western blot检测发现,与接种清水对照相比,TMV或CMV侵染显著促进了全长的融合蛋白NbbZIP28-GFP在S1P和S2P位点发生裂解。NbbZIP28启动子序列中包含5个参与热应激反应的顺式作用元件（heat stress response element,HSE）、3个参与低温反应的顺式作用元件（low temperature response element,LTR）、1个参与防卫和应激反应的顺式作用元件（TC-rich repeats）。【结论】病毒侵染促进NbbZIP28的水解激活并上调相关的UPR基因;NbbZIP28敲除导致植株对病毒的敏感性上升,病毒诱导的UPR基因表达被抑制。NbbZIP28为病毒侵染胁迫下的UPR调控因子,在病毒侵染早期通过上调UPR信号和提高寄主基础防卫反应而延缓病毒的侵染和增殖。     

蛋白质分子的一生——蛋白质的品质管理(英文)

概述了蛋白质品质管理中涉及的分子伴侣、激发未折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response, UPR)和内质网相关性蛋白质降解途径(ER-associated degradation, ERAD)等的研究进展,并探讨了该领域存在的问题以及发展前景。指出蛋白质的生命过程经历生成、折叠、组装和降解,每个过程都有严格控制。内质网中,各种蛋白质合成、折叠并经修饰形成具有一定构象的功能性蛋白。其在内质网折叠受阻碍时,未折叠的蛋白聚集,激发 UPR,使一系列分子伴侣和蛋白质折叠所需修饰酶类表达上调,帮助其完成折叠和装配。如果这些蛋白仍不能正确折叠,则进入 ERAD 被降解。     

蛋白质的品质管理

概述了蛋白质品质管理中涉及的分子伴侣、激发未折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response,UPR)和内质网相关性蛋白质降解途径(ER-associated degradation,ERAD)等的研究进展,并探讨了该领域存在的问题以及发展前景。指出蛋白质的生命过程经历生成、折叠、组装和降解,每个过程都有严格控制。内质网中,各种蛋白质合成、折叠并经修饰形成具有一定构象的功能性蛋白。其在内质网折叠受阻碍时,未折叠的蛋白聚集,激发UPR,使一系列分子伴侣和蛋白质折叠所需修饰酶类表达上调,帮助其完成折叠和装配。如果这些蛋白仍不能正确折叠,则进入ERAD被降解。     

A selective inhibitor of eIF2alpha dephosphorylation protects cells from ER stress

Most protein phosphatases have little intrinsic substrate specificity, making selective pharmacological inhibition of specific dephosphorylation reactions a challenging problem. In a screen for small molecules that protect cells from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, we identified salubrinal, a selective inhibitor of cellular complexes that dephosphorylate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha (eIF2alpha). Salubrinal also blocks eIF2alpha dephosphorylation mediated by a herpes simplex virus protein and inhibits viral replication. These results suggest that selective chemical inhibitors of eIF2alpha dephosphorylation may be useful in diseases involving ER stress or viral infection. More broadly, salubrinal demonstrates the feasibility of selective pharmacological targeting of cellular dephosphorylation events.     

玉米种胚内质网胁迫相关基因对人工老化处理的响应

【目的】在植物中,内质网胁迫（endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS）和未折叠蛋白应答（unfolded protein response,UPR）参与环境胁迫响应过程,然而,玉米种子老化过程中内质网胁迫相关基因表达情况尚未见报道。文章利用基因数字表达谱技术探究玉米种子老化过程中内质网胁迫相关基因表达规律,以期为揭示种子衰老的分子机制提供理论依据。【方法】以玉米杂交种郑单958种子为材料,采用高温（45℃）高湿（相对湿度100%）的方法进行人工老化处理。分别提取未老化处理（对照）和老化处理3 d的玉米种胚总RNA,利用Illumina HiSeqTM 2000平台进行高通量测序。去除原始数据中的接头序列、包含模糊碱基的序列以及低质量序列,获得Clean reads,利用短序列比对软件SOAPaligner/ SOAP2将Clean Reads分别比对到玉米参考基因组和参考基因序列,采用RPKM（reads per kb per million reads）方法计算基因的表达量,根据FDR（false discovery rate）＜0.001和|log2 ratio(T/CK)|≥1的标准筛选差异表达的基因,对获得的差异表达基因（differentially expressed genes,DEGs）进行KEGG（kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes）数据库功能注释分析,筛选出响应人工老化的内质网胁迫相关差异表达基因。利用qRT-PCR技术定量分析内质网胁迫相关基因在不同人工老化时间内的表达特性。【结果】基因数字表达谱鉴定结果表明,有104个差异表达基因在人工老化过程中参与内质网蛋白质加工（protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum）通路,其中内质网胁迫相关基因有97个（81个上调表达,16个下调表达）。对差异表达基因功能注释分析表明,内质网胁迫的标志性蛋白基因BiP以及分子伴侣蛋白基因CRT、CNT和GRP94等显著上调表达。参与内质网相关性降解（endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation,ERAD）途径的有83个差异表达基因（70个上调,13个下调）,其中启动ERAD途径的关键酶基因EDEM （ER degradation enhancing mannosidase I-like protein）下调,参与蛋白泛素化的E2泛素结合酶基因UbcH5、E3泛素连接酶基因Hrd1和Doa10等也发生显著的表达变化。qRT-PCR结果表明,内质网胁迫相关基因在不同人工老化时间内表现表达多样性和复杂性。【结论】人工老化处理能造成玉米种胚细胞发生内质网胁迫。细胞通过上调分子伴侣基因表达和诱导ERAD途径响应内质网胁迫,但ERAD途径受阻可能引起错误折叠蛋白聚集,从而进一步加剧细胞损伤,最终导致种子活力降低甚至丧失。     

Direct ubiquitination of pattern recognition receptor FLS2 attenuates plant innate immunity

Innate immune responses are triggered by the activation of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). The Arabidopsis PRR FLAGELLIN-SENSING 2 (FLS2) senses bacterial flagellin and initiates immune signaling through association with BAK1. The molecular mechanisms underlying the attenuation of FLS2 activation are largely unknown. We report that flagellin induces recruitment of two closely related U-box E3 ubiquitin ligases, PUB12 and PUB13, to FLS2 receptor complex in Arabidopsis. BAK1 phosphorylates PUB12 and PUB13 and is required for FLS2-PUB12/13 association. PUB12 and PUB13 polyubiquitinate FLS2 and promote flagellin-induced FLS2 degradation, and the pub12 and pub13 mutants displayed elevated immune responses to flagellin treatment. Our study has revealed a unique regulatory circuit of direct ubiquitination and turnover of FLS2 by BAK1-mediated phosphorylation and recruitment of specific E3 ligases for attenuation of immune signaling.     

大麦CIPK基因家族鉴定及表达分析

钙调神经磷酸酶B样相互作用蛋白激酶(CIPK)蛋白家族是由Ca2+介导的植物信号通路中的关键蛋白家族,在植物抗逆和生长发育中起关键作用。本研究将生物信息学方法和转录组数据分析相结合,挖掘出大麦31个HvCIPK基因家族成员并将其分为5个亚家族。HvCIPKs基因家族成员具有CIPKs典型的N端激酶结构域和C端NAF调节结构域；蛋白质分子量在40302.27~89926.43KDa之间,为亲水性蛋白；启动子总共包含11种与非生物胁迫、激素调控以及生长发育相关的顺式作用元件；蛋白互作网络预测结果显示,HvCIPKs与Na+、K+转运体、ABA信号通路关键蛋白(SOS1、AKT1和ABL2)存在相互作用关系；转录组数据分析发现HvCIPK1、HvCIPK2、HvCIPK6、HvCIPK9、HvCIPK11受盐碱胁迫的诱导表达。该研究为进一步探索大麦HvCIPKs基因家族功能及调控机制提供理论依据。     

内质网分子伴侣GRP94对伪狂犬病毒增殖的调节作用

为探究葡萄糖调节蛋白94(GRP94)对伪狂犬病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)增殖的影响,以及GRP94与PRV结构蛋白之间的相互作用。利用慢病毒转染构建GRP94基因过表达的BHK-21细胞,以及CRISPR/Cas9技术构建GRP94基因敲除的BHK-21细胞,检测PRV感染不同细胞的增殖水平,比较内质网应激相关蛋白表达水平,探索GRP94与PRV结构蛋白之间的互作关系。结果表明,GRP94基因过表达细胞株显著有利于PRV增殖,而GRP94基因缺失细胞株对PRV增殖无显著影响。蛋白免疫印迹结果显示,在GRP94基因缺失细胞株中,GRP78表达水平显著上调。免疫共沉淀结果表明,GRP94与gB、gD、gL具有相互作用。GRP94基因过表达有利于PRV增殖,检测未折叠蛋白反应(unfolded protein response, UPR)相关蛋白,研究GRP94在病毒增殖过程中的具体作用,可为PRV与内质网应激提供分子方面的研究基础,于对抗PRV病毒的感染具有重要意义。