Phosphorylation and regulation of Raf by Akt (protein kinase B)

Activation of the protein kinase Raf can lead to opposing cellular responses such as proliferation, growth arrest, apoptosis, or differentiation. Akt (protein kinase B), a member of a different signaling pathway that also regulates these responses, interacted with Raf and phosphorylated this protein at a highly conserved serine residue in its regulatory domain in vivo. This phosphorylation of Raf by Akt inhibited activation of the Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway and shifted the cellular response in a human breast cancer cell line from cell cycle arrest to proliferation. These observations provide a molecular basis for cross talk between two signaling pathways at the level of Raf and Akt.     

Phosphorylation by p38 MAPK as an alternative pathway for GSK3beta inactivation

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) is involved in metabolism, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Inhibition of GSK3beta activity is the primary mechanism that regulates this widely expressed active kinase. Although the protein kinase Akt inhibits GSK3beta by phosphorylation at the N terminus, preventing Akt-mediated phosphorylation does not affect the cell-survival pathway activated through the GSK3beta substrate beta-catenin. Here, we show that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) also inactivates GSK3beta by direct phosphorylation at its C terminus, and this inactivation can lead to an accumulation of beta-catenin. p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of GSK3beta occurs primarily in the brain and thymocytes. Activation of beta-catenin-mediated signaling through GSK3beta inhibition provides a potential mechanism for p38 MAPK-mediated survival in specific tissues.     

Yersinia YopJ acetylates and inhibits kinase activation by blocking phosphorylation

Yersinia species use a variety of type III effector proteins to target eukaryotic signaling systems. The effector YopJ inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) signaling pathways used in innate immune response by preventing activation of the family of MAPK kinases (MAPKK). We show that YopJ acted as an acetyltransferase, using acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to modify the critical serine and threonine residues in the activation loop of MAPKK6 and thereby blocking phosphorylation. The acetylation on MAPKK6 directly competed with phosphorylation, preventing activation of the modified protein. This covalent modification may be used as a general regulatory mechanism in biological signaling.     

GnIH通过p38MAPK信号通路对猪卵巢颗粒细胞自噬与凋亡的影响

【目的】细胞自噬和凋亡存在着相互制约,p38MAPK信号通路作为细胞凋亡的主要调控通路之一,也对细胞自噬存在促进和抑制的双重作用。已有研究表明,促性腺激素抑制激素(gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone , GnIH)对细胞自噬与凋亡均有影响,但作用机制尚不明确。故探究GnIH通过p38MAPK信号通路对猪卵巢颗粒细胞（pGCs）自噬与凋亡的影响及其机理,为解决母猪的产子率以及同期发情等问题提供参考。【方法】min、10 min、30 min、60 min、90 min)分组,用Western blot检测猪卵巢颗粒细胞p38与p-p38的蛋白表达量变化;2、验证GnIH对p38MAPK信号通路的影响：按（空白对照、GnIH、p38激活剂（U-46619）、U-46619+GnIH）分组,用Western blot检测p38与p-p38的蛋白表达量变化;3、探究不同浓度GnIH对自噬和凋亡的影响：按（空白对照、10 ^-6mol·L ^-1 GnIH、10 ^-8mol·L ^-1 GnIH、10 ^-10mol·L ^-1 GnIH、10 ^-12mol·L ^-1 GnIH）分组,用Western blot检测自噬与凋亡标志性蛋白的表达量变化;4、验证不同浓度GnIH通过p38信号通路对自噬和凋亡的影响：将细胞分成6组（空白对照、U-46619、U-46619+10 ^-6 mol·L ^-1 GnIH、U-46619+10 ^-8mol·L ^-1 GnIH、U-46619+10 ^-10mol·L ^-1 GnIH、U-46619+10 ^-12mol·L ^-1 GnIH）,用Western blot检测自噬与凋亡标志性蛋白的表达量变化。【结果】1. GnIH孵育10 min后,显著降低p38与p-p38的蛋白表达量（P<0.05）,提示,GnIH对p38MAPK信号通路的最佳作用时间为10 min;2. U-46619显著促进pGCs的p38磷酸化水平（P<0.05）,GnIH显著抑制pGCs的p38磷酸化水平（P<0.05）,提示,U-46619使p38MAPK信号通路活化,GnIH对p38MAPK信号通路的活化有抑制作用;3. 当 GnIH的浓度为10 ^-6 mol·L ^-1时,pGCs的自噬和凋亡水平显著升高（P<0.05）,随着GnIH浓度的降低,pGCs的自噬水平逐渐升高（P<0.05）,pGCs的凋亡水平逐渐降低（P<0.05）,提示,高浓度GnIH可以促进自噬和凋亡,随着GnIH浓度的降低,自噬水平逐渐升高,而凋亡水平逐渐下降;4. 加入U-46619后,GnIH使pGCs的自噬显著上调（P<0.05）,并且使pGCs的凋亡显著下调（P<0.05）,提示,不同浓度GnIH通过p38MAPK信号通路影响pGCs的自噬和凋亡。【结论】GnIH可能通过抑制p38MAPK信号通路的活化,上调pGCs的自噬,减少pGCs的凋亡。     

CREB转录因子及其磷酸化信号通路的研究进展

cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（cAMP response element binding protein,CREB）是一种真核生物细胞核内调控因子,在神经元再生、突触形成及学习记忆等方面具有重要的调节作用。CREB的磷酸化是实现调节转录的重要途径,胞外信号途径影响CREB的磷酸化来激活多种靶基因转录,表现出多种生理功能。综述了CREB的结构、调控机制,特别是磷酸化的信号通路。     

Carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP), a negative regulator of PKB/Akt and v-Akt at the plasma membrane

The PKB (protein kinase B, also called Akt) family of protein kinases plays a key role in insulin signaling, cellular survival, and transformation. PKB is activated by phosphorylation on residues threonine 308, by the protein kinase PDK1, and Serine 473, by a putative serine 473 kinase. Several protein binding partners for PKB have been identified. Here, we describe a protein partner for PKBalpha termed CTMP, or carboxyl-terminal modulator protein, that binds specifically to the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain of PKBalpha at the plasma membrane. Binding of CTMP reduces the activity of PKBalpha by inhibiting phosphorylation on serine 473 and threonine 308. Moreover, CTMP expression reverts the phenotype of v-Akt-transformed cells examined under a number of criteria including cell morphology, growth rate, and in vivo tumorigenesis. These findings identify CTMP as a negative regulatory component of the pathway controlling PKB activity.     

Ca2+-induced apoptosis through calcineurin dephosphorylation of BAD

The Ca2+-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin induces apoptosis, but the mechanism is unknown. Calcineurin was found to dephosphorylate BAD, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, thus enhancing BAD heterodimerization with Bcl-xL and promoting apoptosis. The Ca2+-induced dephosphorylation of BAD correlated with its dissociation from 14-3-3 in the cytosol and translocation to mitochondria where Bcl-xL resides. In hippocampal neurons, L-glutamate, an inducer of Ca2+ influx and calcineurin activation, triggered mitochondrial targeting of BAD and apoptosis, which were both suppressible by coexpression of a dominant-inhibitory mutant of calcineurin or pharmacological inhibitors of this phosphatase. Thus, a Ca2+-inducible mechanism for apoptosis induction operates by regulating BAD phosphorylation and localization in cells.     

Reduced MAP kinase phosphatase-1 degradation after p42/p44MAPK-dependent phosphorylation

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade is inactivated at the level of MAP kinase by members of the MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) family, including MKP-1. MKP-1 was a labile protein in CCL39 hamster fibroblasts; its degradation was attenuated by inhibitors of the ubiquitin-directed proteasome complex. MKP-1 was a target in vivo and in vitro for p42(MAPK) or p44(MAPK), which phosphorylates MKP-1 on two carboxyl-terminal serine residues, Serine 359 and Serine 364. This phosphorylation did not modify MKP-1's intrinsic ability to dephosphorylate p44(MAPK) but led to stabilization of the protein. These results illustrate the importance of regulated protein degradation in the control of mitogenic signaling.     

Wnt3a-mediated formation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate regulates LRP6 phosphorylation

The canonical Wnt-beta-catenin signaling pathway is initiated by inducing phosphorylation of one of the Wnt receptors, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), at threonine residue 1479 (Thr1479) and serine residue 1490 (Ser1490). By screening a human kinase small interfering RNA library, we identified phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type II alpha and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type I (PIP5KI) as required for Wnt3a-induced LRP6 phosphorylation at Ser1490 in mammalian cells and confirmed that these kinases are important for Wnt signaling in Xenopus embryos. Wnt3a stimulates the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates [PtdIns (4,5)P2] through frizzled and dishevelled, the latter of which directly interacted with and activated PIP5KI. In turn, PtdIns (4,5)P2 regulated phosphorylation of LRP6 at Thr1479 and Ser1490. Therefore, our study reveals a signaling mechanism for Wnt to regulate LRP6 phosphorylation.     

黄白双花口服液治疗犊牛腹泻的系统药理学分析

【目的】利用系统药理学构建黄白双花口服液治疗犊牛腹泻的活性化合物—靶点—通路—疾病相关蛋白的关系网络模型,阐述黄白双花口服液治疗犊牛腹泻的分子机制,为犊牛腹泻防治药物研发提供理论依据。【方法】根据口服利用度（OB）≥30%和类药性（DL）≥0.18,利用中药系统药理学数据库（TCMSP）检索黄白双花口服液中每味中药（黄连、白头翁、金银花、黄芩、地榆和乌梅）的活性化合物及与其相对应的作用靶点,导入Cytoscape绘图软件中建立活性化合物与其对应靶点的互作网络图;通过基因数据库（Gene Cards）检索犊牛腹泻的有关靶点基因,使用维恩图求取二者的交集,得到犊牛腹泻与黄白双花口服液共同的靶点基因组合,然后导入String数据库中以获得相关蛋白相互作用网络图;将黄白双花口服液作用于犊牛腹泻的靶点基因导入DAVID数据库中,分别进行GO功能富集分析和KEGG通路富集分析。【结果】从黄白双花口服液中筛选出43种活性化合物,分别对应131个相关靶点基因。黄白双花口服液与犊牛腹泻交集的蛋白质—蛋白质相互作用网络图包括128个节点及205条相互关系,其中丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶1（AKT1）、白介素2（IL-2）、白介素6（IL-6）、白介素8（IL-8）、促分裂素原活化蛋白激酶1（MAPK1）及含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（CASP3）的出现频率较高。利用DAVID数据库对黄白双花口服液与犊牛腹泻交集靶点的蛋白进行GO功能富集分析,最终富集到204条GO功能条目（FDR< 10-2）,其中细胞组成条目8条、分子功能条目12条、生物过程条目184条;黄白双花口服液治疗犊牛腹泻的相关蛋白主要富集于19条信号通路上（FDR< 10-2）。【结论】黄白双花口服液主要以黄连、白头翁、金银花、黄芩、地榆和乌梅中的槲皮素、β-谷甾醇、豆甾醇及山奈酚等活性化合物成分,通过ATK1、MAPK1、IL-2、IL-6和IL-8等靶点,经Toll样受体信号通路、NOD样受体信号通路、T细胞受体信号通路和B细胞受体信号通路等,发挥抗菌消炎、抑制细胞损伤及调节免疫力等作用,以达到治疗犊牛腹泻的目的。     

Integration of TGF-beta and Ras/MAPK signaling through p53 phosphorylation

During development and tissue homeostasis, cells must integrate different signals. We investigated how cell behavior is controlled by the combined activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, whose integration mechanism is unknown. We find that RTK/Ras/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) activity induces p53 N-terminal phosphorylation, enabling the interaction of p53 with the TGF-beta-activated Smads. This mechanism confines mesoderm specification in Xenopus embryos and promotes TGF-beta cytostasis in human cells. These data indicate a mechanism to allow extracellular cues to specify the TGF-beta gene-expression program.     

2-辛亚砜-5,8-二甲氧基-1,4萘醌通过ROS/Akt通路诱导HepG2细胞凋亡

为研究修饰后的萘醌类衍生物对人肝癌细胞株HepG2诱导细胞凋亡作用及其机制。采用MTT、流式和Western blot方法观察2-辛亚砜-5,8-二甲氧基-1,4萘醌对人肝癌细胞的生长作用。结果表明:2-辛亚砜-5,8-二甲氧基-1,4萘醌可通过促进早期ROS水平升高,抑制Akt的磷酸化水平,并选择性地激活p38,ERK信号通路,从而抑制肝癌细胞株HepG2细胞的增殖并诱导其发生凋亡。     

卵巢颗粒细胞自噬与PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a信号通路的相关性

细胞自噬是哺乳动物细胞物质代谢的一个重要机制,与细胞凋亡共同参与卵巢卵泡的发育和闭锁,并发挥重要的作用。近年研究发现,磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B,PI3K/AKT）信号通路参与卵巢疾病的发生。PI3K和AKT的过度激活可使原始卵泡过早发育以及卵泡过快凋亡,卵巢颗粒细胞作为卵泡发育重要的支持细胞,其功能的减退或凋亡很可能引发一系列女性内分泌方面的疾病。FOXO3a转录因子是PI3K/AKT信号通路下游的重要靶蛋白之一,参与抗增殖和凋亡。本文就关于卵巢颗粒细胞自噬与PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a信号通路的相关进展加以综述。     

印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

【目的】探讨印楝素对小菜蛾Plutella xyllostella胚胎细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及可能的机制。【方法】将体外培养的小菜蛾胚胎细胞分为印楝素处理组和未处理组,采用CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞增殖的抑制率,激光共聚焦镜检PI染色后的细胞死亡和DAPI染色后的凋亡小体,通过Western-blotting检测各组细胞Caspase-3的表达情况以及通路蛋白Akt的磷酸化水平。【结果】印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞有明显的增殖抑制作用,且呈现浓度依赖性,24 h的IC_(50)为4.4μg·mL~(-1)。印楝素处理后的细胞经PI染色后能明显观察到死亡细胞,DAPI染色后可见凋亡小体;Caspase-3蛋白发生剪切,并且抑制Akt的磷酸化水平。【结论】印楝素对小菜蛾胚胎细胞的增殖有明显的抑制作用,并通过抑制Akt信号通路的活化,诱导细胞产生依赖于Caspase-3的Ⅰ型凋亡。