AIM:To investigate whether human acyl-CoA synthetase 5(ACSL5) is sensitive to the ACSL inhibitor triacsin C.METHODS:The ACSL isoforms ACSL1 and ACSL5 from rat as well as human ACSL5 were cloned and recombinantly expre...AIM:To investigate whether human acyl-CoA synthetase 5(ACSL5) is sensitive to the ACSL inhibitor triacsin C.METHODS:The ACSL isoforms ACSL1 and ACSL5 from rat as well as human ACSL5 were cloned and recombinantly expressed as 6xHis-tagged enzymes.Ni 2+-affinity purified recombinant enzymes were assayed at pH 7.5 or pH 9.5 in the presence or absence of triacsin C.In addition,ACSL5 transfected CaCo2 cells and intestinal human mucosa were monitored.ACSL5 expression in cellular systems was verified using Western blot and immunofluorescence.The ACSL assay mix included TrisHCl(pH 7.4),ATP,CoA,EDTA,DTT,MgCl 2,[9,103 H] palmitic acid,and triton X-100.The 200 μL reaction was initiated with the addition of solubilized,purified recombinant proteins or cellular lysates.Reactions were terminated after 10,30 or 60 min of incubation with Doles medium.RESULTS:Expression of soluble recombinant ACSL proteins was found after incubation with isopropyl betaD-1-thiogalactopyranoside and after ultracentrifugation these were further purified to near homogeneity with Ni 2+-affinity chromatography.Triacsin C selectively and strongly inhibited recombinant human ACSL5 protein at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5,as well as recombinant rat ACSL1(sensitive control),but not recombinant rat ACSL5(insensitive control).The IC50 for human ACSL5 was about 10 μmol/L.The inhibitory triacsin C effect was similar for different incubation times(10,30 and 60 min) and was not modified by the N-or C-terminal location of the 6xHis-tag.In order to evaluate ACSL5 sensitivity to triacsin C in a cellular environment,stable human ACSL5 CaCo2 transfectants and mechanically dissected normal human intestinal mucosa with high physiological expression of ACSL5 were analyzed.In both models,ACSL5 peak activity was found at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5,corresponding to the properties of recombinant human ACSL5 protein.In the presence of triacsin C(25 μmol/L),total ACSL activity was dramatically diminished in human ACSL5 transfectants as well as in ACSL5-rich human intestinal mucosa.CONCLUSION:The data strongly indicate that human ACSL5 is sensitive to triacsin C and does not compensate for other triacsin C-sensitive ACSL isoforms.展开更多
Objectives To study the expression patterns of two Eph family molecules, the receptor EphA5, and the ligand ephrin-A5, during spinal cord development. Methods The receptor expression was analyzed using beta-galactosid...Objectives To study the expression patterns of two Eph family molecules, the receptor EphA5, and the ligand ephrin-A5, during spinal cord development. Methods The receptor expression was analyzed using beta-galactosidase knockin mice, and affinity ligand probe binding. The ligand expression was assessed using two different affinity probes, and knockout mouse tissues as controls. Results EphA5 was expressed in the ventral spinal cord, while ephrin-A5 was located in the dorsolateral regions of the spinal cord throughout development. Conclusions These results show that EphA5 and ephrin-A5 are expressed over broad developmental stages and may play important roles in establishing the dorsoventral organization of the spinal cord.展开更多
This paper describes an approach to seek for mouse c-Myc/Myn proteins-bound specific sequences among ge-nomic DNA. cDNA fragment of myn gene was obtained through RT-PCR technique from RNA of NIH3T3 cells. DNA fragment...This paper describes an approach to seek for mouse c-Myc/Myn proteins-bound specific sequences among ge-nomic DNA. cDNA fragment of myn gene was obtained through RT-PCR technique from RNA of NIH3T3 cells. DNA fragments encoding BR/HLH/LZ structure of Myc and Myn proteins were cloned in frame into pGEX-2T vec-tor respectively Fusion GST-Myc and GST-Myn synthe-sized in E.coli hosts showed affinity to CACGTG E-boxDNA and subsequently interacted with genomic fragments prepared through whole-genome-PCR. A PCR-assisted procedure which combines protein-DNA interaction and affinity chromatography was designed to enrich Myc/Myn bound DNA. At least two genomic DNA fragments ob- tained exhibit specifical binding capacity to Myc/Myn complex but not to GST alone. Significance of the work and of the technique itself as well as identification of the DNAs are discussed.展开更多
Thymidylate synthase （TS, E.C.2.1.1.45） catalyzes a critical reaction in the only pathway of de novo synthesis of thymidylate （dTMP） in human cells, and is an important target of chemotherapy. To evaluate the inhi...Thymidylate synthase （TS, E.C.2.1.1.45） catalyzes a critical reaction in the only pathway of de novo synthesis of thymidylate （dTMP） in human cells, and is an important target of chemotherapy. To evaluate the inhibitory activities of novel compounds to TS, a convenient method of activity assay using 6x His-tagged recombinant human TS （rhTS） was established and 49 novel synthetic folate analogues were screened to discover potential TS inhibitors. During the process, 4 novel compounds were found to effectively inhibit TS, while the IC 50 of a positive control raltitrexed was 3.4 μM in this assay.展开更多
Specific and dynamic biological interactions pave the blueprint of signal networks in cell. For example, a great variety of specific protein-ligand interactions define how intracellular signals flow. Taking advantage ...Specific and dynamic biological interactions pave the blueprint of signal networks in cell. For example, a great variety of specific protein-ligand interactions define how intracellular signals flow. Taking advantage of the specificity of these interactions, we postulate an "affinity-guided covalent conjugation" strategy to lock binding ligands through covalent reactions between the ligand and the receptor protein. The presence of a nucleophile close to the ligand binding site of a protein is sine qua none of this reaction. Specific noncovalent interaction of a ligand derivative(which contains an electrophile at a designed position) to the ligand binding site of the protein brings the electrophile to the close proximity of the nucleophile. Subsequently, a conjugation reaction spontaneously takes place between the nucleophile and the electrophile, and leads to an intermolecular covalent linkage. This strategy was first showcased in coiled coil peptides which include a cysteine mutation at a selected position. The short peptide sequence was used for covalent labeling of cell surface receptors. The same strategy was then used to guide the design of a set of protein Lego bricks for covalent assembly of protein complexes of unnatural geometry. We finally made "reactive peptides" for natural adaptor proteins that play significant roles in signal transduction. The peptides were designed to react with a single domain of the multidomain adaptor protein, delivered into the cytosol of neurons, and re-directed the intracellular signal of neuronal migration. The trilogy of protein labeling, assembly, and inhibition of intracellular signals, all through a specific covalent bond, fully demonstrated the generality and versatility of "affinity-guided covalent conjugation" in various applications.展开更多
基金Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, No. GA785/6-1Deutsche Krebshilfe, No. 109313the Rotationsprogramm of the Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University (to Kaemmerer E)
文摘AIM:To investigate whether human acyl-CoA synthetase 5(ACSL5) is sensitive to the ACSL inhibitor triacsin C.METHODS:The ACSL isoforms ACSL1 and ACSL5 from rat as well as human ACSL5 were cloned and recombinantly expressed as 6xHis-tagged enzymes.Ni 2+-affinity purified recombinant enzymes were assayed at pH 7.5 or pH 9.5 in the presence or absence of triacsin C.In addition,ACSL5 transfected CaCo2 cells and intestinal human mucosa were monitored.ACSL5 expression in cellular systems was verified using Western blot and immunofluorescence.The ACSL assay mix included TrisHCl(pH 7.4),ATP,CoA,EDTA,DTT,MgCl 2,[9,103 H] palmitic acid,and triton X-100.The 200 μL reaction was initiated with the addition of solubilized,purified recombinant proteins or cellular lysates.Reactions were terminated after 10,30 or 60 min of incubation with Doles medium.RESULTS:Expression of soluble recombinant ACSL proteins was found after incubation with isopropyl betaD-1-thiogalactopyranoside and after ultracentrifugation these were further purified to near homogeneity with Ni 2+-affinity chromatography.Triacsin C selectively and strongly inhibited recombinant human ACSL5 protein at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5,as well as recombinant rat ACSL1(sensitive control),but not recombinant rat ACSL5(insensitive control).The IC50 for human ACSL5 was about 10 μmol/L.The inhibitory triacsin C effect was similar for different incubation times(10,30 and 60 min) and was not modified by the N-or C-terminal location of the 6xHis-tag.In order to evaluate ACSL5 sensitivity to triacsin C in a cellular environment,stable human ACSL5 CaCo2 transfectants and mechanically dissected normal human intestinal mucosa with high physiological expression of ACSL5 were analyzed.In both models,ACSL5 peak activity was found at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5,corresponding to the properties of recombinant human ACSL5 protein.In the presence of triacsin C(25 μmol/L),total ACSL activity was dramatically diminished in human ACSL5 transfectants as well as in ACSL5-rich human intestinal mucosa.CONCLUSION:The data strongly indicate that human ACSL5 is sensitive to triacsin C and does not compensate for other triacsin C-sensitive ACSL isoforms.
基金This work was supported in part by grants from New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research and the National Science Foundation （No. 0548561,USA）.
文摘Objectives To study the expression patterns of two Eph family molecules, the receptor EphA5, and the ligand ephrin-A5, during spinal cord development. Methods The receptor expression was analyzed using beta-galactosidase knockin mice, and affinity ligand probe binding. The ligand expression was assessed using two different affinity probes, and knockout mouse tissues as controls. Results EphA5 was expressed in the ventral spinal cord, while ephrin-A5 was located in the dorsolateral regions of the spinal cord throughout development. Conclusions These results show that EphA5 and ephrin-A5 are expressed over broad developmental stages and may play important roles in establishing the dorsoventral organization of the spinal cord.
文摘This paper describes an approach to seek for mouse c-Myc/Myn proteins-bound specific sequences among ge-nomic DNA. cDNA fragment of myn gene was obtained through RT-PCR technique from RNA of NIH3T3 cells. DNA fragments encoding BR/HLH/LZ structure of Myc and Myn proteins were cloned in frame into pGEX-2T vec-tor respectively Fusion GST-Myc and GST-Myn synthe-sized in E.coli hosts showed affinity to CACGTG E-boxDNA and subsequently interacted with genomic fragments prepared through whole-genome-PCR. A PCR-assisted procedure which combines protein-DNA interaction and affinity chromatography was designed to enrich Myc/Myn bound DNA. At least two genomic DNA fragments ob- tained exhibit specifical binding capacity to Myc/Myn complex but not to GST alone. Significance of the work and of the technique itself as well as identification of the DNAs are discussed.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.20972011,21042009,21172014)
文摘Thymidylate synthase （TS, E.C.2.1.1.45） catalyzes a critical reaction in the only pathway of de novo synthesis of thymidylate （dTMP） in human cells, and is an important target of chemotherapy. To evaluate the inhibitory activities of novel compounds to TS, a convenient method of activity assay using 6x His-tagged recombinant human TS （rhTS） was established and 49 novel synthetic folate analogues were screened to discover potential TS inhibitors. During the process, 4 novel compounds were found to effectively inhibit TS, while the IC 50 of a positive control raltitrexed was 3.4 μM in this assay.
基金supported by the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (ECS grant CUHK 404812, GRF grants 403711 and 404413, and Ao E/M-09/12)
文摘Specific and dynamic biological interactions pave the blueprint of signal networks in cell. For example, a great variety of specific protein-ligand interactions define how intracellular signals flow. Taking advantage of the specificity of these interactions, we postulate an "affinity-guided covalent conjugation" strategy to lock binding ligands through covalent reactions between the ligand and the receptor protein. The presence of a nucleophile close to the ligand binding site of a protein is sine qua none of this reaction. Specific noncovalent interaction of a ligand derivative(which contains an electrophile at a designed position) to the ligand binding site of the protein brings the electrophile to the close proximity of the nucleophile. Subsequently, a conjugation reaction spontaneously takes place between the nucleophile and the electrophile, and leads to an intermolecular covalent linkage. This strategy was first showcased in coiled coil peptides which include a cysteine mutation at a selected position. The short peptide sequence was used for covalent labeling of cell surface receptors. The same strategy was then used to guide the design of a set of protein Lego bricks for covalent assembly of protein complexes of unnatural geometry. We finally made "reactive peptides" for natural adaptor proteins that play significant roles in signal transduction. The peptides were designed to react with a single domain of the multidomain adaptor protein, delivered into the cytosol of neurons, and re-directed the intracellular signal of neuronal migration. The trilogy of protein labeling, assembly, and inhibition of intracellular signals, all through a specific covalent bond, fully demonstrated the generality and versatility of "affinity-guided covalent conjugation" in various applications.
