Tale of two kinases:Protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ in pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy

Metabolic syndrome is a pre-diabetic state characterized by several biochemical and physiological alterations,including insulin resistance,visceral fat accumulation,and dyslipidemias,which increase the risk for developing cardiovascular disease.Metabolic syndrome is associated with augmented sympathetic tone,which could account for the etiology of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathophysiological consequences of enhanced and sustainedβ-adrenergic response in pre-diabetes,focusing on cardiac dysfunction reported in diet-induced experimental models of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.The research reviewed indicates that both protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ play important roles in functional responses mediated byβ1-adrenoceptors;therefore,alterations in the expression or function of these kinases can be deleterious.This review also outlines recent information on the role of protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ in abnormal Ca^(2+)handling by cardiomyocytes from diet-induced models of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Phosphorylation of OsRbohB by the protein kinase OsDMI3 promotes H_(2)O_(2) production to potentiate ABA responses in rice

In rice, the Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase OsDMI3 is an important positive regulator of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. In ABA signaling, H_(2)O_(2) is required for ABA-induced activation of OsDMI3, which in turn increase H_(2)O_(2) production. However, how OsDMI3 regulates H_(2)O_(2) production in ABA signaling remains unknown. Here we show that OsRbohB is the main NADPH oxidase involved in ABA-induced H_(2)O_(2) production and ABA-mediated physiological responses. OsDMI3 directly interacts with and phosphorylates OsRbohB at Ser-191, which is OsDMI3-mediated site-specific phosphorylation in ABA signaling. Further analyses revealed that OsDMI3-mediated OsRbohB Ser-191 phosphorylation positively regulates the activity of NADPH oxidase and the production of H_(2)O_(2) in ABA signaling, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of seed germination and root growth to ABA and plant tolerance to water stress and oxidative stress. Moreover, we discovered that the OsDMI3-mediated OsRbohB phosphorylation and H_(2)O_(2) production is dependent on the sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinases SAPK8/9/10, which phosphorylate OsRbohB at Ser-140 in ABA signaling. Taken together, these results not only reveal an important regulatory mechanism that directly activates Rboh for ABA-induced H_(2)O_(2) production but also uncover the importance of this regulatory mechanism in ABA signaling.

Cloning and Characterization of a Homologous Ca^(2+)/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase PSKH1 from Pearl Oyster Pinctada fucata

Many of the effects of Ca^2＋ signaling are mediated through the Ca^2＋/calmodulin complex and its acceptors, the Ca^2＋/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, including PSKHI. Studies of the proteins involved in the calcium metabolism in oysters will help elucidate the pearl formation mechanism. This paper describes a full-length PSKH1 cDNA isolated from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. Oyster PSKH1 shares 65% homology with human PSKH1 and 48% similarity with rat CaM kinase I in the amino acid sequence, and contains a calmodulin-binding domain. The results of semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization revealed that oyster PSKH1 mRNA is highly expressed in the outer epithelial cells of the mantle pallial and in the gill epithelial cells. These studies provide important information describing the complex Ca^2＋ signaling mechanism in oyster calcium metabolism.

Occurrence of cGMP/nitric oxide-sensitive store-operated calcium entry in fibroblasts and its effect on matrix metalloproteinase secretion

AIM： To examine the existence of Nitric oxide/ cGMP sensitive store-operated Ca^2＋ entry in mouse fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells and its influence on matrix metalloproteinase （MMP） production and adhesion ability of fibroblasts. METHODS： NIH/3T3 cells were cultured. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine the existence of thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca^2＋ entry in fibroblasts. Gelatin zymography and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RTPCR） were employed to detect the involvement of [Ca^2＋]i and NO/cGMP in MMP secretion. The involvement of NO/ cGMP-sensitive Ca^2＋ entry in adhesion was determined using matrigel-coated culture plates. RESULTS： 8-bromo-cGMP inhibited the thapsigargin-induced Ca^2＋ entry in 3T3 cells. The cGMP-induced inhibition was abolished by an inhibitor of protein kinase G, KT5823 （1μmol/L）. A similar effect on the Ca^2＋ entry was observed in 3T3 cells in response to a NO donor, （±）-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine （SNAP）. The inhibitory effect of SNAP on the thapsigargin-induced Ca^2＋ entry was also observed, indicating NO/cGMP-regulated Ca^2＋ entry in 3T3 cells. Results of gelatin zymography assay showed that addition of extracellular Ca^2＋ concentration induced MMP release and activation in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR also showed that cGMP and SNAP reduced the production of MMP mRNA in 3T3 cells. Experiments investigating adhesion potentials demonstrated that cGMP and SNAP could upgrade 3T3 cell attachment rate to the matrigel-coated culture plates.CONCLUSION： NO/cGMP sensitive store-operated Ca^2＋ entry occurs in fibroblasts, and attenuates their adhesion potentials through its influence on MMP secretion.

Ca^(2+) signaling in plant manganese uptake:CPK21/23 kinases phosphorylate and activate manganese transporter NRAMP1

This brief article highlights the results of Fu et al.(Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 119:e2204574119,2022),who recently found that manganese(Mn)deficiency triggers long-lasting multicellular Ca^(2+) oscillations in the elongation zone(EZ)of Arabidopsis roots and revealed a Ca^(2+)-CPK21/23-NRAMP1 axis as an important mechanism for plant tolerance and adaptation to low Mn.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana cysteine2/histidine2-type transcription factor 6 gene enhances plant resistance to a bacterial pathogen

Transcription factors can be used to engineer plants for enhanced productivity.However,the mechanism(s)by which the C2H2-type zinc fi nger transcription factor enhances pathogen resistance in cells is not fully understood.Here,Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the gene for Arabidopsis thaliana cysteine2/histidine2-type transcription factor 6(ZAT6)was used to engineer rice(Oryza sativa L.),cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.),and slash pine(Pinus elliottii Engelm.)to generate transgenic cell lines.Transgenic cells were then inoculated with the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae.Compared to the control,cell viability of transgenic cells increased 39–47%and growth rate increased 9–15%by 7 days after inoculation in rice,cotton and slash pine.Acid phosphatase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity and transcript levels of Ca 2+-dependent protein kinase genes OsCPK1,OsCPK2,OsCPK6,and OsCPK8 and mitogen-activated protein kinase genes OsMAPK1,OsMAPK2,OsMAPK3,and OsMAPK8 increased signifi cantly in transgenic rice cells by 3 day after inoculation,and extracellular pH had decreased by 10–14%by 96 min after inoculation in transgenic rice,cotton and slash pine cells.These results suggest that ZAT6 enhances P.syringae resistance in plant cells by modulating transcription of CPK and MAPK and oxidase activity.

Regulatory effect and mechanism of gastrin and its antagonists on colorectal carcinoma

AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of gastrin and its antagonists prog lumide and somatostatin on colorectal carcinoma and their clinical significance.METHODS:A model of transplanted human colonic carcinoma was established from SW480 cell line in gymnomouse body.The volume and weight of transplanted carcinoma was observed under the effect of pentagatrin (PG), proglumide (PGL) and octapeptide somotostatin (SMS201-995, SMS). The cAMP content of carcinoma cell was determined by radioimmunoassay and the DNA, protein content and cell cycle were determined by flow-cytometry. The amount of viable cells was determined by MTT colorimetric analysis,IP(3) content was determined by radioimmunoassay, Ca(2+) concentration in cell by fluorometry and PKC activity by isotopic enzymolysis. The expression of gastrin, c-myc, c-fos and rasP21 in 48 cases of colorectal carcinoma tissue was detected by the immuno-cytochemistry SP method. Argyrophilia nucleolar organizer regions was determined with argyrophilia stain.RESULTS:The volume,weight, cAMP, DNA and protein content in carcinoma cell, cell amount and proliferation index of S and G(2)M phase in PG group were all significantly higher than those of control group. When PG was at the concentration of 25mg/L, the amount of viable cells, IP(3) content and Ca(2+) concentration in cell and membrane PKC activity in PG group were significantly higher than those in control group; when PGL was at a concentration of 32mg/L, they dropped to the lowest level in PG (25mg/L)+PGL group, but without significant difference from the control group. The positive expression rate of gastrin, c-myc, c-fos and rasP21 in carcinoma tissue was 39.6%, 54.2%, 47.9% and 54.2% respectively and significantly higher than that in mucosa 3cm and 6cm adjacent to carcinoma tissue and normal colorectal mucosa. The positive expression rate of gastrin of highly differentiated adenocarcinoma group was significantly higher than that of poorly differentiated and mucinous adenocar-cinoma groups. The AgNORs count of carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in mucosa 3cm and 6cm adjacent to carcinoma tissue and normal colorectal mucosa; and the positive expression of c-myc and c-fos and the AgNORs count in gastrin-positive group was significantly higher than those in gastrin negative group.CONCLUSION:Pentagastrin has a promoting effect on the growth of transplanted human colonic carcinoma from SW480 cell line. PGL has no obvious effect on the growth of human colonic carcinoma SW480 cell line, but could inhibit the growth promoting effect of PG on transplanted carcinoma. Somatostatin can not only inhibit the growth of transplanted human colonic carcinoma from SW480 cell line directly but also depress the growth-promoting effect of gastrin on the transplanted carcinoma. Some colorectal carcinoma cells can produce and secrete gastrin through autocrine, highly differentiated adenocarcinoma express the highest level gastrin.Endogenous gastrin can stimulate the cell division and proliferation of carcinoma cell and promote the growth of colorectal carcinoma regulating the expression of oncogene c-myc, c-fos. Our study has provided experimental basis for the adjuvant treatment using gastrin antagonist such as PGL, somatostatin of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Ca^(2+)-dependent successive phosphorylation of vacuolar transporter MTP8 by CBL2/3-CIPK3/9/26 and CPK5 is critical for manganese homeostasis in Arabidopsis

Manganese(Mn)is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms.However,excess Mn supply that can occur in acid or waterlogged soils has toxic effects on plant physiology and development.Although a variety of Mn transporter families have been characterized,we have only a rudimentary understanding of how these transporters are regulated to uphold and adjust Mn homeostasis in plants.Here,we demonstrate that two calcineurin-B-like proteins,CBL2/3,and their interacting kinases,CIPK3/9/26,are key regulators of plant Mn homeostasis.Arabidopsis mutants lacking CBL2 and 3 or their interacting protein kinases CIPK3/9/26 exhibit remarkably high Mn tolerance.Intriguingly,CIPK3/9/26 interact with and phosphorylate the tonoplast-localized Mn and iron(Fe)transporter MTP8 primarily at Ser35,which is conserved among MTP8 proteins from various species.Mn transport complementation assays in yeast combined with multiple physiological assays indicate that CBL-CIPK-mediated phosphorylation of MTP8 negatively regulates its transport activity from the cytoplasm to the vacuole.Moreover,we show that sequential phosphorylation of MTP8,initially at Ser31/32 by the calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK5 and subsequently at Ser35 by CIPK26,provides an activation/deactivation fine-tuning mechanism for differential regulation of Mn transport.Collectively,our findings define a two-tiered calcium-controlled mechanism for dynamic regulation of Mn homeostasis under conditions of fluctuating Mn supply.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator is a homeostatic regulator of synaptic function in the central nervous system

Membrane depolarization induces the release of the serine proteinase tissue-type plasminogen activator（t PA） from the presynaptic terminal of cerebral cortical neurons.Once in the synaptic cleft this t PA promotes the exocytosis and subsequent endocytic retrieval of glutamate-containing synaptic vesicles,and regulates the postsynaptic response to the presynaptic release of glutamate.Indeed,t PA has a bidirectional effect on the composition of the postsynaptic density（PSD） that does not require plasmin generation or the presynaptic release of glutamate,but varies according to the baseline level of neuronal activity.Hence,in inactive neurons t PA induces phosphorylation and accumulation in the PSD of the Ca^（2＋）/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα（pCa MKIIα）,followed by pCa MKIIα-induced phosphorylation and synaptic recruitment of Glu R1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid（AMPA） receptors.In contrast,in active neurons with increased levels of pCa MKIIα in the PSD t PA induces pCa MKIIα and p Glu R1 dephosphorylation and their subsequent removal from the PSD.These effects require active synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate（NMDA） receptors and cyclin-dependent kinase 5（Cdk5）-induced phosphorylation of the protein phosphatase 1（PP1） at T320.These data indicate that t PA is a homeostatic regulator of the postsynaptic response of cerebral cortical neurons to the presynaptic release of glutamate via bidirectional regulation of the pCa MKIIα/PP1 switch in the PSD.

The Expression of Ca N and CaMK is Associated with Lipogenesis in the Muscle of Chicken

Intramuscular fat （IMF） content in chickens significantly contributes to meat quality. The main objective of this study was to assess the expression of calcineudn （CAN） and Ca^2＋/calmodutin-dependent protein kinase （CAME） in lipogene- sis in chicken muscle. The chickens were slaughtered and sampled at the ages of 4, 8, and 16 weeks, respectively. IMF content and the expression of CaN subunits and CaMK isoforms were measured in thigh muscle tissue. The results showed that the IMF contents were higher in chickens at the age of 16 weeks compared with those in chickens at the ages of 4 and 8 weeks （P〈0.05）. The expression levels of fatty acid synthase （FAS） and fatty acid translocase CD36 （FAT/CD36） mRNA in 16-week-old chickens were all significantly up-regulated compared with those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. The mRNA levels of CaNB and CaMK IV in 16-week-old chickens were significantly lower than those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. But the CaMK II mRNA levels in 16-week-old chickens were significantly higher than those in 4-week-old chickens （P〈0.05）. To investigate the roles of CaMK and CaN in adipogenesis, SV cells were incubated in standard adipogenesis medium for 24 h and treated with specific inhibitor of CaMK and CaN. The ex- pressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPJ3）, sterol regulatory element- binding protein 1 （SREBP1） and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor ）, （PPARy） were dramatically enhanced by CsA and CaN inhibitor （P〈0.05）. KN93, a CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor, dramatically repressed the expression of those lipogenic genes （P〈0.05）. All the results above indicated that CaN and CaMK had different effects on adipogenesis in the muscle of chickens.

人骨髓间充质干细胞表型转化为汗腺细胞的体外研究

目的研究体外人骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)和汗腺细胞(SGCs)直接和间接共培养条件下骨髓间充质干细胞的表型转化及其机制。方法体外分别分离培养、扩增并鉴定MSCs和汗腺细胞。将培养的MSCs和经47℃高温处理造成热休克的SGCs直接和间接共培养,1周后,采用免疫细胞化学染色法和流式细胞仪法检测共培养体系中MSCs的表型改变,W estern b lot测定细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶(pERK)表达。结果MSCs和SGCs均呈克隆样生长,MSCs表达CD44、CD105和CD29,不表达CD34、CEA、CK19和CK7;SGCs表达CEA、CK19、CK8和CK7。MSCs与经高温损伤后的SGCs共培养1周后,部分MSCs呈汗腺细胞表型,间接共培养结果示各组MSCs均表达水平相当的ERK,但pERK水平表达不同。结论成人MSCs和热休克的SGCs直接和间接共培养均可诱导MSCs向SGCs表型转化,pERK途径参与这一过程。

正丁基苯酞对痴呆小鼠海马钙-钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱα表达的影响

目的探讨正丁基苯酞（NBP）对血管性痴呆（VD）小鼠空间学习记忆及海马细胞内游离钙（[Ca^2＋）]i）浓度、钙-钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱα（CaMKⅡα）蛋白表达的影响。方法采用双侧颈总动脉线结法制备小鼠VD模型,服用NBP（120mg·kg^-1·d^-1）组为治疗组;并设假手术组作为对照。运用跳台和水迷宫装置观测各组小鼠行为学变化,流式细胞仪检测海马细胞内[Ca^2＋）]i浓度变化,Western Blot印迹方法测定CaMKⅡα蛋白的表达。结果VD模型组小鼠学习记忆成绩下降,海马细胞内[Ca^2＋）]i浓度增高,CaMKⅡα蛋白表达水平降低,与假手术组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;NBP治疗组小鼠学习记忆成绩改善,海马[Ca^2＋）]i浓度降低,CaMKⅡα蛋白表达水平增高,与模型组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,与假手术组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论NBP可降低VD小鼠海马神经细胞内游离[Ca^2＋）]i,提高CaMKⅡα的表达,改善其学习记忆能力。

Analgesic effect of gabapentin in a rat model for chronic constrictive injury

Background Gabapentin has been widely and successfully used in the clinic for many neuropathic pain syndromes since last decade, however its analgesic mechanisms are still elusive. Our study was to investigate whether Ca^2＋/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ （CaMKⅡ） contributes to the analgesic effect of gabapentin on a chronic constriction injury （CCI） model. Methods Gabapentin （2%, 100 mg/kg） or saline （0.5 ml/100 g） was injected intraperitoneally 15 minutes prior to surgery and then every 12 hours from postoperative day 0-4 to all rats in control, sham and CCI groups. The analgesic effect of gabapentin was assessed by measuring mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of rats. Expression and activation of CaMKⅡ were quantified by reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results The analgesic effect of gabapentin on mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia was significant in the CCI model, with maximal reduction reached on postoperative day 8. Gabapentin decreased the expression of the total CaMKⅡ and phosphorylated CaMKⅡ in CCI rats. Conclusion The analgesic effect of gabapentin on CCI rats may be related to the decreased expression and phosphorylation of CaMKⅡ in the spinal cord.

A neuropsin-based optogenetic tool for precise control of Gq signaling

G_(q)-coupled receptors regulate numerous physiological processes by activating enzymes and inducing intracellular Ca^(2+)signals.There is a strong need for an optogenetic tool that enables powerful experimental control over G_(q) signaling.Here,we present chicken opsin 5(cOpn5)as the long sought-after,single-component optogenetic tool that mediates ultra-sensitive optical control of intracellular G_(q) signaling with high temporal and spatial resolution.Expressing cOpn5 in HEK 293T cells and primary mouse astrocytes enables blue light-triggered,G_(q)-dependent Ca^(2+) release from intracellular stores and protein kinase C activation.Strong Ca^(2+) transients were evoked by brief light pulses of merely 10 ms duration and at 3 orders lower light intensity of that for common optogenetic tools.Photostimulation of cOpn5-expressing cells at the subcellular and single-cell levels generated fast intracellular Ca^(2+)transition,thus demonstrating the high spatial precision of cOpn5 optogenetics.The cOpn5-mediated optogenetics could also be applied to activate neurons and control animal behavior in a circuit-dependent manner.cOpn5 optogenetics may find broad applications in studying the mechanisms and functional relevance of G_(q) signaling in both non-excitable cells and excitable cells in all major organ systems.