The spike protein(S)of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for viral attachment and entry,thus a major factor for host suscep-tibility,tissue tropism,virulence and pathogenicity.The S is divided with S1 and S2 region,and the S1...The spike protein(S)of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for viral attachment and entry,thus a major factor for host suscep-tibility,tissue tropism,virulence and pathogenicity.The S is divided with S1 and S2 region,and the S1 contains the receptor-binding domain(RBD),while the S2 contains the hydrophobic fusion domain for the entry into the host cell.Numerous host proteases have been implicated in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S through various c leavage sites.In this article,we review host proteases including furin,trypsin,transmembrane protease serine 2(TMPRSS2)and cathepsins in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S.Many betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 have polybasic residues at the S1/S2 site which is subjected to the cleavage by furin.The S1/S2 cleavage facilitates more assessable RBD to the receptor ACE2,and the binding triggers further conformational changes and exposure of the S2'site to proteases such as type Il transmembrane serine proteases(TTPRs)including TMPRSS2.In the presence of TMPRSS2 on the target cells,SARS-CoV-2 can utilize a direct entry route by fusion of the viral envelope to the cellular membrane.In the absence of TMPRSS2,SARS-CoV-2 enter target cells via endosomes where multiple cathepsins cleave the S for the successful entry.Additional host proteases involved in the cleavage of the S were discussed.This article also includes roles of 3C-like protease inhibitors which have inhibitory activity against cathepsin L in the entry of SARS-CoV-2,and discussed the dual roles of such inhibitors in virus replication.展开更多
Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and protease-activated receptor 2(PAR2) play pivotal roles in the mammalian innate immune response.Notably,in addition to their involvement in detection of invading pathogens,PAR2 and TLR4 m...Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and protease-activated receptor 2(PAR2) play pivotal roles in the mammalian innate immune response.Notably,in addition to their involvement in detection of invading pathogens,PAR2 and TLR4 modulate the levels of cell death-induced sterile inflammation by activating pro-or anti-inflammatory downstream signaling cascades.Within the central nervous system,there is emerging evidence that both receptors are involved in synaptic transmission and brain plasticity.Furthermore,due to their prominent role in mediating neuroinflammation,PAR2 and TLR4 are associated with development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.In this article,we summarise the current knowledge on the cooperation between PAR2 and TLR4,discuss the potential cross-talk levels and highlight the impact of the cross-coupling on neuroinflammation.展开更多
Objective Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),is responsible for the recent global pandemic.As there are no effective drugs or vaccine...Objective Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),is responsible for the recent global pandemic.As there are no effective drugs or vaccines available for SARS-CoV-2,we investigated the potential of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.Methods In silico molecular simulation study against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.Results Among the 21 selected flavonoids,rutin demonstrated the highest binding energy(−8.7 kcal/mol)and displayed perfect binding with the catalytic sites.Conclusions Our study demonstrates the inhibitory potential of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.These computational simulation studies support the hypothesis that flavonoids might be helpful for the treatment of COVID-19.展开更多
Objective:To explore the effect of the protease inhibitor from Agaricus bisporus(J.E.Lange)Imbach(AbPI)on glucose uptake and oxidative stress in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes.Methods:Adipocytes were differentiated and stained wi...Objective:To explore the effect of the protease inhibitor from Agaricus bisporus(J.E.Lange)Imbach(AbPI)on glucose uptake and oxidative stress in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes.Methods:Adipocytes were differentiated and stained with OilRed-O staining to confirm adipogenesis.The toxic/protective effect of AbPI on the adipocytes was determined by MTT assay,intracellular reactive oxygen species generation through flow cytometry,and morphologically through confocal microscopy using propidium iodide,4,6-diamino-2-phenylindol dihydrochloride,and 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate dyes.The uptake of fluorescent glucose analog,2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose by adipocytes was also studied through confocal microscopy.Results:MTT assay showed that the cell survival rate was(28.00±3.00)%,(92.33±2.60)%,and(71.34±2.10)%in the presence of 2 mM H2O2,AbPI alone,and AbPI and H2O2 both,respectively,in comparison to the control.Oil-Red-O staining indicated that Ab PI enhanced adipogenesis.AbPI stimulated the glucose uptake by adipocytes similar to the drug rosiglitazone,and showed insulinsensitizing effect in the presence of insulin,but failed to stimulate the uptake in the absence of insulin.Intracellular reactive oxygen species generation was reduced in differentiating adipocytes upon Ab PI treatment.Confocal microscopy showed that the damaged cell population rose to 3.50%,117.84%,and 261.50%in the presence of Ab PI alone,AbPI with H2O2,and H2O2 alone,respectively.Conclusions:The protease inhibitor enhances glucose uptake by adipocytes and exhibits a cytoprotective effect on them.展开更多
Summary： The role of protease activated receptor-2 （PAR-2） in the renal tubulointerstitial lesion induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction （UUO） was explored. Mice were sacrificed on the day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 ...Summary： The role of protease activated receptor-2 （PAR-2） in the renal tubulointerstitial lesion induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction （UUO） was explored. Mice were sacrificed on the day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 after UUO. The expression of PAR-2 mRNA and protein and a-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） protein in tubuloin,terstitium was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry at each time point, respedtively. The results showed that the PAR-2 expression in renal tubulointerstitium was increased progressively starting from 24 h to the day 14 post-ligation, and it was significantly associated with the relative volume of interstitium and the positive area of α-SMA. PAR-2 was mainly expressed in renal tubule epithelial cells, especially in proximal tubular cells. It also located in renal capillary ansa, interstitial infiltrate cells and fibroblasts. It was concluded that PAR-2 was active in interstitial and tubular cells in the early phase of fibrotic process and played an important role in mediating the tubulointerstitial lesion after UUO.展开更多
Objective： To investigated whether epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the variable expression of variable protease nexin1（PN-1） encoded by the SERPINE2 gene in different cell types. Methods： Working with 5 human ...Objective： To investigated whether epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the variable expression of variable protease nexin1（PN-1） encoded by the SERPINE2 gene in different cell types. Methods： Working with 5 human cell lines, we determined the CpG methylation status within two CpG islands in the SERPINE2 gene by bisulphate sequencing and the PN-1 mRNA level by Q-RT PCR. Results： A CpG island spanning the transcription initiation site showed little methylation in 3 of the cell lines and substantial methylation in 2 of the cell lines. A CpG island covering the translation starting site showed full methylation in all investigated cell lines. Methylation within the CpG island was not randomly distributed, but showed accumulation at specific sites. However, we were not able to distinguish any patterns which related the methylation frequency to the gene expression level. Inhibition of CpG methylation with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine led to a several fold increase in PN-1 mRNA levels, but based on the results on CpG methylation in the CpG island spanning the transcript, the effect is most likely indirect. Conclusion： We have carefully mapped the CpG methylation pattern in two CpG islands in the 5’ part of the SERPINE2 gene without finding any obvious inverse correlation between methylation frequency and expression level.展开更多
基金National Institutes of Health(NIH)(grants R01 A/130092 and Al161085).
文摘The spike protein(S)of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for viral attachment and entry,thus a major factor for host suscep-tibility,tissue tropism,virulence and pathogenicity.The S is divided with S1 and S2 region,and the S1 contains the receptor-binding domain(RBD),while the S2 contains the hydrophobic fusion domain for the entry into the host cell.Numerous host proteases have been implicated in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S through various c leavage sites.In this article,we review host proteases including furin,trypsin,transmembrane protease serine 2(TMPRSS2)and cathepsins in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S.Many betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 have polybasic residues at the S1/S2 site which is subjected to the cleavage by furin.The S1/S2 cleavage facilitates more assessable RBD to the receptor ACE2,and the binding triggers further conformational changes and exposure of the S2'site to proteases such as type Il transmembrane serine proteases(TTPRs)including TMPRSS2.In the presence of TMPRSS2 on the target cells,SARS-CoV-2 can utilize a direct entry route by fusion of the viral envelope to the cellular membrane.In the absence of TMPRSS2,SARS-CoV-2 enter target cells via endosomes where multiple cathepsins cleave the S for the successful entry.Additional host proteases involved in the cleavage of the S were discussed.This article also includes roles of 3C-like protease inhibitors which have inhibitory activity against cathepsin L in the entry of SARS-CoV-2,and discussed the dual roles of such inhibitors in virus replication.
文摘Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and protease-activated receptor 2(PAR2) play pivotal roles in the mammalian innate immune response.Notably,in addition to their involvement in detection of invading pathogens,PAR2 and TLR4 modulate the levels of cell death-induced sterile inflammation by activating pro-or anti-inflammatory downstream signaling cascades.Within the central nervous system,there is emerging evidence that both receptors are involved in synaptic transmission and brain plasticity.Furthermore,due to their prominent role in mediating neuroinflammation,PAR2 and TLR4 are associated with development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.In this article,we summarise the current knowledge on the cooperation between PAR2 and TLR4,discuss the potential cross-talk levels and highlight the impact of the cross-coupling on neuroinflammation.
文摘Objective Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),is responsible for the recent global pandemic.As there are no effective drugs or vaccines available for SARS-CoV-2,we investigated the potential of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.Methods In silico molecular simulation study against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.Results Among the 21 selected flavonoids,rutin demonstrated the highest binding energy(−8.7 kcal/mol)and displayed perfect binding with the catalytic sites.Conclusions Our study demonstrates the inhibitory potential of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 main protease 6YNQ.These computational simulation studies support the hypothesis that flavonoids might be helpful for the treatment of COVID-19.
文摘Objective:To explore the effect of the protease inhibitor from Agaricus bisporus(J.E.Lange)Imbach(AbPI)on glucose uptake and oxidative stress in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes.Methods:Adipocytes were differentiated and stained with OilRed-O staining to confirm adipogenesis.The toxic/protective effect of AbPI on the adipocytes was determined by MTT assay,intracellular reactive oxygen species generation through flow cytometry,and morphologically through confocal microscopy using propidium iodide,4,6-diamino-2-phenylindol dihydrochloride,and 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate dyes.The uptake of fluorescent glucose analog,2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose by adipocytes was also studied through confocal microscopy.Results:MTT assay showed that the cell survival rate was(28.00±3.00)%,(92.33±2.60)%,and(71.34±2.10)%in the presence of 2 mM H2O2,AbPI alone,and AbPI and H2O2 both,respectively,in comparison to the control.Oil-Red-O staining indicated that Ab PI enhanced adipogenesis.AbPI stimulated the glucose uptake by adipocytes similar to the drug rosiglitazone,and showed insulinsensitizing effect in the presence of insulin,but failed to stimulate the uptake in the absence of insulin.Intracellular reactive oxygen species generation was reduced in differentiating adipocytes upon Ab PI treatment.Confocal microscopy showed that the damaged cell population rose to 3.50%,117.84%,and 261.50%in the presence of Ab PI alone,AbPI with H2O2,and H2O2 alone,respectively.Conclusions:The protease inhibitor enhances glucose uptake by adipocytes and exhibits a cytoprotective effect on them.
文摘Summary： The role of protease activated receptor-2 （PAR-2） in the renal tubulointerstitial lesion induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction （UUO） was explored. Mice were sacrificed on the day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 after UUO. The expression of PAR-2 mRNA and protein and a-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） protein in tubuloin,terstitium was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry at each time point, respedtively. The results showed that the PAR-2 expression in renal tubulointerstitium was increased progressively starting from 24 h to the day 14 post-ligation, and it was significantly associated with the relative volume of interstitium and the positive area of α-SMA. PAR-2 was mainly expressed in renal tubule epithelial cells, especially in proximal tubular cells. It also located in renal capillary ansa, interstitial infiltrate cells and fibroblasts. It was concluded that PAR-2 was active in interstitial and tubular cells in the early phase of fibrotic process and played an important role in mediating the tubulointerstitial lesion after UUO.
基金supported by the Danish National Research Foundation (26-331-6)the Danish Cancer Society (DP 07043, DP 08001)Grosserer Alfred Nielsen and Hustrus Fond
文摘Objective： To investigated whether epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the variable expression of variable protease nexin1（PN-1） encoded by the SERPINE2 gene in different cell types. Methods： Working with 5 human cell lines, we determined the CpG methylation status within two CpG islands in the SERPINE2 gene by bisulphate sequencing and the PN-1 mRNA level by Q-RT PCR. Results： A CpG island spanning the transcription initiation site showed little methylation in 3 of the cell lines and substantial methylation in 2 of the cell lines. A CpG island covering the translation starting site showed full methylation in all investigated cell lines. Methylation within the CpG island was not randomly distributed, but showed accumulation at specific sites. However, we were not able to distinguish any patterns which related the methylation frequency to the gene expression level. Inhibition of CpG methylation with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine led to a several fold increase in PN-1 mRNA levels, but based on the results on CpG methylation in the CpG island spanning the transcript, the effect is most likely indirect. Conclusion： We have carefully mapped the CpG methylation pattern in two CpG islands in the 5’ part of the SERPINE2 gene without finding any obvious inverse correlation between methylation frequency and expression level.
