Melanocortin 3,5 receptors immunohistochemical expression in colonic mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease patients:A matter of disease activity?

BACKGROUND Melanocortin 3 and 5 receptors(i.e.,MC3R and MC5R)belong to the melanocortin family.However,data regarding their role in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are currently unavailable.AIM This study aims to ascertain their expression profiles in the colonic mucosa of Crohn’s disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC),aligning them with IBD disease endoscopic and histologic activity.METHODS Colonic mucosal biopsies from CD/UC patients were sampled,and immunohisto-chemical analyses were conducted to evaluate the expression of MC3R and MC5R.Colonic sampling was performed on both traits with endoscopic scores(Mayo endoscopic score and CD endoscopic index of severity)consistent with inflamed mucosa and not consistent with disease activity(i.e.,normal appearing mucosa).RESULTS In both CD and UC inflamed mucosa,MC3R(CD:+7.7 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01;UC:+12 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01)and MC5R(CD:+5.5 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01;UC:+8.1 fold vs normal mucosa,P<0.01)were significantly more expressed compared to normal mucosa.CONCLUSION MC3R and MC5R are expressed in the colon of IBD patients.Furthermore,expression may differ according to disease endoscopic activity,with a higher degree of expression in the traits affected by disease activity in both CD and UC,suggesting a potential use of these receptors in IBD pharmacology.

Melanocortin-4 Receptor Expression in the Rostral Ventromedial Medulla Involved in Modulation of Nociception in Transgenic Mice

The rostral ventromedial medulla （RVM） is a prominent component of the descending modulatory system involved in the control of spinal nociceptive transmission. In the current study, we investigated melanocortin-4 receptor （MC4R） expression in the RVM, where the neurons involved in modulation of nociception reside. Using a line of mice expressing green fluorescent protein （GFP） under the control of the MC4R promoter, we found a large number of GFP-positive neurons in the RVM [nucleus raphe magnus （NRM） and nucleus gigantocellularis pars a （NGCa）]. Fluorescence immunohisto- chemistry revealed that approximately 10% of MC4R-GFP-positive neurons coexpressed tyrosine hydroxylase, indicating that they were catecholaminergic, whereas 50%-75% of those coexpressed tryp- tophan hydroxylase, indicating that they were serotonergic. Our findings support the hypothesis that MC4R signaling in RVM may modulate the activity of serotonergic sympathetic outflow sensitive to nociceptive signals, and that MC4R signaling in RVM may contribute to the descending modulation of nociceptive transmission.

Screening for Melanocortin 4 Receptor Mutations in Chinese Extremely Obese Individuals

Accumulating evidence indicates that overweight and obesity are the major international public health concern. Obesity is a major independent risk factor for chronic diseases, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancer. Disease burden due to obesity has been dramatically increasing in many countries including China in the past years. According to the Nationwide Health and Nutrition Survey （CHNS）, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among men and women in China increased by 27.6% and 8.8%, respectively, from 1993 to 2009.

Intracellular Retention of Human Melanocortin-4 Receptor:A Molecular Mechanism Underlying Early-onset Obesity in F261S Pedigree of Chinese

Objective To investigate how F261S mutation identified from Chinese obese patients affects the function of melanocorfin 4 receptor (MC4R) and to analyze the obesity-related phenotypes in subjects carrying the F261S mutation. Methods F261S mutant of MC4R was generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Plasmids encoding wild-type or F261S mutant of MC4R were transfected into HEK293 and COS-7 cells to examine their functional characteristics. Signaling properties of F261S MC4R were assessed by measuring intracellular cAMP levels in response to α-MSH stimulation. Cell surface expression of F261S MC4R was compared with that of wild-type MC4R. Clinical examinations were performed in subjects carrying F261S mutation and in non-mutated controls. Results The a-MSH-stimulated reporter gene activity was significantly reduced in cells expressing F261S MC4R, with a maximal response equal to 57% of wild-type MC4R. The F261S mutation also led to a significant change in the EC50 value compared with the wild-type receptor (P〈0.01). Immunofluorescent assay revealed a marked reduction in plasma membrane localization of the MC4R in cells expressing the F261S mutant receptor. The resting metabolic rate and fat composition of the mutant carriers were not significantly different from those of the non-mutated obese controls. Conclusions The decreased response to α-MSH due to the intracellular retention of MC4R may cause early-onset obesity in the F261S pedigree of Chinese.

蓝光导致皮肤色素沉着的发生机制研究

蓝光是一种波长为400~500 nm的可见光,其对人体主要危害有损伤眼周及眼部结构、加速皮肤老化、抑制褪黑素分泌、造成皮肤色素沉着等。当前,关于蓝光导致皮肤色素沉着的研究较少,文章首次系统地整理了蓝光导致皮肤色素沉着的发生机制,其主要包含蓝光对视蛋白3、α-MSH-MC1R通路、黑皮素受体、细胞因子等产生影响最后导致黑素生成增加,引发皮肤色素沉着。为后续相关研究提供了思路与理论基础。

黑白中药通过调节MC1R和RTKs的表达对黑色素代谢的影响研究

目的:探讨首乌、女贞子等七味黑色中药和白及、白芷等七味白色中药对豚鼠皮肤组织黑色素合成中黑皮质素1受体(Melanocortin 1 receptor,MC1R)、受体酪氨酸激酶(Receptor tyrosine kinase,RTKs)表达的影响。方法:采用水提法获得中药提取物,用灌胃的方法以14 d为周期等量灌胃豚鼠获得背部皮肤组织,采用免疫组化及免疫荧光法检测实验和对照组MC1R、RTKs蛋白的表达,用ImageJ软件统计分析结果,比较不同中药环境对豚鼠皮肤组织的黑色素合成的影响,分析MC1R、RTKs蛋白与黑素细胞代谢三者的变化关系。结果:对MC1R蛋白有抑制作用的白药有白芷、白茯苓、白蔹、白及、白僵蚕、白术,其中白芷、白僵蚕、白术的作用最为明显,对MC1R有明显抑制作用的黑药有乌梅、黑芝麻、丹参、鸡血藤,其中丹参的抑制作用最为明显。该结果显示上述10味中药对黑色素合成有抑制作用,其中白芷、白僵蚕、白术、丹参的抑制作用最为明显。其中对于RTKs蛋白有抑制作用的白药有白芷、白茯苓、白蔹、白及、白僵蚕,其中白茯苓、白蔹、白及的作用最为明显,具有明显作用的黑药有黑芝麻、丹参,其中丹参的作用最为明显。结论:药材颜色与药效之间有一定关系;黑白中药都对MC1R及RTKs蛋白有不同程度的抑制作用,色象中药可能通过调节α-黑素细胞剌激素/黑皮素1受体(Alphamelanocyte stimulating hormone/Melanocortin 1 receptor,α-MSH/M1CR)、干细胞生长因子/受体酪氨酸激酶(Stem cell growth factor/Receptor tyrosine kinase,SCF/RTKs)信号通路来影响黑素细胞代谢。

恶性黑色素瘤PET分子影像探针的研究进展

恶性黑色素瘤是一种侵袭性强且预后不良的肿瘤类型,其预后和疗效很大程度上取决于诊断时疾病的临床分期。PET/CT是一种放射性核素示踪医学影像技术,利用癌细胞的特异性标志来获取有关肿瘤的信息,用于区分肿瘤组织和正常组织。^(18)F-FDGPET已广泛应用于肿瘤原发及转移灶的显像,然而其对恶性黑色素瘤的微小转移灶和非代谢活性病灶的检出率低且其为泛肿瘤探针。进一步开发新型的恶性黑色素瘤特异性PET分子影像探针仍然具有较高的临床价值。本文基于恶性黑色素瘤的发生率、预后信息及诊疗现状,对现有报道的恶性黑色素瘤新型PET分子影像探针的研究进展做一综述。

The single nucleotide polymorphisms of chicken melanocortin-4 receptor(MC4R)gene and their association analysis with carcass traits

Mutations of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene are associated with the appetite, obesity; growth in pig, mice; human. But little is known about the function of chicken MC4R gene. In this study, F2 chicken resource population derived from broilers crossing to Silky was screened for the polymorphisms of the MC4R gene using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP); DNA sequencing methods. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sites were found. The mutation (C→T) in the 5′ regulation region of chicken MC4R gene results in one more NF-E2; cap transcription factor binding sites in the mutation allele than in the wild allele. One missense mutation (G→A) occurs in the coding region (61nt), which changes the glycine to arginine. Moreover, in the coding region there are 2 synonymous mutations, one G→T mutation at 315nt; one C→T mutation at 336nt. Least square analysis of the SNPs; carcass traits showed that BB, DD; FF genotypes are significantly associated with body weight, carcass weight (or half carcass weight),; leg muscle weight (P>0.05 or P>0.01). But no significant association between the genotypes; abdominal fat weight is found. The results present the evidence that the chicken MC4R gene can be selected as the major candidate gene for the carcass traits such as body weight; growth.

Neuropeptide Y and melanocortin receptors in fish:regulators of energy homeostasis

Energy homeostasis,which refers to the physiological processes that the energy intake is exquisitely coordinated with energy expenditure,is critical for survival.Therefore,multiple and complex mechanisms have been involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis.The central melanocortin system plays an important role in modulating energy homeostasis.This system includes the orexigenic neurons,expressing neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related protein(NPY/AgRP),and the anorexigenic neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin(POMC).The downstream receptors of NPY,AgRP and post-translational products of POMC are G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs).This review summarizes the compelling evidence demonstrating that NPY and melanocortin receptors are involved in energy homeostasis.Subsequently,the comparative studies on physiology and pharmacology of NPY and melanocortin receptors in humans,rodents and teleosts are summarized.Also,we provide a strategy demonstrating the potential application of the new ligands and/or specific variants of melanocortin system in aquaculture.

MC1R是控制鸡黑色素形成的候选主效基因

黑素皮质素受体 1(melanocortin 1 receptor ,MC1R)基因是控制动物黑色素合成的重要基因 .采用多聚酶链反应 单链构象多态性分析 (PCR SSCP)以及DNA测序的方法 ,在由丝羽乌骨鸡与明星肉鸡为亲本建立的中国农业大学资源家系群体鸡MC1R基因的编码区检测到 3个单核苷酸多态位点 ,并对该单核苷酸多态性进行了分析 .结果显示 ,鸡MC1R基因编码区引物 3扩增片段多态性是由G→A (86 7位 )点突变引起的 ,引物 5扩增片段的多态性是由C→T (12 92位 )与C→G (1377位 )两个点突变引起的 ,最后对单核苷酸多态性与肤色、肉色、胫色与内脏膜色等黑色素性状进行了卡方独立性分析 ,结果显示 ,MC1R基因编码区 86 7处突变与鸡的肤色性状显著相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,12 92处突变与鸡的活体胫色性状显著相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,1377处突变与鸡的肉色性状显著相关 (P <0 0 5 ) .研究表明 。

黑素皮质素受体对动物采食量和能量稳态的调控

黑素皮质素受体是G 蛋白耦联受体超家族成员。 5个黑素皮质素受体基因已经被克隆和鉴定 ,并有不同的组织分布和生物学功能。本文综述了黑素皮质素受体 3和受体

黑素皮质激素受体1(MC1R)基因与猪的毛色

猪的真黑色素与褐黑色素的合成量与分布主要受控于黑素皮质激素受体 1基因。本文综述了该基因的定位、突变与多态检测 ,黑素皮质激素受体的作用机制 ,提出了对黑素皮质激素受体 1基因进一步研究的看法。

犬MC1R基因的分子进化分析

黑素皮质素1型受体(melanocortin 1 receptor,MC1R)基因具有调节哺乳动物细胞黑色素形成的作用,因此被认为是影响犬毛色的重要候选基因。基于NCBI数据库上发表的犬等10个动物种MC1R的氨基酸序列和cDNA序列,利用生物学软件和网络信息资源,对犬等10种脊椎动物进行了分子进化分析。结果表明:(1)基于MC1R氨基酸序列的聚类分析显示,10个物种明显归为2类,7个哺乳动物种为一紧密类群,鸡与斑马鱼和河豚为一松散类群,该聚类结果与公认的动物分类及进化关系密切吻合;(2)PAML的Branch模型预测显示,犬、猪、猫在与牛的分化过程中MC1R受到正向选择作用(ω=90.8177);Site模型预测显示,犬MC1R的2V、25E、184N、197V、314L为正选择氨基酸位点;(3)染色体连锁群比较分析显示,"ZFP276-MC1R-GAS8"基因连锁关系在人、黑猩猩、鸡和犬中保持一致。

黑素皮质素受体-4的研究进展

黑素皮质素受体 4 (MC4R)是人类中枢神经系统中参与调节肥胖症发生的重要因素 ,可调节动物的体重和采食量。自MC4R基因克隆以来 ,学者们对MC4R的结构 ,生理功能 ,调控 ,作用机制及其基因突变与体重的关系等方面进行了大量的研究。

绵羊MC4R基因的半定量RT-PCR及生物信息学分析

本研究旨在对绵羊MC4R基因进行组织表达谱和生物信息学分析。参考牛MC4R基因序列设计引物,采用PCR技术克隆绵羊MC4R基因序列,并利用半定量RT-PCR进行组织表达谱分析;同时对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,克隆的绵羊MC4R基因全长1 919 bp,含有999 bp的完整CDS编码区,编码332个氨基酸。其CDS编码区的核苷酸序列与牛、人、猪、大鼠、小鼠MC4R基因对应序列的同源性分别为95.2%、68.8%、82.7%、76.6%、77.1%,预测的氨基酸序列同源性分别为97.0%、92.8%、93.7%、92.2%、91.6%。组织表达谱分析表明MC4R基因在各组织均不同程度的表达,其中在大脑表达量很高,其他组织较低。生物信息学预测MC4R蛋白功能发现,绵羊的MC4R蛋白存在7个跨膜螺旋结构域,同时预测MC4R存在10个磷酸化位点和1个特异性蛋白激酶磷酸化位点。结果表明,MC4R是一个非常保守的蛋白,在绵羊的生长发育中起着重要作用。

参考家系鸡黑素皮质素受体3基因多态性与体重关系研究

鼠遗传学研究显示黑素皮质素受体 3(melanocortin 3receptor,MC3R)和MC4R在能量平衡控制中具有互补作用。敲除MC3R基因鼠表现为独有的代谢综合征和增加脂肪重量。以 8周龄高体重或低体重独立选择的高体重系 (highweight,HW)和低体重系 (lowweight,LW)白洛克鸡 3代参考家系群体作为实验材料 ,发现了 5个新的MC3R基因单核苷酸多态性 (singlenucleotidepolymorphisms,SNPs) ;建立了基于限制性内切酶DdeⅠ的MC3R基因型的PCR RFLP分子检测方法。方差分析结果显示MC3R基因型显著影响公鸡和母鸡的体重 ,以及公鸡腹脂含量。

山羊MC4R基因cDNA的克隆和序列分析及组织表达研究

【目的】克隆山羊黑素皮质素受体4(Melanocortin receptor 4)基因(MC4R)的cDNA编码区和部分5′、3′非编码区序列,分析其在不同组织中的表达规律。【方法】以安徽白山羊的心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、肌肉、大肠、小肠、瘤胃、子宫等组织为材料,运用同源序列克隆技术并结合RT-PCR方法,对其MC4R基因cDNA进行克隆,并对其进行了组织表达和生物信息学分析。【结果】克隆得到了山羊MC4R基因全长,包含999bp的完整CDS编码区,共编码332个氨基酸。山羊MC4R基因与绵羊同源性最高(96.9%),其次为牛(93.5%)。山羊MC4R基因在心脏、肝脏等10种组织中均有表达,其中在肾脏组织中的表达量最高,大肠和小肠组织中的表达量最低。MC4R蛋白的相对分子质量为36 444.0u,等电点(PI)为7.52,分子式为C1 664H2 619N413O454S24,含有7个跨膜结构、5个丝氨酸磷酸化位点、4个苏氨酸磷酸化位点和1个特异蛋白激酶的磷酸化位点。MC4R空间结构包括7个α螺旋和5个β折叠。【结论】MC4R基因在动物进化中比较保守,并具有相似的生物学功能。

黑皮质素受体-4:生物学特征、作用机理和影响因素

黑皮质素受体4(MC4R)是G-蛋白耦联受体(GPCR),是下丘脑分泌的一种肽类物质,在调控动物采食量中起着重要的作用。MC4R与阿黑皮质素原(POMC)分泌的α-促黑素(α-MSH)结合,激活下丘脑MC4R神经元的表达,从而抑制采食量。本文综述了MC4R的生物学特征及其在动物采食量调控中的作用机理,并阐述了影响MC4R活性的因素。

黄颡鱼黑色素细胞原代培养及迁移相关基因克隆分析

黑素皮质素受体-1(MC1R)在鱼体中对黑色素细胞的分化及迁移起主要的调控作用,而且在神经系统和免疫系统中均表现出重要的生理功能。本研究对黄颡鱼表皮黑色素细胞的培养条件进行探索,并在此基础上对MC1R基因进行克隆,为后续研究黄颡鱼黑色素异常的细胞及分子机理研究提供基础。结果表明,黄颡鱼表皮黑色素细胞在27℃培养条件下,72 h开始贴壁生长,培养基中添加20%小牛血清培养效果比添加10%小牛血清好。此外,我们对黄颡鱼MC1R基因进行克隆。MC1R基因克隆方面,黄颡鱼MC1R基因全长为936 bp,编码312个氨基酸,与剑尾鱼(Xiphophorus maculates)、孔雀鱼(Poecilia reticulata)、条斑星鲽(Verasper moseri)、海鲈(Dicentrarchus labrax)、大菱鲆(Psetta maxima)等5种鱼类MC1R基因的同源性分别为97%、96%、90%、90%、90%,系统分析结果显示,黄颡鱼MC1R基因在进化树上的位置与黄颡鱼的分类所处位置基本吻合。黄颡鱼表皮黑色素细胞原代培养的条件为:27℃,添加20%小牛血清,所克隆基因为黄颡鱼MC1R基因。本研究为后续研究黄颡鱼黑色素异常的细胞及分子机理研究提供基础。

湖羊肌肉MC4R基因表达水平与肌内脂肪含量的相关性分析

选取了初生、1～6月龄湖羊公羔和12月龄的周岁公羊各5只,采用real-time PCR检测湖羊不同部位肌肉黑素皮质激素受体4基因(MC4R)mRNA表达水平,分析MC4R mRNA表达的发育性变化及其与肌肉肌内脂肪含量的关系。结果发现:湖羊不同肌肉部位MC4R基因表达的发育性变化模式均为先上升后下降。其中3月龄背最长肌、后腿股二头肌和前腿肱二头肌的MC4R mRNA表达水平达到最大,与其余各月龄相比差异显著,而2月龄腰大肌的MC4R mRNA表达水平达到最大,5月龄MC4R mRNA表达水平在湖羊不同部位肌肉间表现有明显差异,但无明显规律,其后各月龄间均无显著差异。结论:湖羊背最长肌、腰大肌和后腿股二头肌MC4R mRNA表达水平与肌内脂肪(IMF)含量呈负相关关系。