A network of control mediated by regulator of calcium/calmodulin-dependent signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a major effector for the intracellular actions of Ca2+ in nearly all cell types. We identified a CaM-binding protein, designated regulator of calmodulin signaling (RCS). G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent activation of protein kinase A (PKA) led to phosphorylation of RCS at Ser55 and increased its binding to CaM. Phospho-RCS acted as a competitive inhibitor of CaM-dependent enzymes, including protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B, also called calcineurin). Increasing RCS phosphorylation blocked GPCR- and PP2B-mediated suppression of L-type Ca2+ currents in striatal neurons. Conversely, genetic deletion of RCS significantly increased this modulation. Through a molecular mechanism that amplifies GPCR- and PKA-mediated signaling and attenuates GPCR- and PP2B-mediated signaling, RCS synergistically increases the phosphorylation of key proteins whose phosphorylation is regulated by PKA and PP2B.     

Notch信号通路在体外培养的鹿茸干细胞中的表达

Notch信号通路是一条进化上十分保守的信号转导系统,在调节干细胞增殖、分化和凋亡方面起到重要作用。研究表明,鹿生茸区骨膜和角柄骨膜分别含有鹿茸发生和再生的干细胞。应用RT-PCR的方法对离体培养生茸区骨膜和角柄骨膜细胞进行检测,得出Notch信号通路各信号因子在2种细胞中的表达情况。结果:Notch-1、Notch-2、Notch-4、Dll-4J、agged-1J、agged-2、Hes-1等信号因子在这2种干细胞中均有不同程度的表达,说明Notch信号通路可能参与了他们的增殖、分化的调控。     

The DNA-binding properties of the major regulatory protein alpha 4 of herpes simplex viruses

The transition from the expression of alpha, the first set of five herpes simplex virus genes expressed after infection, to beta and gamma genes, expressed later in infection, requires the participation of infected cell protein 4 (alpha 4), the major viral regulatory protein. The alpha 4 protein is present in complexes formed by proteins extracted from infected cells and viral DNA fragments derived from promoter domains. This report shows that the alpha 4 protein forms specific complexes with DNA fragments derived from 5' transcribed noncoding domains of late (gamma 2) genes whose expression requires viral DNA synthesis as well as functional alpha 4 protein. Some of the DNA fragments to which alpha 4 binds do not contain homologs of the previously reported DNA binding site consensus sequence, suggesting that alpha 4 may recognize and interact with more than one type of DNA binding site. The alpha 4 proteins can bind to DNA directly. A posttranslationally modified form of the alpha 4 protein designated alpha 4c differs from the alpha 4a and alpha 4b forms with respect to its affinity for DNA fragments differing in the nucleotide sequences of the binding sites.     

板栗蛋白磷酸酶PP2A催化亚基基因的克隆与同源性分析

利用RACE技术从板栗雄花序中扩增得到1 347 bp的板栗蛋白磷酸酶2A的催化亚基(protein phospha-tase PP2A catalytic subunit,PP2Ac)cDNA片段。序列分析表明该片段包含基因的5′非翻译区4 bp,3′非翻译区407 bp,开放阅读框为936 bp,编码311个氨基酸,预计分子量为35.6 KD,等电点为5.94。基因序列数据库(GenBanK)登录为FJ840479(基因)和ACO57639(蛋白)。与葡萄、拟南芥、水稻等其他物种PP2Ac氨基酸序列相似性约为92%。     

PML regulates apoptosis at endoplasmic reticulum by modulating calcium release

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) tumor suppressor is a pleiotropic modulator of apoptosis. However, the molecular basis for such a diverse proapoptotic role is currently unknown. We show that extranuclear Pml was specifically enriched at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and at the mitochondria-associated membranes, signaling domains involved in ER-to-mitochondria calcium ion (Ca(2+)) transport and in induction of apoptosis. We found Pml in complexes of large molecular size with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R), protein kinase Akt, and protein phosphatase 2a (PP2a). Pml was essential for Akt- and PP2a-dependent modulation of IP(3)R phosphorylation and in turn for IP(3)R-mediated Ca(2+) release from ER. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the pleiotropic role of Pml in apoptosis and identify a pharmacological target for the modulation of Ca(2+) signals.     

Greatwall phosphorylates an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A that is essential for mitosis

Entry into mitosis in eukaryotes requires the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). Cdk1 is opposed by protein phosphatases in two ways: They inhibit activation of Cdk1 by dephosphorylating the protein kinases Wee1 and Myt1 and the protein phosphatase Cdc25 (key regulators of Cdk1), and they also antagonize Cdk1's own phosphorylation of downstream targets. A particular form of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) containing a B55δ subunit (PP2A- B55δ) is the major protein phosphatase that acts on model CDK substrates in Xenopus egg extracts and has antimitotic activity. The activity of PP2A-B55δ is high in interphase and low in mitosis, exactly opposite that of Cdk1. We report that inhibition of PP2A-B55δ results from a small protein, known as α-endosulfine (Ensa), that is phosphorylated in mitosis by the protein kinase Greatwall (Gwl). This converts Ensa into a potent and specific inhibitor of PP2A-B55δ. This pathway represents a previously unknown element in the control of mitosis.     

The substrate of Greatwall kinase, Arpp19, controls mitosis by inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A

Initiation and maintenance of mitosis require the activation of protein kinase cyclin B-Cdc2 and the inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which, respectively, phosphorylate and dephosphorylate mitotic substrates. The protein kinase Greatwall (Gwl) is required to maintain mitosis through PP2A inhibition. We describe how Gwl activation results in PP2A inhibition. We identified cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein 19 (Arpp19) and α-Endosulfine as two substrates of Gwl that, when phosphorylated by this kinase, associate with and inhibit PP2A, thus promoting mitotic entry. Conversely, in the absence of Gwl activity, Arpp19 and α-Endosulfine are dephosphorylated and lose their capacity to bind and inhibit PP2A. Although both proteins can inhibit PP2A, endogenous Arpp19, but not α-Endosulfine, is responsible for PP2A inhibition at mitotic entry in Xenopus egg extracts.     

小麦蛋白磷酸酶2A调节亚基基因TaBβ-1的克隆及其在非生物胁迫下的表达特性

【目的】克隆小麦蛋白磷酸酶2A(PP2A)调节亚基(PR55)基因TaBβ-1,分析其在非生物胁迫下的表达特性,为小麦抗逆育种提供候选基因。【方法】以小麦品种旱选10号为材料,通过电子克隆和RT-PCR获得TaBβ-1的全长cDNA序列,采用生物信息学软件分析TaBβ-1及其编码蛋白TaBβ-1的序列特征,预测其功能,利用实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative PCR)技术分析该基因在小麦孕穗期不同组织中、不同生育时期新叶中的表达情况,以及在PEG、NaCl、低温及外源激素ABA等非生物胁迫下的表达模式,检测不同水分条件下成株期转基因拟南芥的叶片细胞膜稳定性。【结果】获得TaBβ-1的全长cDNA序列1931bp,其开放阅读框(ORF)为1539bp。该基因编码512个氨基酸,预测TaBβ-1蛋白分子量为57.1kD,等电点为5.87,含有PP2A调节亚基的1个CDC55保守结构域、1个alpha/beta结构域、2个PR55保守结构域和6个WD重复子。TaBβ-1在小麦孕穗期的根、穗、叶中均有表达,表达量依次为根穗叶;在不同生育时期的新叶中,苗期叶片的表达量最高。TaBβ-1的表达明显受PEG、NaCl、低温以及外源ABA的诱导。【结论】小麦蛋白磷酸酶2A调节亚基家族基因TaBβ-1在小麦苗期叶片中的表达量明显高于根、穗以及其它时期的叶片;TaBβ-1参与对高渗、高盐、低温等多种胁迫以及ABA处理的应答反应,但表达模式不同;在水分胁迫条件下,转基因拟南芥比野生型具有较高的细胞膜稳定性。     

原花青素影响Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞周期变化与细胞凋亡的可能机制

目的探讨原花青素（Proanthocyanidins,PAC）对β-淀粉样肽（25—35）[β amyloid peptide-（25—35）,Aβ25-35]诱导体外血清饥饿培养的PCI2细胞周期异常与凋亡保护作用的可能机制。方法种人培养瓶或板的PC12细胞贴壁后用常用血清饥饿培养使细胞同步于岛期,30mg／L的PAC预处理血清饥饿培养的PC12细胞,加入终浓度为25μmol／L Aβ25-35处理0～20h,通过RT-PCR和Western blot从mRNA及蛋白水平检测细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶4（Cyclin—dependent kinase-4,CDK4）、磷酸化的视网膜纤维母细胞瘤蛋白（phosphorylated Retinoblastoma protein,pRb）、腺病毒E2启动子结合因子1（Adenovirus E2 factor-1,E2 F1）、B细胞淋巴瘤／白血病关联X蛋白（B-cell lymphoma／leukemia-2 Associated X protein,bax）基因表达的变化。结果与Aβ25—35诱导组比较,CDK4、E2F1、bax mRNA表达和CDK4、pR6、Bax蛋白表达降低。结论PAC可能通过下调CDK4、pRb、E2F1的表达,从而降低bax的活化,对Aβ25-35诱导的PC12细胞周期异常与凋亡起保护作用的。     

流感病毒在诱导A549细胞凋亡过程中对SIRT1和P53蛋白的影响

采用流式细胞术观察了流感病毒诱导A549细胞凋亡的情况,同时应用Western blot方法研究了SIRT1和p53等蛋白的表达情况。结果表明:1000 TCID50/mL剂量流感病毒感染A549细胞后,细胞表现出典型的凋亡特征,且凋亡比例随感染时间延长而逐渐增加。在流感病毒诱导细胞凋亡过程中,SIRT1蛋白的表达下降,p-p53的表达上升。线粒体中Bax的表达上调,Bcl-2的表达下降。可见SIRT1蛋白参与了流感病毒诱导的A549细胞凋亡,SIRT1蛋白表达下调可能促进了Bax释放进入线粒体和p53蛋白功能的进一步发挥。     

水稻PP2Ac类磷酸酶蛋白质在盐胁迫下的表达

【目的】了解重要蛋白质的表达模式进而探讨水稻耐盐的分子机理。【方法】采用基于抗体的蛋白质组学策略,用免疫印迹（western blotting）调查了5个PP2Ac类磷酸酶蛋白质在苗期盐胁迫条件下的表达。【结果】发现在耐盐水稻品种兰胜中,OsPP2Ac-4的表达上调,在盐敏感的水稻品种9311中,OsPP2Ac-2、OsPP2Ac-3和OsPP2Ac-5的表达也发生了上调,但OsPP2Ac-4的表达下调。比较2个品种间PP2Ac蛋白质的表达,发现在正常生长条件下,PP2Ac蛋白质的表达没有显著区别且基本保持恒定,其表达变化仅发生在盐胁迫条件下。分析水稻MPSS数据库提供的苗期盐胁迫的转录数据,发现OsPP2Ac-2、OsPP2Ac-3和OsPP2Ac-5在盐胁迫条件下转录水平下调。【结论】发现了4个盐胁迫条件下表达发生变化的PP2Ac蛋白质。     

Induction by antigen of intrathymic apoptosis of CD4+CD8+TCRlo thymocytes in vivo

In order to examine the mechanisms by which clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells occurs, a peptide antigen was used to induce deletion of antigen-reactive thymocytes in vivo. Mice transgenic for a T cell receptor (TCR) that reacts to this peptide contain thymocytes that progress from the immature to the mature phenotype. Intraperitoneal administration of the peptide antigen to transgenic mice results in a rapid deletion of the immature CD4+ CD8+ TCRlo thymocytes. Apoptosis of cortical thymocytes can be seen within 20 hours of treatment. These results provide direct evidence for the in vivo role of apoptosis in the development of antigen-induced tolerance.     

基于CRISPR/Cas9技术建立IGF2R基因修饰PK-15细胞

作为我国特色的地方种质资源,藏猪对高海拔、低氧、强紫外线辐射等恶劣环境具有良好的适应性,前期研究发现藏猪的IGF2R（insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor,IGF2R）基因在其内含子上有1段274 bp的缺失,且该缺失为藏猪独有的变异,关于IGF2R是否参与藏猪对低氧等恶劣环境的适应性调节的相关研究尚未报道。为了建立IGF2R基因274 bp修饰的猪细胞系,研究IGF2R基因对藏猪低氧耐受特性的影响,通过CRISPR/Cas9技术建立基因修饰PK-15细胞系,并通过PCR、实时荧光定量PCR（real time quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR）、蛋白免疫印迹（Western-blot）、免疫荧光（immunofluorescence,IF）等方法鉴定其分子特征,随后分别利用CCK-8和RT-qPCR 、Western-blot对基因修饰细胞进行活力和凋亡基因检测。结果显示,已成功构建IGF2R基因274 bp修饰的猪细胞系,IGF2R基因表达量极显著下调（P < 0.01）。基因修饰细胞活力在72 h时极显著上升（P < 0.01）,并且含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶9 （cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase,Caspase9）和BCL-2关联 X （BCL2-associated X,BAX） 蛋白的水平显著下调（P < 0.05）,并且B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B-cell lymphoma-2,BCL2）基因的mRNA水平极显著上升（P < 0.01）。成功构建了IGF2R基因精确修饰的PK-15细胞系,并初步进行了功能研究,为研究IGF2R基因功能提供细胞模型,并为后续基因编辑猪的制备奠定基础。     

植物延伸因子eEF1A研究进展

60年代初,首先从E．coli细胞中分离获得延伸因子,延伸因子eEF1A广泛存在于真核细胞内,是在核糖体上催化氨基酸链的延伸而推动、控制蛋白质的合成等方面起到重要作用的蛋白质因子。在植物蛋白质合成延伸过程中,eEF1A是一个主要的翻译因子;在快速增殖的细胞中,eEF1A基因的表达调控十分保守,其表达水平同细胞生长及增殖速度有关。eEF1A除了参与同翻译控制有关的信号传导外,还参与细胞生长、应激反应及与运动性有关的信号传导,并且与细胞凋亡等有关。eEF1A在体内和体外均能同肌动蛋白纤维及微管蛋白结合,是细胞骨架运动性的调节蛋白。目前许多植物的eEF1A基因已被分离,植物种间的eEF1A氨基酸序列高度保守;植物eEF1A由多基因编码,它的表达受激素、环境胁迫和生长发育过程等因素诱导。文章通过总结植物延伸因子eEF1A的生理作用以及eEF1A基因的克隆、鉴定、诱导表达等分子生物学研究,以期为今后进一步深入研究eEF1A奠定基础。     

Identification of mutations in the COL4A5 collagen gene in Alport syndrome

X-linked Alport syndrome is a hereditary glomerulonephritis in which progressive loss of kidney function is often accompanied by progressive loss of hearing. Ultrastructural defects in glomerular basement membranes (GBM) of Alport syndrome patients implicate an altered structural protein as the cause of nephritis. The product of COL4A5, the alpha 5(IV) collagen chain, is a specific component of GBM within the kidney, and the gene maps to the same X chromosomal region as does Alport syndrome. Three structural aberrations were found in COL4A5, in intragenic deletion, a Pst I site variant, and an uncharacterized abnormality, which appear to cause nephritis and deafness, with allele-specific severity, in three Alport syndrome kindreds in Utah.     

A G protein mutant that inhibits thrombin and purinergic receptor activation of phospholipase A2

The stimulation of phospholipase A2 by thrombin and type 2 (P2)-purinergic receptor agonists in Chinese hamster ovary cells is mediated by the G protein Gi. To delineate alpha chain regulatory regions responsible for control of phospholipase A2, chimeric cDNAs were constructed in which different lengths of the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) were replaced with the corresponding sequence of the Gi alpha subunit (alpha i2). When a carboxyl-terminal chimera alpha s-i(38), which has the last 38 amino acids of alpha s substituted with the last 36 residues of alpha i2, was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, the receptor-stimulated phospholipase A2 activity was inhibited, although the chimera could still activate adenylyl cyclase. Thus, alpha s-i(38) is an active alpha s, but also a dominant negative alpha i molecule, indicating that the last 36 amino acids of alpha i2 are a critical domain for G protein regulation of phospholipase A2 activity.     

植物PP2C蛋白磷酸酶负调控ABA信号转导途径研究进展

PP2C(PP2C-type protein phosphatases)蛋白磷酸酶是一类丝氨酸/苏氨酸残基蛋白磷酸酶,植物体内目前已经发现了4种PP2C蛋白磷酸酶:ABI,AtP2C-HABl,AtPP2CA以及MP2C.大量的研究表明植物PP2C蛋白磷酸酶参与了ABA信号转导途径的负调控功能.就高等植物PP2C的分类及其对ABA信号转导途径的负调控功能的研究进展进行了综述.