Alterations in 5-HT1B receptor function by p11 in depression-like states

The pathophysiology of depression remains enigmatic, although abnormalities in serotonin signaling have been implicated. We have found that the serotonin 1B receptor [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1B) receptor] interacts with p11. p11 increases localization of 5-HT1B receptors at the cell surface. p11 is increased in rodent brains by antidepressants or electroconvulsive therapy, but decreased in an animal model of depression and in brain tissue from depressed patients. Overexpression of p11 increases 5-HT1B receptor function in cells and recapitulates certain behaviors seen after antidepressant treatment in mice. p11 knockout mice exhibit a depression-like phenotype and have reduced responsiveness to 5-HT1B receptor agonists and reduced behavioral reactions to an antidepressant.     

家蚕5-羟色胺受体基因的克隆及表达分析

【目的】5-羟色胺（5-HT）在许多生理过程中扮演重要角色,克隆介导5-HT生理效应的家蚕5-HT受体及组织表达分析,为研究家蚕5-TH受体基因功能奠定基础。【方法】利用基因组数据及半定量real-time PCR技术,鉴定克隆4种家蚕5-HT受体基因; 应用生物信息学方法分析5-HT受体在物种间同源性并构建系统进化树; 利用半定量real-time PCR方法分析它们在幼虫和成虫不同组织的表达情况。【结果】根据预测基因序列,设计特异引物,克隆得到4种5-HT受体基因序列,分别命名为5-HT1ABm、5-HT1BBm、5-HT2Bm、5-HT7Bm（GenBank登录号KM236100-KM236103）,其开放阅读框分别为1 395、1 341、1 881和1 497 bp,可编码464、446、626和498氨基酸。4种5-HT受体属于典型的G蛋白偶联受体。选择已报道的昆虫及脊椎动物的5-HT受体氨基酸序列进行比对并系统发生树构建,结果显示家蚕4种5-HT受体间的氨基酸序列相似度仅为30.4%。5-HT1A、5-HT1B、5-HT2、5-HT7 4种受体在昆虫中的相似性分别为45.4%、61.4%、48.4%、54.1%。另外,家蚕5-HT受体与其他昆虫甚至脊椎动物有较高的同源性,跨膜区的保守性比非跨膜区高。不同物种间的同一家族5-HT受体的相似性高于同一物种内不同家族5-HT受体的相似性,家蚕5-HT受体的进化关系与烟草天蛾最近。半定量real-time PCR结果显示,5-HT1ABm、5-HT1BBm在幼虫所有组织中均有表达。5-HT2Bm仅在幼虫的头、腹部神经索、精巢表达。5-HT7Bm在幼虫头部、腹部神经索、中肠、脂肪体、精巢、卵巢表达。5-HT1ABm、5-HT1BBm、5-HT7Bm在成虫中除雌性头部以外的组织中均有表达,而5-HT7Bm在雄蛾的生殖系统中表达量明显高于其他组织。5-HT2Bm在成虫中不表达。【结论】鉴定和克隆的4种家蚕5-HT受体基因,在昆虫和脊椎动物中具有较高的保守性,与烟草天蛾同源关系最近,它们在幼虫和成虫的组织表达模式具有多样性。     

5-羟色胺4受体mRNA在仔猪不同组织的表达

5-羟色胺4受体（5-HT4R）属于G-蛋白偶联受体超家族,广泛分布于中枢神经系统和外周组织中,调节多种神经递质的生理学效应.实验采用半定量RT-PCR的方法,检测和分析了猪5-HHTR的b亚型（5-HT4bR）基因mRNA在11种组织中的表达规律.结果发现,猪5-HT4bR在除肝脏以外的10种组织中都有表达,且不同组织内的表达量存在差异,其中脑组织和肠组织表达量较高.这一结果与5-HT4R基因在人和鼠上不同组织表达规律一致.     

Regulation of hepatic stellate cell differentiation by the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR

Differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to extracellular matrix- and growth factor-producing cells supports liver regeneration through promotion of hepatocyte proliferation. We show that the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member expressed in HSCs after fibrotic and cirrhotic liver injury in humans, is a regulator of liver repair. In mice, depletion of p75NTR exacerbated liver pathology and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation in vivo. p75NTR-/- HSCs failed to differentiate to myofibroblasts and did not support hepatocyte proliferation. Moreover, inhibition of p75NTR signaling to the small guanosine triphosphatase Rho resulted in impaired HSC differentiation. Our results identify signaling from p75NTR to Rho as a mechanism for the regulation of HSC differentiation to regeneration-promoting cells that support hepatocyte proliferation in the diseased liver.     

Promoting axon regeneration in the adult CNS by modulation of the PTEN/mTOR pathway

The failure of axons to regenerate is a major obstacle for functional recovery after central nervous system (CNS) injury. Removing extracellular inhibitory molecules results in limited axon regeneration in vivo. To test for the role of intrinsic impediments to axon regrowth, we analyzed cell growth control genes using a virus-assisted in vivo conditional knockout approach. Deletion of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), a negative regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, in adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) promotes robust axon regeneration after optic nerve injury. In wild-type adult mice, the mTOR activity was suppressed and new protein synthesis was impaired in axotomized RGCs, which may contribute to the regeneration failure. Reactivating this pathway by conditional knockout of tuberous sclerosis complex 1, another negative regulator of the mTOR pathway, also leads to axon regeneration. Thus, our results suggest the manipulation of intrinsic growth control pathways as a therapeutic approach to promote axon regeneration after CNS injury.     

Cortical 5-HT2A receptor signaling modulates anxiety-like behaviors in mice

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] neurotransmission in the central nervous system modulates depression and anxiety-related behaviors in humans and rodents, but the responsible downstream receptors remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that global disruption of 5-HT2A receptor (5HT2AR) signaling in mice reduces inhibition in conflict anxiety paradigms without affecting fear-conditioned and depression-related behaviors. Selective restoration of 5HT2AR signaling to the cortex normalized conflict anxiety behaviors. These findings indicate a specific role for cortical 5HT2AR function in the modulation of conflict anxiety, consistent with models of cortical, "top-down" influences on risk assessment.     

PirB is a functional receptor for myelin inhibitors of axonal regeneration

A major barrier to regenerating axons after injury in the mammalian central nervous system is an unfavorable milieu. Three proteins found in myelin--Nogo, MAG, and OMgp--inhibit axon regeneration in vitro and bind to the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Nogo receptor (NgR). However, genetic deletion of NgR has only a modest disinhibitory effect, suggesting that other binding receptors for these molecules probably exist. With the use of expression cloning, we have found that paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB), which has been implicated in nervous system plasticity, is a high-affinity receptor for Nogo, MAG, and OMgp. Interfering with PirB activity, either with antibodies or genetically, partially rescues neurite inhibition by Nogo66, MAG, OMgp, and myelin in cultured neurons. Blocking both PirB and NgR activities leads to near-complete release from myelin inhibition. Our results implicate PirB in mediating regeneration block, identify PirB as a potential target for axon regeneration therapies, and provide an explanation for the similar enhancements of visual system plasticity in PirB and NgR knockout mice.     

Ectopic expression of the serotonin 1c receptor and the triggering of malignant transformation

Neurotransmitter receptors are usually restricted to neuronal cells, but the signaling pathways activated by these receptors are widely distributed in both neural and non-neural cells. The functional consequences of activating a brain-specific neurotransmitter receptor, the serotonin 5HT1c receptor, in the unnatural environment of a fibroblast were examined. Introduction of functional 5HT1c receptors into NIH 3T3 cells results, at high frequency, in the generation of transformed foci. Moreover, the generation and maintenance of transformed foci requires continued activation of the serotonin receptor. In addition, the injection of cells derived from transformed foci into nude mice results in the generation of tumors. The serotonin 5HT1c receptor therefore functions as a protooncogene when expressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.     

GM-CSF与猪瘟病毒E2基因共表达载体的构建及其诱导的免疫应答

为探讨粒细胞—巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)对猪瘟病毒E2基因核酸疫苗小鼠免疫应答诱导的影响,将CSFVE2基因和GM-CSF片段插入真核表达载体pcDNA3.0内构建pcE2,pcE2-GF及pcGF核酸疫苗.动物试验时,50只雌性供试小鼠随机分为5组,即pcE2,pcE2-GF,pcDNA3.0,pcGF,生理盐水组,每组10只.0,2,4周于小鼠左后肢胫前肌进行肌注免疫,质粒量为每只每次50μg.每次免疫前和末次免疫后2周尾静脉采血收集血清,ELISA检测血清内特异性IgG水平.末次免疫后1周每组随机选3只无菌取脾,MTT法检测淋巴细胞增殖情况.结果表明,与对照组比较,pcE2和pcE2-GF第3次免疫2周后,免疫小鼠IgG抗体水平逐渐增高,淋巴细胞的转化率也明显增高,且pcE2-GF免疫组的IgG抗体水平和淋巴细胞的转化率高于pcE2免疫组.可见,细胞因子GM-CSF可有效提高猪瘟病毒E2基因核酸疫苗的免疫应答.     

“双亚10号”亚麻离体再生体系的建立

以亚麻的成熟种子为外植体,建立了一种有效的亚麻植株再生体系。研究结果显示,亚麻的发芽培养基为B5;茎尖分化增殖的最佳培养基为MSB＋6-BA1.5 mg.L-1＋IAA0.2 mg.L-1,平均增殖系数达到10.05;生根最适培养基为1/2B5＋NAA0.02 mg.L-1,平均生根数达8条,生根率达到95%。该再生体系的建立为亚麻遗传转化研究奠定了基础。     

5-HT4(a) receptors avert opioid-induced breathing depression without loss of analgesia

Opiates are widely used analgesics in anesthesiology, but they have serious adverse effects such as depression of breathing. This is caused by direct inhibition of rhythm-generating respiratory neurons in the Pre-Boetzinger complex (PBC) of the brainstem. We report that serotonin 4(a) [5-HT4(a)] receptors are strongly expressed in respiratory PBC neurons and that their selective activation protects spontaneous respiratory activity. Treatment of rats with a 5-HT4 receptor-specific agonist overcame fentanyl-induced respiratory depression and reestablished stable respiratory rhythm without loss of fentanyl's analgesic effect. These findings imply the prospect of a fine-tuned recovery from opioid-induced respiratory depression, through adjustment of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels through the convergent signaling pathways in neurons.     

Critical roles for Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases in B cell development and signaling

The Rac1 guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) has been implicated in multiple cellular functions, including actin dynamics, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration resulting from signaling by multiple receptors, including the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). We used conditional gene targeting to generate mice with specific Rac1 deficiency in the B cell lineage. In the absence of both Rac1 and the highly related Rac2, B cell development was almost completely blocked. Both GTPases were required to transduce BCR signals leading to proliferation, survival and up-regulation of BAFF-R, a receptor for BAFF, a key survival molecule required for B cell development and maintenance.     

Influence of life stress on depression: moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene

In a prospective-longitudinal study of a representative birth cohort, we tested why stressful experiences lead to depression in some people but not in others. A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HT T) gene was found to moderate the influence of stressful life events on depression. Individuals with one or two copies of the short allele of the 5-HT T promoter polymorphism exhibited more depressive symptoms, diagnosable depression, and suicidality in relation to stressful life events than individuals homozygous for the long allele. This epidemiological study thus provides evidence of a gene-by-environment interaction, in which an individual's response to environmental insults is moderated by his or her genetic makeup.     

小鼠肝再生过程中脂质代谢相关通路中基因的表达谱变化

[目的]研究肝再生过程中肝脏内脂质代谢通路相关基因的表达谱变化。[方法]建立CC l4诱导肝再生小鼠模型,从小鼠肝组织中提取总RNA,通过微阵列基因芯片技术检测在不同肝再生期间脂质代谢通路相关基因的表达变化,并进行具体功能分析。[结果]肝再生过程中,有98个脂质代谢相关基因的表达水平发生了变化,根据这些基因表达的变化趋势可以分为8组。整体上看,基因表达前期表现为抑制,后期表现为上调。其中,脂肪酸的合成通路基因表达以上调为主,分解代谢通路变化并不明显;大多数胆汁酸合成通路基因在4.5天之前表现为抑制,在4.5天和7天时表现为上调。[结论]肝再生过程中,脂质代谢相关通路间的基因表达变化并不一致,这些数据为进一步研究脂质代谢相关通路对肝再生的调控作用提供了明确的基因范围。     

小鼠Lrh-1基因CDS区序列克隆及分析

肝受体类似物-1（liver receptor homolog-1,Lrh-1;NR5A2）是核受体的Ftz-F1亚家族成员,在胚胎发育、分化、胆固醇代谢、胆汁酸的动态平衡以及类固醇激素生成等都具有重要的作用。通过对健康的经产小鼠不同个体间Lrh-1基因CDS（Coding Sequence）特征域区测序及比对分析,结果发现,在LBD（Ligand binding domain）配体结合域区存在较大序列差异,有2种类型,1种与NM₀01159769相似,而另1种则与NG₀12313.1相似,两者序列差异较大,当翻译为多肽链后发现,第2种类型的序列中提前出现终止子,氨基酸数量相对减少83个,但这种缺失未导致该基因功能的丧失,表明该区段与Lrh-1蛋白质功能的不紧密性。     

小鼠肝再生过程中脂质代谢相关通路中基因的表达谱变化

1材料与方法 1．1材料 试验动物：9周龄的雄性C57BIV6小鼠，自由采食和饮水，每天光照12h，黑暗12h。试剂：TRIzol试剂（Invitrogen）；RNeasy Total RNA Mini Kit（Qiagen）；基因芯片Genechip mouse genome 43020（Affymetrix）；17启动子引物序列（Affymetrix）。     

Transient regenerative potential of the neonatal mouse heart

Certain fish and amphibians retain a robust capacity for cardiac regeneration throughout life, but the same is not true of the adult mammalian heart. Whether the capacity for cardiac regeneration is absent in mammals or whether it exists and is switched off early after birth has been unclear. We found that the hearts of 1-day-old neonatal mice can regenerate after partial surgical resection, but this capacity is lost by 7 days of age. This regenerative response in 1-day-old mice was characterized by cardiomyocyte proliferation with minimal hypertrophy or fibrosis, thereby distinguishing it from repair processes. Genetic fate mapping indicated that the majority of cardiomyocytes within the regenerated tissue originated from preexisting cardiomyocytes. Echocardiography performed 2 months after surgery revealed that the regenerated ventricular apex had normal systolic function. Thus, for a brief period after birth, the mammalian heart appears to have the capacity to regenerate.     

Caveolin-1 is essential for liver regeneration

Liver regeneration is an orchestrated cellular response that coordinates cell activation, lipid metabolism, and cell division. We found that caveolin-1 gene-disrupted mice (cav1-/- mice) exhibited impaired liver regeneration and low survival after a partial hepatectomy. Hepatocytes showed dramatically reduced lipid droplet accumulation and did not advance through the cell division cycle. Treatment of cav1-/- mice with glucose (which is a predominant energy substrate when compared to lipids) drastically increased survival and reestablished progression of the cell cycle. Thus, caveolin-1 plays a crucial role in the mechanisms that coordinate lipid metabolism with the proliferative response occurring in the liver after cellular injury.     

The snoRNA HBII-52 regulates alternative splicing of the serotonin receptor 2C

The Prader-Willi syndrome is a congenital disease that is caused by the loss of paternal gene expression from a maternally imprinted region on chromosome 15. This region contains a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), HBII-52, that exhibits sequence complementarity to the alternatively spliced exon Vb of the serotonin receptor 5-HT(2C)R. We found that HBII-52 regulates alternative splicing of 5-HT(2C)R by binding to a silencing element in exon Vb. Prader-Willi syndrome patients do not express HBII-52. They have different 5-HT(2C)R messenger RNA (mRNA) isoforms than healthy individuals. Our results show that a snoRNA regulates the processing of an mRNA expressed from a gene located on a different chromosome, and the results indicate that a defect in pre-mRNA processing contributes to the Prader-Willi syndrome.     

昆虫5-羟色胺受体的研究进展

对5-羟色胺及其受体进行介绍,并阐述了昆虫5-羟色胺受体结构和功能以及5-HT受体的信号转导机制的国内外研究现状及其发展动态。最后,分析基于5-羟色胺受体分子靶标的新药剂的研发现状。