Elabela/APJ信号的结构与功能研究进展

Progress in research of the structure and function of Elabela/APJ signal

Elabelas/Toddlers是最近从斑马鱼中发现的一组内源性活性肽。研究发现该类肽基因序列与爱帕琳肽(Apelin)有25%的相似性,并且也通过血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体相关蛋白(putative receptor protein related to the angiotensin receptor AT1,APJ)调控生物体内相应的生理功能,如早期胚胎发育、血管生成、体液平衡、摄食与饮食行为控制等;同时还参与多种疾病的发生发展过程,如心衰、先兆子痫、急性肾损伤、高血压和糖尿病等。近年来的研究表明,Elabela/APJ信号能促进生物体早期胚胎的正常发育,包括中内胚层、内胚层的分化以及心脏形态及功能的形成;同时该信号还能促进血管生成,从而促进肿瘤细胞的迁移和增殖。本文主要就Elabela/APJ信号的分子结构、生物学特性、功能及其应用前景进行阐述。

Elabelas/Toddlers belong to a group of endogenous active peptides recently discovered from zebrafish.The sequences of these peptides have 25% homology to Apelin.These peptides regulate physiological functions of organisms through putative protein receptors related to the angiotensin receptor AT1(APJ).Functional roles of Elabela include early embryonic development,angiogenesis,fluid homeostasis,and feeding or dietary behavior control.Elabela also participates in the development of many diseases,such as heart failure,preeclampsia,acute kidney injury,hypertension,and diabetes.Increasingly,studies have shown that Elabela/APJ signaling can promote normal development of early embryos,including differentiation of mesoderm and endoderm,and formation of cardiac morphology and function.At the same time,the signaling can also promote angiogenesis or migration and proliferation of tumor cells.Here we describe the molecular structure,biological characteristics,functions and application prospects of Elabela/APJ signaling.