Profile of ligand binding to the porcine beta2-adrenergic receptor

Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the porcine beta2-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) were used to determine the binding kinetics of agonists and antagonists by competitive displacement of the radioligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol. Several purported agonists, including isoproterenol, epinephrine, norepinephine, dobutamine, salbutamol, and terbutaline, exhibited dual-affinity displacement curves, which is characteristic of agonist binding to betaAR. In each case, the addition of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) eliminated the high-affinity state and resulted in a one-site displacement curve. All of the antagonists modeled to only one site in the presence or absence of GTP. Several ligands, including ones used to promote animal growth (clenbuterol, L-644,969, and ractopamine) and the beta3AR-selective agonist BRL 37344 modeled to only one site, suggesting that these ligands would not be full agonists at the porcine beta2AR (pbeta2AR). Most of the tested ligands exhibited binding affinities that were similar to published values for the beta2AR from other species. However, several exceptions were observed. The BRL 37344 ligand bound the pbeta2AR with a 10-fold higher affinity than the human beta2AR, and the Kd of this was similar to Kd values reported for the human and rat beta3AR. The Kd of the pbeta2AR for ICI 118,551 was 50-fold higher than that for the beta2AR from rats and humans. For both BRL 37344 and ICI 118,551 the subtype-selective character of these ligands was different in the pig compared with the human and rat. These data demonstrate the value of using species-specific betaAR for selection of agonists and antagonists. Further, these data support the growing evidence that few ligands are full agonists for pbetaAR and that binding data may be useful for identifying ligands with full agonist potential.     

Biological characteristics of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with bovine Prnp

A normal prion protein (PrP^c) is converted to a protease-resistant isoform by an apparent self-propagating activity in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease. The cDNA encoding open reading frame (ORF) of the bovine prion protein gene (Prnp) was cloned from Korean cattle by PCR, and was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells using lipofectamine. The gene expression of the cloned cDNA was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting with the monoclonal antibody, 6H4. Cellular changes in the transfected CHO-K1 cells were investigated using parameters such as MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as nitric oxide (NO) production, and an apoptosis assay. In the MTT and LDH assays, the bovine PrnP-transfectant showed a lower proliferation rate than the wild-type (p < 0.05). Production of NO, after LPS or ConA stimulation, was not detected in either transfectants or CHO-K1 cells. In SOD assay under ConA stimulation, the SOD activity of transfectants was 10 times higher than that of CHO-K1 cells at 6 h after treatment (p < 0.05). The genomic DNA of both the transfectants and control cells began to be fragmented at 6 h after treatment with cyclohexamide. Caspase-3 activity was reduced by transfection with the bovine Prnp (p < 0.05). Conclusively, the viability of transfectants expressing exogenous bovine Prnp was decreased while the capacities for cellular protection against antioxidative stress and apoptosis were increased.     

猪白细胞介素-2在BHK-21细胞中表达及其活性分析

为鉴定BHK-21细胞中稳定表达猪白细胞介素-2(PoIL-2)的活性,本研究利用RT-PCR技术从猪的淋巴细胞中克隆PoIL-2基因,将其连接于pcDNA3.1载体中,并转染BHK-21细胞.经过G418筛选及RT-PCR鉴定,获得稳定表达PoIL-2基因的BHK-21细胞系.采用实时定量PCR及ELISA测定PoIL-2在BHK-21细胞内的表达,同时以淋巴细胞增殖试验(MTT)检测PoIL-2蛋白活性.试验结果表明稳定整合PoIL-2基因的BHK-21细胞系其PoIL-2 mRNA的转录效率是阴性对照组1.43倍,蛋白表达量是阴性对照组1.29倍.MTT试验表明真核表达的PoIL-2促淋巴细胞增殖活性与阴性对照组相比差异极显著(p＜0.01),表明BHK-21细胞表达的PoIL-2具有良好的生物学活性.本研究为开发新型基因工程疫苗佐剂和抗病毒制剂奠定了基础.     

Expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in porcine leukocyte subsets and tissues

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a group of pattern recognition molecules that play a crucial role in innate immunity. TLR2 recognises a variety of microbial components leading to the development of inflammatory and immune responses. To characterise the expression and functional properties of porcine TLR2 (pTLR2), we have raised a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against this molecule. Mouse 3T3 cell transfectants expressing pTLR2 were used for immunisation of mice. The specificity of these antibodies was confirmed by their reactivity with CHO cells transfected with pTLR2 but not with pTLR4 or with non-transfected cells. Using one of these mAbs, named 1H11, pTLR2 was found on cells of the innate immune system, including monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes, but not on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Staining of tissue sections showed that pTLR2 is also expressed on epithelial cells lining the tracheobronchial and intestinal tracts, bile ducts in the liver and renal tubules, and on the basal layer of the epidermis. This distribution is consistent with a surveillance function at entry sites, allowing for early detection of microbial invasion.     

Salmonella cytotonic and cytolytic factors: their detection in Chinese hamster ovary cells and antigenic relatedness.

Thirty nine strains of Salmonella belonging to 14 different serotypes were screened for the production of cytotonic and cytolytic factors by assayed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) of 32 isolates caused elongation and increase in size of CHO cells while the CFCSs completely lysed the cells. The cytotonic effect in CHO cells correlated precisely with fluid the CFCSs completely lysed the cells. The cytotonic effect in CHO cells correlated precisely with fluid accumulation in the rabbit ligated ileal assay in that 24 isolates yielded positive results in both assays and 13 were found negative in both. Antiserum to S. typhimurium enterotoxin, but not that to cholera toxin or Shiga toxin, neutralized the cytotonic activity present in the CFCS and reacted with the latter in immunodiffusion and coagglutination tests. The cytolytic factor produced by two strains reacted neither with antiserum to Salmonella enterotoxin nor with that the Shiga toxin.     

Expression analysis of melatonin receptor subtypes in the ovary of domestic chicken

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), an indole hormone, regulates various biological functions through three different receptor subtypes (Mel-1a, Mel-1b, and Mel-1c). However, the distribution of different melatonin receptor subtypes in chicken reproductive tissues was not known. In the present investigation, the partial sequences of ovarian melatonin receptor subtypes (Mel-1a, Mel-1b, and Mel-1c) were characterized. Further, the expression profile of melatonin receptor subtypes in the granulosa and theca layers of different preovulatory and postovulatory follicles (POF) were studied by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of all three subtypes of melatonin receptors were observed in the ovary of domestic chicken. Analysis of partial sequences of ovarian melatonin receptors revealed that the melatonin subtypes were identical to the brain receptors. In small white ovary follicles, we observed only the expression of mel-1b receptors, but not mel-1a or mel-1c receptors. In yellow follicles, all the three subtypes of receptors expression were noticed. Interestingly, we observed the expression of mel-1a receptor only in thecal layer, but not in granulosa layer. In contrast, mel-1b and -1c receptors were expressed in both granulosa and thecal layer. During the regression of POF, we observed significant upregulation of melatonin receptors (mel-1a and 1c) expression, that downregulated in the later stages of regression. We assume that the expression of melatonin receptors might have been influenced by the atresia or apoptosis of different follicular layers in POF. Our findings suggest that the differential distribution of melatonin receptor subtypes might have distinct downstream cellular functions in the ovarian tissues.     

猪卵巢颗粒细胞分离培养及鉴定

为构建猪卵巢颗粒细胞的体外培养体系,研究毒素的生殖毒性奠定基础,采用机械分离法从1～5 mm的卵泡中提取猪卵巢颗粒细胞,苔盼蓝染色计算细胞存活率,Giemsa染色和结晶紫染色观察细胞形态,免疫细胞化学染色方法检测促卵泡刺激素受体(FSHR)表达来鉴定颗粒细胞,MTT方法测定细胞生长曲线.结果显示分离提取的猪卵巢颗粒细胞存活率为65%左右,细胞纯度＞97%,细胞结构完整,边缘分明,胞核呈卵圆形位于靠近胞质的中央.另外细胞生长曲线表明,细胞从24 h开始进入对数生长期,并于96 h达到最高密度,之后进入平台期.分离培养的颗粒细胞生长状态良好,且细胞纯度＞97%,是理想的适合进行毒素生殖毒理学的细胞培养体系.     

Characterization of porcine beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors in heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue, and the identification of an atypical beta-adrenergic binding site

The objective of this study was to characterize porcine beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta1-AR and beta2-AR) in heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue by measuring the binding of a radioligand to cell membrane fragments. In skeletal muscle (LM), [3H]CGP12177 labeled a homogeneous population of beta2-AR as evidenced by the rank order of affinity of catecholamines [(-)isoproterenol > (-)epinephrine > (-)norepinephrine], a high affinity of the binding site for the beta2-AR-agonist clenbuterol (equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd = 16 nM), and a low affinity of the binding site for the beta1-AR-antagonist CGP20712A (Kd = 21 microM). The affinity of ICI118551, a ligand selective for beta2-AR in other species, was uncharacteristically low in porcine LM (Kd = 441 nM), but was consistent with a value reported for the cloned porcine beta2-AR. In heart ventricle, ligand binding revealed a predominant population of beta1-AR, judged by the rank order of affinity of catecholamines [(-)isoproterenol > (-)epinephrine > or = (-)norepinephrine] and high-affinity binding to CGP20712A (Kd = 40 nM). The Kd for ICI118551 (731 nM) was close to that observed at beta2-AR in LM, confirming that ICI118551 is not subtype-selective in the pig. Displacement studies using (-)propranolol, clenbuterol, and (-)isoproterenol revealed a second high-affinity binding site in the heart that was not a beta2-AR and could not be eliminated by guanosine 5'-triphosphate or guanylyli-midodiphosphate. In adipose tissue, an equal number of beta1- and beta2-AR was identified through the binding of clenbuterol and CGP20712A, whereas ICI118551 could not discriminate between these sites. In further experiments, we used 10 microM CGP20712A to eliminate beta1-AR binding and allow accurate Kd values to be determined at beta2-AR for nonselective ligands. Under these conditions, another binding site was observed that had a high affinity for (-)propranolol (Kd = 20 pM), which is inconsistent with beta3- or beta4-AR binding reported elsewhere. Our results indicate that porcine adipose tissue contains beta1-AR, beta2-AR, and an atypical binding site in the proportions 50, 34, and 16%, respectively, of the total binding sites labeled by [3H]CGP12177.     

Influence of the beta 2-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol on insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in mouse adipocytes

Growing mice fed the beta 2-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol (CB; 20ppm) had increased rate of growth and altered composition of gain (greater protein and less fat). Adipocytes prepared from the epididymal fat pads of treated and untreated mice were used to examine the influence of CB on lipid metabolism. Using cells from untreated mice, CB stimulated lipolysis to an equivalent maximum rate as epinephrine (EPI), but CB was far less potent (EC50 (microM); CB = 5, EPI = 0.2). Both CB and EPI inhibited insulin-stimulated lipogenesis over the physiological range of insulin concentrations. This inhibition was expressed as a dose-dependent decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and a decrease in maximal lipogenic capacity. Inhibition of maximal rate, but not of insulin sensitivity, could be stimulated by the addition of palmitate without EPI or CB. Adipocytes isolated from CB-treated mice did not differ from controls in sensitivity to insulin or in activity of fatty acid synthetase. Increased lipolysis and reduced lipogenesis as observed in vitro with CB are consistent with reduced fat accretion in CB-treated mice. However, the absence of detectable changes in adipocyte lipogenesis from CB-fed mice leaves open the question of the relevance of altered lipid metabolism to the observed changes in body composition.     

Expression of porcine interleukin-2 in Escherichia coli

A mature form of porcine interleukin-2 (IL-2) protein without signal peptides was expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins in Escherichia coli using pGEX vector. Since most of GST-IL-2 fusion protein was detected in an insoluble fraction on SDS-PAGE analysis, the insoluble fusion protein was solubilized by refolding procedure using urea. The recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) was purified by a batch method using Glutathione Sepharose 4B and factor Xa digestion and used for preparation of antisera in mice. The antisera reacted with rIL-2 expressed in baculovirus system on immunoblot analysis. In addition, the purified rIL-2 showed a high biological activity on CTLL-2 proliferative response.     

Expression of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle

The Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is a conserved signalling pathway that regulates gene expression and controls diverse developmental processes such as cell fate specification, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. To our knowledge, the potential role of this pathway in the adult ovary has been poorly addressed. To this end, we investigated the expression pattern of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle by real‐time Q‐PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In this study, we used uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA level as two markers for classification of mouse oestrous cycle. We found that both uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA are the highest in the proestrus and decrease from oestrus to diestrus. During oestrous cycle, Frizzled 2 mRNA and protein exhibited the highest level in the proestrus stage and rapidly reduced from oestrus to diestrus. In situ hybridization results showed that the positive signals for Frizzled 2 are highly detected in the oocyte and stroma in proestrus stage, while moderate or weak Frizzled 2 mRNAs are localized in the oocyte, granulosa cells, stroma and corpus luteum from oestrus to diestrus. The localization pattern of Frizzled 2 protein is mostly consistent with its mRNA, but stronger Frizzled 2 proteins are present in the granulosa cells and membrane of oocyte in oestrous cycle. Our data suggest that Frizzled 2 may be involved in regulating follicle growth, oocyte maturation and luteinization during oestrous cycle.     

Expression of ski in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles in the rat ovary

The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein, a product of cellular protooncogene c-ski, in rat ovaries in order to predict the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. First, expression of c-ski mRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin. These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles, and suggests that Ski plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.     

猪圆环病毒2型衣壳蛋白(Cap)在293T细胞中的亚细胞定位

猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF2基因编码病毒的核衣壳蛋白(Cap),该蛋白属于病毒保护性抗原,具有重要免疫功能。本研究以PCV2871毒株基因组为模板,用特异性上下游引物扩增获得ORF2基因,利用真核表达载体构建了表达PCV2Cap蛋白的重组质粒pCAGGS-ORF2。采用脂质体将pCAGGS-ORF2转染至293T细胞,用抗PCV2-Cap单克隆抗体对重组质粒转染细胞进行了免疫活性分析和免疫荧光检测,表明Cap蛋白在细胞中获得表达;利用共聚焦显微镜对Cap蛋白在293T细胞中的亚细胞定位观察结果表明,转染24h后可见Cap蛋白的表达随培养时间延长显著增多,72h达到高峰,表达的Cap蛋白主要分布在细胞核中。构建的pCAGGS-ORF2真核表达重组质粒在293T细胞中的表达,为进一步PCV2基因疫苗的研制奠定了基础。