Genome-wide characterization of mapk gene family in black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii and their expression patterns against Edwardsiella piscicida infection

Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)play pivotal roles in response to environmental stresses and bacterial infections.Compared with those in the higher vertebrates,studies of mapk gene family are still limited in teleost.Identification,characterization,classification,and expression profiling of totally 15 mapk genes in black rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)were conducted.Phylogenetic relationships show that these mapk genes could be divided into extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),and p38 sub-families.In addition,gene structures,syntenic analysis,and selective pressure analysis are performed to confirm their annotations.Results of selective pressure analysis indicate that mapk1,mapk3,mapk7,mapk10,mapk11,and mapk12 underwent significantly-positive selections,while the others genes such as mapk4,mapk6,mapk15,mapk8a,mapk8b,mapk9,mapk13,mapk14a,and mapk14b were under purifying selections.Moreover,results of qRT-PCR indicate that mapk genes in 8 healthy tissues displayed different expression patterns.The expression patterns of several mapk genes including mapk12,mapk13,mapk14a,mapk14b,and mapk15 were significantly changed in mucosal tissues after Edwardsiella piscicida infection.This study demonstrates that mapk genes in black rockfish play vital prevention roles against bacterial infection,which not only helps us understand the structure and function of mapk genes in black rockfish,but also provides a reference to understand the role of mapk genes in teleost immune responses.

基于p38MAPK信号通路防治骨性关节炎的研究进展

骨性关节炎（osteoarthritis,OA）特征表现为关节软骨进行性退变、萎缩凋亡、脱落消失,关节骨缘及软骨下骨反应性增生、肥厚、纤维化等（[1]）。在中老年人中的发病率高达89%（[2]）。丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen activated protein kinases,MAPKs）是细胞内重要的信号传递者,参与细胞增殖、凋亡、分化、表型等多种生理过程的调节（[3]）。

西格列汀对糖尿病肾病P38丝裂原活性蛋白激酶信号途径的影响

糖尿病肾病（diabetic nephropathy,DN）是糖尿病的主要微血管并发症之一,目前已成为欧美国家以及我国终末期肾病的首要病因[1],给国民经济和个人造成巨大的经济和精神负担。足细胞裂孔隔膜上有很多蛋白参与其完整性的表达,这些蛋白的表达受损与蛋白尿的发生密切相关。Podocin蛋白即为众多裂孔隔膜蛋白之一[2]。丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase,

西格列汀对糖尿病肾病P38MAPK信号途径的影响

糖尿病肾病（diabetic nephropathy,DN）是糖尿病主要的微血管并发症之一,目前已成为欧美国家以及我国终末期肾病的首要病因,给国民经济和个人造成巨大的经济和精神负担。足细胞裂孔隔膜上有很多蛋白参与其完整性的表达,这些蛋白的表达受损与蛋白尿的发生密切相关。podocin蛋白即为众多裂孔隔膜蛋白之一。

有氧运动与饮食干预对肥胖小鼠睾丸氧化应激的影响

目的:通过对肥胖小鼠施加有氧运动与饮食干预,探索运动与饮食干预对肥胖小鼠睾丸氧化应激和p38MAPK-NF-κB通路中的作用。方法:随机将17只C57BL/6J小鼠分为正常饮食组(ND),37只分为高脂饮食组(HFD),高脂饮食脂肪占比40%,喂养12周后,HFD组剔除3只肥胖抵抗小鼠,其余34只肥胖造模成功;随后将ND组分为正常饮食对照组(NC,n=8),正常饮食运动组(NE,n=9),肥胖高脂饮食对照组(OC,n=8),肥胖高脂饮食运动组(OE,n=9),肥胖正常饮食组(ONC,n=8),肥胖正常饮食运动组(ONE,n=9),各组继续饲养8周,其中NE、OE和ONE组以速度20 m/min,60 min/d,6 d/week,进行8周跑台运动,末次运动后36~40 h取血和睾丸组织,ELISA检测血清睾酮和睾丸氧化应激(MDA、T-SOD、T-AOC)水平,RT-PCR和Western blot检测睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB水平。结果:与NC组比较,OC组小鼠体脂参数、睾丸MDA和睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA和蛋白水平明显升高(P<0.01),睾丸SOD、睾丸系数和血睾酮明显降低(P<0.01);NE组小鼠体脂参数明显降低(P<0.05),血清睾酮明显升高(P<0.01)。与OC组比较,OE组小鼠体脂参数、睾丸MDA和睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA和蛋白水平明显降低(P<0.05或0.01),睾丸SOD和血睾酮水平明显升高(P<0.01);ONC组小鼠体脂参数、睾丸MDA和睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA和蛋白水平明显降低(P<0.01),睾丸SOD水平和睾丸系数明显升高(P<0.05);ONE组小鼠体脂参数、睾丸MDA和睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB mRNA和蛋白水平明显降低(P<0.01),睾丸SOD、睾丸系数和血睾酮水平明显升高(P<0.01)。结论:肥胖引起小鼠睾丸发生氧化应激,上调睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB水平,并降低血睾酮水平;运动、饮食和运动×饮食干预均能通过降低体脂,改善睾丸氧化应激,下调睾丸p38MAPK-NF-κB水平。

Isolation, purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-D-lactosamine binding mitogenic and anti-proliferative lectin from tubers of a cobra lily Arisaema utile Schott

Lectins are the carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin which have been the subject of intense investigation over the last few decades owing to the variety of interesting biological properties. Most of the lectins which have been purified and characterized from plants have been obtained from dicotyledons. In the present study a lectin was purified from tubers of a monocot plant Arisaema utile (AUL) Schott by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica beads. AUL gave a single band in SDS-PAGE at pH 8.3 corresponding to subunit Mr 13.5 kDa. The native molecular mass of AUL was 54 kDa suggesting a homotetrameric structure. AUL gave multiple bands in isoelectric focusing and in native PAGE at pH 8.3. AUL was inhibited by N-acetyl-D-lactosamine (Lac NAc), a disaccharide and asialofetuin, a complex desialylated serum glycoprotein. When treated with denaturing agents, the lectin was stable in the presence of urea (3 M), thiourea (4 M) and guanidine HCl (4 M). AUL was a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 1.2%. Complete loss of activity was observed upon modification of tryptophan residues of the lectin. The activity was reduced to 25% after modification of tyrosine. Chemical modification of arginine, histidine, serine and cysteine residues of AUL did not affect its activity. Using Far UV CD spectra the estimated secondary structure was 37% α-helix, 25% β-sheet and 38% random contributions. The lectin showed potent mitogenic response towards human lymphocytes. In vitro anti-proliferative assay using 11 human cancer cell lines resulted in 50% inhibition of six cell lines viz. SW-620, HCT-15, SK-N-SH, IMR-32, Colo-205 and HT-29 at 38, 42, 43, 49, 50 and 89 &amp;#181;g/ml, respectively.

Rapid mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by transforming growth factor α in wounded rat intestinal epithelial cells

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Trefoil factors:Tumor progression markers and mitogens via EGFR/MAPK activation in cholangiocarcinoma

AIM:To investigate trefoil factor(TFF) gene copy number,mRNA and protein expression as potential biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma(CCA).METHODS:TFF mRNA levels,gene copy number and protein expression were determined respectively by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(PCR),quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry in bile duct epithelium biopsies collected from individuals with CCA,precancerous bile duct dysplasia and from disease-free controls.The functional impact of recombinant human(rh) TFF2 peptide treatment on proliferation and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) /mitogenactivated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling was assessed in the CCA cell line,KMBC,by viable cell counting and immunoblotting,respectively.RESULTS:TFF1,TFF2 and TFF3 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CCA tissue compared to disease-free controls,and was unrelated to gene copy number.TFF1 immunoreactivity was strongly increased in both dysplasia and CCA,whereas TFF2 immunoreactivity was increased only in CCA compared to diseasefree controls.By contrast,TFF3 immunoreactivity was moderately decreased in dysplasia and further decreased in CCA.Kaplan-Meier analysis found no association of TFF mRNA,protein and copy number with age,gender,histological subtype,and patient survival time.Treatment of KMBC cells with rhTFF2 stimulated proliferation,triggered phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream extracellular signal related kinase(ERK),whereas co-incubation with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor,PD153035,blocked rhTFF2-dependent proliferation and EGFR/ERK responses.CONCLUSION:TFF mRNA/protein expression is indicative of CCA tumor progression,but not predictive for histological sub-type or survival time.TFF2 is mitogenic in CCA via EGFR/MAPK activation.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester up-regulates antioxidant levels in hepatic stellate cell line T6 via an Nrf2-mediated mitogen activated protein kinases pathway

AIM To investigate the antioxidant effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) in hepatic stellate cell-T6(HSC-T6) cells cultured in vitro and the potential mechanisms.METHODS HSC-T6 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations of CAPE for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Cell proliferation was investigated using the MTT assay, and cell ultrastructural alterations were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of CAPE on apoptosis and the levels of reactive oxygen species in HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. An enzyme immunoassay instrument was used to evaluate antioxidant enzyme expression. The effect on α-smooth muscle actin was shown using immunofluorescence. Gene and protein levels of Nrf2, related factors, and mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPKs), in HSC-T6 cells were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS CAPE inhibited the proliferation and activation of HSC-T6 cells cultured in vitro. CAPE increased the antioxidant levels and the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in HSC-T6 cells. Moreover,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in cells decreased in response to CAPE. Interestingly, CAPE-induced oxidative stress in the cells was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with MAPKs inhibitors.CONCLUSION CAPE inhibits cell proliferation and up-regulates the antioxidant levels in HSC-T6 cells partly through the Nrf2-MAPKs signaling pathway.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of rutin for spinal cord injury through anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation and inhibition of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway

Rutin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-tumor and immune regulatory effects. However, the neuroprotective effects of rutin in spinal cord injury are unknown. The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） pathway is the most important member of the MAPK family that controls inflammation. We assumed that the mechanism of rutin in the repair of spinal cord injury is associated with the inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway. Allen’s method was used to establish a rat model of spinal cord injury. The rat model was intraperitoneally injected with rutin （30 mg/kg） for 3 days. After treatment with rutin, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor function scores increased. Water content, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interleukin 6 levels, p38 MAPK protein expression and caspase-3 and -9 activities in T8–9 spinal cord decreased. Oxidative stress related markers superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels increased in peripheral blood. Rutin exerts neuroprotective effect through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway.

Prosaposin ablation inactivates the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways and interferes with the development of the prostate gland

<abstract>The recent development of a prosaposin -/- mouse model has allowed the investigation of the role of prosaposin in the development of the male reproductive organs. A morphometric analysis of the male reproductive system of 37 days old mice revealed that prosaposin ablation produced a 30 % reduction in size and weight of the testes, 37 % of the epididymis, 75 % of the seminal vesicles and 60 % of the prostate glands. Light microscopy (LM) showed that smaller testis size from homozygous mutant mice was associated with reduced spermiogenesis. Both, dorsal and ventral lobules of the prostate glands were underdeveloped in the homozygous mutant. LM analysis also showed that prostatic alveoli were considerably smaller and lined by shorter epithelial cells in the homozygous mutant. Smaller tubular diameter and shorter undifferentiated epithelial cells were also observed in seminal vesicles and epididymis. In the efferent ducts of the homozygous mutant mice, the epithelium was composed exclusively of ciliated cells in contrast to the heterozygotes, which showed the presence of nonciliated cells. Radioimmunoassays demonstrated that testosterone levels were normal or higher in mice with the inactivated prosaposin gene. Immunostaining of prostate sections with an anti-androgen receptor antibody showed that the epithelial cells lining the alveoli express androgen receptor in both the heterozygous and homozygous tissue. Similarly, sections immunostained with antibodies to the phosphorylated MAPKs and Akts strongly reacted with tall prostatic secretory cells in prostate from heterozygous mouse. On the other hand, the epithelial cells in the homozygous prostate remained unstained or weakly stained. These findings demonstrate that inactivation of the prosaposin gene affected the development of the prostate gland and some components of the MAPK pathway. 63 )

Metabolic derivatives of alcohol and the molecular culpritsof fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis:Allies or enemies?

Chronic intake of alcohol undoubtedly overwhelms the structural and functional capacity of the liver by initiating complex pathological events characterized by steatosis,steatohepatitis,hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.Subsequently,these initial pathological events are sustained and ushered into a more complex and progressive liver disease,increasing the risk of fibrohepatocarcinogenesis.These coordinated pathological events mainly result from buildup of toxic metabolic derivatives of alcohol including but not limited to acetaldehyde(AA),malondialdehyde(MDA),CYP2E1-generated reactive oxygen species,alcohol-induced gut-derived lipopolysaccharide,AA/MDA protein and DNA adducts.The metabolic derivatives of alcohol together with other comorbidity factors,including hepatitis B and C viral infections,dysregulated iron metabolism,abuse of antibiotics,schistosomiasis,toxic drug metabolites,autoimmune disease and other non-specific factors,have been shown to underlie liver diseases.In view of the multiple etiology of liver diseases,attempts to delineate the mechanism by which each etiological factor causes liver disease has always proved cumbersome if not impossible.In the case of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),it is even more cumbersome and complicated as a result of the many toxic metabolic derivatives of alcohol with their varying liver-specific toxicities.In spite of all these hurdles,researchers and experts in hepatology have strived to expand knowledge and scientific discourse,particularly on ALD and its associated complications through the medium of scientific research,reviews and commentaries.Nonetheless,the molecularmechanisms underpinning ALD,particularly those underlying toxic effects of metabolic derivatives of alcohol on parenchymal and non-parenchymal hepatic cells leading to increased risk of alcohol-induced fibrohepatocarcinogenesis,are still incompletely elucidated.In this review,we examined published scientific findings on how alcohol and its metabolic derivatives mount cellular attack on each hepatic cell and the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to disruption of core hepatic homeostatic functions which probably set the stage for the initiation and progression of ALD to fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis.We also brought to sharp focus,the complex and integrative role of transforming growth factor beta/small mothers against decapentaplegic/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and the mitogen activated protein kinase signaling nexus as well as their cross-signaling with toll-like receptormediated gut-dependent signaling pathways implicated in ALD and fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis.Looking into the future,it is hoped that these deliberations may stimulate new research directions on this topic and shape not only therapeutic approaches but also models for studying ALD and fibro-hepatocarcinogenesis.

PRESENT STATUS OF RESEARCH ABROAD CONCERNING THE EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION ON IMMUNOLOGIC FUNCTIONS

Much research has been conductedabroad in recent years concerningacupuncture and moxibustion on theimmunologic functions of the organism.Anoutline of this is presented as follows.EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTUREAND MOXIBUSTION ON NORMALIMMUNOLOGIC FUNCTIONS

Pathogenic mechanisms of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of pancreas and caused by a number of factors including pancreatic duct obstruction, alcoholism, and mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene. Pancreatitis is represented as acute pancreatitis with acute inflammatory responses and; chronic pan-creatitis characterized by marked stroma formation with a high number of infiltrating granulocytes(such as neutrophils, eosinophils), monocytes, macrophages and pancreatic stellate cells(PSCs). These inflammatory cells are known to play a central role in initiating and promoting inflammation including pancreatic fibrosis, i.e., a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A number of inflammatory cytokines are known to involve in pro-moting pancreatic pathogenesis that lead pancreatic fibrosis. Pancreatic fibrosis is a dynamic phenomenon that requires an intricate network of several autocrine and paracrine signaling pathways. In this review, we have provided the details of various cytokines and molecular mechanistic pathways(i.e., Transforming growth factor-β/SMAD, mitogen--activated protein kinases, Rho kinase, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase) that have a critical role in the activation of PSCs to promote chronic pancreatitis and trigger the phenomenon of pancreatic fibrogenesis. In this review of literature, we discuss the involvement of several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as in interleukin(IL)-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL--8 IL-10, IL-18, IL--33 and tumor necrosis factor-α, in the pathogenesis of disease. Our review also highlights the significance of several experimental animal models that have an important role in dissecting the mechanistic pathways operating in the development of chronic pancreatitis, including pancreatic fibrosis. Additionally, we provided several intermediary molecules that are involved in major signaling pathways that might provide target molecules for future therapeutic treatment strategies for pancreatic pathogenesis.

Bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced human dental pulp cell differentiation involves p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated canonical WNT pathway

Both bone morphogenetic protein 2（BMP2） and the wingless-type MMTV integration site（WNT）/p-catenin signalling pathway play important roles in odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis.Cross-talk between BMP2 and WNT/p-catenin in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation has been identified.However,the roles and mechanisms of the canonical WNT pathway in the regulation of BMP2 in dental pulp injury and repair remain largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that BMP2 promotes the differentiation of human dental pulp cells（HDPCs） by activating WNT/p-catenin signalling,which is further mediated by p38mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） in vitro.BMP2 stimulation upregulated the expression of p-catenin in HDPCs,which was abolished by SB203580 but not by Noggin or LDN193189.Furthermore,BMP2 enhanced cell differentiation,which was not fully inhibited by Noggin or LDN193189.Instead,SB203580 partially blocked BMP2-induced p-catenin expression and cell differentiation.Taken together,these data suggest a possible mechanism by which the elevation of p-catenin resulting from BMP2 stimulation is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway,which sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of BMP2-mediated pulp reparative dentin formation.

Xuebijing alters tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase content in a rat model of cardiac arrest following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We established a rat model of cardiac arrest by clamping the endotracheal tube of adult rats at expiration. Twenty-four hours after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nerve cell injury and expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase content were increased. Rats injected with Xuebijing, a Chinese herb compound preparation, exhibited normal cellular structure and morphology, dense neuronal cytoplasm, and decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase expression at 24 hours following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These data suggest that Xuebijing can attenuate neuronal injury induced by hypoxia and reperfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Vasopressin decreases neuronal apoptosis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The American Heart Association and the European Resuscitation Council recently recommend- ed that vasopressin can be used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, instead of epinephrine. However, the guidelines do not discuss the effects of vasopressin during cerebral resuscitation. In this study, we intraperitoneally injected epinephrine and/or vasopressin during cardiopul- monary resuscitation in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest. The results demonstrated that, compared with epinephrine alone, the pathological damage to nerve cells was lessened, and the levels of c-Iun N-terminal kinase and p38 expression were significantly decreased in the hippo- campus after treatment with vasopressin alone or the vasopressin and epinephrine combination. No significant difference in resuscitation effects was detected between vasopressin alone and the vasopressin and epinephrine combination. These results suggest that vasopressin alone or the vasopressin and epinephrine combination suppress the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Iun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways and reduce neuronal apoptosis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Effect of charge at an amino acid of basic fibroblast growth factor on its mitogenic activity

The amino acid at the 119th position of human basic fibroblast growth factor(hbFGF),lysine(K119),is a critical component for its mitogenic activity.However,little is known about the effects of the characteristics of this residue including charge on the mitogenic activity of hbFGF.Herein,this basic residue was replaced with neutral glutamine residue and acidic glutamic acid residue to construct mutants hbFGF^(K119Q) and hbFGF^(K119E),respectively.The mutants were produced by BL21(DE3)/pET3c expression system...

Induction of LAK cells in acute leukemia patients and kinetics of LAK activity in long term culture in vitro

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMNC）isolated from patients with acuteleukemia（AL）and from normal controls were cultured in a medium containing1000units/ml of recombinant interleukin-2（IL-2）.Marked LAK activity was induced onthe third culture day in the normal controls,with the highest cytotoxicity appearing be-tween day 3 and 5,whereas induction of LAK activity in the AL patients began on the5th day of culture,with a peak level appearing at day 15,showing that the peak ofLAK activity was significantly delayed in AL.LAK cells surface phenotyping tests showedthat CD8 and CD16 positive cells began to increase significantly from day 5 and reachedthe highest level at week 3,whereas CD4- subclass began to decrease at day 5 anddropped to the nadir at week 3,indicating that LAK activity was positively correlatedwith the proportion of CD8+ and CD16+ cells,but negatively with that of CD4+ cells.

Alteration of Levels of Cyclic Nucleotide and Analysis of SDS－PAGE in Autologous Transplanted Spleen And Splenic Artery Ligat

Intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotide were detected and mitogen stimulation assays were performed in young Sprague-Daewley rats and suspension of spleen tissue were separated by SDS-PAGE. Results indicated that intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in transplanted cell were significantly lower compared to the control group(P<0.01), the levels of cyclic GMP in transplant cell and the levels of cyclic nucleotide in splenic artery ligation groups were normal. Immunologic tests showed that the stimulation index by Con A for T cells was drastically decreased in the autotransplant and a normal proliferation of B cells after LPS stimulation in transplants. Electrophoresis showed differences in the protein patterns between both tissues. Mitogen stimulation and the protein patterns were not different between the control and splenic artery ligation groups. There were differences between the normal tissues and the transplants at the functional level, Suggesting simple autotransplant can not prevent overwhelming postsplenectomy infection. The intact cellular function after splenic artery ligation indicated that its anti-infection ability is superior to that of splenic transplants.