Expression and Purification of Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 from Escherichia coli Expression System

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1(SRSF1), as a prototype member of the highly conserved serine/arginine family of RNA binding proteins, plays an important role in mRNA alternative splicing, stabilization, nuclear export, and translation. Here, the expression system was established to purify full-length human SRSF1 from Escherichia coli(E. coli). The SRSF1 coding sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and inserted into the pET-28 a-ppSUMO vector with His-tag to construct a recombinant plasmid His-SUMO-SRSF1. Then the plasmid was transformed into BL21(DE3) competent cells for expression. After purification by affinity chromatography and cleavage of His-SUMO moiety, a highly purified SRSF1 with a molecular weight of around 28 kg/mol was obtained. The protein was analyzed by sizing chromatography and it was found that SRSF1 would form a polymer structure in the solution. According to Expasy bioinformatics analysis, SRSF1 is extremely unstable. Purification of full-length SRSF1 protein provides an opportunity to study mRNA splicing in vitro.

Characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis serine protease Rv1043c in enzymology and pathogenicity in mice

The serine proteases of Mycobacteria tuberculosis(Mtb)are important contributors to the process of bacterial invasion and its pathogenesis.In the present study,we systematically characterized the role of the Rv1043c protein in Mycobacterium infection by purifying the Rv1043c protein in Escherichia coli and constructing a Mycobacterium smegmatis(Msg)strain overexpressing Rv1043c(Msg_Rv1043c).We found that Rv1043c had serine protease activity and localized to the surface of Mtb.We determined that the optimal pH and temperature for the Rv1043c serine protease were 9.0 and 45°C,respectively.Moreover,the serine protease activity of Rv1043c was enhanced by divalent metal ions of Ca^(2+)and Mg^(2+).Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the serine 279 residue in Rv1043c plays a catalytic role.Additionally,mouse model studies confirmed that Rv1043c significantly enhanced the survival of Msg in vivo,induced pulmonary injury and lung cell apoptosis,and promoted the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 in mice.This study presents novel insights into the relationship between mycobacterial serine protease and the pathogenesis of the disease.

Serine protease inhibitors LmSPN2 and LmSPN3 co-regulate embryonic diapause in Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)via the Toll pathway

Female adults of the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen),can sense seasonal photoperiod changes,which induces embryonic diapause as a key strategy to overwinter.Serine protease inhibitor genes(SPNs)were thought to play key roles during diapause,while few SPNs were functionally characterized.LmSPN2 was one of those genes differentially expressed between diapause and non-diapause eggs;however,its biological function remained to be explored.So,we conducted RNAi knockdown of LmSPN2,resulting in a significant decrease of the egg diapause rate by 29.7%.Using yeast two-hybrid assays,co-immunoprecipitation,and pull-down methods,we found an interaction between LmSPN2 and LmSPN3,which was proved to be mediated by a glutamate(E331)binding site of LmSPN2.RNAi knockdown of LmSPN3 resulted in a significant increase in diapause rate by 14.6%,indicating an inverse function of LmSPN2 and LmSPN3 on diapause regulation.Double knockdown of two SPN genes resulted in a 26.4%reduction in diapause rate,indicating that LmSPN2 was the dominant regulatory signal.Moreover,we found four Toll pathway genes(easter,spätzle,pelle,and dorsal)upregulated significantly after the knockdown of LmSPN2 while downregulated after the knockdown of LmSPN3.Therefore,we speculate that two SPNs regulate diapause through the Toll pathway.Our results indicated that LmSPN2 positively regulates locust egg entry into diapause,while LmSPN3 is a negative regulator of embryonic commitment to diapause.Their interaction is mediated by the binding site of E331 and influences egg diapause through the Toll pathway.This mechanistic understanding of diapause regulation expands our understanding of insect developmental regulation and provides functional targets for developing locust management strategies.

D-serine合成相关丝氨酸消旋酶在大鼠和癫痫患者海马的分布与细胞定位

目的:观察D-serine合成相关的丝氨酸消旋酶(SR)在大鼠和癫痫病人海马组织的分布与细胞定位特点。方法:成年和幼龄SD大鼠灌流固定、冰冻切片癫痫患者海马硬化石蜡切片,进行SR、SR/NeuN、SR/GFAP免疫荧光染色、激光共聚焦显微镜观察和计数分析。结果:在成年和幼龄大鼠海马的CA1-3和齿状回内均分布有大量SR免疫阳性细胞分布,SR免疫阳性反应主要定位于神经元和星形胶质细胞;与成年相比,幼龄大鼠海马内SR免疫阳性的神经元数量相似,但SR/GFAP阳性星形胶质细胞的数量较多;SR阳性细胞在癫痫患者海马内也有大量分布,其数量明显多于脑出血患者。结论:SR定位于大鼠和癫痫患者海马神经元和星形胶质细胞,其数量分布与发育年龄和癫痫疾病状态呈现一定的相关性,提示D-serine的产生可能参与海马的发育和癫痫疾病过程。

serine/threonine蛋白激酶功能研究进展

蛋白激酶(protein kinase)具有将ATP的γ-磷酸基转移到蛋白质底物特定的氨基酸残基上的潜在催化能力,从而使蛋白质磷酸化。根据底物上氨基酸的特异性,蛋白激酶可以细分为丝/苏氨酸激酶和酪氨酸激酶。在DNA复制和有丝分裂过程中蛋白激酶起调节作用。同时,蛋白激酶在转录过程也起到重要作用,如在转录因子核转位过程的作用、调节转录因子与DNA结合能力、调节转录因子的激活活性。蛋白激酶的磷酸化作用与肿瘤发生关系密切,其可以促使基因表达的改变等一系列细胞的应答发生,最终导致癌症的发生和发展。

Current concepts in ameloblastoma-targeted therapies in B-raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase V600E mutation: Systematic review

BACKGROUND Ameloblastomas are common benign epithelial odontogenic neoplasms that present an aggressive and unpredictable behavior that may modify treatment strategies.Different signaling pathways that participate in the progression of these tumors have been identified.B-raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase(BRAF)is a protein involved in the behavior of ameloblastomas,and it is related to many cell mechanisms.BRAF gene mutations have been identified in ameloblastomas,of which the BRAF V600E(valine substituted by glutamic acid at amino acid 600)mutation has been the most common and can be present concomitantly with other mutations that may be involved in its behavior.Targeted therapies have been used as an alternative in the case of resistance or contraindications to conventional treatments.AIM To document the presence of BRAF V600E and additional mutations,their behavior,and targeted therapies in these tumors.METHODS An electronic literature search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE,Cochrane,EMBASE,and SpringerLink using the terms“ameloblastomas”,“BRAF V600E”,“additional mutations”,and“targeted therapies”.Ameloblastomas were classified according to WHO guidelines.Inclusion criteria were articles in English,published not more than 10 years ago,and studies with laboratory works related to BRAF V600E.Articles were evaluated by two independent reviewers and retrieved for full-text evaluation.The EBLIP Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the eligible studies.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.RESULTS Two independent reviewers,with a substantial concordance indicated by a kappa coefficient of k=0.76,evaluated a total of 19 articles that were included in this study.The analysis registered 521 conventional ameloblastomas(AM),81 unicystic ameloblastomas(UA),13 ameloblastic carcinomas(AC),three metastatic ameloblastomas(MA),and six peripheral ameloblastomas(PA),of which the histopathological type,anatomic location,laboratory tests,expression of BRAF mutation,and additional mutations were registered.The BRAF V600E mutation was found in 297 AM(57%),63 UA(77.7%),3 AC(23%),1 MA(50%),and 5 PA(83.3%).Follicular type predominated with a total of 116 cases(40%),followed by plexiform type with 63 cases(22.1%).Furthermore,both types presented additional mutations,in which alterations in JAK3 P132T,SMARCB1,PIK3CA,CTNNB1,SMO,and BRAF G606E genes were found.Four case reports were found with targeted therapy to BRAF V600E.CONCLUSION The identification of BRAF V600E and additional mutations as an aid in targeted therapies has been a breakthrough in alternative treatments of ameloblastomas where surgical treatments are contraindicated.

Evaluation of cytotoxic and anti-tumor activity of partially purified serine protease isolate from the Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma

Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively.Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions(1:20 and 1:40)and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay(a colorimetric assay)using breast cancer cell line MCF-7,with tamoxifen as standard.Results:One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay.Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined,by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder,as of 15 kDa.The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro.Conclusions:Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction.Further investigation into the mechanism(s)of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.

Simulation of water potential for the electronic structure of serine

First-principles, all-electron, ab initio calculations have been performed to construct an equivalent water potential for the electronic structure of serine （Ser） in solution. The calculation is composed of three steps. The first step is to search for the configuration of the Ser _ nH2O system with a minimum energy. The second step is to calculate the electronic structure of Ser with the water molecule potential via the self-consistent cluster-embedding method （SCCE）, based on the result obtained in the first step. The last step is to calculate the electronic structure of Set with the dipole potential after replacing the water molecules with dipoles. The results show that the occupied states of Ser are raised by about 0.017 Ry on average due to the effect of water. The water effect can be successfully simulated by using the dipole potential. The obtained equivalent potential can be applied directly to the electronic structure calculation of protein in solution by using the SCCE method.

Cloning,expression and characterization of serine palmitoyltransferase(SPT)-like gene subunit(LCB2) from marine Emiliania huxleyi virus(Coccolithovirus)

The authors have isolated and characterized a novel serine palmitoyltransferase （SPT）-like gene in marine Emiliania huxleyi virus （EhV-99B1）. The open-reading frame （ORF） of EhV99BI-SPT encoded a protein of 496 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 96 kDa and Ip 6.01. The results of sequence analysis showed that there was about 31% 45% identity in amino acid sequence with other organisms. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree suggested that the EhV99B1-SPT gene possibly horizontally transferred from the eukaryote. Hydrophobic profiles of deduced amino acid sequences suggested a hydrophobic, globular and membrane-associated protein with five transmembrane domains （TMDs） motifs. Several potential N-linked glycosylation sites were presented in SPT. These results suggested that EhV99BI-SPT was an integral endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein. Despite lower sequence identity, the secondary and three-dimensional structures predicted showed that the “pocket” structure element composed of 2a-helices and 4β- sheets was the catalytic center of this enzyme, with a typical conserved “TFTKSFG” active site in the N-terminal region and was very close to those of prokaryotic organisms. However, the N-terminal domain of EhV99B1-SPT most closely resembled the LCB2 catalysis subunit and the C-terminal domain most closely resembled the LCBI regulatory subunit of other organisms which together formed a spherical molecule. This “chimera” was highly similar to the prokaryotic homologous SPT. For a functional identification, the EhV99B1-LCB2 subunit gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, which resulted in significant accumulation of new sphingolipid in E. coli cells.

Serine protease HtrA1 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: HtrA1, a serine protease, is down-regulated in various human solid tumors. Overexpression of HtrA1 in human cancer cells inhibits cell growth and proliferation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its possible role as a tumor suppressor. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of HtrA1 in 50 hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and adjacent liver tissues. The correlation between the expression of HtrA1 and the clinico-pathologic data were analyzed. RESULTS: The levels of HtrA1 were lower in tumor tissues than in their adjacent liver tissues. Moreover, an inverse relationship was found between HtrA1 expression and the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Loss of HtrA1 was more frequently found in tumors in Edmondson grade especially in those with venous invasion, compared to tumors in Edmondson grade I-II. Most importantly, patients with higher HtrA1 expression had a better survival rate. CONCLUSION: All these data suggest an important role of HtrA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression, which may be a new target for its treatment.

Novel serine/threonine kinase 11 gene mutations in PeutzJeghers syndrome patients and endoscopic management

AIM:To explore mutations in serine/threonine kinase 11(STK11) gene in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJS) with gastrointestinal(GI) hamartomatous polyps.METHODS:Six Japanese PJS patients in 3 families were enrolled in this study.Each of the cases had hamartomatous polyposis in the gastrointestinal tract,including the small intestine,along with mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation.Narrow-band imaging(NBI)-magnification endoscopy was employed to detect microvascular and microsurface irregularities in the GI lesions.NBI magnification findings could be classified into three groups(type A,type B,or type C).Endoscopic polypectomy was performed using double-balloon enteroscopy or colonoscopy.Genomic DNA was extracted from a whole blood sample from each subject.All of the coding exons of STK11 gene,its boundary regions,and the promoter region containing the polymorphic regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction,and direct sequencing was performed to assess the germline mutations.RESULTS:NBI-magnification endoscopic observation could detect the abnormalities in microvessels and microsurface structures of GI polyps.Overall,we found 5 cases of type A and one case without the examination for the gastric polyps,while there were 4 cases of type B and 2 case of type A for the colorectal polyps.Seventy-nine small-bowel and 115 colorectal polyps over 27 sessions for each were resected endoscopically without significant complications.The only delayed complication included the occurrence of bleeding in a case,and this was successfully managed with hemoclips.Resected polyps contained no malignant components.Based on mutation analysis,all 3 cases in Family I exhibited the +658C>T nonsense mutation in exon 5,which resulted in the production of a truncated protein(Q220X).In Family II,a case had-252C>A and-193C>A in the promoter region.In Family III,a case was found to have the +1062C>G(F342L) mutation in exon 8.CONCLUSION:We found two novel mutations of STK11 in association with PJS.Endoscopic polypectomy of GI polyps in PJS patients appears to be useful to prevent emergency laparotomies and reduce the cancer risk.

Cloning,Expression and Activity Analysis of a Bacterial Serine Protease

In the study, a serine protease gene from Pantoea ananatis was cloned and expressed in prokaryotic cells. The activity of recombinant serine protease was analyzed. The results showed that the recombinant serine protease gene was 1 062 bp, encoding 352 amino acids ; the optimal reaction temperature for recombinant serine protease was 50 ℃, and the optimal pH was 5. 0. The serine protease could be developed into a new tool enzyme in biological engineering and food processing.

Detection of Serine Octamer by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry in Resultant Mixture of Aspartic Acid Exposed to Sunshine Under Natural Conditions

Serine, one of the nonessential amino acids, is of principal interest because of its capability to form magic-number ionic clusters, which provide a remarkable preference for homochirality. With L-aspartic acid as the precursor, this study provides experimental evidence for serine formation in weak acidified aqueous solutions in the presence of iron, with exposure to sunlight, which simulates the natural conditions of the prebiotic aqueous environment. The resultant mixture is directly analyzed via desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry（ DESI-MS）, without any sample preseparation. The serine monomer is successfully detected as protonated molecules, giving a peak at m/z 106, which is confirmed by the MS/MS fragments. Protonated serine octamer（ m/z 841 ） is also observed with significant abundance in the MS spectra and is confirmed by the MS/MS data, which shows the formation of the serine octamer by a synthesized serine in the resultant mixture. It is also found that the serine octamer yielded equivalent abundance in the DESI mass spectra in a wide pH range（pH = 1-5 ）, and that existence of ferrous salt and sunshine are essential for the conversion of aspartic acid to serine in the acidic water solution.

Conformation effects on the molecular orbitals of serine

This paper calculates the five most stable conformers of serine with Hartree-Fock theory, density functional theory （B3LYP）, Moller-Plesset perturbation theory （MP4（SDQ）） and electron propagation theory with the 6-311＋＋G（2d,2p） basis set. The calculated vertical ionization energies for the valence molecular orbitals of each conformer are in agreement with the experimental data, indicating that a range of molecular conformations would coexist in an equilibrium sample. Information of the five outer valence molecular orbitals for each conformer is explored in coordinate and momentum spaces using dual space analysis to investigate the conformational processes, which are generated from the global minimum conformer Serl by rotation of C2-C3 （Ser4）, C1 C2 （Ser5） and C1-O2 （Set2 and Ser3）. Orbitals 28a, 27a and 26a are identified as the fingerprint orbitals for all the conformational processes.

Knockdown of Microtubule Associated Serine/threonine Kinase Like Expression Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis by Activation of ERK1/2 and Inactivation of NF-κB Signaling

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase(MASTL)functions to regulate chromosome condensation and mitotic progression.Therefore,aberrant MASTL expression is commonly implicated in various human cancers.This study analyzed MASTL expression in gastric cancer vs.adjacent normal tissue for elucidating the association with clinicopathological data from patients.This work was then extended to investigate the effects of MASTL knockdown on tumor cells in vitro.The level of MASTL expression in gastric cancer tissue was assessed from the UALCAN,GEPIA,and Oncomine online databases.Lentivirus carrying MASTL or negative control shRNA was infected into gastric cancer cells.RT-qPCR,Western blotting,cell viability,cell counting,flow cytometric apoptosis and cell cycle,and colony formation assays were performed.MASTL was upregulated in gastric cancer tissue compared to the adjacent normal tissue,and the MASTL expression was associated with advanced tumor stage,Helicobacter pylori infection and histological subtypes.On the other hand,knockdown of MASTL expression significantly reduced tumor cell viability and proliferation,and arrested cell cycle at G2/M stage but promoted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis.At protein level,knockdown of MASTL expression enhanced levels of cleaved PARP1,cleaved caspase-3,Bax and p-ERK1/2 expression,but downregulated expression levels of BCL-2 and p-NF-κB-p65 protein in AGS and MGC-803 cells.MASTL overexpression in gastric cancer tissue may be associated with gastric cancer development and progression,whereas knockdown of MASTL expression reduces tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.Further study will evaluate MASTL as a potential target of gastric cancer therapeutic strategy.

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A with sequence variation at amino-terminus has different serine protease activities and inhibitory activities on IFN-β induction and p53-dependent transcriptional activation

Objective： To construct the point mutation plasmids expressing HCV NS3/4A with different secondary structures at the N-terminus, and to analyze their serine protease activities. Methods： The point mutation plasmid constructs were generated by using the QuickChange site-directed mutagenesis kit with the backbone of M-H05-5 （AI-1）, and were named as subgroup A1-2, A2-1, A2-2, BI-1, B1-2, B2-1, and B2-2 respectively. The transient expression of the constructs was investigated by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis. The difference in in cis and in trans NS3 serine protease activity between each subgroup was determined by Western blot analysis. Luciferase reporter assay was used to observe the inhibitory effects of the constructs on RIG-I induced IFN-β promoter activity and on p53-dependent transcriptional activation. Results： The point mutation plasmid constructs were verified for the correct sequence by DNA sequencing. The immunofluorescence assay revealed 4 subcellular localization patterns of NS3, including dot-like staining, diffuse staining, doughnut-like staining, and rod-shape staining. Western blot analysis indicated that the incomplete cleavage of NS3/4A appeared in subgroups A2-1 and B2-1, indicating that the in cis NS3 serine protease activities of subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 were weaker when compared with the other subgroups. By using NS5A/SBAC as a substrate for NS3/4A serine protease, it was also found that the in trans NS3 serine protease activities of subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 were also weaker compared the other subgroups. Differences in inhibitory effects of HCV NS3 on RIG-I induced IFN-β promoter activity and on p53-dependent transcriptional activation were also observed between subgroup A2-1, B2-1 and the other subgroups. Conclusion： The results suggest that subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 has weaker serine protease activities and weaker inhibitory activities on host cell functions than the other subgroups, which might be explained by the different secondary structure of the 120-aa sequence at N-terminus of NS3.

Crystal Structures of the Serine Protease Domain of Murine Plasma Kallikrein

Plasma kallikrein（PK）, a serine protease in the trypsin clan（SA）, plays critical roles in many physiological and pathological pathways. Regulating the abnormal activity of PK has been successfully used in the clinical therapy of hereditary angioedema. In this study, the serine protease domain of murine plasma kallikrein（m PK） was expressed in the pichia pastoris system. The recombinant protein was a glycosylated active enzyme after purification by the cation exchange and size-exclusion chromatography, and was crystallized at the precipitant condition of 25% PEG 3350, 0.1 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5 and 0.1 M Na Cl. The crystal structure of m PK was determined at 2.6 . This is the first published crystal structure of m PK, showing some distinctive features at S2＇ and S3＇ pockets when compared to its human analogue（human plasma kallikrein, h PK）. In addition, m PK show unique structural features in the non-conservative 67-72 and 76-81 loops when compared to other serine proteases. These results provide insights for the design of potent and selective PK inhibitors.

Association between calcium sensing receptor gene polymorphisms and chronic pancreatitis in a US population:Role of serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type and alcohol

AIM: To test the hypothesis that calcium sensing receptor (CASR) polymorphisms are associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and to determine whether serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type (SPINK1) N34S oralcohol are necessary co-factors in its etiology. METHODS: Initially, 115 subjects with pancreatitis and 66 controls were evaluated, of whom 57 patients and 21 controls were predetermined to carry the high-risk SPINK1 N34S polymorphism. We sequenced CASR gene exons 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, areas containing the majority of reported polymorphisms and novel mutations. Based on the initial results, we added 223 patients and 239 controls to analyze three common nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 7 (A986S, R990G, and Q1011E). RESULTS: The CASR exon 7 R990G polymorphism was signifi cantly associated with CP (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.12-3.59; P = 0.015). The association between CASR R990G and CP was stronger in subjects who reported moderate or heavy alcohol consumption (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.14-9.13; P = 0.018). There was no association between the various CASR genotypes and SPINK1 N34S in pancreatitis. None of the novel CASR polymorphisms reported from Germany and India was detected. CONCLUSION: Our United States-based study confirmed an association of CASR and CP and for the first time demonstrated that CASR R990G is a signifi cant risk factor for CP. We also conclude that the risk of CP with CASR R990G is increased in subjects with moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.

D-serine对阿尔茨海默病模型小鼠海马区tau蛋白过度磷酸化的影响

目的:探讨D-丝氨酸(D-serine)对阿尔茨海默病(AD)模型小鼠海马区tau蛋白过度磷酸化的影响。方法:42只SPF级昆明小鼠随机分为6组:Control组、Saline组、Aβ组、Aβ+D-serine组、Aβ+DAAO组、Aβ+BE组;每组7只动物。AD模型组小鼠双侧海马CA1区微量注射Aβ1-42造模,之后连续10 d分别腹腔注射生理盐水,D-serine(30 mg/kg),D-氨基酸氧化酶(DAAO)(30 mg/kg),苯甲酸钠(BE)(30 mg/kg)。采用免疫组织化学以及Western Blot方法检测各组小鼠海马区IL-1β、p-MAPT(S404)、p-GSK3β以及DCX表达的具体变化。结果:与Control组相比,Aβ组小鼠海马区IL-1β以及p-MAPT(S404)蛋白表达明显增多(P<0.01),而p-GSK3β以及DCX蛋白表达明显减少(P<0.01);而与Aβ组相比,Aβ+D-serine组IL-1β以及p-MAPT(S404)蛋白表达明显减少(P<0.01);p-GSK3β以及DCX蛋白表达明显增多(P<0.01)。结论:D-serine可以改善Aβ1-42诱导的AD模型小鼠海马区tau蛋白过度磷酸化以及神经损伤。

Cathepsin L, transmembrane peptidase/serine subfamily member 2/4, and other host proteases in COVID-19 pathogenesis – with impact on gastrointestinal tract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)seems to employ two routes of entrance to the host cell;via membrane fusion(with the cells expressing both angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2)and transmembrane peptidase/serine subfamily member 2/4(TMPRSS2/4))or via receptor-mediated endocytosis(to the target cells expressing only ACE2).The second mode is associated with cysteine cathepsins(probably cathepsin L)involvement in the virus spike protein(S protein)proteolytic activation.Also furin might activate the virus S protein enabling it to enter cells.Gastrointestinal tract(GIT)involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection is evident in a subset of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients exhibiting GIT symptoms,such as diarrhea,and presenting viral-shedding in feces.Considering the abundance and co-localization of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the lower GIT(especially brush-border enterocytes),these two receptors seem to be mainly involved in SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the digestive tract.Additionally,in vitro studies have demonstrated the virions capability of infection and replication in the human epithelial cells lining GIT.However,also furin and cysteine cathepsins(cathepsin L)might participate in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contributing to the virus invasiveness within GIT.Moreover,cathepsin L(due to its involvement in extracellular matrix components degradation and remodeling,the processes enhanced during SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation)might be responsible for the dysregulation of absorption/digestion functions of GIT,thus adding to the observed in some COVID-19 patients symptoms such as diarrhea.