Protein tyrosine phosphorylation of the human sperm head during capacitation： immunolocalization and relationship with acquisition of sperm-fertilizing ability

The occurrence of tyrosine phosphorylation （TP） in the sperm head during capacitation has been poorly investigated, and no data exist on the relationship of its dynamics with the acquisition of sperm fertilizing ability. This study localized TP of head proteins in human spermatozoa during capacitation and explored its relationship with acquisition of the ability to display progesterone （P）-stimulated acrosome reactions （ARs） and to penetrate zona-free hamster oocytes. By immunofluorescence, TP immunoreactivity was revealed in the acrosomal region of formaldehyde-fixed/unpermeabilized samples, whereas it was abolished in fixed/permeabilized samples, in which TP immunoreactivity was high in the principal piece. No TP immunoreaetivity was detectable in unfixed spermatozoa. Head TP immunoreactivity was localized externally to the acrosome, close to the cytoplasmic membrane, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy. The increase in head TP was an early event during capacitation, occurring within 1 h in capacitating conditions. At this time, the P-stimulated ARs were also increased, whereas egg penetration was as poor as in uncapacitated spermatozoa. At 5 h of capacitation, the extent of neither head TP nor the P-induced ARs were greater than that at 1 h, whereas egg penetration had significantly increased. Seminal plasma inhibited head TP, P-induced ARs and egg penetration. None of these inhibitory effects, unlike those on tail TP, were prevented by the cAMP analogue dbcAMP （N,2-O-dibutyryladenosine 3＇,5＇-cyclic monophosphate）. In conclusion, head TP is a subsurface event occurring early during capacitation and is closely related to acquisition of the ability to display P-stimulated ARs, whereas the ability to fuse with oolemma and to decondense is a later capacitation-related event.

Tyrosine phosphorylation and bacterial virulence

Protein phosphorylation on tyrosine has emerged as a key device in the control of numerous cellular functions in bacteria.In this article,we review the structure and function of bacterial tyrosine kinases and phosphatases.Phosphorylation is catalyzed by autophosphorylating adenosine triphosphate-dependent enzymes（bacterial tyrosine（BY） kinases） that are characterized by the presence of Walker motifs.The reverse reaction is catalyzed by three classes of enzymes：the eukaryotic-like phosphatases（PTPs） and dual-specific phosphatases;the low molecular weight protein-tyrosine phosphatases（LMW-PTPs）;and the polymerase-histidinol phosphatases（PHP）.Many BY kinases and tyrosine phosphatases can utilize host cell proteins as substrates,thereby contributing to bacterial pathogenicity.Bacterial tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is also involved in biofilm formation and community development.The Porphyromonas gingivalis tyrosine phosphatase Ltp1 is involved in a restraint pathway that regulates heterotypic community development with Streptococcus gordonii.Ltp1 is upregulated by contact with S.gordonii and Ltp1 activity controls adhesin expression and levels of the interspecies signal AI-2.

THE IMMUNOREGULATORY EFFECT OF TLSF_(JM) ON THE EXPRESSION OF T CELL IL-2R AND PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION

The immunoregulatory effect of TLSFJM on the expression of T cell IL- 2R and protein tyrosine phosphorylation ( PTP ) was investigated by immunohistochemistry technique. The results showed that TLSFJMcan markedly suppress the expression of IL-2R and PTP on PHA or TPA-stimulated human PBMC and murine IL-2 dependent cell line CTLL-2. However, there was no effect of TLSFJMon the production of IL-1, IL-2 and IL-6 that play an important role in the course of T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Lithium decreased NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation and interactions of NR2B and PSD-95 with Src in rat hippocampus following cerebral ischemia

Objective： To study the effects of chronic lithium on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 2B （NR2B） tyrosine phosphorylation and the interactions of NR2B and PSD-95 with Src induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （I/R）. Methods： Transient （15min） cerebral ischemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion procedure in SD rats. Immunoprecipitation （IP） and immunoblotting （IB） were performed to investigate the phosphorylation and interactions of proteins. The effects of lithium on tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B and its interactions with PSD-95 and Src were examined. Results： Transient cerebral ischemia 15 rain followed by reperfusion 6h （I/R 6h） caused a significant increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B. Administration of LiCI for 7days before ischemia caused a profound decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B. Similiarly. the interactions of NR2B and PSD-95 with Src were also enhanced by I/R 6h. moreover, these interactions were also inhibited by chronic lithium. Conclusion： Pretreatment with lithium decrease tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B and interactions of NR2B and PSD-95 with Src during cerebral I/R.

Src mediatesβ-adrenergic receptor induced YAP tyrosine phosphorylation

The Hippo pathway is a newly identified pathway and evolutionarily conserved from flies to humans mainly regulating cell proliferation.Transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein(YAP)functions as a major downstream effector and key node of the Hippo pathway.Phosphorylation of YAP is critical to regulate YAP activity and its corresponding functions.β-adrenergic receptor(β-AR),a typical G protein coupled receptor(GPCR),mediates proliferation in various cell types and regulates multiple physical and pathological processes.However,the role ofβ-AR in regulating YAP remains elusive.Here,we report thatβ-AR can obviously stimulate YAP tyrosine phosphorylation.The mechanism is thatβ-AR stimulation results in tyrosine kinase Src activation and Src phosphorylates YAP tyrosine at Y357.Further studies demonstrate that inhibition of Src kinase activity can obviously alleviateβ-AR induced YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and cell proliferation.We conclude thatβ-AR can induce YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and also establish the Src/YAP pathway as a critical signaling branch downstream of GPCR.

Synaptic non-GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of GluN2B 1472 tyrosine site in rat brain slices

Activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors（NMDARs）mediates changes in the phosphorylation status of the glutamate receptors themselves.Previous studies have indicated that during synaptic activity,tyrosine kinases（Src and Fyn）or phosphatases（PTPαand STEP）are involved in regulating the phosphorylation of NMDARs.In this study,we used immunoblotting to investigate the role of an NMDAR subpopulation on the phosphorylation level of the GluN2B subunit at the Y1336 and Y1472sites in rat brain slices after NMDA treatment.We found that NMDA stimulation dramatically decreased the phosphorylation level of GluN2B at Y1472 in a dose-and time-dependent manner,but not at Y1336.Extrasynaptic NMDAR activation did not reduce the phosphorylation of GluN2B at Y1472.In addition,ifenprodil,a selective antagonist of GluN2Bcontaining NMDARs,did not abolish the decreased phosphorylation of GluN2B at Y1472 triggered by NMDA.These results suggest that the activation of synaptic GluN2A-containing NMDARs is required for the decreased phosphorylation of GluN2B at Y1472that is induced by NMDA treatment in rat brain slices.

Effect of genistein on acrosome reaction and zona pellucida binding independent of protein tyrosine kinase inhibition in bull

Aim： To investigate if the phytoestrogen, genistein, affects essential functions of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Methods： The effect of genistein upon motility was assessed by computer-assisted motion analysis. Hemizona assay was performed to detect the ability of spermatozoa binding to the zona pellucida. The inducibility of the acrosome reaction using progesterone and ZP3-6 peptide was analysed by fluorescein-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin （FITC-PSA）/Hoechst 33258 double staining. Capacitation after incubation with genistein was assessed by the chlortetracycline （CTC） assay. Immunoblots showed the pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Results： Immunodetection of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins showed that genistein did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation in cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. However, genistein significantly reduced the progesterone- and ZP3-6 peptide-mediated induction of the acrosome reaction and led to a dose-dependent inhibition of sperm-zona pellucida binding; while sperm motility and capacitation were not affected by this phytoestrogen, as indicated by computer-assisted sperm motion analysis and the CTC assay, respectively. Conclusion： Our results suggest that in cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa, genistein affects a protein tyrosine phosphorylation-independent signal transduction pathway that is involved in sperm capacitation, the acrosome reaction and sperm-zona pellucida binding.

ADHESION-INDUCE PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHORY-LATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH INVASIVE AND METASTATIC POTENTIALS IN B16-BL6 MELANOMA CELLS

Objective: The interaction of cancer cell with extracellular matrix (ECM) happens as an earlier and specific event in the invasive and metastatic cascade. To explore the key element(s) in cancer metastasis and observe the cellECM interaction and its role. Methods: To interrupt the cellECM interaction by suppression of adhesioninduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein in B16B16 mouse melanoma cells. Results: When B16BL6 cells attached to Matrigel, a solubilized basement membrane preparation from EHS sarcoma, a 125 kDa protein increased its phosphotyrosine content dramatically. In contrast, when the cells were pretreated with 20μM or 30 μM genistein for 3 days, it was revealed a less increase in the phosphotyrosine content of this 125 kDa protein in response to cell attachment to ECM was revealed with immunoblot analysis. Accompanied by the lower level of adhesioninduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation the genisteintreated cells exhibited a decrease in their capabilities of adhesion to Matrigel and invasion through reconstituted basement membrane. The potentials of and forming lung metastatic nodules were also shown to be decreased dramatically in these genisteintreated cells. Conclusion: It was suggested that protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cellECM interaction might be associated with invasive and metastatic potentials in cancer cells.

Overexpression of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in reproductive tissues of polycystic ovary syndrome rats induced by letrozole

Objective:To identify the alteration of tyrosine phosphorylated protein expression in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:Sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control and letrozole-induced PCOS groups.The oestrus cycle of rats was performed by vaginal smear.Sex hormones and morphology of the ovary,oviduct,and uterus were observed.Expressions and intensity of androgen receptor and tyrosine phosphorylated proteins of reproductive organs were investigated by Western blot.Results:Various polycysts and increased androgen receptor expression were present in the ovary of the PCOS group.The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosteone were significantly higher in the PCOS group while progesterone and estradiol levels were significantly decreased as compared with the control group(P<0.05).Only the size of uterus in the PCOS group was significantly smaller than the control group.However,the density of collagen fibers observed in PCOS uterus was greater than the control group.Moreover,tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were significantly overexpressed in ovary(52,42,and 28 kDa),oviduct(72,56,42,and 28 kDa),and uterus(53 and 42 kDa)of the PCOS group compared to the control group.Conclusions:Presence of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in the ovary,oviduct and uterus suggests that overexpression of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins may be involved in potential mechanism of female infertility especially in PCOS.

Proteomic changes in mammalian spermatozoa during epididymal maturation

Epididymal maturation is associated with the activation of a cAMP-induced tyrosine phosphorylation cascade, which is ultimately associated with the expression of capacitation-dependent sperm functions, such as hyperactivated movement and acrosomal exocytosis. As spermatozoa progress through the epididymis they first acquire the capacity to phosphorylate tyrosine on targets on the principal piece, followed by the midpiece. By the time these cells have reached the cauda epididymidis they can phosphorylate the entire tail from neck to endpiece. This particular pattern of phosphorylation is associated with the ontogeny of fully functional spermatozoa that are capable of fertilizing the oocyte. Proteomic analyses indicate that this change is associated with the phosphorylation of several mitochondrial proteins, creation of a mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of mitochondrial free radical generation. At least in rodent species, activation of sperm mitochondria appears to be a particularly important part of epididymal maturation. （Asian J Androl 2007 July; 9： 554-564）

Neuroprotective effects of tetrandrine against vascular dementia

Tetrandrine is one of the major active ingredients in Menispermaceae Stephania tetrandra S.Moore,and has specific therapeutic effects in ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Its use in vascular dementia has not been studied fully.Here,we investigated whether tetrandrine would improve behavioral and cellular impairments in a two-vessel occlusion rat model of chronic vascular dementia.Eight weeks after model establishment,rats were injected intraperitoneally with 10 or 30 mg/kg tetrandrine every other day for 4 weeks.Behavioral assessment in the Morris water maze showed that model rats had longer escape latencies in training trials,and spent less time swimming in the target quadrant in probe trials,than sham-operated rats.However,rats that had received tetrandrine showed shorter escape latencies and longer target quadrant swimming time than untreated model rats.Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining revealed less neuronal necrosis and pathological damage,and more living cells,in the hippocampus of rats treated with tetrandrine than in untreated model rats.Western blot assay showed that interleukin-1β expression,and phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate 2B receptor at tyrosine 1472,were lower in model rats that received tetrandrine than in those that did not.The present findings suggest that tetrandrine may be neuroprotective in chronic vascular dementia by reducing interleukin-1β expression,N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B phosphorylation at tyrosine 1472,and neuronal necrosis.

Elucidating the various multi-phosphorylation statuses of protein functional regions by 193-nm ultraviolet photodissociation

Ultraviolet photodissociation is a high-energy fast excitation method in mass spectrometry and has beensuccessfully applied for the elucidation of sequences and structures of biomolecules. However, its abilityto distinguish the phosphorylation sites isomers of multi-phosphopeptides has been not systematicallyinvestigated until now. A 193-nm ultraviolet laser dissociation mass spectrometry system wasestablished in this study and applied to elucidate the complex multi-phosphorylation statuses mimickingthe functional regions of Sicl, Gli3 and Tau. The numbers of matched fragment ions and phosphorylationsite-determining ions were improved on average 123% and 104%, respectively, by utilizing the ultravioletphotodissociation strategy, comparing to the typically utilized collision induced dissociation strategy.Finally. 94% phosphorylation sites within various statuses were unambiguously elucidated.

Src heterodimerically activates Lyn or Fyn to serve as targets for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Although Src is one of the oldest and most investigated oncoproteins,its function in tumor malignancy remains to be defined further.In this study,we demonstrated that the inhibition of Src activity by ponatinib effectively suppressed several malignant phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)both in vitro and in vivo,whereas it did not produce growthinhibitory effects on normal esophageal epithelial cells(NEECs).Importantly,we combined phosphoproteomics and several cellular and molecular biologic strategies to identify that Src interacted with the members of Src-family kinases(SFKs),such as Fyn or Lyn,to form heterodimers.Src interactions with Fyn and Lyn phosphorylated the tyrosine sites in SH2(Fyn Tyr^(185)or Lyn Tyr^(183))and kinase domains(Fyn Tyr^(420) or Lyn Tyr^(397)),which critically contributed to ESCC development.By contrast,Src could not form heterodimers with Fyn or Lyn in NEECs.We used RNA sequencing to comprehensively demonstrate that the inhibition of Src activity effectively blocked several critical tumor-promoting pathways,such as JAK/STAT,mTOR,stemness-related,and metabolism-related pathways.Results of the real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)assay confirmed that Lyn and Fyn were critical effectors for the Src-mediated expression of tumor growth or metastasis-related molecules.Furthermore,results of the clinical ESCC samples showed that the hyperactivation of pSrc Tyr^(419),Fyn Tyr^(185) or Tyr^(420),and Lyn Tyr^(183)or Tyr^(397)could be biomarkers of ESCC prognosis.This study illustrates that Src/Fyn and Src/Lyn heterodimers serve as targets for the treatment of ESCC.

Biological activity of the virulence factor cagA of Helicobacter pylori

Background China is one of the countries with the highest incidence of H. pylori and more than 9090 isolates possessed the cagA gene. This study was to evaluate the biological activity of the H.pylori virulence factor cagA isolated from Chinese patients. Methods cagA DNA fragments were amplified from the genomic DNA and subsequently cloned into the mammalian expression vector for cell transfection and DNA sequencing. cagA protein, phosphorylated-tyrosine cagA and the complex of cagA precipitated with SHP-2 were identified respectively by western blot in the crude cell lysate from conditionally immortalized gastric epithelial cells at 48 hours after transfection with cagA DNA. In addition, the ability of induction of scattering phenotype was examined after transient expression of cagA in AGS cells. Results The C-terminal half of cagA contained only one repeated sequence and three tandem five-amino-acid motifs glutamic acid-proline-isoleucine-tyrosine-alanine (EPIYA). Moreover, the amino acid sequence of D2 region in repeated sequence was aspartic acid-phenylanaline-aspartic acid (D-F-D) which was significantly distinguished from the three repeated sequences and aspartic acid-aspartic adid-leucine (D-D-L) in the western standard strain NCTC11637. Western blot revealed that cagA became phosphorylated in tyrosine site and bound with SHP-2 after transient expression of cagA DNA in gastric epithelial cells. Transient expression of cagA in AGS cells showed that cagA was able to induce the elongation phenotype although to a lesser extent than western strains.Conclusions cagA perturbs cell signaling pathways by binding with SHP-2. However, significant difference exists in amino acid sequence and biological function of cagA in Chinese compared with those of western countries.

Effect of proline rich domain of an RNA-binding protein Sam68 in cell growth process, death and B cell signal transduction

Background Sam68 plays an important role as a multiple functional RNA binding nuclear protein in cell cycle progress, RNA usage, signal transduction, and tyrosine phosphorylation by Src during mitosis. However, its precise impact on these essential cellular functions remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to further elucidate Sam68 functions in RNA metabolism, signal transduction regulation of cell growth and cell proliferation in DT40 cell line. Methods By using gene targeting method, we isolated a mutation form of Sam68 in DT40 cells and described its effect on cell growth process and signal transduction. Southern, Northern, and Western blot, phosphorylation and flow-cytometric analyses were performed to investigate the Sam68 functions. Results A slower growth rate （2.1 hours growth elongation） and longer S phase （1.7 hours elongation） was observed in the Sam68 mutant cells. Serum depletion resulted in increased amounts of dead cells, and expansion of S phase in mutant cells. Upon B cell cross-linking, the maximal level of tyrosine phosphorylation on BLNK was observed to be significantly lower in mutant cells.Conclusions The proline rich domain of Sam68 is involved in cell growth control by modulating the function of mRNAs in S phase or earlier and the functions as an adaptor molecule in B cell signal transduction pathways.