AIM: To analyze the structure and expressions of the protein encoded by an HCC-associated novel gene, lysosomeassociated protein transmembrane 4 β (LAPTM4B). METHODS: Primary structure and fundamental characteristics...AIM: To analyze the structure and expressions of the protein encoded by an HCC-associated novel gene, lysosomeassociated protein transmembrane 4 β (LAPTM4B). METHODS: Primary structure and fundamental characteristics of LAPTM4B protein were analysed with bioinformatics. Expressions of LAPTM4B in HCC tissues and various cell lines were detected using polyclonal antibodies and Western blot. RESULTS: LAPTM4B encoded two isoforms of proteins with molecular masses 35-ku and 24-ku, respectively. The expression level of LAPTM4B-35 protein in HCC tissues was dramatically upregulated and related to the differentiation status of HCC tissues, and it was also high in some cancer cell lines. Computer analysis showed LAPTM4B was an integral membrane protein with four transmembrane domains. LAPTM4B showed relatively high homology to LAPTM4A and LAPTM5 in various species. CONCLUSION: LAPTM4B gene encoded two isoforms of tetratansmembrane proteins, LAPTM4B-35 and LAPTM4B-24. The expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein is upregulated and associated with poor differentiation in human HCC tissues, and also at high levels in some cancer cell lines. LAPTM4B is an original and conserved protein.展开更多
AIM： To study the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of Scutellaria barbata D.Don （S. barbata） and to determine the underlying mechanism of its antiturnor activity in mouse liver cancer cell line H22.METHODS：...AIM： To study the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of Scutellaria barbata D.Don （S. barbata） and to determine the underlying mechanism of its antiturnor activity in mouse liver cancer cell line H22.METHODS： Proliferation of H22 cells was examined by MTT assay. Cellular morphology of PC-2 cells was observed under fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope （EM）. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was determined under laser scanning confocal microscope （LSCM） with rhodamine 123 staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle of H22 cells with propidium iodide staining. Protein level of cytochrome C and caspase-3 was measured by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometrv.RESULTS： M-I-I- assay showed that extracts from S. barbata （ESB） could inhibit the proliferation of H22 cells in a time-dependent manner. Among the various phasesof cell cycle, the percentage of cells in S phase was significantly decreased, while the percentage of cells in G1 phase was increased. Flow cytometry assay also showed that ESB had a positive effect on apoptosis. Typical apoptotic morphologies such as condensation and fragmentation of nuclei and blebbing membrane of apoptotic cells could be observed under transmission electron microscope and fluorescence microscope. To further investige the molecular mechanism behind ESB-induced apoptosis, ESB-treated cells rapidly lost their mitochondrial transmembrane potential, released mitochondrial cytochrome C into cytosol, and induced caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION： ESB can effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of H22 cells involving loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of cytochrome C, and activation of caspase-3.展开更多
Numerous membrane proteins are cleaved by tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme （TACE）, which causes the release of their ectodomains. An ADAM （a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain） family member, TACE co...Numerous membrane proteins are cleaved by tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme （TACE）, which causes the release of their ectodomains. An ADAM （a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain） family member, TACE contains several noncatalytic domains whose roles in ectodomain shedding have yet to be fully resolved. Here, we have explored the function of the transmembrane domain （TM） of TACE by coupling molecular engineering and functional analysis. A TM-free TACE construct that is anchored to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol （GPI）-binding polypeptide failed to restore shedding of transforming growth factor-or （TGF-α）, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and L-selectin in cells lacking endogenous TACE activity. Substitution of the TACE TM with that of the prolactin receptor or platelet-derived growth factor receptor （PDGFR） also resulted in severe loss of TGF-α shedding, but had no effects on the cleavage of TNF-α and L-selectin. Replacement of the TM in TGF-α with that of L-selectin enabled TGF-α shedding by the TACE mutants carrying the TM of prolactin receptor and PDGFR. Taken together, our observations suggest that anchorage of TACE to the lipid bilayer through a TM is required for efficient cleavage of a broad spectrum of substrates, and that the amino-acid sequence of TACE TM may play a role in regulatory specificity among TACE substrates.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine （TMP）, an active compound from Ligustium Wollichii Franchat, on electrolyte transport across the distal colon of rodents and the mechanism involved.METHODS： Th...AIM： To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine （TMP）, an active compound from Ligustium Wollichii Franchat, on electrolyte transport across the distal colon of rodents and the mechanism involved.METHODS： The short-circuit current （Isc） technique in conjunction with pharmacological agents and specific inhibitors were used in analyzing the electrolyte transport across the distal colon of rodents. The underlying cellular signaling mechanism was investigated by radioimmunoassay analysis （RIA） and a special mouse model of cystic fibrosis.RESULTS： IMP stimulated a conoentration-dependent rise in ISCl, which was dependent on both Cl^- and HCO3^-, and inhibited by apical application of diphenylamine-2,2＇-dicarboxylic acid （DPC） and glibenclamide, but resistant to 4,4＇-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2＇-disulfonic acid disodium salt hydrate （DIDS）. Removal of Na^＋ from basolateral solution almost completely abolished the Isc response to TMP, but it was insensitive to apical Na^＋ replacement or apical Na^＋ channel blocker, amiloride. Pretreatment of colonic mucosa with BAPTA-AM, a membrane-permeable selective Ca2＋ chelator, did not significantly alter the TMP-induced Iso No additive effect of forskolin and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine （[BMX） was observed on the TMP-induced Isc, but it was significantly reduced by a protein kinase A inhibitor, H89.RIA results showed that TMP （1 mmol/L） elicited a significant increase in cellular cAMP production, which was similar to that elicited by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin （10μmol/L）. The TMP-elicited Isc as well as forskolin- or IBMX-induced Isc were abolished in mice with homozygous mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator （CFTR） presenting defective CFTR functions and secretions.CONCLUSION： TMP may stimulate cAMP-dependent and CFTR-mediated Cl^- and HCO3^- secretion. This may have implications in the future development of alternative treatment for constipation.展开更多
The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) stromelysin-3 (ST3) has long been implicated to play an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell fate determination during normal and pathological processes. ...The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) stromelysin-3 (ST3) has long been implicated to play an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell fate determination during normal and pathological processes. However like other MMPs, the molecular basis of ST3 function in vivo remains unclear due to the lack of information on its physiological substrates. Furthermore, ST3 has only weak activities toward all tested ECM proteins. Using thyroid hormone-dependent Xenopus laevis metamorphosis as a model, we demonstrated previously that ST3 is important for apoptosis and tissue morphogenesis during intestinal remodeling. Here, we used yeast two-hybrid screen with mRNAs from metamorphosing tadpoles to identify potential substrate of ST3 during development. We thus isolated the 37 kd laminin receptor precursor (LR). We showed that LR binds to ST3 in vitro and can be cleaved by ST3 at two sites distinct from where other MMPs cleave. Through peptide sequencing, we determined that the two cleavage sites are in the extracellular domain between the transmembrane domain and laminin binding sequence. Furthermore, we demon strated that these cleavage sites are conserved in human LR. These results together with high levels of human LR and ST3 expression in carcinomas suggest that LR is a likely in vivo substrate of ST3 and that its cleavage by ST3 may alter cell-extracellular matrix interaction, thus, playing a role in mediating the effects of ST3 on cell fate and behavior ob- served during development and pathogenesis.展开更多
In order to understand the role of transmembrane signal transduction of host cells in the early steps of infection,the adherence of E. coli to HEp 2 cells and the change of activity of phospholipase C γ (PLC γ) indu...In order to understand the role of transmembrane signal transduction of host cells in the early steps of infection,the adherence of E. coli to HEp 2 cells and the change of activity of phospholipase C γ (PLC γ) induced by the adherence were investigated.The adherence of enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), strain E.7, induced a significant increase of inositol triphosphat (IP 3) level in HEp 2 cells. The adherence of the bacteria and the increase of IP 3 was kinetically correlated. Whereas the increase of IP 3 level induced by the adherence of the control strain EPEC (H511), a non piliated strain, was much meager than that by E7, a piliated strain. The results highlighted an important role of transmembrane signals like IP 3 in the pathogenesis of EPEC.展开更多
Aim To determine the effects of glucose on APD, I_(K1) , I_K , I_(Ca-L), ofventricular myocytes in guinea pigs, Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record thechanged action potential ionic current ind...Aim To determine the effects of glucose on APD, I_(K1) , I_K , I_(Ca-L), ofventricular myocytes in guinea pigs, Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record thechanged action potential ionic current induced by glucose of single cell in guinea pig ventricularmyocytes, to compare the action of 0, 10 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucoses on trans-membrane ioniccurrent. Results (1) Compared with 10 mmol·L^(-1) glucose concentrations, 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1)glucose both shortened APD of ventricular myocytes ( P < 0.05). (2) The inward components ofI_(K1) density were maximal when the glucose concentration was at 10 mmol·L^(-1) . Normalized Ⅰ -Ⅴ relationships showed that both 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucose produced a left-shift of Ⅰ - Ⅴcurve. The reverse potential changed from - 72.4 mV to - 64.6 mV. (3) Compared with 10 mmol·L^(-1),both 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucose markedly increased the I_(Ca-L) amplitude and density. TheI_(Ca-L) current density was ( - 8.035 +- 0.82) pA/pF ( n = 8) at a test potential of 10 mV when theglucose concentration was 10 mmol·L^(-1) . But its current density decreased to ( - 5.45 +- 0.67)pA/pF and ( - 6.50 +- 0.56) pA/pF when glucose concentrations were 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) ,respectively. (4) The current densities of I_K were (18.96+-2.86) pA/pF, (8.66 +-1.87) pA/pF, and(15.32 +- 3.12) pA/pF, at + 70 mV for 0, 10 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucoses, respectively. ConclusionGlucose in different concentrations has different effects on APD, I_(K1), I_K, and I_(Ca-L) ofsingle ventricular myocyte in guinea pigs. There are similar actions of 0 and 20 mmol· L^(-1)glucoses on the transmembrane ionic current of ventricular myocytes in guinea pigs.展开更多
About 20%-30% of genome products have been predicted as membrane proteins, which have sig-nificant biological functions. The prediction of the amount and position for the transmembrane protein helical segments (TMHs) ...About 20%-30% of genome products have been predicted as membrane proteins, which have sig-nificant biological functions. The prediction of the amount and position for the transmembrane protein helical segments (TMHs) is the hot spot in bioinformatics. In this paper, a new approach, maximum spectrum of continuous wavelet transform (MSCWT), is proposed to predict TMHs. The predictions for eight SARS-CoV membrane proteins indicate that MSCWT has the same capacity with software TMpred. Moreover, the test on a dataset of 131 structure-known proteins with 548 TMHs shows that the predic-tion accuracy of MSCWT for TMHs is 91.6% and that for membrane protein is 89.3%.展开更多
基金Supported by the 248 Major R&D Program of Beijing,No.H020220020310 and Special Fund for Promotion of Education,Ministry of Education,China
文摘AIM: To analyze the structure and expressions of the protein encoded by an HCC-associated novel gene, lysosomeassociated protein transmembrane 4 β (LAPTM4B). METHODS: Primary structure and fundamental characteristics of LAPTM4B protein were analysed with bioinformatics. Expressions of LAPTM4B in HCC tissues and various cell lines were detected using polyclonal antibodies and Western blot. RESULTS: LAPTM4B encoded two isoforms of proteins with molecular masses 35-ku and 24-ku, respectively. The expression level of LAPTM4B-35 protein in HCC tissues was dramatically upregulated and related to the differentiation status of HCC tissues, and it was also high in some cancer cell lines. Computer analysis showed LAPTM4B was an integral membrane protein with four transmembrane domains. LAPTM4B showed relatively high homology to LAPTM4A and LAPTM5 in various species. CONCLUSION: LAPTM4B gene encoded two isoforms of tetratansmembrane proteins, LAPTM4B-35 and LAPTM4B-24. The expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein is upregulated and associated with poor differentiation in human HCC tissues, and also at high levels in some cancer cell lines. LAPTM4B is an original and conserved protein.
基金Supported by The Science and Technology Foundation of Shaanxi Province, China, No. 2006K16-G5(1) Sci-tech Program of Xi’an City, China, No. YF07175
文摘AIM： To study the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of Scutellaria barbata D.Don （S. barbata） and to determine the underlying mechanism of its antiturnor activity in mouse liver cancer cell line H22.METHODS： Proliferation of H22 cells was examined by MTT assay. Cellular morphology of PC-2 cells was observed under fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope （EM）. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was determined under laser scanning confocal microscope （LSCM） with rhodamine 123 staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle of H22 cells with propidium iodide staining. Protein level of cytochrome C and caspase-3 was measured by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometrv.RESULTS： M-I-I- assay showed that extracts from S. barbata （ESB） could inhibit the proliferation of H22 cells in a time-dependent manner. Among the various phasesof cell cycle, the percentage of cells in S phase was significantly decreased, while the percentage of cells in G1 phase was increased. Flow cytometry assay also showed that ESB had a positive effect on apoptosis. Typical apoptotic morphologies such as condensation and fragmentation of nuclei and blebbing membrane of apoptotic cells could be observed under transmission electron microscope and fluorescence microscope. To further investige the molecular mechanism behind ESB-induced apoptosis, ESB-treated cells rapidly lost their mitochondrial transmembrane potential, released mitochondrial cytochrome C into cytosol, and induced caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION： ESB can effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of H22 cells involving loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of cytochrome C, and activation of caspase-3.
文摘Numerous membrane proteins are cleaved by tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme （TACE）, which causes the release of their ectodomains. An ADAM （a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain） family member, TACE contains several noncatalytic domains whose roles in ectodomain shedding have yet to be fully resolved. Here, we have explored the function of the transmembrane domain （TM） of TACE by coupling molecular engineering and functional analysis. A TM-free TACE construct that is anchored to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol （GPI）-binding polypeptide failed to restore shedding of transforming growth factor-or （TGF-α）, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and L-selectin in cells lacking endogenous TACE activity. Substitution of the TACE TM with that of the prolactin receptor or platelet-derived growth factor receptor （PDGFR） also resulted in severe loss of TGF-α shedding, but had no effects on the cleavage of TNF-α and L-selectin. Replacement of the TM in TGF-α with that of L-selectin enabled TGF-α shedding by the TACE mutants carrying the TM of prolactin receptor and PDGFR. Taken together, our observations suggest that anchorage of TACE to the lipid bilayer through a TM is required for efficient cleavage of a broad spectrum of substrates, and that the amino-acid sequence of TACE TM may play a role in regulatory specificity among TACE substrates.
基金Supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund of Hong Kong, China
文摘AIM： To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine （TMP）, an active compound from Ligustium Wollichii Franchat, on electrolyte transport across the distal colon of rodents and the mechanism involved.METHODS： The short-circuit current （Isc） technique in conjunction with pharmacological agents and specific inhibitors were used in analyzing the electrolyte transport across the distal colon of rodents. The underlying cellular signaling mechanism was investigated by radioimmunoassay analysis （RIA） and a special mouse model of cystic fibrosis.RESULTS： IMP stimulated a conoentration-dependent rise in ISCl, which was dependent on both Cl^- and HCO3^-, and inhibited by apical application of diphenylamine-2,2＇-dicarboxylic acid （DPC） and glibenclamide, but resistant to 4,4＇-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2＇-disulfonic acid disodium salt hydrate （DIDS）. Removal of Na^＋ from basolateral solution almost completely abolished the Isc response to TMP, but it was insensitive to apical Na^＋ replacement or apical Na^＋ channel blocker, amiloride. Pretreatment of colonic mucosa with BAPTA-AM, a membrane-permeable selective Ca2＋ chelator, did not significantly alter the TMP-induced Iso No additive effect of forskolin and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine （[BMX） was observed on the TMP-induced Isc, but it was significantly reduced by a protein kinase A inhibitor, H89.RIA results showed that TMP （1 mmol/L） elicited a significant increase in cellular cAMP production, which was similar to that elicited by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin （10μmol/L）. The TMP-elicited Isc as well as forskolin- or IBMX-induced Isc were abolished in mice with homozygous mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator （CFTR） presenting defective CFTR functions and secretions.CONCLUSION： TMP may stimulate cAMP-dependent and CFTR-mediated Cl^- and HCO3^- secretion. This may have implications in the future development of alternative treatment for constipation.
文摘The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) stromelysin-3 (ST3) has long been implicated to play an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell fate determination during normal and pathological processes. However like other MMPs, the molecular basis of ST3 function in vivo remains unclear due to the lack of information on its physiological substrates. Furthermore, ST3 has only weak activities toward all tested ECM proteins. Using thyroid hormone-dependent Xenopus laevis metamorphosis as a model, we demonstrated previously that ST3 is important for apoptosis and tissue morphogenesis during intestinal remodeling. Here, we used yeast two-hybrid screen with mRNAs from metamorphosing tadpoles to identify potential substrate of ST3 during development. We thus isolated the 37 kd laminin receptor precursor (LR). We showed that LR binds to ST3 in vitro and can be cleaved by ST3 at two sites distinct from where other MMPs cleave. Through peptide sequencing, we determined that the two cleavage sites are in the extracellular domain between the transmembrane domain and laminin binding sequence. Furthermore, we demon strated that these cleavage sites are conserved in human LR. These results together with high levels of human LR and ST3 expression in carcinomas suggest that LR is a likely in vivo substrate of ST3 and that its cleavage by ST3 may alter cell-extracellular matrix interaction, thus, playing a role in mediating the effects of ST3 on cell fate and behavior ob- served during development and pathogenesis.
基金This research was supported by the National Foundation ofNatural Sciences(NO.3947001)
文摘In order to understand the role of transmembrane signal transduction of host cells in the early steps of infection,the adherence of E. coli to HEp 2 cells and the change of activity of phospholipase C γ (PLC γ) induced by the adherence were investigated.The adherence of enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), strain E.7, induced a significant increase of inositol triphosphat (IP 3) level in HEp 2 cells. The adherence of the bacteria and the increase of IP 3 was kinetically correlated. Whereas the increase of IP 3 level induced by the adherence of the control strain EPEC (H511), a non piliated strain, was much meager than that by E7, a piliated strain. The results highlighted an important role of transmembrane signals like IP 3 in the pathogenesis of EPEC.
文摘Aim To determine the effects of glucose on APD, I_(K1) , I_K , I_(Ca-L), ofventricular myocytes in guinea pigs, Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record thechanged action potential ionic current induced by glucose of single cell in guinea pig ventricularmyocytes, to compare the action of 0, 10 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucoses on trans-membrane ioniccurrent. Results (1) Compared with 10 mmol·L^(-1) glucose concentrations, 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1)glucose both shortened APD of ventricular myocytes ( P < 0.05). (2) The inward components ofI_(K1) density were maximal when the glucose concentration was at 10 mmol·L^(-1) . Normalized Ⅰ -Ⅴ relationships showed that both 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucose produced a left-shift of Ⅰ - Ⅴcurve. The reverse potential changed from - 72.4 mV to - 64.6 mV. (3) Compared with 10 mmol·L^(-1),both 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucose markedly increased the I_(Ca-L) amplitude and density. TheI_(Ca-L) current density was ( - 8.035 +- 0.82) pA/pF ( n = 8) at a test potential of 10 mV when theglucose concentration was 10 mmol·L^(-1) . But its current density decreased to ( - 5.45 +- 0.67)pA/pF and ( - 6.50 +- 0.56) pA/pF when glucose concentrations were 0 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) ,respectively. (4) The current densities of I_K were (18.96+-2.86) pA/pF, (8.66 +-1.87) pA/pF, and(15.32 +- 3.12) pA/pF, at + 70 mV for 0, 10 and 20 mmol·L^(-1) glucoses, respectively. ConclusionGlucose in different concentrations has different effects on APD, I_(K1), I_K, and I_(Ca-L) ofsingle ventricular myocyte in guinea pigs. There are similar actions of 0 and 20 mmol· L^(-1)glucoses on the transmembrane ionic current of ventricular myocytes in guinea pigs.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20775060 and 20335030), the TeachingResearch Award Program for Out-standing Young Teachers in Higher Education Institutions of Chinathe Key Lab of Polymer Material Science of Gansu Province, China
文摘About 20%-30% of genome products have been predicted as membrane proteins, which have sig-nificant biological functions. The prediction of the amount and position for the transmembrane protein helical segments (TMHs) is the hot spot in bioinformatics. In this paper, a new approach, maximum spectrum of continuous wavelet transform (MSCWT), is proposed to predict TMHs. The predictions for eight SARS-CoV membrane proteins indicate that MSCWT has the same capacity with software TMpred. Moreover, the test on a dataset of 131 structure-known proteins with 548 TMHs shows that the predic-tion accuracy of MSCWT for TMHs is 91.6% and that for membrane protein is 89.3%.
