Isolation of a 1 195 bp 5′-Flanking Region of Rice Cytosolic Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and Analysis of Its Expression in Transgenic Rice

A genomic DNA fragment containing the 5'-upstream sequence and part of the open reading frame corresponding to the cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cyFBPase) cDNA was isolated by Genome Walking. The 1 195 lip 5'-flanking region which started from the translation initiation ATG codon was fused to reporter gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and stably transferred to rice via particle bombardment. Strong GUS activity was detected in leaves and leaf sheaths of transgenic rice, but not in culms and roots. Histochemical localization revealed that GUS expression was exclusively restricted to mesophyll cells in transgenic rice. Our results indicate that the 1 195 bp fragment contains all the cis-elements required for directing mesophyll-specific expression pattern in rice.

Cloning and expression analysis of the chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene from Pyropia haitanensis

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase（FBPase） is one of the key enzymes in Calvin circle and starch biosynthesis. In this study, the full-length of cpFBPase gene from Pyropia haitanensis was cloned by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends（RACE） technology. The nucleotide sequence of PhcpFBPase consists of 1 400 bp, including a 5′ untranslated region（UTR） of 92 bp, a 3′？UTR of 69 bp, and an open reading frame（ORF） of 1 236 bp, which can be translated into a 412-amino-acid putative peptides with a molecular weight of 44.3 kDa and a theoretical pI of 5.23. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that the protein belonged to the chloroplast FBPase enzyme. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the protein assembled with the cpFBPase of a thermal tolerant unicellular red micro-algae Galdieria sulphuraria. Expression patterns analyzed by qRT-PCR revealed that the expression of PhcpFBPase gene in the thallus phage was 7-fold higher than in the conchocelis phage, which suggested the different mechanisms of inorganic carbon utilization among the different life phages of P. haitanensis. And the different response modes of PhcpFBPase mRNA levels to high temperature and desiccation stress indicated that PhcpFBPase played an important role in responsing to abiotic stress.

Protective Effects of Oral Fructose-1, 6-diphosphate on Liver Injury in Animal Models

Aim To investigate the effects of FDP on different liver injury models to explore the possibility of FDP used as an oral liver protective agent. Methods Chronic liver injury model in rats was induced by carbon tetrachloride （ CCl4 ） ; Acute liver injury model in mice was induced by aminogalactose （GAIN） or lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Results In CCl4-induced chronic liver injury model, FDP （1 , 4 g·kg^-1·d^-1, q.d., for 10 weeks） significantly lowered ALT, AST,γ-glutamyl transpeptidase （γ-GT）, alkaline phosphatase （ALP）, and total bilirubin （T-BIL） in serum compared with vehicle; simultaneously it evidently elevated abnormal total protein （TP）, albumin （ALB） and total cholesterol （ T-CHO ） levels in serum; it also dose-dependently reduced hydroxyproline contents in hepatic tissue. 4 g·kg^-1·d^-1 of FDP apparently decreased incidence of hepatic cirrhosis, and alleviated pathological changes of liver tissue. In GaiN-induced model, 1.0 - 4. 0 g·kg^-1·d^-1 of FDP （ bid, for 3 d ） significantly lowered alanine aminotransferase （ ALT ） and aspartate aminotransferase （ AST ） levels in serum ; it also decreased liver coefficient. 4. 0 g·kg^-1·d^-1 of FDP significantly alleviated pathological changes of cell ultra-structures. In LPS-induced model, only high dose of FDP （4. 0 g·kg^-1·d^-1, bid, for 12 d） significantly decreased ALT level in serum. Conclusion This study first demonstrated the protective effect of oral FDP on chronic liver injury caused by CCl4, and confirmed its effect on acute liver injury at the same time, suggesting that Long-term oral FDP is efficacious against liver injury induced by different factors and can be used as an oral liver protective agent in clinic.

Effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate on concentration of calcium and activities of sarcoplosnic Ca^(2+)-ATPase in cardiomyocytes of Adriamycin-treated rats

Objective: To observe the effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) on serum levels of cardiac troponin 1 (cTnl) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), as well as the concentration of calcium in cardiomyocytes (Myo[Ca2+]) and activity of sarcoplosnic Ca2+-ATPase (SRCa2+-ATPase) in Adriamycin (ADR)-treated rats. Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with ADR (2.5 mg/kg every other day for 6 times) and then with different dosages of FDP (every other day for twenty-one times). Bi-antibodies sandwich Enzyme linked immune absorption assay (ELISA) was performed to detect serum level of cTnl. CK-MB was detected by monoclonal antibody, Myo[Ca2+] was detected by fluorescent spectrophotometry and the activity of SRCa2+-ATPase was detected by inorganic phosphate method. Results: FDP (300, 600, 1200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the serum levels of cTnl and CK-MB, while at the same time decreased calcium concentration and increased SRCa2+-ATPase activity in cardiomyocytes of ADR-treated rats (P<0.01). Conclusions: FDP might alleviate the cardiotoxic effects induced by ADR through decreasing calcium level as well as increasing SRCa2+-ATPase activity in cardiomyocytes.

Clinical study of applying fructose-1,6-diphosphate and captopril to enhance the protective effects of cardioplegia solution on ischemic myocardium

In the present experiment,fructose-1,6-diphosphate（FDP）and captopril（Cap）wereadded to the cold potassium cardioplegia solution and the levels of malondialdehyde（MDA）,cre-atine phosphokinase MB（CPK-MB）,thromboxane B（TXB2）and 6-keto-PGF1α in plasma weremeasured during open-heart surgery.Quantitative study of myocardial ultrastructure and obser-vation of cardiac resuscitation were also undertaken.The findings suggested that FDP,especiallywhen combined with Cap could significantly strengthen the protective effects of cold potassiumcardioplegia solution on ischemic myocardium.

Status epilepticus due to fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency caused by FBP1 gene mutation

Introduction:Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency is a rare inherited disorder in gluconeogenesis,characterized by hypoglycemia,ketonuria,metabolic acidosis and convulsions.Case presentation:We describe two brothers with FBPase deficiency.The proband developed severe hypoglycemia and progressed to status epilepticus,and the brother showed slightly hypoglycemia with a good prognosis.Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified compound heterozygous variants [c.333+1333+2delinsTC and c.490G>A (p.Gly164Ser)] in fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 gene in the two brothers,which were inherited from the father and the mother,respectively.Conclusion:Genetic analysis provided a solid basis for a definite diagnosis and the determination of precision therapies for the patient.

AMP makes native snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to an alkaline enzyme

A substance in the crude preparation of NADP+ has been found, which activates snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase at pH 9.2 and inhibits the enzyme at pH 7.5. After isolation and extensive characterization, the substance has been determined to be AMP. The activation depends on the concentrations of Mg2+ and could be observed only at concentrations above 1 mmol/L. In the presence of AMP, snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase resembles an alkaline enzyme. Kinetic studies indicate that AMP and Mg2+ competitively regulate the activity of the enzyme. AMP releases the inhibition of Mg2+ at high concentration at alkaline pH. It has been reported that fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with a pH optimum in the alkaline region is caused by limited proteolysis. AMP is also able to make fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to be an alkaline enzyme. This finding indicates that proteolysis may not be the only reason for shift of the optimum pH of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to alkaline side and it may imply some significance in physiological regulation.

Structure and Expression Analyses of a Gene Encoding Fructose-6-Phosphate, 2-Kinase/Fructose-2,6-Bisphosphatase from Maize

A full-length cDNA encoding fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase from maize (Zea mays L.) was cloned by the methods of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and designated as mF2KP. The encoded protein is composed of two regions. Its COOH-terminal region is catalytic region and homologous to the enzymes from other eukaryotes; and its NH 2-terminal region is common and special region only in plant. A truncated fragment of mF2KP covering integrated catalytic region was expressed in Escherichia coli. The fusion protein had the activities of fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase as well as fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase. Northern blot showed that the transcript level of mF2KP in seedlings initiated from strong-vigor seeds is lower than that from weak-vigor seeds.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate-added total parenteral nutrition in septic animals and stressed patients

Objective To investigate the roles of fructose-1,6-diphosphate(FDP)-added total parenteral nutrition (TPN)in septic animals and stressed patients.Methods Thirteen adult dogs were randomly assigned to one of two study groups 6 hours after the induction of severe intra-abdominal infection.Group TPN(n =6)received 70 kcal· kg-1· d-1 of nonprotein calorie(NPC)and 0.56 g· kg-1· d-1 of nitrogen.1 g/kg of FDP was also infused to the animals in group TPN + FDP(n = 7)everyday.In the clinical study,the control group received routine TPN,while the study group(n = 16)was treated with TPN plus FDP(5 g,two times a day)for 7 days.Results In dogs with TPN support,plasma ATP levels were not changed significantly,while the value in the TPN + FDP group increased significantly from 0.18 μmol/L to 0.46 μmol/L at 24 h and 0.51 μmol/L at 48 h(P ＜ 0.01).Muscular ATP increased markedly in the TPN + FDP group.Muscular creatine phosphate alues were not significantly changed in the TPN group,but the values increased in the TPN + FDP group from 4.06 μmol/g·wt at the beginning to 4.93 μmol/g· wt at 24 h and 5.60 μmol/g·wt at 48 h(P ＜ 0.05),with a cytochrome oxidase increase in immunohistochemistry stain.In the clinical study,plasma ATP levels increased and urinary 3-methylhistidine production significantly decreased with an improved value for positive accumulative nitrogen balance in the FDP-infused group.Conclusion Our results suggest that total parenteral nutrition support with the supplement of fructose-1,6-diphosphate has a positive role in body energy production and protein metabolism in septic animals and stressed patients.

Cloning of a NaCl-induced fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase cDNA from Dunaliella salina and its expression in tobacco

Using Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique, the full-length cDNA en-coding a NaCl-induced fructose-1, 6- diphosphate aldolase (DsALDP) was obtained. It was shown that the DsALDP had a relatively high homology (66%—73%) to chloroplast fructose-1, 6-diphos- phate aldolase (AldP) in many plants according to their amino acid sequences. The phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that AldP in alga is the nearest to DsALDP. As to its expression pattern, DsALDP was de novo synthesized by NaCl induction. Its expression level was significantly changed with inducing time. After the selected DsALDP cDNA subcloned into a binary vector pBI121, the new construct was introduced into tobacco by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The results of Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis of four transgenic T1 plants indicated that DsALDP was integrated into genome of these transgenic plants and effectively expressed. Aldolase activities have been detected in T1-1, T1-2 and T1-3 plants by bioassay under 100—200 mmol/L NaCl. It was also observed that proline contents in them were differentially increased.

A New Method of Crystallization of Octahydro Trisodium Salt of Fructose- 1,6-diphosphate

In order to overcome the elementary heterogeneous nucleation whileoctahydro trisodium salt of fructose- 1, 6-diphosphate (FDPNa_3·8H_2O) is crystallized with ethanol precipitation at low temperature,a new crystallization method with alcohol precipitation combined withsalt precipitation has been presented. The ethanol-sodium ac- etatesystem for crystallization of salt of fructose-1, 6-diphosphate isbased on the mechanism of crystallization of FDPNA_3·8H_2O in theethanol-low temperature system. It is found that crystal size may becontrolled by regulating Temperature of pH value of solution in thecrystallization process, and the crystal yield increases to 95/100from 78/100 Which obtained in the ethanol-low temperature system.

PRODUCTION OF FRUCTOSE-l,6-DIPHOSPHATE(FDP) BY PERMEABILIZED SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AND A KINETIC MODEL FOR FDP ACCUMULATION

Permeable yeast cells were used in the batch production of fructose-1,6-diphosphate(FDP).The optimum reaction conditions were reported to be:reaction temperature 30℃,tolueneconcentration 8%(V/V),and initial ratio of glucose to inorganic phosphorus(Pi)10:1.Addition ofAMP was found to be very beneficial to the FDP production.A multienzyme system model for FDPaccumulation was developed,in which FDP was regarded as a substrate of phosphor-fructokinase(PFK),to simulate the activation effect of FDP on PFK.The model simulations were in good agree-ment with the experimental data.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of recombinant chicken liver fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

The bisphosphatase domain of chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphos-phosphatase was expressed in high yield Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Single crystals of chicken liver bisphophatase domain suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. The crystals belong to tetragonal space group P41212 or P43213 with two molecules per asymmetric unit. The determined cell dimensions are: a=b= 10.02 nm, c= 13.98 nm, α=β=г=90°. EHffraction data were collected on Weissenberg camera with synchrotron radiation at 0.32nm resolution.

Conformation of 60-residue peptide fragment from N-terminal of porcine kidney fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase

Limited digestion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase with subtilisin produces an S-peptide with an about 60-residue peptide fragment that is non-covalently associated with the enzyme. The 60-residue peptide fragment con-sists of the most part of allosteric site for AMP binding. It could be separated from S-protein by gel filtration with a Sephadex G-75 column equilibrated with 9% formic acid. According to X-ray diffraction results the S-peptide consists of two α-helices without β-strand and the α-helix content is about 60% in the 60-residue-peptide fragment. When the enzyme is subjected to limited proteolysis with subtilisin, the secondary structure of the enzyme does not show a de-tectable change in CD spectrum. The CD spectra of the isolated S-peptide were measured under different concentra-tions. In the absence of GuHCl, S-peptide had 30% a-helix and 38.5% turn-like structure but had no β-strand, sug-gesting that the N-terminal 60-residue fragment, which is synthesized initially by ribosome, would form a conforma-tion spontaneously similar to that of the isolated 60-residue-peptide, i.e. about 30% a-helix and 30% turn-like struc-ture. As the elongation of the peptide chain of the enzyme proceeds, the newly synthesized segment or the final entire enzyme, in turn, affects the conformation of prior peptide segment and adjusts its conformation to the final native state. The content of a-helix did not increase as perturbing the conformation of S-peptide by adding ethanol, cyclohex-ane or a small amount of SDS. On the contrary, the ordered structure was slightly decreased, indicating that the dif-ference of conformations of S-peptide in the isolated form and in the associated protein was not an artifact produced by isolation process.

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase and their effects on enzyme activities

The effects of the monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) directed against chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (6PF-2-K/Fru-2, 6-P2ase) on the structure and function of the enzyme were studied. Using chicken liver 6PF-2-K/Fru-2,5-P2asc as antigen, 7 clones of monoclonal antibodies specifically binding with the antigen were obtained. The epitopes of the antigen recognized by the 6 McAbs localized on the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase domain of chicken liver 6PF-2-K/Fru-2, 6-P2ase, and the other (H2) are on the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase domain. All of the 7 McAbs could activate the kinase activity of the bifunctional enzyme by twofold and had a similar effect on the bisphosphatase activity of the bifunctional enzyme which resulted in a fourfold increase of the bisphosphatase activity of the bifunctional enzyme. However, the McAbs did not affect the activity of the separated fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase domain. The results suggested that the Fru-2, 6-P2ases in the bifunctional enzyme and in the separated bisphosphatase domain were in two different conformation and activity states.

Vacuole import and degradation pathway: Insights into a specialized autophagy pathway

Glucose deprivation induces the synthesis of pivotagluconeogenic enzymes such as fructose-1,6-bisphos-phatase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxykinase and isocitrate lyase in Saccharomycescerevisiae. However, following glucose replenishment,these gluconeogenic enzymes are inactivated and de-graded. Studies have characterized the mechanismsby which these enzymes are inactivated in response toglucose. The site of degradation of these proteins hasalso been ascertained to be dependent on the dura-tion of starvation. Glucose replenishment of short-termstarved cells results in these proteins being degradedin the proteasome. In contrast, addition of glucose tocells starved for a prolonged period results in theseproteins being degraded in the vacuole. In the vacuoledependent pathway, these proteins are sequestered inspecialized vesicles termed vacuole import and degra-dation (Vid). These vesicles converge with the endo-cytic pathway and deliver their cargo to the vacuolefor degradation. Recent studies have identified thatinternalization, as mediated by actin polymerization, isessential for delivery of cargo proteins to the vacuolefor degradation. In addition, components of the targetof rapamycin complex 1 interact with cargo proteins during glucose starvation. Furthermore, Tor1p dissoci-ates from cargo proteins following glucose replenish-ment. Future studies will be needed to elaborate on the importance of internalization at the plasma membrane and the subsequent import of cargo proteins into Vid vesicles in the vacuole dependent degradation pathway.

Mechanisms of regulation of PFKFB expression in pancreatic and gastric cancer cells

Enzymes 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 and -4 (PFKFB-3 and PFKFB-4) play a significant role in the regulation of glycolysis in cancer cells as well as its proliferation and survival. The expression of these mRNAs is increased in malignant tumors and strongly induced in different cancer cell lines by hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) through active HIF binding sites in promoter region of PFKFB-4 and PFKFB-3 genes. Moreover, the expression and hypoxia responsibility of PFKFB-4 and PFKFB-3 was also shown for pancreatic (Panc1, PSN-1, and MIA PaCa-2) as well as gastric (MKN45 and NUGC3) cancer cells. At the same time, their basal expression level and hypoxia responsiveness vary in the different cells studied: the highest level of PFKFB-4 protein expression was found in NUGC3 gastric cancer cell line and lowest in Panc1 cells, with a stronger response to hypoxia in the pancreatic cancer cell line. Overexpression of different PFKFB in pancreatic and gastric cancer cells under hypoxic condition is correlated with enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Glut1 mRNA as well as with increased level of HIF-1&#x003b1; protein. Increased expression of different PFKFB genes was also demonstrated in gastric, lung, breast, and colon cancers as compared to corresponding non-malignant tissue counterparts from the same patients, being more robust in the breast and lung tumors. Moreover, induction of PFKFB-4 mRNA expression in the breast and lung cancers is stronger than PFKFB-3 mRNA. The levels of both PFKFB-4 and PFKFB-3 proteins in non-malignant gastric and colon tissues were more pronounced than in the non-malignant breast and lung tissues. It is interesting to note that Panc1 and PSN-1 cells transfected with dominant/negative PFKFB-3 (dnPFKFB-3) showed a lower level of endogenous PFKFB-3, PFKFB-4, and VEGF mRNA expressions as well as a decreased proliferation rate of these cells. Moreover, a similar effect had dnPFKFB-4. In conclusion, there is strong evidence that PFKFB-4 and PFKFB-3 isoenzymes are induced under hypoxia in pancreatic and other cancer cell lines, are overexpressed in gastric, colon, lung, and breast malignant tumors and undergo changes in their metabolism that contribute to the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. Thus, targeting these PFKFB may therefore present new therapeutic opportunities.