Potential regulatory mechanism and clinical significance of synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)causes many deaths worldwide.Synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein(SYNCRIP)is an RNA-binding protein that plays an important role in multiple cancers by epigenetically targeting some genes.Our study will examine the expression,potential effect,biological function and clinical value of SYNCRIP in CRC.AIM To examine the expression,potential effect,biological function and clinical value METHODS The expression of SYNCRIP was examined by immunohistochemistry arrays and high-throughput data.The effect of SYNCRIP gene in CRC cell growth was evaluated by CRISPR-Cas9 technology.The target genes of SYNCRIP were calculated using various algorithms,and the molecular mechanism of SYNCRIP in CRC was explored by mutation analysis and pathway analysis.The clinical value of SYNCRIP in prognosis and radiotherapy was revealed via evidence-based medicine methods.RESULTS The protein and mRNA levels of SYNCRIP were both highly expressed in CRC samples compared to nontumorous tissue based on 330 immunohistochemistry arrays and 3640 CRC samples.Cells grew more slowly in eleven CRC cell lines after knocking out the SYNCRIP gene.SYNCRIP could epigenetically target genes to promote the occurrence and development of CRC by boosting the cell cycle and affecting the tumor microenvironment.In addition,CRC patients with high SYNCRIP expression are more sensitive to radiotherapy.CONCLUSION SYNCRIP is upregulated in CRC,and highly expressed SYNCRIP can accelerate CRC cell division by exerting its epigenetic regulatory effects.In addition,SYNCRIP is expected to become a potential biomarker to predict the effect of radiotherapy.

Construction of gene/protein interaction networks and enrichment pathway analysis for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and aplastic anemia

Background:To develop a protein-protein interaction network of Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria(PNH)and Aplastic anemia(AA)based on genetic genes and to predict pathways underlying the molecular complexes in the network.Methods:In this research,the PNH and AA-related genes were screened through Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM).The plugins and Cytoscape were used to search literature and build a protein-protein interaction network.Results:The protein-protein interaction network contains two molecular complexes that are five higher than the correlation integral values.The target genes of this study were obtained:CD59,STAT3,TERC,TNF,AKT1,C5AR1,EPO,IL6,IL10 and so on.We also found that many factors regulate biological behaviors:neutrophils,macrophages,vascular endothelial growth factor,immunoglobulin,interleukin,cytokine receptor,interleukin-6 receptor,tumor necrosis factor,and so on.This research provides a bioinformatics foundation for further explaining the mechanism of common development of both.Conclusion:This indicates that the PNH and AA is a complex process regulated by many cellular pathways and multiple genes.

Identification,evolution,expression and protein interaction analysis of genes encoding B-box zinc-finger proteins in maize

The B-box(BBX)family of proteins consists of zinc-finger transcription factors with one or two highly conserved B-box motifs at their N-termini.BBX proteins play crucial roles in various aspects of plant growth and development,including seedling photomorphogenesis,shade avoidance,flowering time,and biotic and abiotic stress responses.Previous studies have identified many different BBXs from several plant species,although the BBX family members in maize are largely unknown.Genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis of maize BBX(ZmBBX)expression and interaction networks would therefore provide valuable information for understanding their functions.In this study,36 maize BBXs in three major clades were identified.The ZmBBXs within a given clade were found to share similar domains,motifs,and genomic structures.Gene duplication analyses revealed that the expansion of BBX proteins in maize has mainly occurred by segmental duplication.The expression levels of ZmBBXs were analyzed in various organs and tissues,and under different abiotic stress conditions.Protein–protein interaction networks of ZmBBXs were established using bioinformatic tools and verified by bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC)assays.Our findings can facilitate a greater understanding of the complexity of the ZmBBX family and provide novel clues for unravelling ZmBBX protein functions.

Molecular dynamics simulations on the interactions between nucleic acids and a phospholipid bilayer

Recently,lipid nanoparticles(LNPs)have been extensively investigated as non-viral carriers of nucleic acid vaccines due to their high transport efficiency,safety,and straightforward production and scalability.However,the molecular mechanism underlying the interactions between nucleic acids and phospholipid bilayers within LNPs remains elusive.In this study,we employed the all-atom molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the interactions between single-stranded nucleic acids and a phospholipid bilayer.Our findings revealed that hydrophilic bases,specifically G in single-stranded RNA(ssRNA)and single-stranded DNA(ssDNA),displayed a higher propensity to form hydrogen bonds with phospholipid head groups.Notably,ssRNA exhibited stronger binding energy than ssDNA.Furthermore,divalent ions,particularly Ca2+,facilitated the binding of ssRNA to phospholipids due to their higher binding energy and lower dissociation rate from phospholipids.Overall,our study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying nucleic acidphospholipid interactions,with potential implications for the nucleic acids in biotherapies,particularly in the context of lipid carriers.

The DUF579 proteins GhIRX15s regulate cotton fiber development by interacting with proteins involved in xylan synthesis

Cotton provides the most abundant natural fiber for the textile industry.The mature cotton fiber largely consists of secondary cell walls with the highest proportion of cellulose and a small amount of hemicellulose and lignin.To dissect the roles of hemicellulosic polysaccharides during fiber development,four IRREGULAR XYLEM 15(IRX15)genes,GhIRX15-1/-2/-3/-4,were functionally characterized in cotton.These genes encode DUF579 domain-containing proteins,which are homologs of AtIRX15 involved in xylan biosynthesis.The four GhIRX15 genes were predominantly expressed during fiber secondary wall thickening,and the encoded proteins were localized to the Golgi apparatus.Each GhIRX15 gene could restore the xylan deficient phenotype in the Arabidopsis irx15irx15l double mutant.Silencing of GhIRX15s in cotton resulted in shorter mature fibers with a thinner cell wall and reduced cellulose content as compared to the wild type.Intriguingly,GhIRX15-2 and GhIRX15-4 formed homodimers and heterodimers.In addition,the GhIRX15s showed physical interaction with glycosyltransferases GhGT43C,GhGT47A and GhGT47B,which are responsible for synthesis of the xylan backbone and reducing end sequence.Moreover,the GhIRX15s can form heterocomplexes with enzymes involved in xylan modification and side chain synthesis,such as GhGUX1/2,GhGXM1/2 and GhTBL1.These findings suggest that GhIRX15s participate in fiber xylan biosynthesis and modulate fiber development via forming large multiprotein complexes.

Spastin and alsin protein interactome analyses begin to reveal key canonical pathways and suggest novel druggable targets

Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein–protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as “causative” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration–approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.

Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein Enhances Zika Virus Translation by Binding to the 5'UTR of Internal Ribosomal Entry Site

Objectives To identify the 5'untranslated region of Zika virus(ZIKV 5'UTR)RNA-binding proteins and to investigate the impact of the binding protein on the activity of internal ribosomal entry site(IRES)located in ZIKV 5'UTR and virus production.Methods Interacting proteins in U251 cells were captured using tRSA-tagged ZIKV 5'UTR RNA and tRSA-ZIKV 5'UTR RNA-binding proteins were visualized by SDS-PAGE silver staining,Subsequently,liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS),bioinformatics analysis,and Western blot were used to identify the candidate proteins binding to ZIKV 5'UTR.Dicistronic expression assay and plaque forming assay were performed to analyze the effect of the binding protein on ZIKV IRES activity and ZIKV production,respecitvely.Results tRSA RNA pull-down assay,LC-MS/MS,and Western blot analysis showed that polypyrimidine tractbinding protein(PTB)bound to the ZIKV 5'UTR.Furthermore,dual luciferase reporter assay revealed that overexpression of PTB significantly enhanced the IRES activity of ZIKV(t=10.220,P<0.001),while PTB knockdown had the opposite effect(t=4.897,P<0.01).Additionally,virus plaque forming assay demonstrated that up-regulation of PTB expression significantly enhanced viral titer(t=6.400,P<0.01),whereas reducing PTB expression level weakened virus infectivity(t=5.055,P<0.01).Conclusion PTB positively interacts with the ZIKV 5'UTR and enhances IRES activity and virus production.

AAV mediated carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein overexpression mitigates the cognitive and pathological phenotypes of APP/PS1 mice

The E3 ubiquitin ligase,carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70(Hsp70)interacting protein(CHIP),also functions as a co-chaperone and plays a crucial role in the protein quality control system.In this study,we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of overexpressed CHIP on Alzheimer’s disease.We used an adeno-associated virus vector that can cross the blood-brain barrier to mediate CHIP overexpression in APP/PS1 mouse brain.CHIP overexpression significantly ameliorated the performance of APP/PS1 mice in the Morris water maze and nest building tests,reduced amyloid-βplaques,and decreased the expression of both amyloid-βand phosphorylated tau.CHIP also alleviated the concentration of microglia and astrocytes around plaques.In APP/PS1 mice of a younger age,CHIP overexpression promoted an increase in ADAM10 expression and inhibitedβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,insulin degrading enzyme,and neprilysin expression.Levels of HSP70 and HSP40,which have functional relevance to CHIP,were also increased.Single nuclei transcriptome sequencing in the hippocampus of CHIP overexpressed mice showed that the lysosomal pathway and oligodendrocyte-related biological processes were up-regulated,which may also reflect a potential mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of CHIP.Our research shows that CHIP effectively reduces the behavior and pathological manifestations of APP/PS1 mice.Indeed,overexpression of CHIP could be a beneficial approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

AAV-mediated expression of p65shRNA and bone morphogenetic protein 4 synergistically enhances chondrocyte regeneration

BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.

Viral-host molecular interactions and metabolic modulation:Strategies to inhibit flaviviruses pathogenesis

Flaviviruses,which include globally impactful pathogens,such as West Nile virus,yellow fever virus,Zika virus,Japanese encephalitis virus,and dengue virus,contribute significantly to human infections.Despite the ongoing emergence and resurgence of flavivirus-mediated pathogenesis,the absence of specific therapeutic options remains a challenge in the prevention and treatment of flaviviral infections.Through the intricate processes of fusion,transcription,replication,and maturation,the complex interplay of viral and host metabolic interactions affects pathophysiology.Crucial interactions involve metabolic molecules,such as amino acids,glucose,fatty acids,and nucleotides,each playing a pivotal role in the replication and maturation of flaviviruses.These viral-host metabolic molecular interactions hijack and modulate the molecular mechanisms of host metabolism.A comprehensive understanding of these intricate metabolic pathways offers valuable insights,potentially unveiling novel targets for therapeutic interventions against flaviviral pathogenesis.This review emphasizes promising avenues for the development of therapeutic agents that target specific metabolic molecules,such as amino acids,glucose,fatty acids,and nucleotides,which interact with flavivirus replication and are closely linked to the modulation of host metabolism.The clinical limitations of current drugs have prompted the development of new inhibitory strategies for flaviviruses based on an understanding of the molecular interactions between the virus and the host.

Docking of Human Band 3 Anion Transporter Proteins with Their Plasmodium falciparum Interactors Based on Short Linear Motifs

Plasmodium (P.) falciparum is a pathogen that causes severe forms of malaria. Protein interactions have been shown to occur between P. falciparum and human erythrocytes in human blood. The Band 3 Anion Transporter (B3AT) protein is considered the main invasive pathway for the parasite in erythrocytes that causes clinical symptoms for malaria in humans. The interactions between P. falciparum parasites and erythrocytes along this receptor have previously been explored. Short linear motifs (SLIMs) are short linear mediator sequences that involve several biological processes, acting as mediators of protein interactions identifiable by computational tools such as SLiMFinder. For a given protein, the identification of SLIMs allows predicting its interactors. Using the SLIMs approach, protein-protein interaction network analyses between P. falciparum and its human host, were used to identify a tryptophan-rich protein, A5K5E5_PLAVS as an essential interactor of B3AT. To better understand the interaction mechanism, a guided protein-protein docking approach based on SLIM motifs was performed for human B3AT and A5K5E5_PLAVS. The highlights of this important interaction between P. falciparum and its human host have the potential to pave the way to identify new therapeutic candidates.

Protein-mediated interactions in the dynamic regulation of acute inflammation

Protein-mediated interactions are the fundamental mechanism through which cells regulate health and disease.These interactions require physical contact between proteins and their respective targets of interest.These targets include not only other proteins but also nucleic acids and other important molecules as well.These proteins are often involved in multibody complexes that work dynamically to regulate cellular health and function.Various techniques have been adapted to study these important interactions,such as affinity-based assays,mass spectrometry,and fluorescent detection.The application of these techniques has led to a greater understanding of how protein interactions are responsible for both the instigation and resolution of acute inflammatory diseases.These pursuits aim to provide opportunities to target specific protein interactions to alleviate acute inflammation.

Effect of a Thermal Spring Water on Carbohydrate-Protein Interactions in In-Vitro Models Implicating Normal Human Keratinocytes and Recombinant Lectins

Background: Sugar moiety of macromolecules is today very well known for its implications in many biological recognition mechanisms including cell-cell, extracellular matrix-cell and/or bacteria-cell interactions. In this context lectins, which are carbohydrate-binding proteins displaying a high affinity for sugar groups of other molecules, are of a great importance, notably in immune response involving bacteria, viruses and fungi. As protein-carbohydrate interactions are often mediated by ions such as calcium, zinc or magnesium, we were prompted to study the effect of a thermal spring water (which contains this type of component) on interactions existing between: 1) osidic receptors of human normal keratinocytes and 2) two lectins greatly implicated in the immune response mechanisms (i.e. the dectin-1 and the langerin), and their ligands. Materials and Methods: In a first series of experiments, we studied the effect of increasing concentrations of a thermal spring water on interactions existing between glycosylated molecules and the osidic receptors expressed at the normal human keratinocytes surface. In a second step, and in order to better understand the putative effect of our thermal spring water on the immune response, we analyzed its effect on the interactions existing between the dectin-1 (implicated in the recognition of bacteria, viruses and fungi) and the langerin (expressed by Langerhans cells, the immune cells of the cutaneous tissue), and their ligands in a model using recombinant human lectins and appropriate binding molecules. Results: We showed here that our thermal spring water was able to reinforce interactions between keratinocytes osidic receptors and some of their ligands, in a dose-related manner: From 8% to 55% of increase with 10% to 30% (v/v) of thermal spring water. In the second part of our studies, we also showed that our thermal spring water was able to modulate interactions between dectin-1 and langerin and their ligands through a biphasic effect: Interactions were enhanced by more than 40% and 20% respectively with 10% of thermal spring water, and return to their basal level or lower for higher concentrations. Conclusion: The tested thermal spring water, probably due to its ionic composition, could significantly affect interactions of osidic receptors with their ligands. This property could be of a great interest to help immune system to maintain an appropriate “vigilance state” by using the thermal water at up to a concentration of 10%, and by avoiding any runaway reaction in case of aggression, by using concentrations higher than 10%. .

Solution Structure of SECIS, the mRNA Element Required for Eukaryotic Selenocysteine Insertion──Interaction Studies Withthe SECIS-Binding Protein SBP

Selenocysteine, a selenium-containing analog of cysteine, is found in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic kingdoms in active sites of enzymes involved in oxidation-reduction reactions. This aminoacid is cotranslationally incorporated at UGA codons which usually act as translation stop codons. In eukaryotes, decoding of selenocysteine necessitates the participation of the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS), an element lying in the 3' -untranslated region of selenoprotein mRNAs. A detailed experimental study of the secondary structures of the SECIS elements of rat and human type 1 iodothyronine deiodinases and rat glutathione peroxidase was performed. Enzymatic and chemical structure probing led us to propose a secondary structure model, supported by sequence comparison of 23 SECIS mRNAs. The secondary structure model revealed the existence of a novel type of RNA motif composed of four consecutive non-Watson-Crick base-pairs. Using gel shift experiments, we identified in several mammalian cell type extracts the protein SBP,for SECIS-binding protein, that specifically recognizes the iodothyronine deiodinases and glutathione peroxidase SECIS elements. The structural model that we derived for the SECIS RNAs discloses RNA features possibly implicated in the binding of SBP and/or SECIS function

LncRNA ZEB1-AS1和LncRNA SOX2OT在糖尿病肾病患者中的表达及与肾功能的相关性研究

目的探究长链非编码RNA锌指E盒结合同源盒蛋白1反义链1(LncRNA ZEB1-AS1)和长链非编码RNA性别决定相关基因簇2重叠转录本(LncRNA SOX2OT)在糖尿病肾病(DN)患者中的表达及与肾功能的相关性。方法选取于2021年11月—2023年12月在武汉大学人民医院肾内科收治的DN患者106例为DN组,并根据24 h尿蛋白定量(24 h Upro)水平分为正常蛋白尿亚组43例(<30 mg)、微量蛋白尿亚组39例(30~<300 mg)、大量蛋白尿亚组24例(≥300 mg),另选取同期医院单纯糖尿病患者106例作对照组,检测患者血清LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT水平;Pearson法分析LncRNA ZEB1-AS1和LncRNA SOX2OT与肾功能指标的相关性;Logistic分析影响DN患者肾功能损伤的因素。结果DN组血清LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT水平低于对照组(t=11.471、10.257,P均<0.001)。血清LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT比较,正常尿蛋白亚组>微量尿蛋白亚组>大量尿蛋白亚组(F=58.720、117.722,P均<0.001),BUN、SCr、UA水平比较,正常尿蛋白亚组<微量尿蛋白亚组<大量尿蛋白亚组,差异均有统计学意义(F=122.493、595.589、53.178,P均<0.001);LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT分别与BUN、SCr、UA呈负相关(r=-0.487、-0.498、-0.521,-0.527、-0.515、-0.534,P均<0.001);Logistic回归分析显示,糖尿病病程长及高BUN、SCr、UA水平是影响DN患者肾功能损伤的危险因素[OR(95%CI)=1.672(1.128~2.479)、2.839(1.534~5.253)、2.754(1.512~5.017)、2.693(1.464~4.954)],高LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT是保护因素[OR(95%CI)=0.875(0.798~0.959)、0.898(0.832~0.969)]。结论血清LncRNA ZEB1-AS1、LncRNA SOX2OT水平与DN患者肾功能有关,可能是评估DN患者肾功能的潜在指标。

RNA结合蛋白ELAVL1的功能及其调控病毒复制的研究进展

胚胎致死异常视觉蛋白1(embryonic lethal abnormal vision like 1, ELAVL1),又被称为人类抗原R(human antigen R, HuR),是一种典型的RNA结合蛋白(RNA binding protein, RBP),通过与3′非翻译区(3′untranslated element, 3′UTR)的AU富含元件(AU-rich element, ARE)结合,在mRNA转录和翻译过程中发挥重要作用。ELAVL1的作用十分广泛,可调控肿瘤的发生发展、凋亡、迁移与侵袭,是许多癌症治疗的关键靶点,还能参与调节编码器官发育和组织稳态的蛋白质和mRNA的水平,也有许多研究表明,ELAVL1通过转录后调控和翻译后修饰来调节病毒复制。本文主要综述了ELAVL1的生物学特点、功能、调控机制及其在病毒复制过程中的调控作用,旨在为进一步研究ELAVL1与畜禽病毒复制之间互作的机制提供理论参考。

抑制lncRNA TUG1下调核苷酸结合寡聚结构域样受体蛋白1炎症小体在延缓阿尔茨海默病进展的作用

目的探讨敲低长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)牛磺酸上调基因1(TUG1)抑制核苷酸结合寡聚结构域样受体蛋白1(NLRP1)炎症小体在缓解阿尔茨海默病进展中的作用。方法选取9~10周龄遗传背景为C57/BL6的野生型小鼠(WT组,10只)或淀粉样前体蛋白(APP)/早老素1(PS1)转基因小鼠(30只)。APP/PS1转基因小鼠随机分为模型(model)组,模型+敲低lncRNA TUG1组[model+lncRNA TUG1短发夹RNA(shRNA)组]和model+shRNA非靶标(NT)组,每组10只。分别采集12周龄第1天(3月龄)和32周龄第1天(8月龄)小鼠外周血和脑皮质组织,并分离皮质中的原代小胶质细胞和原代星形胶质细胞,每个时间点每组5只小鼠。Real-time PCR分别测定3月龄和8月龄上述4个分组小鼠脑皮质组织和原代小胶质细胞中lncRNA TUG1和巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)mRNA的水平,以及原代星形胶质细胞中补体蛋白C1r和C1s mRNA的水平。ELISA法测定其外周血浆中MIF含量。对3月龄和8月龄小鼠脑皮质原代小胶质细胞和原代星形胶质细胞共培养。CCK-8法测定上述2种细胞的增殖能力。Western blotting分别测定3月龄和8月龄上述4个分组小鼠脑皮质组织中MIF、白细胞介素1β前体(pro-IL-1β)、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(ASC)、Caspase-1(p20)、Caspase-1(full)、NLRP1及NLRP3蛋白的表达水平。采用免疫荧光染色法测定8月龄各分组小鼠脑皮质组织中β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)表达。结果3月龄和8月龄时,与WT组小鼠相比,model组小鼠脑皮质组织和原代小胶质细胞中lncRNA TUG1和MIF相对表达水平显著上调,原代小胶质细胞和原代星形胶质细胞增殖能力增强(P<0.05)。与model组相比,model+lncRNA TUG1 shRNA组小鼠脑皮质组织和原代小胶质细胞中lncRNA TUG1和MIF的相对表达水平显著降低,原代小胶质细胞和原代星形胶质细胞增殖能力降低(P<0.05)。与WT组相比,model组小鼠外周血浆中MIF含量显著升高;小鼠脑皮质组织中pro-IL-1β、ASC、Caspase-1(p20)、Caspase-1(full)、NLRP1以及NLRP3的蛋白表达水平显著升高;Aβ免疫荧光强度明显增强(P<0.05)。与model组相比,model+lncRNA TUG1 shRNA组小鼠外周血浆中MIF含量显著降低;小鼠脑皮质组织中pro-IL-1β、ASC、Caspase-1(p20)、Caspase-1(full)和NLRP1的蛋白表达水平显著降低,Aβ免疫荧光强度明显降低(P<0.05),而NLRP3蛋白质的表达水平无明显变化(P>0.05)。与model组相比,model+shRNA NT组小鼠上述所有检测指标差异均无显著性(P>0.05)。结论APP/PS1转基因小鼠脑皮质组织和原代小胶质细胞中lncRNA TUG1和MIF因子表达上调与脑皮质内NLRP1炎症小体激活成正相关,敲低lncRNA TUG1可缓解阿尔茨海默病的进展。

环状RNA同源性蛋白激酶3靶向微RNA-338促进胶质瘤细胞侵袭、迁移的实验研究

目的探讨人血清环状RNA同源性蛋白激酶3(CircHIPK3)靶向微RNA-338(miR-338)对胶质瘤细胞U251细胞侵袭、迁移的影响。方法2021年2-12月,在武汉大学人民医院科研中心将U251细胞分为空白(NG)组、CircHIPK3阴性对照(shcontrol)组、HIPK3敲减(sh-CircHIPK3)组,实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测U251细胞中CircHIPK3、miR-338表达水平;Transwell检测细胞迁移与侵袭;划痕法检测细胞迁移;流式细胞术检测细胞周期;通过Circular RNA Interactome、RegRNA2.0、CircBank Database网站预测CircHIPK3(ID:hsa_circ_0000284)的靶向miRNA并用双萤光素酶实验验证,蛋白质印迹法检测基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2、MMP-9蛋白表达。结果与NG组、sh-control组比较,sh-CircHIPK3组中CircHIPK3(1.00±0.00、1.06±0.26比0.56±0.06)表达水平显著降低(P<0.05),miR-338(1.00±0.00、1.12±0.19比1.89±0.28)表达、G1期细胞比例[(58.72±0.36)%、(58.45±0.27)%比(64.72±0.47)%]升高(P<0.05),U251细胞侵袭数目[(164.89±12.55)个、(165.77±12.16)个比(80.13±11.37)个]、划痕愈合率[(25.66±2.37)%、(26.38±2.53)%比(10.36±1.53)%]、迁移细胞数目[(196.72±18.75)个、(194.65±17.86)个比(95.58±8.66)个]、S期细胞比例[(26.45±0.39)%、(26.57±0.41)%比(20.72±0.18)%]明显降低(P<0.05);miR-338是CircHIPK3的靶基因。与NG组、sh-control组比较,sh-CircHIPK3组MMP-2(1.31±0.23、1.33±0.20比0.61±0.05)、MMP-9(1.16±0.22、1.15±0.21比0.85±0.19)蛋白表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05)。结论沉默CircHIPK3通过靶向上调miR-338表达能抑制胶质瘤细胞U251细胞迁移和侵袭。

LncRNA p21调控Hippo-YAP信号通路对小鼠腹主动脉瘤形成的影响及机制

目的 探究长链非编码RNA p21(long non-coding RNA,LncRNA p21)调控Hippo-Yes相关蛋白(Hippo-Yes-associated protein, Hippo-YAP)信号通路对小鼠腹主动脉瘤(abdominal aortic aneurysm, AAA)形成的影响。方法 C57BL/6 ApoE-/-通过皮下植入渗透性微泵构建血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensinⅡ,AngⅡ)诱导小鼠AAA模型。将C57BL/6 ApoE-/-随机分为假手术组(sham)、模型组(model)、LncRNA p21阴性对照组(sh-NC)、LncRNA p21敲低组(sh-LncRNA p21)。HE和血管弹力纤维染色(VVG)观察血管形态变化;qRT-PCR检测LncRNA p21表达;Western blot检测MMP-2、MMP-9、TIMP-1表达;原位末端标记法(TUNEL)染色检测平滑肌细胞凋亡;Western blot检测caspase-3、cyclinD1及Hippo-YAP信号通路蛋白表达。结果 与sham组相比,model组小鼠血管弹力纤维断裂紊乱,出现明显损伤,且LncRNA p21、MMP-2、MMP-9、caspase-3表达和细胞凋亡率均增加(P<0.01),TIMP-1、cyclinD1和YAP、TAZ表达均降低(P<0.01)。与model组相比,sh-LncRNA p21组小鼠血管弹力纤维断裂及损伤程度减轻,LncRNA p21、MMP-2、MMP-9、caspase-3表达和细胞凋亡率均降低(P<0.01),TIMP-1、cyclinD1和YAP、TAZ表达均增加(P<0.01)。结论 LncRNA p21能够促进小鼠AAA形成,其机制与调控Hippo-YAP信号、促进细胞凋亡、抑制细胞增殖相关。

血清长链非编码RNA肌动蛋白纤维相关蛋白1-反义RNA1水平与钙化性主动脉瓣狭窄病人左心室功能的相关性研究

目的 分析血清长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)肌动蛋白纤维相关蛋白1-反义RNA1(AFAP1-AS1)表达水平与钙化性主动脉瓣狭窄(CAS)病人左心室收缩及舒张功能的相关性。方法 于2020年1月至2021年12月,选取中国中医科学院广安门医院就诊的CAS病人129例作为CAS组[左心室射血分数(LVEF)≥50%],同期该院健康志愿者130例作为对照组。收集病人人口学资料、超声及实验室生化指标,检测血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1表达。受试者操作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1诊断CAS效能。结果 对照组血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1表达水平(1.15±0.18)低于CAS组(1.58±0.30)(P<0.001)。轻度狭窄者血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1表达水平(1.37±0.26)低于中、重度狭窄者,而中度狭窄者lncRNA AFAP1-AS1表达水平(1.59±0.30)低于重度狭窄者(1.79±0.34)(P<0.001)。ROC结果显示,血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1诊断CAS、重度狭窄的曲线下面积分别为0.86[95%CI:(0.82,0.91)]、0.88[95%CI:(0.82,0.94)]。CAS组AVA水平低于对照组(P<0.001),左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室舒张末期容积(LVEDV)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、左房前后径(LAD)、主动脉瓣平均压差(PGmean)、主动脉瓣峰值流速(Vmax)水平高于对照组(均P<0.001)。相关性分析显示,血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1与LVEDD、Vmax、二尖瓣口舒张早期血流速度峰值(E峰)、二尖瓣口舒张晚期血流速度峰值(A峰)、LVEDV、PGmean、LVESD呈正相关(r=0.60、0.66、0.72、0.68、0.56、0.57、0.50,均P<0.001),与LVEF、AVA呈负相关(r=-0.78、-0.62,均P<0.001)。结论 CAS病人血清lncRNA AFAP1-AS1表达水平升高,与CAS病情严重程度以及左心室舒张、收缩功能有关,并可作为无创血清标志物辅助临床诊断CAS。