Serum M2-pyruvate kinase: A promising non-invasive biomarker for colorectal cancer mass screening

AIM: To explore the value of serum M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) in colorectal cancer (CRC) mass screening. METHODS: We conducted a molecular epidemiology study in Hangzhou, China, from year 2006 to year 2008. Serum samples were collected from 93 CRC, 41 advanced adenomas, 137 adenomas, 47 non-adenomatous polyps, and 158 normal participants in a community setting. Serum M2-PK and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SPSS 16.0 software was used to perform data analysis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificities were estimated for serum M2-PK in diagnosis of colorectal lesions and compared with CEA. RESULTS: Average serum M2-PK value among 158 normal people was 2.96 U/mL and not affected by gender (P = 0.47) or age (P = 0.59). Average serum M2-PK (U/mL) was 14.75 among stage III and 13.10 among stage?I?and II CRC patients, about 4 times higher than that among normal people. Average serum M2-PK was 8.58, 6.70, 5.13 and 2.51 U/mL among advanced adenoma, adenomas, non-adenomatous polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease patients, respectively. AUC for serum M2-PK was greater than that for CEA among all colorectal lesions. AUC for serum M2-PK was 0.89 (0.84, 0.94) (95% confidence interval), higher than that for CEA [0.70 (0.62-0.79)] in CRC stage?I?and II, 0.89 (0.84-0.94) vs 0.73 (0.63-0.83) in CRC stage III, 0.81 (0.74-0.86) vs 0.63 (0.53 - 0.73) in advanced adenomas, 0.69 (0.64-0.76) vs 0.54 (0.47-0.60) in adenomas, and 0.69 (0.62-0.78) vs 0.58 (0.48-0.68) in non-adenomatous polyps. The diagnostic sensitivity for all colorectal lesions increased with decrease in the cut-off value of serum M2-PK. The diagnostic sensitivity (%) of serum M2-PK was 100.00 for CRC, 95.12 advanced adenoma, 82.48 adenoma, and 82.98 non-adenomatous polyp. There were no CRC cases missed and 40.51% of unnecessary colonoscopies were avoided when the cut-off value was 2.00 U/mL. CONCLUSION: Serum M2-PK can be used as a primary screening test in CRC mass screening. It may be a promising non-invasive biomarker for CRC early detection.

Therapeutic Targeting of PKM2 Ameliorates NASH Fibrosis Progression in a Macrophage-Specific and Liver-Specific Manner

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)may soon become the leading cause of end-stage liver disease worldwide with limited treatment options.Liver fibrosis,which is driven by chronic inflammation and hepatic stellate cell(HSC)activation,critically determines morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH.Pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2)is involved in immune activation and inflammatory liver diseases;however,its role and therapeutic potential in NASH-related fibrosis remain largely unexplored.Bioinformatics screening and analysis of human and murine NASH livers indicated that PKM2 was upregulated in nonparenchymal cells(NPCs),especially macrophages,in the livers of patients with fibrotic NASH.Macrophage-specific PKM2 knockout(PKM2^(FL/FL)LysM-Cre)significantly ameliorated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis severity in three distinct NASH models induced by a methionine-and choline-deficient(MCD)diet,a high-fat high-cholesterol(HFHC)diet,and a western diet plus weekly carbon tetrachloride injection(WD/CCl_(4)).Single-cell transcriptomic analysis indicated that deletion of PKM2 in macrophages reduced profibrotic Ly6C^(high) macrophage infiltration.Mechanistically,PKM2-dependent glycolysis promoted NLR family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)activation in proinflammatory macrophages,which induced HSC activation and fibrogenesis.A pharmacological PKM2 agonist efficiently attenuated the profibrotic crosstalk between macrophages and HSCs in vitro and in vivo.Translationally,ablation of PKM2 in NPCs by cholesterol-conjugated heteroduplex oligonucleotides,a novel oligonucleotide drug that preferentially accumulates in the liver,dose-dependently reversed NASH-related fibrosis without causing observable hepatotoxicity.The present study highlights the pivotal role of macrophage PKM2 in advancing NASH fibrogenesis.Thus,therapeutic modulation of PKM2 in a macrophage-specific or liver-specific manner may serve as a novel strategy to combat NASH-related fibrosis.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 promotes the Warburg effect possibly by inducing pyruvate kinase M2 phosphorylation in liver precancerous lesions

BACKGROUND Study shows that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) can increase the Warburg effect by stimulating hexokinase 2 in breast cancer and upregulate lactate dehydrogenase A and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 in myeloma. STAT3 and pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2) can also be activated and enhance the Warburg effect in hepatocellular carcinoma. Precancerous lesions are critical to human and rodent hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for the development of liver precancerous lesions remains unknown. We hypothesized that STAT3 promotes the Warburg effect possibly by upregulating p-PKM2 in liver precancerous lesions in rats.AIM To investigate the mechanism of the Warburg effect in liver precancerous lesions in rats.METHODS A model of liver precancerous lesions was established by a modified Solt-Farber method. The liver pathological changes were observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. The transformation of WB-F344 cells induced with Nmethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and hydrogen peroxide was evaluated by the soft agar assay and aneuploidy. The levels of glucose and lactate in the tissue and culture medium were detected with a spectrophotometer. The protein levels of glutathione S-transferase-π, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), STAT3,and PKM2 were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence.RESULTS We found that the Warburg effect was increased in liver precancerous lesions in rats. PKM2 and p-STAT3 were upregulated in activated oval cells in liverprecancerous lesions in rats. The Warburg effect, p-PKM2, and p-STAT3 expression were also increased in transformed WB-F344 cells. STAT3 activation promoted the clonal formation rate, aneuploidy, alpha-fetoprotein expression,PCNA expression, G1/S phase transition, the Warburg effect, PKM2 phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation in transformed WB-F344 cells.Moreover, the Warburg effect was inhibited by stattic, a specific inhibitor of STAT3, and further reduced in transformed WB-F344 cells after the intervention for PKM2.CONCLUSION The Warburg effect is initiated in liver precancerous lesions in rats. STAT3 activation promotes the Warburg effect by enhancing the phosphorylation of PKM2 in transformed WB-F344 cells.

Overexpression of the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase is an adverse prognostic factor for signet ring cell gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase(PKM2) expression in gastric cancers and evaluate its potential as a prognostic biomarker and an anticancer target.METHODS:All tissue samples were derived from gastric cancer patients underwent curative gastrectomy as a primary treatment.Clinical and pathological information were obtained from the medical records.Gene expression microarray data from 60 cancer and 19 noncancer gastric tissues were analyzed to evaluate the expression level of PKM2 mRNA.Tissue microarrays were constructed from 368 gastric cancer patients.Immunohistochemistry was used to measure PKM2 expression and PKM2 positivity of cancer was determined by proportion of PKM2-positive tumor cells and staining intensity.Association between PKM2 expression and the clinicopathological factors was evaluated and the correlation between PKM2 and cancer prognosis was evaluated.RESULTS:PKM2 mRNA levels were increased more than 2-fold in primary gastric cancers compared to adjacent normal tissues from the same patients(log transformed expression level:7.6 ± 0.65 vs 6.3 ± 0.51,P < 0.001).Moreover,differentiated type cancers had significantly higher PKM2 mRNA compared to undifferentiated type cancers(log transformed expression level:7.8 ± 0.70 vs 6.7 ± 0.71,P < 0.001).PKM2 protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of primary cancer cells and detected in 144 of 368(39.1%) human gastric cancer cases.PKM2 expression was not related with stage(P = 0.811),but strongly correlated with gastric cancer differentiation(P < 0.001).Differentiated type cancers expressed more PKM2 protein than did the undifferentiated ones.Well differentiated adenocarcinoma showed 63.6% PKM2-positive cells;in contrast,signet-ring cell cancers showed only 17.7% PKM2-positive cells.Importantly,PKM2 expression was correlated with shorter overall survival(P < 0.05) independent of stage only in signet-ring cell cancers.CONCLUSION:PKM2 expression might be an adverse prognostic factor for signet-ring cell carcinomas.Its function and potential as a prognostic marker should be further verified in gastric cancer.

Tumor pyruvate kinase M2:A promising molecular target of gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal(GI) cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Tumor markers are valuable in detecting post-surgical recurrence or in monitoring response to chemotherapy.Pyruvate kinase isoform M2(PKM2),a glycolytic enzyme catalyzing conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate(PEP) to pyruvate,confers a growth advantage to the tumor cells and enables them to adapt to the tumor microenvironment.In this review,we have summarized current research on the expression and regulation of PKM2 in tumor cells,and its potential role in GI carcinogenesis and progression.Furthermore,we have also discussed the potential of PKM2 as a diagnostic and screening marker,and a therapeutic target in GI cancer.

Faecal pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2 for colorectal cancer screening:A meta-analysis

AIM:To present a critical discussion of the efficacy of the faecal pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2(faecal M2-PK) test for colorectal cancer(CRC) screening based on the currently available studies.METHODS:A literature search in PubMed and Embase was conducted using the following search terms:fecal Tumor M2-PK,faecal Tumour M2-PK,fecal M2-PK,faecal M2-PK,fecal pyruvate kinase,faecal pyruvate kinase,pyruvate kinase stool and M2-PK stool.RESULTS:Stool samples from 704 patients with CRC and from 11 412 healthy subjects have been investigated for faecal M2-PK concentrations in seventeen independent studies.The mean faecal M2-PK sensitivity was 80.3%;the specificity was 95.2%.Four studies compared faecal M2-PK head-to-head with guaiacbased faecal occult blood test(gFOBT).Faecal M2PK demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.1%,whereas the gFOBT detected only 36.9% of the CRCs.Eight independent studies investigated the sensitivity of faecal M2-PK for adenoma(n = 554),with the following sensitivities:adenoma < 1 cm in diameter:25%;adenoma > 1 cm:44%;adenoma of unspecified diameter:51%.In a direct comparison with gFOBT of adenoma > 1 cm in diameter,47% tested positive with the faecal M2-PK test,whereas the gFOBT detected only 27%.CONCLUSION:We recommend faecal M2-PK as a routine test for CRC screening.Faecal M2-PK closes a gap in clinical practice because it detects bleeding and nonbleeding tumors and adenoma with high sensitivity and specificity.

THE VALUE OF M_2-TYPE PYRUVATE KINASE IMMUNOASSAY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATOCARCINOMA

By using Fab'-enzyme labelled immuno absorbent assay (ELISA) with sensitivity of picogram (10-12 g or pg) level, the M-type pyruvate kinase (M-PyK) in plasma was determined in 47 cases of normal healthy adult and 26 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient. It was found that the upper limits of normal male and female were 1.1 and 1.4 ng/ml (expressed as M2-PyK) respectively. The plasma M-PyK in HCC patients was significant increased to above 5 times of average normal level, the positive rate was about 95%. In 6 cases of subclinical small hepatocarcinoma and 7 cases of HCC patient with normal serum alpha-fetal protein level, the mean plasma M-PyK value was also increased. Whereas the plasma M-PyK level in acute or chronic hepatitis and other benign diseases were normal. After the HCC being resected, the plasma M-PyK returned to normal, but increased again in the cases of recurrent hepatocarcinoma, suggesting that the increased M-PyK in the plasma of HCC patient was criginated from M2-type PyK in HCC tissue. Therefore, plasma M-PyK may become a new micro-level index of hepatocarcinoma.

Celastrol mitigates inflammation in sepsis by inhibiting the PKM2-dependent Warburg effect

Background: Sepsis involves life-threatening organ dysfunction and is caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. No specific therapies against sepsis have been reported. Celastrol(Cel) is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that shows potential against systemic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological activity and molecular mechanism of Cel in models of endotoxemia and sepsis.Methods: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Cel against endotoxemia and sepsis in mice and macrophage cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). We screened for potential protein targets of Cel using activity-based protein profiling(ABPP). Potential targets were validated using biophysical methods such as cellular thermal shift assays(CETSA) and surface plasmon resonance(SPR). Residues involved in Cel binding to target proteins were identified through point mutagenesis, and the functional effects of such binding were explored through gene knockdown.Results: Cel protected mice from lethal endotoxemia and improved their survival with sepsis, and it significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice and macrophages treated with LPS(P <0.05). Cel bound to Cys424 of pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2), inhibiting the enzyme and thereby suppressing aerobic glycolysis(Warburg effect). Cel also bound to Cys106 in high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) protein, reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokine interleukin(IL)-1β. Cel bound to the Cys residues in lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA).Conclusions: Cel inhibits inflammation and the Warburg effect in sepsis via targeting PKM2 and HMGB1 protein.

Colorectal cancer screening by non-invasive metabolic biomarker fecal tumor M2-PK

AIM: To evaluate the utility of the innovative fecal tumor M2-Pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) test in our daily clinical routine, as a marker for the pre-selection of patients who should subsequently undergo colonoscopy for the diagnosis or exclusion of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Fecal tumor M2-PK was measured in stool samples of 96 study participants (33 patients with colorectal cancer, 21 patients with rectal carcinoma and 42 controls) who all underwent total colonoscopy. RESULTS: In 39 of 42 individuals in the control group, fecal tumor M2-PK was below 4.0 kU/L (93% specificity). Colorectal tumors were accompanied by a highly significant increase (P < 0.001) in fecal tumor M2- PK levels (median: colon carcinoma, 23.1 kU/L; rectal carcinoma, 6.9 kU/L; colorectal carcinoma, 14.7 kU/L), which correlated with Duke’s staging and T-classification. The overall sensitivity was 78% for colorectal cancer, increasing from 60% for stage T1 to 100% for stage T4 and from 60% for Duke’s A to 90% for Duke’s D tumors. CONCLUSION: Fecal tumor M2-PK is an appropriately sensitive tool to pre-select those patients requiring colonoscopy for the further diagnostic confirmation or exclusion of colorectal cancer.

RanBPM对肾小管钠-氯共同转运子的调控作用及对ERK1/2信号通路的影响

目的:观察Ran结合蛋白M(RanBPM)对肾小管钠-氯共同转运子(NCC)蛋白表达及相关ERK1/2信号通路蛋白表达的影响。方法:免疫共沉淀检测RanBPM蛋白与WNK4蛋白是否存在直接相互作用;观察转染RanBPM质粒对EGF诱导细胞ERK1/2磷酸化的影响,通过转染质粒过表达RanBPM蛋白或siRNA抑制RanBPM基因,免疫蛋白印迹法检测细胞内源性NCC蛋白含量和ERK1/2磷酸化水平的变化。结果:免疫共沉淀实验证实WNK4和RanBPM之间存在直接的相互作用。RanBPM可以抑制EGF诱导的ERK1/2磷酸化。RanBPM过表达可使细胞ERK1/2磷酸化减少(1.000±0.074 vs. 0.275±0.041,P<0.01),而NCC蛋白表达增加(1.000±0.115 vs.1.470±0.105,P<0.01)。siRNA沉默RanBPM基因后,ERK1/2磷酸化增加(1.000±0.194 vs. 2.301±0.220,P<0.01),NCC蛋白表达下降(1.000±0.223 vs. 0.556±0.132,P<0.01)。转染RanBPM可阻止WNK4对ERK1/2信号通路的影响和对NCC蛋白表达的抑制作用。结论:RanBPM通过与WNK4相互作用,影响ERK1/2信号通路对NCC蛋白表达的调控作用。

Modulation of TGFβ_2 and dopamine by PKC in retinal Müller cells of guinea pig myopic eye

AIM: To investigate the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on transforming growth factor-β2 (TGFβ2) and dopamine in retinal Müller cells of guinea pig myopic eye. METHODS: Myopia was induced by translucent goggles in guinea pig, whose retinal Müller cells were cultured using the enzyme-digesting method. Retinal Müller cells were divided into 5 groups: normal control, myopia, myopia plus GF109203X, myopia plus PMA, myopia plus DMSO. PKC activities were detected by the non-radioactive methods. TGFβ2 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) proteins were analyzed by Western Blotting in retinal Müller cells. Dopamine was determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography- electrochemical detection in suspensions. RESULTS: After 14 days deprived, the occluded eyes became myopic with ocular axle elongating. Müller cells of guinea pigs were obtained using enzyme digestion. Compared with normal control group, the increase in PKC activity and the up-regulation in TGFβ2 expression were found in retinal Müller cells of myopic eyes, with the decrease of TH and dopamine content (P <0.05). After PKC activated by PMA, TGFβ2 and TH content were up-regulated with the increase of dopamine content (P <0.05). While the PKC activities was inhibited by GF109203X, proteins of TGFβ2 and TH were down-regulated in the myopic eyes, with the decrease of dopamine content (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: TGFβ2 and dopamine are modulated by PKC in Müller cells of the myopic eyes in guinea pig.

人PKM_2基因克隆、表达及纯化的研究

目的:构建人PKM2(M2-type pyruvate kinase)的原核表达质粒,并在大肠杆菌中表达,镍离子柱亲和层析法纯化融合蛋白。方法:用PCR方法从宫颈癌Hela细胞全基因组中扩增出目的基因PKM2,通过克隆载体pET30a(+)构建质粒载体pET30a(+)-PKM2。经双酶切和DNA测序证实正确后,用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱进行纯化。结果:双酶切鉴定所切下的片段大小与理论值相符,测序结果和报道一致。经SDS-PAGE分析,纯化后的蛋白约在58KDa位,条带单一,无杂带出现。结论:成功表达纯化了PKM2融合蛋白,为肿瘤疫苗研制和肿瘤标志物快速诊断的研究奠定基础。

The ROCK pathway inhibitor Y-27632 mitigates hypoxia and oxidative stress-induced injury to retinal Müller cells

Rho kinase （ROCK） was the first downstream Rho effector found to mediate RhoA-induced actin cytoskeletal changes through effects on myosin light chain phosphorylation. There is abundant evidence that the ROCK pathway participates in the pathogenesis of retinal endothelial injury and proliferative epiretinal membrane traction. In this study, we investigated the effect of the ROCK pathway inhibitor Y-27632 on retinal Müller cells subjected to hypoxia or oxidative stress. Müller cells were subjected to hypoxia or oxidative stress by exposure to CoCl2 or H2O2. After a 24-hour treatment with Y-27632, the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to assess the survival of Müller cells. Hoechst 33258 was used to detect apoptosis, while 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate was used to measure reactive oxygen species generation. A transwell chamber system was used to examine the migration ability of Müller cells. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin, glutamine synthetase and vimentin. After treatment with Y-27632, Müller cells subjected to hypoxia or oxidative stress exhibited a morphology similar to control cells. Y-27632 reduced apoptosis, α-smooth muscle actin expression and reactive oxygen species generation under oxidative stress, and it reduced cell migration under hypoxia. Y-27632 also upregulated glutamine synthetase expression under hypoxia but did not impact vimentin expression. These findings suggest that Y-27632 protects Müller cells against cellular injury caused by oxidative stress and hypoxia by inhibiting the ROCK pathway.

肺腺癌组织中基质窖蛋白-1和LDH-B、PKM2的表达及其意义

目的探讨基质窖蛋白1(Cav-1)、乳酸脱氢酶B(LDH-B)和丙酮酸激酶2(PKM2)在人肺腺癌(PAC)组织中的表达并分析3者的相关性及其临床意义。方法采用量子点免疫荧光组织化学(QDs-IHC)技术检测68例PAC组织和16例非癌性肺组织中基质Cav-1、LDH-B和PKM2的表达情况。结果基质Cav-1在PAC组织的阳性率为58.8%,与非癌变肺组织的阳性率100%相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。肺腺癌组织中LDH-B和PKM2的阳性率分别为76.5%、70.6%,均高于非癌性肺组织(均P<0.05)。PAC中、低分化组PKM2的阳性率均高于高分化组(均P<0.05)。结论基质Cav-1缺失,LDH-B、PKM2的高表达可能促进PAC的恶性进展。

TET2上调IRAK-M表达促进巨噬细胞内毒素耐受

目的:研究TET2蛋白(ten-eleven translocation 2)对巨噬细胞白介素-1受体相关激酶-M(interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-M,IRAK-M)表达的影响,探讨细菌内毒素(endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激诱导TET2表达的上游信号通路。方法:用LPS刺激小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7诱导内毒素耐受,qPCR和Western blot检测LPS刺激不同时间点和内毒素耐受时IRAK-M和TET2表达;用siRNA干扰TET2表达,qPCR和Western blot检测对IRAK-M表达的影响;用促分裂原活化的蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)信号通路抑制剂预处理细胞,再用LPS刺激,qPCR和Western blot检测对TET2表达的影响。结果:TET2蛋白和IRAK-M在LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞诱导内毒素耐受后仍持续表达,且表达模式都和细胞因子表达模式相反;干扰TET2表达抑制IRAK-M m RNA(P=0.000)和蛋白水平表达;抑制MAPK信号通路抑制TET2表达。结论:巨噬细胞炎症反应过程中MAPK信号通路上调TET2表达,TET2通过促进IRAK-M表达促进内毒素耐受。

对氧磷和氧毒死蜱对大鼠脑毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M_2受体磷酸化的影响

目的研究有机磷类杀虫剂对氧磷(PO)和氧毒死蜱(CPO)对大鼠脑G蛋白偶联受体激酶2介导的毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M2受体磷酸化的影响。方法制备亲和层析柱;利用亲和层析方法从大鼠脑中纯化毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M2受体;将纯化的毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M2受体或β2-肾上腺素受体、G蛋白偶联受体激酶-2、[γ-p32]ATP与对氧磷(PO)、氧毒死蜱(CPO)共同保温,聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分离蛋白,放射性自显影检测M2受体磷酸化结果。结果氧毒死蜱完全抑制大鼠脑M2受体的磷酸化,其半数抑制浓度为(IC50)70μmol/L;对氧磷不抑制毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M2受体的磷酸化;氧毒死蜱和对氧磷都不抑制β-肾上腺素受体的磷酸化。结论氧毒死蜱有选择性地抑制大鼠脑毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱M2受体的磷酸化,说明某些有机磷杀虫剂的毒性作用存在其他靶分子或作用途径。

Effect of organophosphorus insecticides on phosphorylation of the M_2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

BACKGROUND： Organophosphorus insecticides may promote the accumulation of acetylcholine at synapses and the neuromuscular junction by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity to cause disturbance of neural signal conduction and induce a toxic reaction. Organophosphorus insecticides may act on M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, whose combination with G proteins is regulated by phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of organophosphorus insecticides on the phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2-mediated M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and to reveal other possible actions of organophosphorus insecticides. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An observational study, which was performed in the Central Laboratory of Shenyang Medical College, and Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University from June 2002 to December 2004. MATERIALS： Paraoxon, parathion, chlorpyrifos, and chlorpyrifos oxon were provided by Chem Service Company, USA, [γ -p^32] ATP and [^35S]GTP γ S by New England Nuclear Life Science Products, and recombinant β 2-adrenergic receptor membrane protein by Sigma Company, USA. METHODS： The M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor was extracted and purified from pig brain using affinity chromatography. Subsequently, the purified M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, and [γ -p^32] ATP were incubated with different concentrations of paraoxon and chlorpyrifos oxon together. The mixture then underwent polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the gel film was dried and radioactively autographed to detect phosphorylation of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Finally, the radio-labeled phosphorylated M2 receptor protein band was excised for counting with an isotope liquid scintillation counter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Effects of chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon, chlorpyrifos, and parathion in different concentrations on the phosphorylation of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor; effects of chlorpyrifos oxon on the phosphorylation of the β -adrenergic receptor. RESULTS： Chlorpyrifos oxon could completely inhibit the phosphorylation of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, and its IC50 was 70 μ mol/L. Chlorpyrifos could also inhibit the phosphorylation of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. However, paraoxon and parathion could not inhibit the phosphorylation of the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Chlorpyrifos oxon in different concentrations could also not inhibit the phosphorylation of the β 2-adrenergic receptor catalyzed by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2. CONCLUSION： Different kinds of organophosphorus insecticides have different effects on the phosphorylation of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2-mediated M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Organophosphorus insecticides possibly have different toxic effects.

Diagnostic utility of faecal biomarkers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a common functional gastrointestinal(GI)disorder characterized by unspecific symptoms.In clinical practice it is crucial to distinguish between non-inflammatory functional problems and inflammatory,malignant or infectious diseases of the GI tract.Differentiation between these involves the use of clinical,radiological,endoscopic,histological and serological techniques,which are invasive,expensive,time-consuming and/or hindered by inaccuracies arising from subjective components.A range of faecal markers now appears to have the potential to greatly assist in the differentiation of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and IBS.Faecal markers of neutrophil influx into the mucosa are reliable indicators of intestinal inflammation and their role has been mainly studied in discriminating IBD from non-IBD conditions(including IBS)rather than organic from non-organic diseases.Phagocytespecific proteins of the S100 family(S100A12,calprotectin)are amongst the most promising faecal biomarkers of inflammation.Faecal leukocyte degranulation markers(lactoferrin,polymorphonuclear elastase and myeloperoxidase)have also been suggested as diagnostic tools for the differentiation of IBD and IBS.More recently,additional proteins,including granins,defensins and matrix-metalloproteases,have been discussed as differential diagnostic markers in IBD and IBS.In this review,some of the most promising faecal markers,which have the potential to differentiate IBD and IBS and to advance diagnostic practices,will be discussed.

Novel nervous and multi-system regenerative therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus with mTOR

Throughout the globe,diabetes mellitus（DM） is increasing in incidence with limited therapies presently available to prevent or resolve the significant complications of this disorder.DM impacts multiple organs and affects all components of the central and peripheral nervous systems that can range from dementia to diabetic neuropathy.The mechanistic target of rapamycin（m TOR） is a promising agent for the development of novel regenerative strategies for the treatment of DM.m TOR and its related signaling pathways impact multiple metabolic parameters that include cellular metabolic homeostasis,insulin resistance,insulin secretion,stem cell proliferation and differentiation,pancreatic β-cell function,and programmed cell death with apoptosis and autophagy.m TOR is central element for the protein complexes m TOR Complex 1（m TORC1） and m TOR Complex 2（m TORC2） and is a critical component for a number of signaling pathways that involve phosphoinositide 3-kinase（PI 3-K）,protein kinase B（Akt）,AMP activated protein kinase（AMPK）,silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）（SIRT1）,Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1（WISP1）,and growth factors.As a result,m TOR represents an exciting target to offer new clinical avenues for the treatment of DM and the complications of this disease.Future studies directed to elucidate the delicate balance m TOR holds over cellular metabolism and the impact of its broad signaling pathways should foster the translation of these targets into effective clinical regimens for DM.

M2 pyruvate kinase enhances HIV-1 transcription from its long terminal repeat

Both thymocytes and tumor cells express M2 type isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase(M2PK),which is different from R type isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase(RPK)that is expressed in erythrocytes.In this report,the effect of RPK and M2PK on the transcription of human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1)was tested.The results indicated that M2PK could enhance HIV-1 transcription from its long terminal repeat(LTR)promoter,while RPK did not have such an effect.Specific down-regulation of M2PK could inhibit HIV-1 transcription from its LTR region.Furthermore,it was found that the C terminal region of M2PK is responsible for this effect.Collectively,the cellular factor M2PK that is expressed in thymocytes could facilitate the transcription of HIV-1.