Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica - current issue

RanBPM is an acetylcholinesterase-interacting protein that translocates into the nucleus during apoptosis

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression may be induced during apoptosis in various cell types. Here, we used the C-terminal of AChE to screen the human fetal brain library and found that it interacted with Ran-binding protein in the microtubule-organizing center (RanBPM). This interaction was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation analysis. In HEK293T cells, RanBPM and AChE were heterogeneously expressed in the cisplatin-untreated cytoplasmic extracts and in the cisplatin-treated cytoplasmic or nuclear extracts. Our previous studies performed using morphologic methods have shown that AChE translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus during apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that RanBPM is an AChE-interacting protein that is translocated from the cytoplasm into the nucleus during apoptosis, similar to the translocation observed in case of AChE.

Evaluating the antitumor activity of combined photochemotherapy mediated by a meso-substituted tetracationic porphyrin and adriamycin

Kassab, K. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

The combined anticancer modality comprising porphyrins as photodynamic sensitizers and anticancer drugs has been an interesting subject for many researchers. In this study, the photochemotherapeutic effect mediated by simultaneous photoactivation of tetracationic meso-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphine tetratosylate (TMPyP) and adriamycin (ADM) were explored using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HePG2). The efficiency of TMPyP acting in concert with ADM in the dark and in the presence of photoirradiation was evaluated, by studying cell viability, caspase-3 activity and ultrastructural changes in the cells after incubation with each of the two agents, separately, or simultaneously as a co-mixture. Under dark conditions, the simultaneous incubation of cells with TMPyP and ADM significantly enhanced cell death by 1.8 folds and 1.3 folds, compared with TMPyP or ADM treatment, respectively. After photoirradiation, the antiproliferative effect of the co-treatment with TMPyP and ADM increased further by 2 folds. Transmission electron microscopy and the measurements of caspase-3 levels in treated cells revealed that the co-treatment of cells with ADM and TMPyP followed by light irradiation directed the cell death towards necrosis and abrogated the apoptotic cell death pathway, which was exhibited in cells treated with ADM in absence and in presence of photoirradiation.

Development of a soluble PTD-HPV18E7 fusion protein and its functional characterization in eukaryotic cells

Yan, X., Walayat, S., Shi, Q., Zheng, J., Wang, Y. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Though accumulated evidence has demonstrated the transformation capacity of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18 protein E7, the underlying mechanism is still arguable. Developing a protein transduction domain (PTD)-linked E7 molecule is a suitable strategy for assessing the biological functions of the protein. In the present study, HPV18 E7 protein fused to an N-terminal PTD was expressed in the form of glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in Escherichia coli with pGEX-4T-3 vector. After glutathione-Sepharose 4B bead affinity purification, immunoblot identification and thrombin cleavage, the PTD-18E7 protein showed structural and functional activity in that it potently transduced the cells and localized into their nuclei. The PTD-18E7 protein transduced the NIH3T3 cells in 30 min and remained stable for at least 24 h. In addition, the PTD-18E7 protein interacted with retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and caused pRB degradation in the transduced NIH3T3 cells. In contrast to the pRB level, p27 protein level was elevated in the transduced NIH3T3 cells. The PTD-18E7 protein gives us a new tool to study the biological functions of the HPV E7 protein.

Quantitative analysis of secretome from adipocytes regulated by insulin

Zhou, H., Xiao, Y., Li, R., Hong, S., Li, S., Wang, L., Zeng, R., Liao, K. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Adipocyte is not only a central player involved in storage and release of energy, but also in regulation of energy metabolism in other organs via secretion of peptides and proteins. During the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, adipocytes are subjected to the increased levels of insulin, which may have a major impact on the secretion of adipokines. We have undertaken cleavable isotope-coded affinity tag (cICAT) and label-free quantitation approaches to identify and quantify secretory factors that are differentially secreted by 3T3-L1 adipocytes with or without insulin treatment. Combination of cICAT and label-free results, there are 317 proteins predicted or annotated as secretory proteins. Among these secretory proteins, 179 proteins and 53 proteins were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. A total of 77 reported adipokines were quantified in our study, such as adiponectin, cathepsin D, cystatin C, resistin, and transferrin. Western blot analysis of these adipokines confirmed the quantitative results from mass spectrometry, and revealed individualized secreting patterns of these proteins by increasing insulin dose. In addition, 240 proteins were newly identified and quantified as secreted proteins from 3T3-L1 adipocytes in our study, most of which were up-regulated upon insulin treatment. Further comprehensive bioinformatics analysis revealed that the secretory proteins in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway and glycan structure degradation pathway were significantly up-regulated by insulin stimulation.

Phenotypic inheritance induced by hairpin RNA in Drosophila

Li, H., Lu, Y. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Phenotypic inheritance induced by RNA has been documented in mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we report a similar inheritance in Drosophila. Mutant phenotypes of eye defects and antenna duplication generated from the crossing of one RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic line harboring one hairpin RNA transgene with a GAL4 driver line were inherited independently of the GAL4 driver. Hairpin RNA injection experiments demonstrated that the hairpin RNA could induce heritable mutant-like phenotypes on the eye and antenna. The penetrance of mutant phenotypes was reduced when the mutants were crossed to ago1 and piwi mutants. Our data suggest that hairpin RNA can induce phenotypic inheritance in Drosophila.

The octarepeat region of hamster PrP (PrP51-91) enhances the formation of microtubule and antagonize Cu2+-induced microtubule-disrupting activity

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Prion protein (PrP) is considered to associate with microtubule and its major component, tubulin. In the present study, octarepeat region of PrP (PrP51–91) was expressed in prokaryotic-expressing system. Using GST pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipitation, the molecular interaction between PrP51–91 and tubulin was observed. Our data also demonstrated that PrP51–91 could efficiently stimulate microtubule assembly in vitro, indicating a potential effect of PrP on microtubule dynamics. Moreover, PrP51–91 was confirmed to be able to antagonize Cu²⁺-induced microtubule-disrupting activity in vivo, partially protecting against Cu²⁺ intoxication to culture cells and stabilize cellular microtubule structure. The association of the octarepeat region of PrP with tubulin may further provide insight into the biological function of PrP in the neurons.

Double role of Fas ligand in the apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells in vitro

Han, D., Ding, Y., Liu, S.-L., Wang, G., Si, I.-C., Wang, X., Cui, L., Huang, D. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Fas ligand (FasL) may play an important role in maintaining the immune privilege of intervertebral disc (IVD). Besides, it is closely related to the apoptosis of degenerative disc cells. Nowadays, lots of reports have described about the paradoxical effects of FasL, although the effect of FasL on IVD cells is still under debate. In this study, we tried to investigate the effects of FasL on Fas expression and on the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in Sprague–Dawley rats. The results showed that the expression of Fas in NP cells was significantly increased by the recombinant FasL. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of NP cells increased markedly in a FasL dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, RNA interference results indicated that the increase of Fas expression and the NP cell apoptosis described previously were inhibited by Fas siRNA, suggesting that RNA interference might be one of novel strategies to prevent IVD cells from apoptosis.

Expression and characterization of Kunitz domain 3 and C-terminal of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

Human tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (hTFPI-2) is a serine protease inhibitor and its inhibitory activity is enhanced by heparin. The Kunitz domain 3 and C-terminal of hTFPI-2 (hTFPI-2/KD3C), which has the activity toward heparin calcium, have been successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified by SP-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose chromatography. The Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) experiment results implied that hTFPI-2/KD3C contained small contents of -helix and β-strand, but large amounts of random coil and two kinds of disulfide bonds, gauche-gauche-gauche (ggg) and trans-gauche-trans (tgt). The interaction of hTFPI-2/KD3C with heparin calcium was investigated by CD. It was found that heparin calcium induced β-strands in hTFPI-2/KD3C to different extents depending on the ratio of hTFPI-2/KD3C and heparin calcium.

The structure-function relationship of MSI7, a matrix protein from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata

Feng, Q., Fang, Z., Yan, Z., Xing, R., Xie, L., Zhang, R. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

We previously identified a matrix protein, MSI7, from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. According to the structural analysis, the DGD site in the N-terminal of MSI7 is crucial for its role in the shell formation. In this study, we expressed a series of recombinant MSI7 proteins, including the wild-type and several mutants directed at the DGD site, using an Escherichia coli expression system to reveal the structure–function relationship of MSI7. Furthermore, in vitro crystallization, crystallization speed assay, and circular dichroism spectrometry were carried out. Results indicated that wild-type MSI7 could induce the nucleation of aragonite and inhibit the crystallization of calcite. However, none of the mutants could induce the nucleation of aragonite, but all of them could inhibit the crystallization of calcite to some extent. And all the proteins accelerated the crystallization process. Taken together, the results indicated that MSI7 could contribute to aragonite crystallization by inducing the nucleation of aragonite and inhibiting the crystallization of calcite, which agrees with our prediction about its role in the nacreous layer formation of the shell. The DGD site was critical for the induction of the nucleation of aragonite.

The properties of NodD were affected by mere variation in length within its hinge region

Hou, B., Li, F., Yang, X., Hong, G. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:14:42 PST

In Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, NodD, a member of the LysR-type transcriptional regulators, while auto-regulating, activates transcription of other nod genes in the presence of naringenin. A hinge region of NodD was previously identified in our laboratory as a functional region independent of its N-terminal DNA-binding and C-terminal regulatory domain. Further study was carried out to see the possible effect of the length variation in the hinge region on NodD's properties. To our surprise, as many as seven classes of phenotypes were observed. Class I is deficient of activating nodA transcription and abolishes auto-regulation; class II is able to activate nodA transcription independently of naringenin and abolishes auto-regulation; class III retains auto-regulating but partial activating ability; class IV is able to activate transcription independently of naringenin and retains auto-regulation; in class V, nodA is transcribed constitutively but the transcription level is drastically down-regulated in the presence of naringenin; in class VI, nodA is transcribed constitutively with higher induction ratio; in class VII, nodA is transcribed constitutively with lower induction ratio. To learn more about the possible mechanism, circular permutation assays were done, which showed that the length variation of the hinge of NodD caused by mutation led to the change in bend angles of nod promoter. This finding should help to get an insight into how transcriptional regulation is mediated by NodD at the molecular level as well as to understand the regulatory system of this important family.