From knowing to controlling: a path from genomics to drugs using small molecule probes

The National Cancer Institute Initiative in Chemical Genetics is designed to encourage the development of small molecular probes. The probes are useful for activating or inactivating protein functions, thereby providing resources that help discern the functions of gene products in normal and disease cells, as well as in tissues. This initiative includes "ChemBank," a suite of informatics tools and databases aimed at promoting the development and use of chemical genetics by scientists worldwide. The information generated with such tools should provide a critical link from genomic discovery to drug development.     

Blockage of ovulation by an angiotensin antagonist

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is present in high concentrations in preovulatory follicular fluid, and ovarian follicular cells have specific Ang II receptors. To investigate the possible direct involvement of Ang II in ovulation the specific receptor antagonist of Ang II, saralasin, was administered by intraperitoneal injection to immature rats in which follide development and ovulation had been induced with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), respectively. Saralasin halved the number of oocytes found in the fallopian tubes 17 to 20 hours after administration of hCG. The antiovulatory effect was observed when saralasin was given 1 hour before hCG or 1 or 3 hours after hCG but not when given 5 hours after hCG. Simultaneous administration of Ang II reversed the saralasin blockage of ovulation. These results indicate a direct, obligate role for Ang II in ovulation and raise the possibility of contraceptive and profertility applications for agonists or antagonists of the renin-angiotensin system that are aimed at the ovulatory process.     

Autoreactive epitope defined as the anticodon region of alanine transfer RNA

Autoantibodies to aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases are common in the human autoimmune diseases polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Sera of the PL-12 specificity contain separate antibodies reacting with alanyl-tRNA synthetase and alanine tRNA (tRNAAla). The antibodies to tRNA recognize at least six distinguishable human tRNAAla species grouped into two sequence families. The antibody-reactive determinants on the tRNA were identified through ribonuclease protection and oligonucleotide binding experiments. The antibody binding site is a seven- to nine-nucleotide sequence containing the anticodon loop and requires an intact anticodon. No requirement for anticodon stem structure or sequence is observed, although the 5' portion of the stem is protected from nuclease attack. Antibodies from several patients appear to share the same specificitym, indicating that the antibodies are induced by a unique sequence feature in the immunogen.     

Prevention of Brca1-mediated mammary tumorigenesis in mice by a progesterone antagonist

Women with mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 are predisposed to breast and ovarian cancers. Why the BRCA1 protein suppresses tumor development specifically in ovarian hormone-sensitive tissues remains unclear. We demonstrate that mammary glands of nulliparous Brca1/p53-deficient mice accumulate lateral branches and undergo extensive alveologenesis, a phenotype that occurs only during pregnancy in wild-type mice. Progesterone receptors, but not estrogen receptors, are overexpressed in the mutant mammary epithelial cells because of a defect in their degradation by the proteasome pathway. Treatment of Brca1/p53-deficient mice with the progesterone antagonist mifepristone (RU 486) prevented mammary tumorigenesis. These findings reveal a tissue-specific function for the BRCA1 protein and raise the possibility that antiprogesterone treatment may be useful for breast cancer prevention in individuals with BRCA1 mutations.     

Involvement of a leukocyte adhesion receptor (LFA-1) in HIV-induced syncytium formation

Cell fusion (syncytium formation) is a major cytopathic effect of infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may also represent an important mechanism of CD4+ T-cell depletion in individuals infected with HIV. Syncytium formation requires the interaction of CD4 on the surface of uninfected cells with HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 expressed on HIV-infected cells. However, several observations suggest that molecules other than CD4 play a role in HIV-induced cell fusion. The leukocyte adhesion receptor LFA-1 is involved in a broad range of leukocyte interactions mediated by diverse receptor-ligand systems including CD4-class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Possible mimicry of class II MHC molecules by gp120 in its interaction with CD4 prompted an examination of the role of LFA-1 in HIV-induced cell fusion. A monoclonal antibody against LFA-1 completely inhibited HIV-induced syncytium formation. The antibody did not block binding of gp120 to CD4. This demonstrates that a molecule other than CD4 is also involved in cell fusion mediated by HIV.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of asthma

Airway eosinophilia, epithelial desquamation, and hyperresponsiveness are characteristics of the airway inflammation underlying bronchial asthma. The contribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to eosinophil migration and airway responsiveness was studied. ICAM-1 partially mediated eosinophil adhesion to to endothelium in vitro and was upregulated on inflamed bronchial endothelium in vivo. ICAM-1 expression was also upregulated on inflamed airway epithelium in vitro and in vivo. In a primate model of asthma, a monoclonal antibody to ICAM-1 attenuated airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness. Thus, antagonism of ICAM-1 may provide a therapeutic approach to reducing airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and asthma symptoms.     

Losartan, an AT1 antagonist, prevents aortic aneurysm in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome

Aortic aneurysm and dissection are manifestations of Marfan syndrome (MFS), a disorder caused by mutations in the gene that encodes fibrillin-1. Selected manifestations of MFS reflect excessive signaling by the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of cytokines. We show that aortic aneurysm in a mouse model of MFS is associated with increased TGF-beta signaling and can be prevented by TGF-beta antagonists such as TGF-beta-neutralizing antibody or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) blocker, losartan. AT1 antagonism also partially reversed noncardiovascular manifestations of MFS, including impaired alveolar septation. These data suggest that losartan, a drug already in clinical use for hypertension, merits investigation as a therapeutic strategy for patients with MFS and has the potential to prevent the major life-threatening manifestation of this disorder.     

咳喘宁对RSV诱发哮喘大鼠ICAM-1表达的影响

目的 研究咳喘宁对RSV诱发哮喘大鼠气道重塑形态学及ICAM-1表达的影响,阐明其防治哮喘的作用机制。方法 将60只幼年SD雄性大鼠随机分为6组,即正常组,模型组,泼尼松与沙丁胺醇治疗组（简称泼+沙治疗组）,咳喘宁大、中、小剂量组,每组10只。用卵清蛋白复制大鼠哮喘模型,并予呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）激发哮喘。大鼠处死后肺组织行HE染色观察炎症反应;图像分析软件测定支气管壁厚度及气道壁面积;免疫组化pv-9000二步法检测ICAM-1表达水平。结果 与模型组相比,各治疗组炎症反应较轻。各治疗组支气管壁厚度及气道壁面积改变较小,与模型组相比差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）;咳喘宁中剂量组较泼+沙治疗组作用略差,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;咳喘宁大、小剂量组与泼+沙治疗组相比,其作用明显较差,有统计学意义（P<0.05）。各治疗组与模型组比较,其肺组织中ICAM-1表达均降低,有显著性差异（P<0.01）;泼+沙治疗组ICAM-1表达稍低于咳喘宁中剂量组,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05﹚。结论 咳喘宁可有效抑制气道重塑,其机制可能与降低肺组织中ICAM-1表达有关。     

Generation of simian-tropic HIV-1 by restriction factor evasion

Because HIV-1 does not infect most nonhuman primates, animal modeling of human HIV infection and AIDS has primarily consisted of experimentally infecting macaques with related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVMAC). However, the usefulness of such models is limited by the substantial divergence between SIVMAC and HIV-1. We derived an HIV-1-based virus that includes only small portions of SIVMAC yet replicates robustly in both transformed and primary rhesus macaque T cells. Derivation of simian-tropic HIV-1 (stHIV-1) has important implications for understanding primate lentivirus zoonosis and should allow the development of improved animal models for studies of AIDS and the evaluation of vaccines and treatments.     

Probing and controlling the bonds of an artificial molecule

We demonstrate how molecular quantum states of coupled semiconductor quantum dots are coherently probed and manipulated in transport experiments. The applied method probes quantum states by the virtual cotunneling of two electrons and hence resolves the sequences of molecular states simultaneously. This result is achieved by weakly probing the quantum system through parallel contacts to its constituting quantum dots. The overlap of the dots' wave functions and, in turn, the splitting of molecular states are adjusted by the direct influence of coupling electrodes.     

Suppression of ovulation in the rat by an orally active antagonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

A synthetic antagonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone blocked ovulation in rats in a dose-dependent manner when given by gavage on the afternoon of proestrus. Ovulation was delayed for at least 1 day in all animals given 2 milligrams of antogonist and in some of the animals treated with 1 or 0.5 milligram. Oral administration of 2 milligrams also blocked the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone. This demonstration that antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone can have oral antiovulatory activity clearly enhances their therapeutic potential.     

小麦小分子RNA TaMIR1129介导植株抵御低氮逆境功能研究

本研究针对迄今有关小麦小分子RNA(miRNA)家族成员介导植株氮素吸收和利用机理尚少见报道的现状,对TaMIR1129的表达特征和介导植株抵御低氮逆境功能进行了研究。结果表明,TaMIR1129呈低氮胁迫诱导表达,表现为随氮浓度降低(0.02~6mmol/L)和处理时间延长(0~48h)表达水平不断增高特征。此外,低氮诱导的高表达水平在恢复供氮后表达下调。表明该miRNA对介质中氮素应答呈典型的时间及浓度依赖特征。TaMIR1129作用2个靶基因,包括Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase(TaMCS)和Major facilitator family transporter(TaMFFT),上述基因应答低氮特征与TaMIR1129相反。遗传转化结果表明,超表达TaMIR1129具有显著增强植株抵御低氮逆境的能力。表现为与野生型对照相比,转基因系Sen 1和Sen 2低氮处理后植株形态增大,干质量增加,氮累积量增多。表明TaMIR1129与作用靶基因构建miRNA/target模块在介导植株抵御低氮逆境中发挥重要作用。     

The 2.6 angstrom crystal structure of a human A2A adenosine receptor bound to an antagonist

The adenosine class of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediates the important role of extracellular adenosine in many physiological processes and is antagonized by caffeine. We have determined the crystal structure of the human A2A adenosine receptor, in complex with a high-affinity subtype-selective antagonist, ZM241385, to 2.6 angstrom resolution. Four disulfide bridges in the extracellular domain, combined with a subtle repacking of the transmembrane helices relative to the adrenergic and rhodopsin receptor structures, define a pocket distinct from that of other structurally determined GPCRs. The arrangement allows for the binding of the antagonist in an extended conformation, perpendicular to the membrane plane. The binding site highlights an integral role for the extracellular loops, together with the helical core, in ligand recognition by this class of GPCRs and suggests a role for ZM241385 in restricting the movement of a tryptophan residue important in the activation mechanism of the class A receptors.     

De-AMPylation of the small GTPase Rab1 by the pathogen Legionella pneumophila

The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila exploits host cell vesicle transport by transiently manipulating the activity of the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rab1. The effector protein SidM recruits Rab1 to the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), where it activates Rab1 and then AMPylates it by covalently adding adenosine monophosphate (AMP). L. pneumophila GTPase-activating protein LepB inactivates Rab1 before its removal from LCVs. Because LepB cannot bind AMPylated Rab1, the molecular events leading to Rab1 inactivation are unknown. We found that the effector protein SidD from L. pneumophila catalyzed AMP release from Rab1, generating de-AMPylated Rab1 accessible for inactivation by LepB. L. pneumophila mutants lacking SidD were defective for Rab1 removal from LCVs, identifying SidD as the missing link connecting the processes of early Rab1 accumulation and subsequent Rab1 removal during infection.     

ICAM-1在妊娠早期和流产大鼠子宫中的表达和意义

采用免疫组织化学SP法检测了妊娠早期和流产大鼠子宫中ICAM-1的分布与表达。发现ICAM-1在各组大鼠子宫腔上皮、腺上皮、子宫基质或蜕膜、子宫肌层及部分血管内皮上均有表达。妊娠早期大鼠子宫基质、肌层和蜕膜细胞中ICAM-1的表达比发情期增加,且植入期和植入后期增加极显著（P〈0．01）,植入期较植入前期在以上部位中增加极显著（P〈0．01）,达到最高峰;植入后期肌层中ICAM-1的表达较植入期显著降低（P〈0．01）。流产大鼠蜕膜中ICAM-1的表达显著降低（P〈0．01）,但子宫含胎儿部分蜕膜上皮细胞中ICAM-1的表达较强。结果表明ICAM-1主要在植入期发挥作用,其在妊娠早期的异常表达可能与流产有关。     

Generation of self-incompatible Arabidopsis thaliana by transfer of two S locus genes from A. lyrata

Transitions from cross-fertilizing to self-fertilizing mating systems have occurred frequently in natural and domesticated plant populations, but the underlying genetic causes are unknown. We show that gene transfer of the stigma receptor kinase SRK and its pollen-borne ligand SCR from one S-locus haplotype of the self-incompatible and cross-fertilizing Arabidopsis lyrata is sufficient to impart self-incompatibility phenotype in self-fertile Arabidopsis thaliana, which lacks functional orthologs of these genes. This successful complementation demonstrates that the signaling cascade leading to inhibition of self-related pollen was maintained in A. thaliana. Analysis of self-incompatibility will be facilitated by the tools available in this species.