PI3Kgamma is a key regulator of inflammatory responses and cardiovascular homeostasis

Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways regulate several important cellular functions, including cellular growth, division, survival, and movement. Class IB PI3K (also known as PI3Kgamma) links heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors to these pathways. Activation of class IB PI3K results in the rapid synthesis of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] and its dephosphorylation product PtdIns(3,4)P2 in the plasma membrane. These two lipid messengers bind to pleckstrin homology domain-containing effectors that regulate a complex signaling web downstream of receptor activation. Characteristic features of this pathway are the regulation of protein kinases and the regulation of small guanosine triphosphatases that control cellular movement, adhesion, contraction, and secretion. Most of the ligands that activate class IB PI3K are involved in coordinating the body's response to injury and infection, and recent studies suggest that small molecule inhibitors of this enzyme may represent a novel class of anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.     

健脾补土组方对体外神经元低氧/复氧后PI3K、Akt、Caspase-3表达的影响

目的 观察健脾补土组方对新生SD鼠神经元体外培养低氧/复氧后的凋亡情况以及PI3K、Akt、Caspase-3表达的影响,探讨其减少神经元凋亡的作用机制。方法 原代分离培养新生SD鼠神经元,随机分为正常血清对照组、低氧模型组、神经生长因子组、健脾补土组。将标本低氧诱导24 h,再复氧培养4 h进行造模。用流式细胞术检测神经元凋亡情况,RT-qPCR法检测PI3K、Akt、caspase-3 mRNA的表达,免疫细胞化学法和Western blot法检测PI3K、Akt、caspase-3蛋白的表达。结果 与正常对照组相比,低氧模型组神经元凋亡率显著增加,PI3K、Akt mRNA与蛋白表达显著减少,Caspase-3 mRNA与蛋白表达显著增加;与低氧模型组比较,神经生长因子组、健脾补土组神经元凋亡率均显著减少,PI3K、Akt mRNA及蛋白表达显著增强,Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白表达显著较少（P<0.01）;与神经生长因子组比较,健脾补土组神经元凋亡率显著减少,PI3K、Akt mRNA及蛋白表达显著增加,Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白表达显著降低。结论 健脾补土组方能减少脑缺血后神经元的凋亡,其作用机制可能与其通过上调PI3K和Akt的表达水平,最终抑制在细胞凋亡中起关键作用的因子Caspase-3的表达有关。     

Central role for G protein-coupled phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma in inflammation

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity is crucial for leukocyte function, but the roles of the four receptor-activated isoforms are unclear. Mice lacking heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled PI3Kgamma were viable and had fully differentiated neutrophils and macrophages. Chemoattractant-stimulated PI3Kgamma-/- neutrophils did not produce phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, did not activate protein kinase B, and displayed impaired respiratory burst and motility. Peritoneal PI3Kgamma-null macrophages showed a reduced migration toward a wide range of chemotactic stimuli and a severely defective accumulation in a septic peritonitis model. These results demonstrate that PI3Kgamma is a crucial signaling molecule required for macrophage accumulation in inflammation.     

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。     

Mutations in a human ROBO gene disrupt hindbrain axon pathway crossing and morphogenesis

The mechanisms controlling axon guidance are of fundamental importance in understanding brain development. Growing corticospinal and somatosensory axons cross the midline in the medulla to reach their targets and thus form the basis of contralateral motor control and sensory input. The motor and sensory projections appeared uncrossed in patients with horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS). In patients affected with HGPPS, we identified mutations in the ROBO3 gene, which shares homology with roundabout genes important in axon guidance in developing Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse. Like its murine homolog Rig1/Robo3, but unlike other Robo proteins, ROBO3 is required for hindbrain axon midline crossing.     

五指山猪和长白猪背最长肌蛋白组学研究

为比较五指山猪和长白猪生长后期肌肉生长发育的差异,以6、8月龄五指山猪和长白猪为试验对象,采用同位素标记相对和绝对定量技术(iTRAQ)对其背最长肌总蛋白进行鉴定,结合生物信息学技术筛选品种间和品种内差异蛋白,并对其进行KEGG通路富集分析。结果表明：4组样品中共鉴定到1713个蛋白;五指山猪和长白猪品种间比较,6、8月龄猪中分别有460、337个差异的蛋白;品种内2个生长阶段比较,五指山猪和长白猪中分别有421、275个差异蛋白;2种比较均为上调的差异蛋白数多于下调差异蛋白数;KEGG通路分析发现,在五指山猪和长白猪品种间,6、8月龄在2个品种间的差异蛋白富集到差异显著(P<0.05)的条目分别为34、33个,在品种内,五指山猪和长白猪在2个生长阶段间的差异蛋白富集到差异显著(P<0.05)的条目分别为24、14个;在品种内发现了调控骨骼肌分化过程中发挥着重要作用的PI3K/AKT信号通路和影响脂肪沉积的PPAR信号通路,在品种间除了这2种外,还发现有肌纤维类型发育相关的糖酵解/糖异生信号通路;品种内2个比较组在PPAR和PI3K/AKT信号通路分别有10、9个共同表达的基因,品种间2个比较组在糖酵解/糖异生、PI3K/AKT和PPAR信号通路分别有10、13、9个共同表达的基因,对这些信号通路中共同表达的基因进行分析后筛选到一些与肌肉生长发育和脂肪代谢相关的关键基因。     

PI3K/Akt信号转导通路在ALV-J感染中作用的初步研究

 【目的】探讨ALV-J在宿主细胞中复制与PI3K/Akt信号转导通路的关系。【方法】将血管瘤病变型ALV-J毒株HN06和骨髓瘤病变型ALV-J毒株NX0101分别感染DF-1细胞,通过Western blot、Real-time PCR、IFA和ELISA等方法,观察细胞Akt蛋白磷酸化水平、病毒RNA表达水平和病毒蛋白表达水平等指标。【结果】HN06株和NX0101株在体外细胞中复制水平有差异。HN06株的早期感染可引起Akt转导通路的活化,病毒引起的Akt磷酸化具有病毒滴度依赖性,而且能被PI3K特异性抑制剂LY294002所抑制,表明HN06株诱导的Akt活化是PI3K途径依赖的。LY294002可在病毒感染早期呈剂量依赖性地显著降低受染细胞中HN06 RNA水平、囊膜蛋白水平和细胞培养物上清中的病毒粒子含量。【结论】PI3K/Akt信号转导通路活化对HN06株在细胞感染早期具有重要的作用,该结果与已报道的有关细胞PI3K/Akt信号转导通路参与NX0101株的早期感染的结论一致。本研究为进一步阐明ALV-J入侵宿主细胞和复制的精确机制等研究奠定了基础。     

The role of local actin instability in axon formation

The role of localized instability of the actin network in specifying axonal fate was examined with the use of rat hippocampal neurons in culture. During normal neuronal development, actin dynamics and instability polarized to a single growth cone before axon formation. Consistently, global application of actin-depolymerizing drugs and of the Rho-signaling inactivator toxin B to nonpolarized cells produced neurons with multiple axons. Moreover, disruption of the actin network in one individual growth cone induced its neurite to become the axon. Thus, local instability of the actin network restricted to a single growth cone is a physiological signal specifying neuronal polarization.     

Mechanism of divergent growth factor effects in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation

Closely related signals often lead to very different cellular outcomes. We found that the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into bone-forming cells is stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) but not platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to comprehensively compare proteins that were tyrosine phosphorylated in response to EGF and PDGF and their associated partners. More than 90% of these signaling proteins were used by both ligands, whereas the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway was exclusively activated by PDGF, implicating it as a possible control point. Indeed, chemical inhibition of PI3K in PDGF-stimulated cells removed the differential effect of the two growth factors, bestowing full differentiation effect onto PDGF. Thus, quantitative proteomics can directly compare entire signaling networks and discover critical differences capable of changing cell fate.     

Quercetin Increased Protein Utilization and Decreased Nitrogen Excretion in Broilers by Activating TOR Signaling Pathway

The study was conducted to investigate the effect and mechanism of dietary quercetin supplementation on protein utilization of Arbor Acres (AA) broilers.A total of 240 1-day-old AA broilers were randomly allocated to four treatments with six replicates,comprising 10 broilers each replicate (60 broilers per treatment).Birds were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet without quercetin (control) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.2,0.4 or 0.6 g of quercetin per kg feed,and the trial lasted 42 days.Dietary quercetin supplementation tended to increase the apparent metabolic rate of protein (p=0.076) and the content of serum albumin (p=0.062) in AA broilers.Compared with the control,dietary quercetin supplementation increased the contents of protein in breast muscle (p0.05) and in thigh muscle (p=0.053).In addition,quercetin up-regulated mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K),target of rapamycin (TOR),ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1),eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E),eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G),eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B (eIF4B) genes and down-regulated mRNA expression of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein1 (4E-BP1) genes in breast muscle,thigh muscle and liver of AA broilers (p0.05).The present results suggested that dietary quercetin supplementation enhanced protein utilization in broilers by activating TOR signaling pathway.     

Promoting axon regeneration in the adult CNS by modulation of the PTEN/mTOR pathway

The failure of axons to regenerate is a major obstacle for functional recovery after central nervous system (CNS) injury. Removing extracellular inhibitory molecules results in limited axon regeneration in vivo. To test for the role of intrinsic impediments to axon regrowth, we analyzed cell growth control genes using a virus-assisted in vivo conditional knockout approach. Deletion of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), a negative regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, in adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) promotes robust axon regeneration after optic nerve injury. In wild-type adult mice, the mTOR activity was suppressed and new protein synthesis was impaired in axotomized RGCs, which may contribute to the regeneration failure. Reactivating this pathway by conditional knockout of tuberous sclerosis complex 1, another negative regulator of the mTOR pathway, also leads to axon regeneration. Thus, our results suggest the manipulation of intrinsic growth control pathways as a therapeutic approach to promote axon regeneration after CNS injury.     

Crystal structures of the adenylate sensor from fission yeast AMP-activated protein kinase

The 5'-AMP (adenosine monophosphate)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) coordinates metabolic function with energy availability by responding to changes in intracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and AMP concentrations. Here, we report crystal structures at 2.9 and 2.6 A resolution for ATP- and AMP-bound forms of a core alphabetagamma adenylate-binding domain from the fission yeast AMPK homolog. ATP and AMP bind competitively to a single site in the gamma subunit, with their respective phosphate groups positioned near function-impairing mutants. Unexpectedly, ATP binds without counterions, amplifying its electrostatic effects on a critical regulatory region where all three subunits converge.     

Phosphoproteomic analysis identifies Grb10 as an mTORC1 substrate that negatively regulates insulin signaling

The evolutionarily conserved serine-threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a critical role in regulating many pathophysiological processes. Functional characterization of the mTOR signaling pathways, however, has been hampered by the paucity of known substrates. We used large-scale quantitative phosphoproteomics experiments to define the signaling networks downstream of mTORC1 and mTORC2. Characterization of one mTORC1 substrate, the growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 (Grb10), showed that mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation stabilized Grb10, leading to feedback inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated, mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK-MAPK) pathways. Grb10 expression is frequently down-regulated in various cancers, and loss of Grb10 and loss of the well-established tumor suppressor phosphatase PTEN appear to be mutually exclusive events, suggesting that Grb10 might be a tumor suppressor regulated by mTORC1.     

不同负重抗阻训练对老年大鼠股四头肌蛋白质的影响

目的：探讨不同负重抗阻训练对老年大鼠股四头肌总蛋白质含量和AMPK含量的影响。方法：以40只健康18月龄SD大鼠为研究对象，随机分为安静组、0%、30%、50%、70%最大负重组进行跑台抗阻训练，坡度35°，跑速15m/min，隔天一次，共8周。记录大鼠体重、摄食量和饮水量变化，用考马斯亮蓝蛋白测定法和酶联免疫吸附法分别测定大鼠股四头肌总蛋白含量和AMPK含量。结果：（1）与安静组和0%最大负重训练组相比，70%最大负重组大鼠体重出现了显著性下降（P＜0.01）；（2）与安静组相比，30%和50%最大负重训练组的股四头肌总蛋白质含量升高具有差异性（P＜0.05）；与0%最大负重训练组相比， 30%最大负重训练组的股四头肌总蛋白质含量升高具有差异性（P＜0.05）；（3）与安静组和0%最大负重训练组相比，30%和50%最大负重训练组的股四头肌AMPK含量升高具有差异性（P＜0.01）。结论：8周不同负重量抗阻训练可提高老年大鼠股四头肌总蛋白质和AMPK的含量，且30%和50%最大负重量抗阻训练的效果更为明显，而运动对骨骼肌蛋白质合成及降解的调控表现出一定的矛盾性，具体机制需进一步探讨。     

Roles of PLC-beta2 and -beta3 and PI3Kgamma in chemoattractant-mediated signal transduction

The roles of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C (PLC) in chemoattractant-elicited responses were studied in mice lacking these key enzymes. PI3Kgamma was required for chemoattractant-induced production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns (3,4,5)P3] and has an important role in chemoattractant-induced superoxide production and chemotaxis in mouse neutrophils and in production of T cell-independent antigen-specific antibodies composed of the immunoglobulin lambda light chain (TI-IglambdaL). The study of the mice lacking PLC-beta2 and -beta3 revealed that the PLC pathways have an important role in chemoattractant-mediated production of superoxide and regulation of protein kinases, but not chemotaxis. The PLC pathways also appear to inhibit the chemotactic activity induced by certain chemoattractants and to suppress TI-IglambdaL production.     

咖啡酸苯乙酯通过AMPK/FOXO3a信号通路缓解猪精液常温保存氧化应激的作用机制

【目的】探究咖啡酸苯乙酯（caffeic acid phenethyl ester,CAPE）通过AMPK/FOXO3a信号通路缓解氧化应激对猪精液的影响及其分子机制。【方法】选取8头成年（1—2岁）、健康状况良好长白种公猪进行鲜精采集,将质检合格的样品混池待用。试验设计如下：首先,在常温基础稀释液中分别添加0、0.02、0.04、0.06、0.08和0.10 g·L^-1浓度的CAPE,将精液样品与各个浓度组依次混合后放置室温平衡,随即转入17 ℃电子恒温冰箱进行常温保存。全自动精子分析仪（CASA）测定1—5 d精子运动学参数（总活率与渐进性活力）,筛选出最佳适宜浓度为0.06 g·L^-1。其次,将0.06 g·L^-1 CAPE与400 μmol·L^-1的H₂O₂建立氧化胁迫模型,在第1、3、5天分别采用CASA测定精子总活率与渐进性活力,荧光探针技术评估质膜完整性与顶体完整性,抗氧化试剂盒检测过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）与超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性,在第5 天利用实时荧光定量 PCR技术测定AMPK/FOXO3a信号通路下游靶向基因（AMPK、FOXO3a、SOD1、SOD2、CAT）及凋亡基因BAX的mRNA表达水平,蛋白免疫印记技术测定AMPK、p-AMPK蛋白表达。【结果】（1）浓度筛选试验中,0.06 g·L^-1的CAPE在保存第3 天显著提高精子的总活率并维持至第5天（P<0.05）,不仅如此,精子的渐进性活力在第1 天显著高于其他处理组（P<0.05）。（2）氧化胁迫试验中,H₂O₂处理组的精子质膜完整性、顶体完整性、总活率、渐进性活力、SOD与CAT活性在保存的第5天均极限显著低于空白组与CAPE+H₂O₂混合组（P<0.001）,而空白组与CAPE+H₂O₂混合组的总活率、顶体完整性、CAT与SOD活性不存在显著差异（P>0.05）。与CAPE+H₂O₂混合组相比,H₂O₂处理组AMPK、FOXO3a、SOD1、SOD2、CAT的mRNA表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,BAX的表达水平显著升高（P<0.05）,而空白组与CAPE+H₂O₂混合组的AMPK、SOD1、CAT与BAX不存在显著差异（P>0.05）。在蛋白表达水平中,CAPE+H₂O₂混合组与H₂O₂组相比,AMPK、p-AMPK 与p-AMPK/AMPK比率显著提升（P <0.05）。【结论】在常温基础稀释液中添加0.06 g·L^-1CAPE可通过促进磷酸化AMPK的表达,诱导AMPK/FOXO3a信号下游抗氧化分子的转录,继而缓解H₂O₂介导的氧化危害对精液品质产生的影响,延长精液的保存时间,但CAPE保护精子氧化损伤更为深入的分子机制仍需作进一步探究。     

AMPK is a direct adenylate charge-regulated protein kinase

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates whole-body and cellular energy balance in response to energy demand and supply. AMPK is an αβγ heterotrimer activated by decreasing concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and increasing AMP concentrations. AMPK activation depends on phosphorylation of the α catalytic subunit on threonine-172 (Thr(172)) by kinases LKB1 or CaMKKβ, and this is promoted by AMP binding to the γ subunit. AMP sustains activity by inhibiting dephosphorylation of α-Thr(172), whereas ATP promotes dephosphorylation. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), like AMP, bound to γ sites 1 and 3 and stimulated α-Thr(172) phosphorylation. However, in contrast to AMP, ADP did not directly activate phosphorylated AMPK. In this way, both ADP/ATP and AMP/ATP ratios contribute to AMPK regulation.     

Coactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases affects the response of tumor cells to targeted therapies

Targeted therapies that inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and the downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway have shown promising anticancer activity, but their efficacy in the brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and other solid tumors has been modest. We hypothesized that multiple RTKs are coactivated in these tumors and that redundant inputs drive and maintain downstream signaling, thereby limiting the efficacy of therapies targeting single RTKs. Tumor cell lines, xenotransplants, and primary tumors indeed show multiple concomitantly activated RTKs. Combinations of RTK inhibitors and/or RNA interference, but not single agents, decreased signaling, cell survival, and anchorage-independent growth even in glioma cells deficient in PTEN, a frequently inactivated inhibitor of PI3K. Thus, effective GBM therapy may require combined regimens targeting multiple RTKs.     

Phosphorylation of ULK1 (hATG1) by AMP-activated protein kinase connects energy sensing to mitophagy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved sensor of intracellular energy activated in response to low nutrient availability and environmental stress. In a screen for conserved substrates of AMPK, we identified ULK1 and ULK2, mammalian orthologs of the yeast protein kinase Atg1, which is required for autophagy. Genetic analysis of AMPK or ULK1 in mammalian liver and Caenorhabditis elegans revealed a requirement for these kinases in autophagy. In mammals, loss of AMPK or ULK1 resulted in aberrant accumulation of the autophagy adaptor p62 and defective mitophagy. Reconstitution of ULK1-deficient cells with a mutant ULK1 that cannot be phosphorylated by AMPK revealed that such phosphorylation is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and cell survival during starvation. These findings uncover a conserved biochemical mechanism coupling nutrient status with autophagy and cell survival.     

Differentiation stage-specific inhibition of the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway by Akt

Extracellular signals often result in simultaneous activation of both the Raf-MEK-ERK and PI3K-Akt pathways (where ERK is extracellular-regulated kinase, MEK is mitogen-activated protein kinase or ERK kinase, and PI3K is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase). However, these two signaling pathways were shown to exert opposing effects on muscle cell hypertrophy. Furthermore, the PI3K-Akt pathway was shown to inhibit the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway; this cross-regulation depended on the differentiation state of the cell: Akt activation inhibited the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in differentiated myotubes, but not in their myoblast precursors. The stage-specific inhibitory action of Akt correlated with its stage-specific ability to form a complex with Raf, suggesting the existence of differentially expressed mediators of an inhibitory Akt-Raf complex.