前组织蛋白酶原K调节骨吸收的研究进展

前组织蛋白酶原K(cathepsin K)属于溶酶体半胱氨酸蛋白酶中的番木瓜蛋白酶超家族成员,在骨吸收过程中起到相当重要的作用.它可以降解包括I型胶原蛋白、骨桥蛋白、骨结合素等在内的骨基质蛋白.细胞核因子κB受体活化因子配基(RAN-KL)等一系列因子通过不同的途径调节前组织蛋白酶原K的表达.本文将对前组织蛋白酶原K的结构特征、在骨吸收过程中所起的作用、基因表达调控及相关疾病做一综述.     

鸡破骨细胞分离和培养方法的改进

为获得大量有活力的鸡破骨细胞(Osteoclast,OC),本试验选取18日龄鸡胚,从长骨中提取骨髓细胞,用胰酶消化,40%和70%的percoll梯度离心分离骨髓间质细胞。在此基础上,用60 ng/mL核因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)、50 ng/mL巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(M-CSF)诱导培养。采用抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色、骨吸收陷窝以及标志性蛋白TRAP、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)、组织蛋白酶K检测鉴定破骨细胞。结果显示,诱导后的TRAP阳性细胞剧增,TRAP、MMP-9和组织蛋白酶K蛋白表达极显著上调,可在牛骨上形成大量的骨吸收陷窝。研究表明,该方法是一种快速、实用、高效的鸡破骨细胞分离培养技术。     

重组AcMNPV感染家蚕后造成宿主组织液化的机制分析

杆状病毒的组织蛋白酶(V-CATH)和几丁质酶(V-CHIA)是病毒感染宿主后造成宿主组织液化的关键酶。家蚕核型多角体病毒(BmNPV)感染家蚕后会导致宿主组织的液化,而苜蓿银蚊夜蛾核型多角体病毒(AcMNPV)感染家蚕后不会造成宿主组织的液化。为了分析AcMNPV不造成家蚕宿主组织液化的原因,利用Bac-to-Bac系统将BmNPV的v-cath(Bmcath)、v-chiA(BmchiA)同时或分别重组到AcMNPV的极晚期强启动子p10和polh下游,并以同样的方法将AcMNPV的v-cath(Accath)、v-chiA(AcchiA)同时或分别重组到AcMNPV的p10和polh下游,从而构建6种重组AcMNPV。结果显示6种重组AcMNPV均能感染家蚕,并造成家蚕宿主组织的液化,说明重组AcMNPV中v-cath和v-chiA的过量表达在病毒对家蚕组织液化过程中发挥了重要作用。通过对感染6种重组AcMNPV之间的蚕体液化发生时间和液化率进行比较,发现相对于v-chiA,v-cath对组织液化的作用可能更加直接。检测比较感染AcMNPV和重组AcMNPV家蚕血淋巴中的组织蛋白酶和几丁质酶活性,两种酶的活性均随v-cath和v-chiA基因拷贝数的增加而增加。AcMNPV感染后不会造成家蚕宿主组织液化可能是由于病毒的组织蛋白酶活性太低,而不是由Bmcath和Accath、BmchiA和AcchiA之间的序列差异造成的。     

嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌胞内具二硫键还原活性酶蛋白的研究

研究旨在克隆并表达嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)胞内具二硫键还原活性的酶蛋白。以Stenotrophomonas maltophilia基因组DNA为模板,扩增目的基因谷胱甘肽还原酶(Glr),构建重组质粒p ET-22b-Glr,并转化到表达菌株BL21(DE3)中得到重组菌,经IPTG诱导表达后,测定二硫键还原酶活性。结果表明,该重组酶基因大小为1 359 bp,酶活力为1.85 U/mg。酶学性质研究表明,重组谷胱甘肽还原酶的最适反应p H值为6.0,最适反应温度为40℃。对角蛋白酶K降解羽毛角蛋白的研究表明,该酶对其降解羽毛促进率为15%。结果揭示了Stenotrophomonas malto-philia胞内液具有促进胞外液角蛋白水解活性的内在机制。     

串联线性抗菌肽在大肠杆菌中的表达及活性抗菌肽的制备

为了在大肠杆菌中高效表达抗菌肽并制备活性重组抗菌肽,试验将线性抗菌肽分子串联,根据大肠杆菌的密码子偏嗜性合成其编码序列,并克隆到p GEX-4T-1表达载体中,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞,以IPTG诱导表达,用蛋白酶K水解表达产物,并测试水解液的抑菌活性。结果表明:串联多肽以包含体形式表达,重组多肽包含体可被蛋白酶K水解,水解液对大肠杆菌K88具有良好的抑菌活性。说明采用蛋白酶K水解重组串联线性多肽可获得活性抗菌肽。     

蚕学外文学术论文摘要选译

纤维蛋白酶及其参与家蚕丝腺发育调控生理抑制功能研究.纤维蛋白酶是一种早期在家蚕丝腺中鉴定出的组织蛋白酶L-半胱氨酸蛋白酶,在家蚕化蛹前期丝腺经历细胞凋亡和重塑时表现出高降解活性。西南大学赵萍研究小组在体外重组表达了纤维蛋白酶原并将其激活。结果表明纤维蛋白酶在pH 4.0、42 ℃条件下显示出最佳水解活性。该研究小组还发现了一种生理抑制剂——家蚕半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂(BCPI),BCPI 对纤维蛋白酶具有强烈的抑制作用,抑制反应是由非共价复合物的形成引起的。这与之前报道的丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制蛋白18(Serpin18)抑制纤维蛋白酶的方式不同。表达谱和免疫定位分析表明,纤维蛋白酶通过降解丝蛋白和参与丝腺特定位置的凋亡/重塑来调控丝腺发育。此外,纤维蛋白酶及其抑制剂BCPI 和Serpin18的时期表达谱的比较分析表明,这些抑制剂通过调节从5 龄到早期上蔟阶段的纤维蛋白酶的活性来参与丝腺发育。这些发现提高了研究学者对丝腺发育中蛋白酶的调节机制及其抑制剂的认识。     

家蚕类胰凝乳蛋白酶基因的发掘与表达特征分析

类胰凝乳蛋白酶(CTLP)是鳞翅目昆虫幼虫中肠中的主要蛋白酶。基于构建的家蚕中肠等组织差异表达基因的SSH文库,发掘和克隆了一条新的家蚕类胰凝乳蛋白酶基因Ctlp(GenBank登录号:JQ081296)。该基因定位于18号染色体nscaf2901,靠近端粒,有5个外显子和4个内含子,全长cDNA序列976 bp,ORF为840 bp,编码279个氨基酸残基,信号肽序列1～18 aa(分值0.985),1～20 aa和50～100 aa区域为2个由内到外的跨膜螺旋,推测蛋白质相对分子质量为29 780.10,pI为8.75,蛋白质功能域(保守区)和分子进化分析显示其为丝氨酸蛋白酶家族的类胰凝乳蛋白酶。家蚕Ctlp基因具有在5龄幼虫中肠特异性高表达和伴随进食量增加而上调表达的特征,同时也具有性别差异性和熟蚕期特异性上调表达的现象,暗示CTLP可能具有促进消化以外的功能。构建pET32a-ctlp重组表达载体,SDS-PAGE分析和Western blot鉴定结果显示,重组蛋白在原核表达系统中的表达量较低。     

嗜水气单胞菌弹性蛋白酶基因的克隆表达

为了研究嗜水气单胞菌重组弹性蛋白酶的酶学性质,试验根据GenBank中的嗜水气单胞菌弹性蛋白酶基因ahyB设计1对含酶切位点的特异引物,以嗜水气单胞菌J-1(AhJ-1)株为模板,经PCR扩增得到不含信号肽的成熟弹性蛋白酶基因片段(787 bp),并与pMD18-T载体连接、测序,再用DNAStar软件分析。结果表明:该基因片段与豚鼠气单胞菌胞外蛋白酶同源性高达95%,与嗜水气单胞菌AG2株弹性蛋白酶ahyB基因同源性为92%,与铜绿假单胞菌LasB基因同源性为82%;将PCR产物连入表达载体pET-32a,转化至大肠杆菌BL21菌株中进行诱导表达,出现50 ku的融合表达蛋白,该表达产物纯化复性后表现出酶的活性。     

地衣芽孢杆菌CP-16脂类水解酶的研究

本试验旨在通过异源表达获得地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)CP-16的脂类水解酶,并探究其在羽毛降解过程中的作用。试验以地衣芽孢杆菌CP-16基因组DNA为模板,扩增脂类水解酶基因,转化入大肠杆菌中表达,获得重组酶L-4。研究重组酶L-4的适宜p H、p H稳定性、适宜温度、温度稳定性以及有机溶剂和金属离子对其相对活性的影响,同时探究其对角蛋白酶K水解天然羽毛角蛋白的作用。结果显示,获得的脂类水解酶基因大小为747 bp,编码248个氨基酸,在大肠杆菌中成功表达出重组酶L-4,其分子质量约为28.3 ku,酯酶活性为0.42 U/m L,适宜p H为6.5,适宜温度为50℃;在p H 6.5~9.5条件下处理30 min相对活性保持80%以上,在低于50℃温度条件下处理30 min相对活性保持70%以上。二价铁离子(Fe~(2+))、钠离子(Na~+)、锰离子(Mn~(2+))、钙离子(Ca~(2+))对重组酶L-4相对活性具有激发作用,钡离子(Ba~(2+))、锌离子(Zn~(2+))、铜离子(Cu~(2+))、镍离子(Ni~(2+))对重组酶L-4相对活性具有抑制作用。当有机溶剂浓度为30%时,重组酶L-4在二甲基亚砜(DMSO)和甲醇中保存97%和85%的相对活性,在丙酮、乙醇中保存45%以上的相对活性,在异丙醇中保存不到20%的相对活性,而在乙腈中相对活性基本完全丧失。用重组酶L-4预处理天然羽毛底物,可提高角蛋白酶K对底物的水解效率,促进率为4.32%。由此可见,脂类水解酶可降解羽毛表层脂质,可在促进角蛋白酶水解羽毛角蛋白中发挥作用。     

牛FSHβ基因真核表达质粒的构建及表达分析

为开发可以体外合成牛促卵泡素(FSH)的表达系统,试验通过基因合成的手段获得牛FSHβ基因的目的片段,并通过酶切及T4 DNA连接酶的作用将FSHβ目的片段构建成pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FSHβ重组质粒,并针对构建的pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FSHβ重组质粒,采用菌液PCR、双酶切的方法对该重组质粒进行鉴定,并进一步利用293T细胞检测该重组质粒的表达情况。结果表明:菌液PCR和双酶切的结果证实了牛FSHβ基因片段插入了重组质粒中;pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FSHβ重组质粒可以在293T细胞中表达出绿色荧光蛋白,而且经十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)检测发现pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FSHβ重组质粒可以在293T细胞中转录并翻译出牛FSHβ基因的蛋白表达产物。说明pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FSHβ重组表达质粒构建成功,并且可以在293T细胞中表达。     

Localisation and activity of cathepsins K and B in equine osteoclasts

Cathepsin K and cathepsin B were immunolocalised in equine osteoclasts (OC s) present in ex vivo cartilage/subchondral bone samples. Samples were obtained post mortem from the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of six horses and ponies aged between 303 days gestation to 8 months. Strong expression of cathepsin K was detected in OC s, particularly those located at the osteochondral junction, apparently involved in the resorption of calcified cartilage. Cathepsin K expression was also detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes and in the endothelial cells of some blood vessels penetrating the hypertrophic zone of cartilage. By contrast, cathepsin B was either absent or present at very low levels in OC s.Osteoclast-like cells (OCL s) were generated in vitro from bone marrow (BM), obtained from the femurs of one horse and two ponies. High levels of cathepsin K activity but only very low levels of cathepsin B activity were demonstrated in OCL s using fluorogenic substrates for these enzymes. The cathepsin K activity could be blocked by the general cysteine proteinase inhibitor, E-64, but not by the cathepsin B inhibitor, CA-074Me. The cathepsin B activity was completely blocked by both CA-074Me and E-64. Taken together, these results suggest that cathepsin K is more important than cathepsin B in the osteoclastic resorption of bone and calcified cartilage of developing equine long bones. Given the apparent importance of cathepsin K in equine endochondral ossification further investigation into the possibility that abnormal expression of this enzyme is involved in the pathogenesis of equine developmental orthopaedic disease is warranted.     

A feline assay using osteoclasts generated in vitro from peripheral blood for screening anti-resorptive agents

Musculo-skeletal diseases are a major cause of pain and suffering in cats and several conditions involve increased bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, little is known about the biology of these cells in the cat. In this study we established a method to generate feline osteoclasts from blood mononuclear cells stimulated by macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Cultured osteoclasts are multinucleated, express tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), form F-actin rings and resorb bone. They express alpha(v)beta3 vitronectin receptor and osteoclast enzymes, cathepsin K and MMP9; the myeloid antigen, CD18, and the megakaryocyte/platelet integrin, CD41, are absent. This phenotype is typical of osteoclasts from other species. Three resorption inhibitors were examined for activity against feline osteoclasts. Calcitonin, bisphosphonate and RGD integrin inhibitory peptide all reduced bone resorption at doses similar to those efficacious in rabbit or human. We conclude that blood-derived osteoclast cultures are a suitable in vitro system for assessing the ability of drugs to inhibit bone resorption in domestic cats.     

Repeated oral administration of a cathepsin K inhibitor significantly suppresses bone resorption in exercising horses with evidence of increased bone formation and maintained bone turnover

Our investigations evaluated the effect of VEL‐0230, a highly specific irreversible inhibitor of cathepsin K (CatK). The objectives of our study were to determine whether repeated dosing of a CatK inhibitor (CatKI) produced a desired inhibition of the bone resorption biomarker (CTX‐1), and document the effect of repeated dosing on bone homeostasis, structure, and dynamics of bone resorption and formation in horses. Twelve young exercising horses were randomized in a prospective, controlled clinical trial and received 4 weekly doses of a CatKI or vehicle. Baseline and poststudy nuclear scintigraphy, blood sampling and analysis of plasma bone biomarkers (CTX‐1 and osteocalcin), poststudy bone fluorescent labeling, and bone biopsy were performed. Bone specimens were further processed for microcomputed tomography and bone histomorphometry. Each dose of this CatKI transiently inhibited plasma CTX‐1 (reflecting inhibition of bone collagen resorption) and increased bone plasma osteocalcin concentrations, with no detectable adverse effect on normal bone turnover in the face of exercise. Bone morphology, density, and formation rate were not different between control and treated group. Further investigation of CatK inhibition in abnormal bone turnover is required in animals with bone diseases.     

The purification and characterization of a cysteine protease of Fasciola gigantica adult worms.

A 26-28 kDa protease was isolated from Fasciola gigantica adult worms by a two-stage purification process of column chromatography in a Sephacryl S-200 column and affinity chromatography in an L-phenylalanine-agarose column. This protease is a cysteine (thiol) proteinase with an optimum pH of 4.5 and is not inhibited by anti F. gigantica immunoglobulin G. The enzyme was inhibited by protease inhibitors known to inhibit cysteine proteases but not by metallo-, aspartate or serine protease inhibitors. The effect of several protease inhibitors and anti-F, gigantica IgG was also assessed on the total proteolytic activity of F. gigantica. There appears to be a preponderance of cysteine protease activity in F. gigantica and there was a significant inhibition of total proteolytic activity by anti-F. gigantica IgG.     

Proteolytic cleavage of immunoglobulin by enzymes released by Fasciola hepatica

Immature Fasciola hepatica release a papain or cathepsin B-like proteolytic enzyme which cleaves immunoglobulins (Ig) of mouse, rat, rabbit and sheep in vitro. Mouse IgG and IgM molecules are both susceptible to cleavage as is hemoglobin. Whether single or multiple proteases are responsible for Ig cleavage is unknown. The proteolytic activity of secreted enzyme(s) is optimal at pH 3.5-4.5, but activity is also present at pH 7. Proteolysis is enhanced in the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol or 100 mM cysteine. Based on studies with protease inhibitors, the F. hepatica enzyme activity has been identified as a thiol protease. It is destroyed by heating at 56 degrees C for 1 h, but retains activity after storage at -20 degrees C for 7 days. Whether inhibition of the proteolytic activity increases the susceptibility of F. hepatica immature worm to any extant immune effector mechanisms in hosts remains to be determined.     

MAPK信号通路介导的自噬调控破骨细胞分化的研究进展

破骨细胞具有骨吸收活性,与骨组织稳态密切相关。丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路是细胞介导胞内外刺激传导的信号通路,参与细胞的增殖、分化、自噬等多种生理过程。MAPK介导的自噬在调控破骨细胞分化中具有重要作用。探究MAPK的三条经典通路(ERK1/2、JNK及p38 MAPK信号通路)介导的自噬与破骨细胞分化之间的关系,对于寻找与破骨细胞相关的骨代谢疾病的新疗法具有重要意义。     

Characterization of acid-base disturbances and effects on calcium and phosphorus balances of dietary fixed ions in pregnant or lactating does

Effects of fixed cation-anion balance on acid-base status and calcium and phosphorus balances were examined. Pregnant and lactating goats were fed a diet of alfalfa hay, concentrate and minerals to vary the cation-anion balance [meq sodium (Na) + meq potassium (K)-meq chloride (Cl)]/100 g diet dry matter (DM) over the range found in ruminant feeds. Small but significant effects on ruminal pH, fermentation and dilution rate were observed. Metabolic acid-base status of pregnant and lactating goats was normal when (Na + K - Cl) balance was 40 to 50 meq/100 g DM. The other treatments drastically altered plasma electrolyte concentrations, causing metabolic acid-base disturbances and profound changes in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Subclinical hypernatremic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis was induced by a dietary fixed cation excess (Na + K - Cl) of greater than 85 meq/100 g DM (typical of buffered, alfalfa diets) and caused hypocalciuria, diminished calcium and phosphorus absorption, and possibly diminished dietary calcium absorption and resorption of calcium from bone. Subclinical hyperchloremic, hyponatremic metabolic acidosis from a diminished dietary fixed cation-anion balance (Na + K - Cl) of less than 10 meq/100 g DM (typical of nonbuffered corn silage or grain diets) caused hypercalciuria, enhanced calcium and phosphorus absorption and apparently enhanced calcium resorption from bone. Apparent effects on absorption and resorption depended on calcium and phosphorus intakes. Alterations in goats performance were not demonstrable. Dietary excesses of fixed cations over anions (meq Na + K - Cl/100 g diet DM greater than 50) cause metabolic alkalosis in ruminants, whereas fixed anion excesses (meq Na + K - Cl/100 g diet DM less than 40) cause metabolic acidosis. Content of electrolytes in diets should be reported in all nutrition trials with ruminants for assessment of metabolic acid-base status.     

The thermostability of proteases from virulent and benign strains of Bacteroides nodosus

Protease enzymes, produced by Bacteroides nodosus strains isolated from animals with virulent and benign forms of ovine footrot, were partially purified by ultra-filtration, ion exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. Each enzyme had a similar pH optimum, was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethyleneglycot-bis-aminoethylether-N,N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), but was not inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline. The results suggest that these enzymes are serine proteases that require divalent cations for activity. The enzymes could be distinguished by their differential temperature stability and differing susceptibility to irreversible inactivation by EDTA. Both enzymes were stabilised by incubation in the presence of Ca2+, but the enzyme purified from the virulent isolate required less Ca2+ for maximum stability. These results suggest that the differential thermostability of the protease activity detected in virulence tests is an intrinsic property of the protease enzymes.     

Boophilus microplus cathepsin L-like (BmCL1) cysteine protease: specificity study using a peptide phage display library

The tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most important bovine ectoparasites, a disease vector responsible for losses in meat and milk productions. A cysteine protease similar to cathepsin L, named BmCL1, was previously identified in R. microplus gut, suggesting a role of the enzyme in meal digestion. In this work, BmCL1 was successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris system, yielding 54.8 mg/L of culture and its activity was analyzed by synthetic substrates and against a R. microplus cysteine protease inhibitor, Bmcystatin. After rBmCl1 biochemical characterization it was used in a selection of a peptide phage library to determine rBmCL1 substrate preference. Obtained sequenced clones showed that rBmCL1 has preference for Leu or Arg at P(1) position. The preference for Leu at position P(1) and the activation of BmCL1 after a Leu amino acid residue suggest possible self activation.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of RANK, RANKL and OPG in Healthy and Arthritic Canine Elbow Joints

Objective— To determine if the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB–receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand–osteoprotegerin (RANK–RANKL–OPG) system is active in bone remodeling in dogs and, if so, whether differences in expression of these mediators occur in healthy and arthritic joints.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Sample Population— Fragmented processus coronoidei (n=20) were surgically removed from dogs with elbow arthritis and 5 corresponding healthy samples from dogs euthanatized for reasons other than elbow joint disease.
Methods— Bright-field immunohistochemistry and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the distribution of RANK, RANKL, and OPG in healthy and arthritic joints.
Results— All 3 molecules were identified by immunostaining of canine bone tissue. In elbow dysplasia, the number of RANK-positive osteoclasts was increased. In their vicinity, cells expressing RANKL, a mediator of osteoclast activation, were abundant whereas the number of osteoblasts having the potential to limit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption via OPG was few.
Conclusions— The RANK–RANKL–OPG system is active in bone remodeling in dogs. In elbow dysplasia, a surplus of molecules promoting osteoclastogenesis was evident and is indicative of an imbalance between the mediators regulating bone resorption and bone formation. Both OPG and neutralizing antibodies against RANKL have the potential to counterbalance bone resorption.
Clinical Relevance— Therapeutic use of neutralizing antibodies against RANKL to inhibit osteoclast activation warrants further investigation.