Tale of two kinases:Protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ in pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy

Metabolic syndrome is a pre-diabetic state characterized by several biochemical and physiological alterations,including insulin resistance,visceral fat accumulation,and dyslipidemias,which increase the risk for developing cardiovascular disease.Metabolic syndrome is associated with augmented sympathetic tone,which could account for the etiology of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathophysiological consequences of enhanced and sustainedβ-adrenergic response in pre-diabetes,focusing on cardiac dysfunction reported in diet-induced experimental models of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.The research reviewed indicates that both protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ play important roles in functional responses mediated byβ1-adrenoceptors;therefore,alterations in the expression or function of these kinases can be deleterious.This review also outlines recent information on the role of protein kinase A and Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ in abnormal Ca^(2+)handling by cardiomyocytes from diet-induced models of pre-diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Involvement of Calcium dependent Protein Kinases in ABA regulation of Stomatal Movement

Patch clamp techniques were employed to investigate if calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) be involved in the signal transduction pathways of stomatal movement regulation by the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) in Vicia faba. Stomatal opening was completely inhibited by external application of 1 μmol/L ABA, and such ABA inhibition was significantly reversed by the addition of CDPK inhibitor trifluoperazine (TFP). The inward whole cell K + currents were inhibited by 60% in the presence of 1 μmol/L intracellular ABA, and this inhibition was completely abolished by the addition of CDPK competitive substrate histone Ⅲ S. The results suggest that CDPKs may be involved in the signal transduction cascades of ABA regulated stomatal movements.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II regulates colon cancer proliferation and migration via ERK1/2 and p38 pathways

AIM To investigate the role of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(Ca MKⅡ) in colon cancer growth,migration and invasion.METHODS Ca MKⅡ expression in colon cancer and paracancerous tissues was evaluated via immunochemistry. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels of Ca MKⅡin tissue samples and MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP-1 expression in the human colon cancer cell line HCT116 were assessed by q RTPCR and western blot. Cell proliferation was detected with the MTT assay. Cancer cell migration and invasion were investigated with the Transwell culture system and woundhealing assay.RESULTS We first demonstrated that CaMK Ⅱ was ove rexpressed in human colon cancers and was associated with cancer differentiation. In the human colon cancer cell line HCT116,the Ca MKII-specific inhibitor KN93,but not its inactive analogue KN92,decreased cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore,KN93 also significantly prohibited HCT116 cell migration and invasion. The specific inhibition of ERK1/2 or p38 decreased the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells.CONCLUSION Our findings highlight Ca MKⅡ as a potential critical mediator in human colon tumor development and metastasis.

The calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-93 protects rat cerebral cortical neurons from N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced injury

In this study, primary cultured cerebral cortical neurons of Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were treated with 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μM calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-93 after 50 μM N-methyI-D-aspartic acid-induced injury. Results showed that, compared with N-methyi-D- aspartic acid-induced injury neurons, the activity of cells markedly increased, apoptosis was significantly reduced, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase decreased, and intracellular Ca2＋ concentrations in neurons reduced after KN-93 treatment. The expression of caspase-3, phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and total calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II protein decreased after KN-93 treatment. And the effect was apparent at a dose of 1.0 pM KN-93. Experimental findings suggest that KN-93 can induce a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect, and that the underlying mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of caspase-3 and calmodulin- dependent protein kinase II expression.

Effects of Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase Ⅱ Inhibitor,KN-93,on Electrophysiological Features of Rabbit Hypertrophic Cardiac Myocytes

Cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in clinical settings and the incidence of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are closely related.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase(CaMK) Ⅱ inhibitor,KN-93,on L-type calcium current(I Ca,L) and early after-depolarizations(EADs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes.A rabbit model of myocardial hypertrophy was constructed through abdominal aortic coarctation(LVH group).The control group(sham group) received a sham operation,in which the abdominal aortic was dissected but not coarcted.Eight weeks later,the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) was evaluated using echocardiography.Individual cardiomyocyte was isolated through collagenase digestion.Action potentials(APs) and I Ca,L were recorded using the perforated patch clamp technique.APs were recorded under current clamp conditions and I Ca,L was recorded under voltage clamp conditions.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were observed under the conditions of low potassium(2 mmol/L),low magnesium(0.25 mmol/L) Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency(0.25-0.5 Hz) electrical stimulation.The incidence of EADs and I ca,L in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were also evaluated after treatment with different concentrations of KN-92(KN-92 group) and KN-93(KN-93 group).Eight weeks later,the model was successfully established.Under the conditions of low potassium,low magnesium Tyrode’s solution perfusion,and slow frequency electrical stimulation,the incidence of EADs was 0/12,11/12,10/12,and 5/12 in sham group,LVH group,KN-92 group(0.5 μmol/L),and KN-93 group(0.5 μmol/L),respectively.When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L in KN-92 group and KN-93 group,the incidence of EADs was 10/12 and 2/12,respectively.At 0 mV,the current density was 6.7±1.0 and 6.3±0.7 PA·PF-1 in LVH group and sham group,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was 0.5 μmol/L in KN-92 and KN-93 groups,the peak I Ca,L at 0 mV was decreased by(9.4±2.8)% and(10.5±3.0)% in the hypertrophic cardiomyocytes of the two groups,respectively(P>0.05,n=12).When the drug concentration was increased to 1 μmol/L,the peak I Ca,L values were lowered by(13.4±3.7)% and(40±4.9)%,respectively(P<0.01,n=12).KN-93,a specific inhibitor of CaMKII,can effectively inhibit the occurrence of EADs in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes partially by suppressing I Ca,L,which may be the main action mechanism of KN-93 antagonizing the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertrophic myocardium.

MicroRNA-219 alleviates glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons by targeting calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ gamma

Septic encephalopathy is a frequent complication of sepsis,but there are few studies examining the role of micro RNAs（mi Rs） in its pathogenesis.In this study,a mi R-219 mimic was transfected into rat hippocampal neurons to model mi R-219 overexpression.A protective effect of mi R-219 was observed for glutamate-induced neurotoxicity of rat hippocampal neurons,and an underlying mechanism involving calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II γ（Ca MKIIγ） was demonstrated.mi R-219 and Ca MKIIγ m RNA expression induced by glutamate in hippocampal neurons was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（q RT-PCR）.After neurons were transfected with mi R-219 mimic,effects on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） assay and flow cytometry.In addition,a luciferase reporter gene system was used to confirm Ca MKIIγ as a target gene of mi R-219.Western blot assay and rescue experiments were also utilized to detect Ca MKIIγ expression and further verify that mi R-219 in hippocampal neurons exerted its effect through regulation of Ca MKIIγ.MTT assay and q RT-PCR results revealed obvious decreases in cell viability and mi R-219 expression after glutamate stimulation,while Ca MKIIγ m RNA expression was increased.MTT,flow cytometry,and caspase-3 activity assays showed that mi R-219 overexpression could elevate glutamate-induced cell viability,and reduce cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity.Moreover,luciferase Ca MKIIγ-reporter activity was remarkably decreased by co-transfection with mi R-219 mimic,and the results of a rescue experiment showed that Ca MKIIγ overexpression could reverse the biological effects of mi R-219.Collectively,these findings verify that mi R-219 expression was decreased in glutamate-induced neurons,Ca MKIIγ was a target gene of mi R-219,and mi R-219 alleviated glutamate-induced neuronal excitotoxicity by negatively controlling Ca MKIIγ expression.

Amelioration of mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure through S-sulfhydration of Ca^2＋/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ

OBJECTIVE To determine the functional role of hydrogen sulfide(H_2S) in protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure through the inhibition of Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ(Ca MKⅡ) using wild type and CSE knockout mouse models.METHODS Continuous subcutaneous injection isoprenaline(7.5 mg·kg^(-1) per day),once a day for 4 weeks to induce heart failure in male C57BL/6(6-8 weeks old) mice and CSE-/-mice.150 μmol·L^(-1) H_2O_2 was used to induce oxidative stress in H9c2 cells.Echocardiograph was used to detect cardiac parameters.H&E stain and Masson stain was to observation histopathological changes.Western blot was used to detect protein expression and activity.The si RNA was used to silence protein expression.HPLC was used to detect H_2S level.Biotin assay was used to detect the level of S-sulfhydration protein.RESULTS Treatment with S-propyl-L-cysteine(SPRC) or sodium hydrosulfide(Na HS),modulators of blood H_2S levels,attenuated the development of heart failure in animals,reduced lipid peroxidation,and preserved mitochondrial function.The inhibition Ca MKⅡ phosphorylation by SPRC and Na HS as demonstrated using both in vivo and in vitro models corresponded with the cardioprotective effects of these compounds.Interestingly,Ca MKⅡ activity was found to be elevated in CSE-/-mice as compared to wild type animals and the phosphorylation status of Ca MK Ⅱ appeared to relate to the severity of heart failure.Importantly,in wild type mice SPRC was found to promote S-sulfhydration of Ca MKⅡ leading to reduced activity of this protein however,in CSE-/-mice S-sulfhydration was abolished following SPRC treatment.CONCLUSION A novel mechanism depicting a role of S-sulfhydration in the regulation of Ca MKⅡ is presented.SPRC mediated S-sulfhydration of Ca MKⅡ was found to inhibit Ca MKⅡ activity and to preserve cardiovascular homeostasis.

CIPK9: a calcium sensor-interacting protein kinase required for low-potassium tolerance in Arabidopsis

Potassium is one of the major macro-nutrients essential for a number of cellular processes in plants. Low potassium level in the soil represents a limiting factor for crop production. Recent studies have identified potassium transporters that are involved in potassium acquisition, and some of them are critical for potassium nutrition under low potassium conditions. However, little is understood on the molecular components involved in low potassium signaling and responses. We report here the identification ofa calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinase （CIPK9） as a critical regulator of low potassium response in ,Arabidopsis. The CIPK9 gene was responsive to abiotic stress conditions, and its transcript was inducible in both roots and shoots by potassium deprivation. Disruption of CIPK9 function rendered the mutant plants hypersensitive to low potassium media. Further analysis indicated that K^＋ uptake and content were not affected in the mutant plants, implying CIPK9 in the regulation of potassium utilization or sensing processes.

Effect of Low Dose Radiation on Intracellular Calcium and Protein Kinase C in Lymphocytes

It is first reported in the present paper that whole-body irradiation (WBI) with low dose X-rays could increase intracellular calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) and stimulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity of mouse lymphocytes. Following WBI of male Kunming micc With 75 mGy X-rays at a dose rate of 12.5 mGy/min the mobilization of [Ca2+]i with Con A in CD4+ and CD8+ Cells in the thymus and spleen was potentiated and the amplitude of [Ca2+], mobilization in thymocytes in response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody increased with time from 4 to 24 h following low dose radiation. The PKC activity in the homogenate of spleen was markedly stimulated 12 h after WBl with 75 mGy, reaching its peak value at 24-48 h and coming down to lower than normal on day 7. However, the PKC activity in the separated T lymphocytes reached its peak value at 12 h and that in the B lymphocytes reached its peak value on day 4, both coming down to below control on day 7. The implications of this facilitation of signal transduction in T lymphocytes in the mechanism of immunoenhancement after low dose radiation were discussed

Molecular mechanisms and the role of the protein kinase pathway in rat spatial memory impairment following isoflurane anesthesia

BACKGROUND： Animal experiments have demonstrated that isoflurane exposure alone induces learning and memory deficits for weeks or months. However, the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory remain poorly understood. Hippocampal expression of calcium/phospholipid- dependent protein kinase （PKC） and cAMP-dependent protein kinase （PKA） in rats have been shown to be associated with memory processing. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in rat spatial memory and hippocampal CA1 neuronal kinase system following isoflurane anesthesia, and to explore the correlation between molecular changes in cerebral neurons and behavioral manifestations following anesthesia. DESIGN, TIME AND SE＇rFING： A randomized, controlled, animal study. All experiments were performed at the Department of Anesthesia, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2007 to December 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 72 male, 3 month-old （young group）, Sprague Dawley rats, and 36 male, 20 month-old （aged group）, Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Isoflurane was purchased from Baxter, USA. METHODS： Young and aged rats were randomly assigned to control, training （no anesthesia, Morris water maze training）, and isoflurane （1.2% isoflurane, Morris water maze training） groups. The isoflurane group was further subdivided into four groups, which were exposed to anesthesia for 2 or 4 hours, and were subjected to Morris water maze training at 2 days or 2 weeks postanesthesia. Finally, each aged group comprised 6 rats, and the young group comprised 12 rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Spatial learning and memory were observed during Morris water maze training. Hippocampal CA1 PKA and PKC expression and activity were detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. RESULTS： A 4-hour isoflurane exposure induced spatial memory deficits in all rats for 2 days to 2 weeks. In particular, aged rats exhibited more severe spatial memory deficits. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA results showed a significant increase in PKC and PKA expression and activity in the hippocampus CA1 subfield following Morris water maze training （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, isoflurane anesthesia inhibited PKC and PKA expression and activity, and this inhibition increased with increasing exposure duration and increasing age. CONCLUSION： Results suggested that increased isoflurane exposure and age could extensively inhibit the hippocampal CA1 kinase system. Inhibition of protein kinases could play an important role in the cognitive decline following anesthesia.

A Highly Sensitive Detection Method, Phos-tag^TMAffinity SDS-PAGE, Used to Analyze a Possible Substrate of CDPK-Related Protein Kinase5 in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Phosphorylation of proteins is an important post-translational modification. Methods to determine the phosphorylation state of proteins are very important to evaluate diverse biological processes. CRK5 is the CDPK-related protein kinase in Arabidopsis, WD-repeat protein (WDRP) might be CRK5-interact-protein based on Y2H results. Here, we used bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) further to study and visualize the interaction between CRK5 and WDRP in living cells. Then, we combined Phos-tagTM SDS-PAGE with western blot (WB) analysis, using WDRP antibody and the anti-6×His antibody, to detect phosphorylated WDRP. This approach confirmed that WDRP might be phosphorylated by CRK5 in vitro. Site mutation analysis suggested that serine-70 might be the amino acid phosphorylated by CRK5 in WDRP. Cell extracts isolated from WT, OERK5, and crk5 used to analyze the kinase reaction using recombinant WDRP as substrate. These results demonstrated that WDRP was phosphorylated by cell extracts and that there may be additional kinases that phosphorylate WDRP in Arabidopsis. Phos-tagTM SDS-PAGE thus provides a suitable and convenient method for analysis of phosphorylation in plants.

山药块茎膨大期DoCDPK1基因生物信息学及低温胁迫下的表达分析

钙依赖性蛋白激酶(CDPK)在植物的生长发育及逆境胁迫方面发挥着重要作用。以大和长芋和毕克齐山药为试验材料,克隆钙依赖性蛋白激酶基因DoCDPK1,并对其进行生物信息学分析,为DoCDPK1基因的功能研究奠定基础。采用生物信息学方法分析DoCDPK1基因结构,构建瞬时表达载体,对DoCDPK1蛋白进行亚细胞定位;采用qRT-PCR分析DoCDPK1基因在不同山药品种的不同发育阶段及低温胁迫处理下的表达模式。结果表明(:1)DoCDPK1基因序列长度为2023 bp,编码521个氨基酸。(2)DoCDPK1与几内亚薯蓣CDPK蛋白序列的一致性为97%,且DoCDPK1存在STKc_CAMK结构域。(3)瞬时表达分析表明,DoCDPK1蛋白定位于细胞核与细胞膜。(4)大和长芋山药中的CDPK活性更高,DoCDPK1可能参与调控山药块茎膨大后期的生长发育。(5)经4℃低温胁迫后,CDPK活性降低,DoCDPK1表达量上调,且表达水平在不同时间处理下存在差异。综上所述,DoCDPK1可能参与调控山药块茎膨大后期的生长发育及低温胁迫响应过程。

Ginsenoside Rb1 Pretreatment Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia by Reducing Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ⅱ-Medicated Calcium Release

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 and assess whether these protective effects are related to calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ(Ca MKⅡ).Methods:A myocardial ischemia(IS)rat.model and a myocardial H9 C2 cell hypoxia model were established.MI was induced by occluding the left anterior descending artery for 120 min.Ginsenoside Rb1(10 mg/kg)was administered 30 min before ischemia induction,and the treatment continued for 7 days.Results:In the rat IS injury model,ginsenoside Rb1 reduced myocardial infarct size,mean left ventricular diastolic pressure,incidence of arrhythmia,and levels of serum creatine kinase,lactate dehydrogenase,and malondialdehyde.However,the mean left ventricular systolic pressure,and maximal rising and falling rates of ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax)increased.In the myocardial H9 C2 cell hypoxia model,ginsenoside Rb1 reduced intracellular calcium concentrations([Ca2+]i)during hypoxia,and markedly reversed the hypoxia-induced decrease in cell survival.Ginsenoside Rb1 was involved in the downregulation of CaMKⅡand the ryanodine receptor,as well as hypoxia-induced H9 C2 cell survival.Conclusion:The findings of the present study suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates MI injury in rats,partially through the downregulation of CaMKⅡexpression.

Mediation by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II of suppression of GABA_A receptors by NMDA

Using nystatin-perforated whole-cell recording configuration, the modulatory effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated whole-cell currents was investigated in neurons freshly dissociated from the rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN). The results showed that: (i) NMDA suppressed GABA- and muscimol (Mus)-activated currents (IGABA and IMUS), respectively in the Mg2+-free external solution containing 1 μmol/L glycine at a holding potential (VH) of -40 mV in SDCN neurons. The selective NMDA receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV, 100 μmol/L), inhibited the NMDA-evoked currents and blocked the NMDA-induced suppression of IGABA; (ii) when the neurons were incubated in a Ca2+-free bath or pre-loaded with a membrane-permeable Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA AM (10 nmol/L), the inhibitory effect of NMDA on IGABA disappeared. Cd2+ (10 μmol/L) or La3+(30 μmol/L), the non-selective blockers of voltage-dependent calcium channels, did not affect the suppression of IGABA by NMDA application; (iii) the suppression of IGABA by NMDA was inhibited by KN-62, a cal-cium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor. These results indicated that the inhibition of GABA response by NMDA is Ca2+-dependent and CaMKII is involved in the process of the Ca2+-dependent inhibition.

雨生红球藻钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPK)家族鉴定与表达分析

【目的】钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPK或CPK)广泛参与植物生长发育和环境胁迫响应。为探究CDPK基因在雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)生长发育及虾青素积累中的功能,对HpCDPK基因家族进行鉴定和表达分析。【方法】利用生物信息学方法鉴定雨生红球藻HpCDPK基因家族成员,分析其编码蛋白的理化特性、系统进化、保守基序和功能结构域,以及缺氮等胁迫条件下HpCDPK成员基因的表达谱。【结果】结果表明,共鉴定7个HpCDPK基因家族成员,所有HpCDPK蛋白都含有典型EF-hand基序和蛋白激酶结构域。系统发育分析表明,这些HpCDPK与来自莱茵衣藻的CrCDPK聚为一类,与高等植物拟南芥的AtCDPK分开,暗示在进化过程中发生了种属特异性的基因复制事件。转录组数据分析表明,HpCDPK基因表达受到多种胁迫诱导,其中HpCDPK7基因转录水平在缺氮条件下上调最为明显。此外,HpCDPK与类胡萝卜素合成相关基因的表达相关性分析结果显示,HpCDPK与多个类胡萝卜素合成相关基因表达密切关联,特别是HpCDPK2与虾青素合成关键基因(BKT和BCH)的表达显著正相关(P<0.05)。【结论】本研究鉴定了7个HpCDPK基因,HpCDPK7基因在缺氮条件下的表达上调最为明显,HpCDPK2可能在类胡萝卜素及虾青素合成积累中发挥重要调控作用。研究结果为后续深入解析HpCDPK介导雨生红球藻胁迫响应和类胡萝卜素合成积累的功能及分子机制提供参考依据。

小麦钙依赖蛋白激酶基因TaCDPK17的克隆及其抗逆功能初步分析

为探究钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPK)在小麦生长和逆境应答中的作用,从普通小麦中克隆了TaCDPK17基因,并对其进行了序列结构、表达模式和抗逆功能初步分析。结果表明,TaCDPK17基因编码区长1701 bp,编码566个氨基酸,具有CDPK家族的典型结构特征,包括1个保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶结构域和4个EF手型结构域。对TaCDPK17与其他12种植物的CDPK17进行进化树分析表明,TaCDPK17与禾本科作物,特别是节节麦、大麦的CDPK17序列有较高同源性。TaCDPK17基因启动子区域富含与激素调控、光照响应,以及非生物应答胁迫相关的顺式调控元件,其中,脱落酸(ABA)响应元件(ABRE)和茉莉酸甲酯响应元件(CGTCA)数量较多。基于实时荧光定量PCR的表达分析结果显示,TaCDPK17受100μmol/L ABA、100μmol/L茉莉酸甲酯、20%PEG6000和250 mmol/L NaCl诱导后,表达量有不同程度升高。在2μmol/L ABA和100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫处理条件下,过表达TaCDPK17的拟南芥种子萌发率显著高于野生型对照。同时,过表达TaCDPK17缓解了ABA或渗透胁迫处理对幼苗根生长的抑制作用。在气孔关闭过程中,过表达TaCDPK17的转基因植物对ABA更敏感,与野生型植物相比,表现出更强的气孔关闭趋势。这些结果表明,TaCDPK17在小麦逆境胁迫和激素信号应答中发挥着重要作用。

阿托伐他汀钙对甲状腺功能减退大鼠甲状腺功能、免疫应答及JNK/p38 MAPK信号通路的影响

目的探讨阿托伐他汀钙对甲状腺功能减退大鼠甲状腺功能、免疫应答及c-Jun氨基末端激酶/p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(JNK/p38 MAPK)信号通路的影响。方法将30只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(control组)、甲状腺功能减退组(PTU组)以及阿托伐他汀钙治疗组(ACT组),每组10只。PTU组及ACT组大鼠每天颈背皮下注射PTU,连续28 d;control组每只大鼠皮下注射0.3 mL生理盐水代替PTU。PTU处理2周后,ACT组大鼠灌胃阿托伐他汀钙生理盐水溶液3 mL(含阿托伐他汀钙5 mg/kg),每天给药1次;对照组按相同方法灌胃等量生理盐水。每周测量大鼠体质量、进食及饮水量的变化。通过组织病理切片观察各组大鼠甲状腺组织病理变化。酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定大鼠血清中三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、干扰素γ(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素-4(IL-4)水平;逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测IFN-γ、IL-10、Foxp3和IL-4的mRNA水平;蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)检测p-JNK/JNK和p-p38/p38 MAPK水平。结果与control相比,PTU诱导的甲状腺功能减退大鼠体质量降低,食物和水消耗减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阿托伐他汀钙治疗2周后,PTU大鼠体质量损失受到抑制,食物和水的消耗改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阿托伐他汀钙可提高甲状腺功能减退大鼠血清T3、T4水平,降低血清TSH水平,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阿托伐他汀钙治疗可减轻PTU诱导的滤泡细胞增生及相关肥厚变化等组织病理学改变,增加卵泡大小,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阿托伐他汀钙治疗后增加了PTU大鼠的脾脏质量,降低了甲减大鼠IFN-γmRNA的表达,但增加了IL-10 mRNA、Foxp3 mRNA和IL-4 mRNA的表达,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阿托伐他汀钙治疗后,甲状腺功能减退大鼠甲状腺组织中p-JNK/JNK和p-p38/p38 MAPK水平降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论阿托伐他汀钙治疗甲状腺功能减退症具有促使甲状腺激素失衡正常化、平衡Th1/Th2细胞因子、抑制JNK/p38 MAPK信号通路活化的功能。

p38 MAPK通路调控自噬-内质网应激途径介导草酸钙肾结石形成的机制研究

目的 探究p38 MAPK通路对大鼠草酸钙(CaOx)肾结石形成的影响及其作用机制,为肾结石的治疗选择提供新的思路。方法 将40只大鼠分为对照组、SB203580组、CaOx组、SB203580+CaOx组,每组10只,CaOx组和SB203580+CaOx组以1%乙二醇与1%氯化铵配制的混合液灌胃建立CaOx肾结石模型,对照组和SB203580组以饮用水灌胃;造模后,SB203580组和SB203580+CaOx组腹腔注入剂量为5 mg/kg的SB203580,1次/d,连续注射14 d,对照组和CaOx组腹腔注入等体积生理盐水。称量大鼠肾脏质量并计算肾脏系数,全自动生化分析仪检测血清中血清尿素氮(BUN)和血肌酐(SCr)水平,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定尿液中中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(NGAL)和肾损伤分子-1(KIM-1)水平,钙盐染色(Von Kossa)观察黑色晶体沉积及组织损伤情况,原位末端标记法(TUNEL)观察肾小管细胞凋亡情况,免疫组化染色检测自噬标记物表达,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)与蛋白质印迹(Western blotting)测定自噬及内质网应激途径相关分子表达。结果 与CaOx组比较,SB203580+CaOx组大鼠造模后体质量较高(P<0.05),肾脏质量、肾脏系数、BUN、SCr、NGAL、KIM-1水平均较低(P<0.05),肾脏组织病理损伤减轻且黑色结晶明显减少,TUNEL阳性细胞比例、LC3B与Beclin-1阳性表达面积占比、LC3B、Beclin-1、CHOP、GRP78 mRNA表达、LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ蛋白比值、Beclin-1、CHOP、GRP78蛋白表达均下调(P<0.05),p62 mRNA和蛋白表达上调(P<0.05)。结论 p38 MAPK通路参与大鼠CaOx肾结石形成,抑制该通路能够减少肾结石形成,该作用可能与其调控自噬-内质网应激有关。

Salt Stress Triggers Phosphorylation of the Arabidopsis Vacuolar K＋ Channel TPK1 by Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases （CDPKs）

14-3-3 proteins play an important role in the regulation of many cellular processes. The Arabidopsis vacuolar two-pore K＋ channel 1 （TPK1） interacts with the 14-3-3 protein GRF6 （GF14-λ）. Upon phosphorylation of the putative binding motif in the N-terminus of TPK1, GRF6 binds to TPK1 and activates the potassium channel. In order to gain a deeper understanding of this 14-3-3-mediated signal transduction, we set out to identify the respective kinases, which regulate the phosphorylation status of the 14-3-3 binding motif in TPK1. Here, we report that the calcium-dependent protein kinases （CDPKs） can phosphorylate and thereby activate the 14-3-3 binding motif in TPK1. Focusing on the stress-activated kinase CPK3, we visualized direct and specific interaction of TPK1 with the kinase at the tonoplast in vivo. In line with its proposed role in K＋ homeostasis, TPK1 phosphorylation was found to be induced by salt stress in planta, and both cpk3 and tpkl mutants displayed salt-sensitive phenotypes. Molecular modeling of the TPK1-CPK3 interaction domain provided mechanistic insights into TPK1 stress-regulated phosphorylation responses and pinpointed two arginine residues in the N-terminal 14-3-3 binding motif in TPK1 critical for kinase interaction. Taken together, our studies provide evidence for an essential role of the vacuolar potassium channel TPK1 in salt-stress adaptation as a target of calcium-regulated stress signaling pathways involving Ca2＋, Ca2＋-dependent kinases, and 14-3-3 proteins.

The promoting molecular mechanism of alphafetoprotein on the growth of human hepatoma Bel7402 cell line

AIM: The goal of this study was to characterize the AFP receptor, its possible signal transduction pathway and its proliferative functions in human hepatoma cell line Bel 7402. METHODS: Cell proliferation enhanced by AFP was detected by MTT assay, 3H-thymidine incorporation and S-stage percentage of cell cycle analysis. With radioactive labeled 125I-AFP for receptor binding assay; cAMP accumulation, protein kinase A activity were detected by radioactive immunosorbent assay and the change of intracellular free calcium (Ca2+i) was monitored by scanning fluorescence intensity under TCS-NT confocal microscope. The expression of oncogenes N- ras, p 53, and p21( ras ) in the cultured cells in vitro were detected by Northern blotting and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that AFP enhanced the proliferation of human hepatoma Bel 7402 cell in a dose dependent fashion as shown in MTT assay, (3)H-thymidine incorporation and S-phase percentage up to 2-fold. Two subtypes of AFP receptors were identified in the cells with Kds of 1.3 x 10(-9)mol.L(-1) and 9.9 x10(-8)mol. (-1)L respectively. Pretreatment of cells with AFP resulted in a significant increase (625%) in cAMP accumulation. The activity of protein kinase A activity were increased up to 37.5, 122.6, 73.7 and 61.2% at treatment time point 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The level of intracellular calcium were elevated after the treatment of alpha-fetoprotein and achieved to 204% at 4 min. The results also showed that AFP(20mg.L(-1)) could upregulate the expression of N- ras oncogenes and p 53 and p21( ras ) in Bel 7402 cells. In the later case,the alteration were 81.1%(12h) and 97.3%(12h) respectively compared with control. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that AFP is a potential growth factor to promote the proliferation of human hepatoma Bel 7402 cells. Its growth-regulatory effects are mediated by its specific plasma membrane receptors coupled with its transmembrane signaling transduction through the pathway of cAMP-PKA and intracellular calcium to regulate the expression of oncogenes.