SNP Identification in α_(2A)-Adrenergic Receptor Gene in Chinese and the Effect on Gene Expression

Objective: To scan single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) in Chinese alpha-2Aadrenergic receptor (α_(2A)-AR) gene and study the effects of the SNP on the gene expression.Methods: The complete sequence of α_(2A)-AR gene was analyzed with automated DNA sequencer to scanSNPs. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and a 239 bp fragment containing the G/Cpolymorphism was amplified with PCR using a pair of. specific primers. PCR-RFLP was used to performthe genotyping of the SNP at the site-1 296 bp of the people in the North of China. Electrophoresismobility shift assay ( EMSA ) was used to study the binding of the 390 bp fragments (- 1 414-1 025bp) with G or C at the site-1 296 bp and nuclear extracts . Results: In our study, two SNPs werefound in α_(2A)-AR gene. Allele frequencies of the SNP at the site-1 296 bp were 0.61 and 0.39 forG and C , and the genotype frequencies were 0.34 , 0.54 and 0.13 for GG, GC and CC respectively fromthe people in the North of China. In the EMSA, a specific binding appeared in the complex ofnuclear extracts and DNA with C at-1 296 bp . Conclusion: Two SNPs exist in α_(2A)-AR gene from thepeople in the North of China , and DNA fragment with allele C of the SNP at the site-1 296 bp couldbind with a specific protein, which could influence the gene expression.

Effects of Combination of 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) and TLR-4 Inhibitor on the Damage to HaCaT Cells Caused by UVB Irradiation

Objective Vitamin D and Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)inhibition are involved in the protection of keratinocytes.The effects of combination of 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) and TLR-4 inhibitor on the protection of keratinocytes against ultraviolet radiation B(UVB)irradiation remain unclear.This study was undertaken to explore the effects of combination of 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) and TAK-242(TLR-4 inhibitor)on the damage to HaCaT cells caused by UVB irradiation.Methods In vitro,HaCaT cells were treated with 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) or/and TAK-242 prior to UVB irradiation at the intensity of 20 mJ/cm^(2),then the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS),cell migration,apoptosis of cells,and the expression of oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and apoptosis related proteins were determined.Results Compared with the HaCaT cells treated with 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) or TAK-242,the cells treated with both 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) and TAK-242 showed,1)significantly lower production of ROS(P<0.05);2)significantly less apoptosis of HaCaT cells(P<0.05);3)significantly lower expression of NF-κB,Caspase-8,Cyto-C,Caspase-3(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) and TAK-242 could produce a better protection for HaCaT cells via inhibiting the oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis than 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) or TAK-242 alone.

Relationship between Trp64Arg mutation in the β3-adrenergic receptor gene and metabolic syndrome： a seven-year follow-up study

Background It has been shown that the β3-adrenergic receptor （β3-AR） gene Trp64Arg mutation was closely related to obesity and insulin resistance, and may be related to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome （MS）. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the 33-AR gene mutation and the prevalence of MS. Methods A seven-year follow-up study was initiated in 2000, with 496 samples of simplex obese subjects （body mass index ≥25 kg/m2） and 248 normal-weight subjects. According to the β3-AR genotypes, the subjects were classified as Trp64 homozygote group and Arg64 carrier group and after 7 years the prevalence of MS was determined. Results According to the baseline profile, there were no significant differences in the adiposity, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin between Trp64 homozygote group and Arg64 carrier group either in obesity or normal-weight subjects. The results of follow-up study indicated that in obese men the prevalence rate of MS was much higher in Arg64 carrier group than that in Trp64 homozygote group （54.76% vs. 40.85%, P 〈0.05）, but there was no statistical difference in women of the above groups. The prevalence rate of MS in obese men of both Trp64 homozygote group and Arg64 carrier obese group were obviously higher than that in women of the above groups （40.85% vs. 18.27% and 54.76% vs 21.28%, all P 〈0.005）. Differences were not statistically significant in the prevalence of MS for normal weight Trp64 homozygote group and normal weight Arg64 carrier group, either between men, between women, or between men and women. Comparison of populations indicated that no matter with the β3-AR gene mutation or not, the prevalence of MS in obese subjects was significantly higher than normal weight subjects （X2=28.240 and x2=15.586, all P 〈0.005）. Logistic analysis showed that the mutation of β3-AR gene was associated with the prevalence of MS in men.

Galectin-3-centered paracrine network mediates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis upon β-adrenergic insult

Rapid over-activation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) following acute stress initiates cardiac inflammation and injury by activating interleukin-18 (IL-18),however,the process of inflammation cascades has not been fully illustrated.The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms of cardiac inflammatory amplification following acute sympathetic activation.With bioinformatics analysis,galectin-3 was identified as a potential key downstream effector of β-AR and IL-18 activation.The serum level of galectin-3 was positively correlated with norepinephrine or IL-18 in patients with chest pain.In the heart of mice treated with β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO,5 mg kg^(-1)),galectin-3 expression was upregulated markedly later than IL-18 activation,and Nlrp3^(-/-)and Il18^(-/-)mice did not show ISO-induced galectin-3 upregulation.It was further revealed that cardiomyocyte-derived IL-18 induced galectin-3 expression in macrophages following ISO treatment.Moreover,galectin-3deficiency suppressed ISO-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis without blocking ISO-induced IL-18 increase.Treatment with a galectin-3 inhibitor,but not a β-blocker,one day after ISO treatment effectively attenuated cardiac inflammation and injury.In conclusion,galectin-3 is upregulated to exaggerate cardiac inflammation and injury following acute β-AR activation,a galectin-3 inhibitor effectively blocks cardiac injury one day after β-AR insult.

Ginsenoside F1 administration promotes UCP1-dependent fat browning and ameliorates obesity-associated insulin resistance

Obesity-induced type 2 diabetes is mainly due to excessive free fatty acids leading to insulin resistance.Increasing thermogenesis is regarded as an effective strategy for hypolipidemia and hypoglycemia.Ginsenoside is a natural active component in Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer,and some of them enhance thermogenesis.However,there are few studies on the mechanism and target of ginsenosides enhancing thermogenesis.Using thermogenic protein uncoupling protein 1(UCP1)-luciferase reporter assay,we identifi ed ginsenoside F1 as a novel UCP1 activator in the ginsenosides library.Using pull down assay and inhibitor interference,we found F1 binds toβ3-adrenergic receptors(β3-AR)to enhance UCP1 expression via cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.We also investigated the ability of F1 on energy metabolism in obesity-induced diabetic mice,including body weight,body composition and energy expenditure.The results of proteomics showed that F1 signifi cantly up-regulated thermogenesis proteins and lipolytic proteins,but down-regulated fatty acid synthesis proteins.Ginsenoside F1 increased thermogenesis and ameliorated insulin resistance specifi cally by promoting the browning of white adipose tissue in obese mice.Additionally,ginsenoside F1 improves norepinephrine-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes and hepatocytes,and shows a stronger mitochondria respiration ability than norepinephrine.These fi ndings suggest that ginsenoside F1 is a promising lead compound in the improvement of insulin resistance.

A novel β_(2)-AR agonist,Higenamine,induces β-arrestin-biased signaling

The biased ligands in G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)have opened new avenues for developing safer and more effective drugs.However,the identification of such biased ligands as drug candidates is highly desirable.Here,we report that Higenamine,a compound isolated from a Chinese herb,functions as a novel β-arrestin-biased ligand of the β_(2)-adrenergic receptor(β_(2)-AR).The radioligand binding assays demonstrated that Higenamine was the ligand of β_(2)-AR.Higenamine induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2),which can be blocked by propranolol,an inhibitor of β_(2)-AR.The Gi protein inhibitor,pertussis toxin,had no effect on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by Higenamine.Furthermore,Higenamine induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation through transactivation of Epithelial growth factor receptor(EGFR).We also found that Higenamine-induced-ERK1/2 phosphorylation is dependent on β-arrestin1/2,and HG inhibits Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Our results identify Higenamine as a novel biased ligand via the β-arrestin-dependent pathway.These findings give us a better understanding of Higenamine’s potential role in designing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Activating Connexin43 gap junctions primes adipose tissue for therapeutic intervention

Adipose tissue is a promising target for treating obesity and metabolic diseases.However,pharmacological agents usually fail to effectively engage adipocytes due to their extraordinarily large size and insufficient vascularization,especially in obese subjects.We have previously shown that during cold exposure,connexin43(Cx43)gap junctions are induced and activated to connect neighboring adipocytes to share limited sympathetic neuronal input amongst multiple cells.We reason the same mechanism may be leveraged to improve the efficacy of various pharmacological agents that target adipose tissue.Using an adipose tissue-specific Cx43 overexpression mouse model,we demonstrate effectiveness in connecting adipocytes to augment metabolic efficacy of theβ_(3)-adrenergic receptor agonist Mirabegron and FGF21.Additionally,combing those molecules with the Cx43 gap junction channel activator danegaptide shows a similar enhanced efficacy.In light of these findings,we propose a model in which connecting adipocytes via Cx43 gap junction channels primes adipose tissue to pharmacological agents designed to engage it.Thus,Cx43 gap junction activators hold great potential for combination with additional agents targeting adipose tissue.

Effects of catecholamine-β-adrenoceptor-cAMP system on severe patients with heart failure

Objective To investigate the association between catecholamine-β-adrenoceptor (β-AR)-adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cAMP) system and long-term prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods The study population comprised 73 patients with CHF (EF: 23%±10%) with a mean follow-up of 3.8±1.9 years. Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) were measured using high performance lipid chromatography,β-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax) and the content of cAMP in peripheral lymphocytes were calculated using 3H-dihydroalpneolo as ligand and competitive immunoassay,respectively. Deaths due to cardiovascular events within the follow-up period were registered.Results The total mortality was 64.7%,57.4% of which was for cardiogenic (worsening heart failure: 32.4%; sudden death: 25.0%). In the cardiogenic death group,plasma levels of NE and epinephrine (E) (3.74 nmol/L±0.09 nmol/L and 3.17 nmol/L±1.0nmol/L) and the contents of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP (3.64 pmol/mg protein±1.4 pmol/mg protein) were significantly increased as compared with the survival group (2.68 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L,2.41 nmol/L±0.24 nmol/L and 2.73 pmol/mg protein±0.9 pmol/mg protein,respectively,all P <0.01). In the sudden death group,plasma levels of NE and E (5.01 nmol/L±0.06 nmol/L and 4.13 nmol/L±0.08 nmol/L) were significantly increased as compared with the worsening heart failure group (2.49 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L and 2.33 nmol/L±0.8 nmol/L,all P <0.001) and to the survival group (2.68 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L and 2.41 nmol/L±0.14 nmol/L,all P <0.01). The incidences of sudden death were 0%,75%,and 100% (χ 2=16.018, P <0.01) in patients with plasma NE<2.5 nmol/L,NE 2.5 nmol/L-4.5 nmol/L,and NE>4.5 nmol/L,respectively. In the worsening heart failure group,the content of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP (4.46 pmol/mg protein±0.18 pmol/mg protein) was significantly increased compared with the sudden death group (2.39 pmol/mg protein±0.9 pmol/mg protein,P <0.001) and to the survival group (2.73 pmol/mg protein±1.1 pmol/mg protein,P <0.001). The worsening heart failure death occurences were 5.0%,72.2%,and 100% (χ 2=14.26,P <0.01) in patients with a content of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP <2.5 nmol/L,cAMP 2.5 nmol/L-4.5 nmol/L,and cAMP>4.5nmol/L,respectively. B max in peripheral lymphocyte was not significantly different ( P >0.05) among the sudden death,worsening heart failure,and survival groups in CHF patients.Conclusions Plasma levels of catecholamine increase significantly,and B max and the contents of cAMP in peripheral lymphocytes decrease significantly in patients with CHF. High plasma catecholamine levels may be associated with sudden death,and high intralymphocyte cAMP content may be associated with worsening heart failure in CHF patients.