FeLV-induced immunosuppression through alterations in signal transduction: changes in intracellular free calcium levels

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with immunosuppressive properties. The mechanism(s) of immunosuppression is unknown. Calcium has been shown to be a second messenger in cellular activation and regulation. This study was designed to determine whether FeLV alters intracellular free calcium (IFC) levels in an FeLV-infected feline lymphoid cell line. Control cells and FeLV-infected cells were exposed to Concanavalin A, formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, and leukotriene B4. The basal IFC and post-stimulation IFC levels were recorded using Fura 2 AM and a luminescence spectrometer. Data collected indicate that FeLV-infected cells have a higher basal level of IFC and a reduced amount of increase in IFC after stimulation when compared to the control cells. The results would seem to indicate retrovirus-mediated interference occurring in the intracellular calcium signaling process.     

植物与线虫互作的信号传导及调控机制研究进展

植物寄生线虫严重危害农业生产,对全球作物产量造成重大经济损失。植物对线虫的抗病和感病性作为作物生产中的关键性影响因子,一直是作物遗传育种学家研究的重要课题之一,探明植物对线虫抗病和感病性的内在机理对于指导作物抗线虫育种具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。本文综述了影响植物对线虫抗病和感病性的内在因素,包括植物抗性基因或蛋白、激素合成与信号传导以及线虫胁迫过程中产生的活性氧等信号传导。国内外近年来的研究认为,植物对线虫的抗病或感病性取决于多种信号通路间的协调互作,各种与线虫抗性相关的信号通路间的交互对话构成了复杂的信号传导网络,多种转录因子与小RNAs通过转录、转录后以及翻译参与了信号传导网络的精细调控,这一高效控制的信号传导网络决定了寄主植物对线虫的抗病或感病性。这些研究成果将为深入阐明植物与线虫互作的信号传导和调控机制奠定基础,从而为植物线虫防控新策略的制定提供理论依据。     

c-Fos调节hCG诱导的仔猪睾丸间质细胞睾酮分泌的信号转导途径

睾酮是一种重要的类固醇激素,动物体内约95%的睾酮都由睾丸间质细胞合成并分泌。研究显示,原癌基因参与性腺功能调控,c-Fos作为原癌基因的1种,在生精细胞发育过程和睾丸内分泌功能中起着重要调控作用。本试验以荣昌仔猪为试验对象,探究c-Fos调节hCG诱导仔猪睾丸间质细胞睾酮分泌的信号转导途径,为进一步研究仔猪睾酮分泌的机理奠定基础。结果显示:(1)间质细胞cAMP在hCG诱导后显著增高,当二丁酰cAMP与hCG共同作用时,睾酮分泌达到最大,且当二丁酰cAMP与c-Fos ASONDs作用时,可明显逆转c-Fos ASONDs对hCG诱导仔猪间质细胞睾酮分泌的抑制作用。(2)维拉帕米(10-5 mol/L)对hCG诱导的间质细胞睾酮分泌未见明显作用,当维拉帕米和c-Fos ASONDs共同作用时也没有加强c-Fos ASONDs对hCG诱导的睾酮分泌的抑制作用。     

Leucine stimulates mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in C2C12 myoblasts in part through inhibition of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is one of the main signaling pathways controlling protein synthesis. Leucine treatment upregulates mTOR signaling, which enhances protein synthesis; however, the mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, treatment of C2C12 myoblast cells with leucine enhanced the phosphorylation of mTOR and ribosomal protein S6 kinase. Leucine treatment also decreased the adenosine monophosphate/ATP ratio in myoblasts by 36.4 +/- 9.1% (P < 0.05) and reduced the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha subunit at Thr172 (28.6 +/- 4.9% reduction, P < 0.05) and inhibited AMPK activity (43.6 +/- 3.5% reduction, P < 0.05). In addition, leucine increased the phosphorylation of mTOR at Ser2448 by 63.5 +/- 10.0% (P < 0.05) and protein synthesis by 30.6 +/- 6.1% (P < 0.05). Applying 5-aminoimidazole-4-carbox-amide 1-beta-d-ribonucleoside, an activator of AMPK, abolished the stimulation of mTOR signaling by leucine, showing that AMPK negatively controls mTOR signaling. To further show the role of AMPK in mTOR signaling, myoblasts expressing a dominant negative AMPKalpha subunit were employed. Negative myoblasts had very low AMPK activity. The activation of mTOR induced by leucine in these cells was abated, showing that AMPK contributed to mTOR activation. In conclusion, leucine stimulates mTOR signaling in part through AMPK inhibition. This study implicates AMPK as an important target for nutritional management to enhance mTOR signaling and protein synthesis in muscle cells, thereby increasing muscle growth.     

钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPKs)介导植物信号转导的分子基础

钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPKs)是生长发育信号和逆境信号诱发的钙信号的重要信号传递体,在调控植物信号转导途径中下游基因的表达、生化代谢、离子和水分跨膜运输等生物学过程中具有重要作用。本研究对植物种属CDPK的结构特点、CDPK在植株体内的分布特征、CDPK生理生化特性及生化反应调控特性、CDPK 在信号转导中的作用,以及CDPK在植株体内的生物学功能进行了概述。旨在为今后牧草作物CDPK的鉴定及其介导的信号转导机制的研究提供参考依据。     

The mRNA regulation of porcine double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase gene

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR), which is one of the products of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes, participates in the biological actions of IFN such as antiviral effects and immune response. In the present study, we identified the primary structure of porcine PKR proteins by cDNA cloning. Porcine PKR protein consisted of 537 amino acids and had two dsRNA-binding domains similarly existing in PKR proteins of other species. The treatment with IFN-alpha induced the expression of PKR 3.9-fold in a porcine kidney cell line, LLC-PK1. The same results were obtained when the cells were treated with poly(I).poly(C), but treatment with either IFN-gamma or LPS did not induce this gene in LLC-PK1 cells. These results suggest similarity of the regulatory mechanisms in the PKR gene among mammalian species.     

内毒素信号转导机制的研究进展

细菌内毒素即脂多糖 (LPS)可激活单核 /巨噬细胞 ,产生一系列炎症反应 ,而LPS跨膜信号转导是引起细胞效应的关键。本文主要综述LPS结合蛋白 (LBP)、LPS受体 (mCD1 4、sCD1 4 )、Toll样受体 2、 4 (TLR2、TLR4)以及清道夫受体 (SR)、β2 整合素 ,L selectin在LPS激活细胞及信号跨膜传递中的重要作用。另外 ,对LPS介导的细胞内信号转导机制也进行了综述。深入研究LPS信号转导的分子机制 ,可望为有效控制内毒素所引起的一系列炎症反应及机体损伤提供新思路     

Decreased protein kinase C activity in fatty liver from cattle

Protein kinase (PK) C activity in the liver of cattle with fatty liver syndrome was evaluated and compared with that in liver of healthy cattle. The PKC activities in cytosolic and particulate fractions were reduced in fatty livers, compared with those in livers from healthy cattle. The decrease of PKC activity was more distinct in cytosolic (P = 0.0016) than particulate (P = 0.069) fractions. Protein kinase activities other than PKC were not substantially changed. Seemingly, PKC was involved in the pathogenesis of fatty liver syndrome in cattle.     

An immunohistochemical study of protein kinase C in the bovine retina

The expression of protein kinase C (PKC) was studied in the bovine retina by immunohistochemical analysis. Western blot analysis showed that PKC isoforms, including alpha, betaI, delta and theta, were detected in the bovine retina. By immunohistochemistry, both PKC alpha and betaI were expressed in all retinal layers, with an intense localization of both PKC alpha and betaI detected in bipolar cells in the inner nuclear cell layer and in some glial cells in ganglion cell layers. The immunoreactivity of both PKC delta and theta was quite weak in the retinal layers, compared with that of PKC alpha and betaI. These findings suggest that both conventional and novel PKCs are differentially expressed in the bovine retina.     

多糖对细胞信号转导途径影响研究进展

多糖（Polysaccharides）广泛分布于自然界的动物、植物、微生物等生物体内,是由单糖通过糖苷键连接而成的天然高分子化合物,分子量从几千到几百万不等。研究发现多糖具有抗肿瘤、抗衰老、抗病毒、抗炎、降血糖、降血脂及提高免疫功能等生物学效应,它们发挥这些生物功能的机制十分复杂,一直都是多糖研究的热点和难点。近年来国内外研究者对多糖发挥生物学效应的信号转导途径进行研究,发现多糖可以通过多条细胞信号转导途径调节细胞的功能和代谢。     

Reduced protein kinase C activity and endogenous protein phosphorylation in ethionine-induced fatty liver in cows

Protein kinase C (PKC) activity was evaluated and the phosphorylation of its endogenous substrates was explored in fatty liver induced by administration of ethionine (an analogue of methionine) to cows in order to assess the relevance of PKC-dependent phosphorylation in the development of fatty liver. PKC activity was decreased in both the cytosolic and the total particulate fractions from fatty livers, compared to the corresponding fractions from control liver. The mode of activation by the PKC cofactors (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, phosphatidylserine and Ca²⁺) was similar in both control and fatty livers, suggesting a quantitative but not a qualitative change in PKC in fatty liver. At least three substrate proteins (34 kDa, 26 kDa and 19 kDa) were found in the cytosolic fraction and their phosphorylation was reduced in fatty liver. These results suggest that impairment of the signal transduction pathway mediated by PKC is involved in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in cows.Abbreviations ATP adenosine triphosphate - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethylether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - NEFA non-esterified fatty acid - OAG 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol - PKC protein kinase C - PS phosphatidylserine - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TG triglyceride - TPA 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate     

Proteomics methods for probing molecular mechanisms in signal transduction

mRNA splicing and various posttranslational modifications to proteins result in a larger number of proteins than genes. Assessing the dynamic nature of this proteome is the challenge of modern proteomics. Recent advances in high throughput methods greatly facilitate the analysis of proteins involved in signal transduction, their production, posttranslational modifications and interactions. Highly reproducible two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) methods, coupled with matrix assisted laser desorption-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) allow rapid separation and identification of proteins. These methods, alone or in conjunction with other techniques such as immunoprecipitation, allow identification of various critical posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation. High throughput identification of important protein-protein interactions is accomplished by yeast two hybrid approaches. In vitro and in vivo pulldown assays, coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS, provide an important alternative to two hybrid approaches. Emerging advances in production of protein-based arrays promise to further increase throughput of proteomics-based approaches to signal transduction.     

Inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated bovine mononuclear cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production and protein kinase C activity by a protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), inhibited PHA-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and cytosolic PKC activity without affecting the cell viabilities. Presence of exogenous cytokines, such as purified human IL-2 or recombinant bovine IL-2 (rbovIL-2), reversed the H-7 inhibitory effects on PHA-stimulated PBMC proliferation. We conclude that the PKC enzyme plays an important role as a second messenger in bovine PBMC proliferation in the early stages of cell activation.     

The regulation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II during oocyte activation in the rat

Increases in intracellular Ca2+ are required for oocyte activation and subsequent development. Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a crucial role in oocyte activation. However, how CaMKII is regulated during this process is not well characterized. We show here for the first time in rat oocytes that CaMKII is phosphorylated during oocyte activation. CaMKII phosphorylation was suppressed by KN93, a CaMKII inhibitor, but not KN92, which is the inactive analogue of KN93. Electrical stimulation of rat oocytes resulted in degradation of both cyclin B and Mos, presumably due a rise in Ca2+ induced by the electrical pulse. KN93 blocked the degradation of both proteins induced by the electrical pulse. Addition of a protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid (OA), further increased the amount of CaMKII and also increased the amount of phosphorylated enzyme. Importantly, in oocytes undergoing spontaneous activation, accumulation and phosphorylation of CaMKII also occurs in a time-dependent manner. Consistent with this, addition of KN93 inhibited spontaneous activation. Collectively, our results show that CaMKII is phosphorylated during oocyte activation and that this phosphorylation is involved in inactivation of p34cdc2 kinase and somewhat involved in degradation of Mos. Furthermore, CaMKII phosphorylation is negatively regulated by a protein phosphatase.     

The response of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A pathways in porcine theca interna cells to opioid agonist FK 33-824

Opioids were found as factors affecting porcine ovarian steroidogenesis. The mechanism of opioid action, however, on porcine theca interna cells is completely unknown. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of two intracellular pathways, phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A, in opioid signal transduction in porcine theca cells treated with mu opioid receptor agonist, FK 33-824. Incubation of the cells for 4 h with FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM resulted in decreases in inositol phosphate accumulation as well as androstenedione (A(4)), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E(2)) secretions. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine (1-100 nM), D-sphingosine (10-500 nM), and PKCi (100-2000 nM), both added alone and together with the opioid agonist, depressed release of the steroid hormones. PKC activator, phorbol ester (PMA, 1-100 nM), used alone was without effect on theca cell steroidogenesis, but added in combination with FK 33-824 abolished inhibitory influence of the opioid on A(4), T, and E(2) output. The steroid hormone secretion by PKC-deficient theca cells was inhibited by the opioid agonist. FK 33-824 also suppressed PKC activity reducing [(3)H]PDBu specific binding to theca cells, whereas ionomycin (a positive control) increased labeled phorbol ester binding to the cells. In the next experiment, cAMP release from theca cells during 2 and 4 h incubations with FK 33-824 (1-100 nM), naloxone (10 microM; opioid receptor antagonist), and LH (100 ng/mL; a positive control) was examined. FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM inhibited cAMP secretion during 2 h incubation, but had no effect during longer incubation. LH in a manner independent on incubation time multiplied cAMP release. Protein kinase A inhibitor, PKAi (100-2000 nM), alone and in combination with FK 33-824 (1 nM), inhibited A(4), T, and E(2) secretions by theca cells. PKA activator, 8BrcAMP (10-1000 microM), stimulated the steroid hormone release, but this stimulatory effect was diminished in the presence of FK 33-824. The results allow to suggest that opioid peptides affect porcine theca cell steroidogenesis and their acute action on the cells is connected with the inhibition of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A signal transduction systems.     

Biochemical and functional assessment of equine lymphocyte phosphodiesterases and protein kinase C

Lymphocytes play an important role in allergic inflammation and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of equine allergic skin and respiratory disease. Targeting intracellular signalling pathways in human lymphocytes has demonstrated a role for both phosphodiesterase and protein kinase C in cell activation. The aim of this study was to measure total cyclic nucleotide hydrolysing phosphodiesterase activity and to identify the phosphodiesterase and protein kinase C isoenzymes present in equine lymphocytes. The functional significance of these isoenzymes was then investigated by examining their role in peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation using isoenzyme selective inhibitors. Total cyclic adenosine monophosphate hydrolysing phosphodiesterase activity was double that of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (30+/-2 pmol/min mg versus 16+/-3 pmol/min mg for cyclic adenosine and cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity, respectively). Evidence for the presence of PDE1, 3, 4 and 5 was obtained and PKCalpha, beta, delta, eta, iota, theta and zeta were identified. Selective inhibitors of PDE4, PKCdelta and conventional PKCs alpha and beta caused significant inhibition of mitogen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation. This study demonstrates a functional role for specific signalling isoenzymes and suggests that, in the context of allergic inflammation, targeting inflammatory cells involved in disease pathogenesis with relevant isoenzyme inhibitors may have therapeutic potential.     

Cadmium induces apoptosis in primary rat osteoblasts through caspase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) induces apoptosis in osteoblasts (OBs); however, little information is available regarding the specific mechanisms of Cd-induced primary rat OB apoptosis. In this study, Cd reduced cell viability, damaged cell membranes and induced apoptosis in OBs. We observed decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potentials, ultrastructure collapse, enhanced caspase-3 activity, and increased concentrations of cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 following Cd treatment. Cd also increased the phosphorylation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in OBs. Pretreatment with the caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126), p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) abrogated Cd-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Cd-treated OBs exhibited signs of oxidative stress protection, including increased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase levels and decreased formation of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, the results of our study clarified that Cd has direct cytotoxic effects on OBs, which are mediated by caspase- and MAPK pathways in Cd-induced apoptosis of OBs.     

日本血吸虫信号转导蛋白sjwnt10a基因的克隆及其在童虫和成虫中mRNA表达量的变化

利用RACE技术从19日龄的日本血吸虫童虫中扩增了1个Wnt家族基因，并对其进行了生物信息学分析。同源性分析表明，该基因为日本血吸虫新基因，完整开放阅读框（ORF）长1896bp，编码631个氨基酸，理论分子质量为73．3ku。该基因编码的氨基酸序列具有wnt家族蛋白的典型特征，与人、鼠Wnt10a的氨基酸序列同源性均为26％，推测为血吸虫的Wnt10a基因，命名为Sjwnt10a（GenBanK登录号DQ643829）。利用实时荧光定量PCR分析该基因在日本血吸虫不同发育阶段虫体中的表达情况，结果显示该基因在19日龄的日本血吸虫童虫中表达量最高，在14日龄童虫和44日龄雄虫中也有表达，但分别仅为19日龄童虫表达量的8．8％和5．0％，而在31日龄成虫和44日龄雌虫中没有检测到该基因。结果提示，童虫差异表达的Sjwnt10a基因可能对童虫的生长、发育至关重要。