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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Role of PFKFB3 and CD163 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Angiogenesis

6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), an enzyme producing fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate (F-2, 6-BP), serves as a switch to activate phosphofructokinase-1, and is a critical enzyme for endothelial glycolysis, mediating circadian control of carcinogenesis. Also, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the progression and prognosis of numerous cancers. However, the role and clinical significance of PFKFB3 and TAMs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not been elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the correlation between PFKFB3 expression, CD 163+ TAMs infiltration and tumor angiogenesis in OSCC by tissue microarray. Tissue microarrays containing 117 OSCC specimens and 56 matched paracarcinoma tissues were studied by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of PFKFB3, CD163 and CD31 were significantly increased in OSCC specimens as compared with normal oral mucosa (P<0.05), and PFKFB was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation and tumor size (P<0.05), and CD 163 was significantly correlated with areca nut chewing habit among OSCC tissues (P<0.05). Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that PFKFB3 was significantly correlated with both CD 163 and CD31 (P<0.05), meanwhile CD 163 was significantly correlated with CD31 (P<0.001), suggesting PFKFB3 may promote angiogenesis in tumor progression and metastases by regulating CD 163+ TAMs infiltration in OSCC.

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.

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.

STUDIES ON SULFHYDRYL AND ALKALINE AMINO ACID RESIDUES OF FRUCTOSE-6-PHOSPHATE-2-KINASE

This Communication reports the roles of cysteine, lysine and arginine residues inchicken liver fructose-6-phosphate-2--kinase. Chemical modification of the enzyme withDTNB demonstrates that there are nine SH groups in the enzyme. Among these SH groups, atneutral pH six SHs can be titrated; in the presence of Fru6P four can be titrated; and inthe presence of ATP seven can be titrated. During the process of titration, the activity ofthe enzyme increases first and subsequently decreases gradually to the original level. NENIhas an effect similar to DTNB for the activity changes of the enzyme. On the contrary,PCMB or iodoacetic acid has a little effect on the activity of the enzyme. The pH profileof the activity shows that there is an essential ionizable group with a pK_a of 9.0, mostprobably the lysyl residue, which responds to the catalytical reaction. PLP or phenylglyoxalinactivates the enzyme. For PLP inactivation, Fru6P, one of the substrates, most effectivelyprotects the enzyme. Both products Fru2,6P_2 and orthophosphate only have partial protectioneffects. In the circumstance of phenylglyoxal inactivation, the protection behavior of thesubstrate and products is distinct from that of PLP. Fru 2.6P_2 has the strongest effect,ATP has a partial protection, and Fru6P has no protection at all. Results indicate that lysylresidue (residues) is essential for the binding of Fru6P, one of the substrates, and arginylresidue is essential for the binding of the product of Fru2,6P_2.

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.

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.

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.

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.

GFPT2 pan-cancer analysis and its prognostic and tumor microenvironment associations

Objective Glutamine fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2(GFPT2)is involved in a wide range of biological functions in human cancer.However,few studies have comprehensively analyzed the correlation between GFPT2 and different cancer prognoses and tumor microenvironments(TMEs).Methods We evaluated the expression level and prognostic value of GFPT2 using updated public databases and multiple comprehensive bioinformatics analysis methods and explored the relationship between GFPT2 expression and immune infiltration,immune neoantigens,tumor mutational burden(TMB),and microsatellite instability in pan-cancer.Results GFPT2 was highly expressed in five cancers.GFPT2 expression correlates with the prognosis of several cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and is significantly associated with stromal and immune scores in pan-cancer.High GFPT2 expression in BLCA,BRCA,and CHOL was positively correlated with the infiltration of immune cells,such as B-cells,CD4+T,CD8+T cells,dendritic cells,neutrophils,and macrophages.Conclusion High GFPT2 expression may modify the outcomes of patients with BLCA,BRCA,or CHOL cancers by increasing immune cell infiltration.These findings may provide insights for further investigation into GFPT2 as a potential target in pan-cancer.

Adoptive transfer of Pfkfb3-disrupted hematopoietic cells to wild-type mice exacerbates diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation

Background and objectives:Hepatic steatosis and inflammation are key characteristics of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).However,whether and how hepatic steatosis and liver inflammation are differentially regulated remains to be elucidated.Considering that disruption of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3(Pfkfb3/iPfk2)dissociates fat deposition and inflammation,the present study examined a role for Pfkfb3/iPfk2 in hematopoietic cells in regulating hepatic steatosis and inflammation in mice.Methods:Pfkfb3-disrupted(Pfkfb3^(+/-))mice and wild-type(WT)littermates were fed a high-fat diet(HFD)and examined for NAFLD phenotype.Also,bone marrow cells isolated from Pfkfb3^(+/-)mice andWT mice were differentiated into macrophages for analysis of macrophage activation status and for bone marrow transplantation(BMT)to generate chimeric(WT/BMT-Pfkfb3^(+/-))mice in which Pfkfb3 was disrupted only in hematopoietic cells and control chimeric(WT/BMT-WT)mice.The latter were also fed an HFD and examined for NAFLD phenotype.In vitro,hepatocytes were co-cultured with bone marrowderived macrophages and examined for hepatocyte fat deposition and proinflammatory responses.Results:After the feeding period,HFD-fed Pfkfb3^(+/-)mice displayed increased severity of liver inflammation in the absence of hepatic steatosis compared with HFD-fed WT mice.When inflammatory activation was analyzed,Pfkfb3^(+/-)macrophages revealed increased proinflammatory activation and decreased anti-proinflammatory activation.When NAFLD phenotype was analyzed in the chimeric mice,WT/BMT-Pfkfb3^(+/-) mice displayed increases in the severity of HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation compared with WT/BMT-WT mice.At the cellular level,hepatocytes co-cultured with Pfkfb3^(+/-) macrophages revealed increased fat deposition and proinflammatory responses compared with hepatocytes co-cultured with WT macrophages.Conclusions:Pfkfb3 disruption only in hematopoietic cells exacerbates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation whereas the Pfkfb3/iPfk2 in nonhematopoietic cells appeared to be needed for HFD feeding to induce hepatic steatosis.As such,the Pfkfb3/iPfk2 plays a unique role in regulating NAFLD pathophysiology.