RIPK4 activity in keratinocytes is controlled by the SCF<Superscript>β-TrCP</Superscript> ubiquitin ligase to maintain cortical actin organization

RIPK4 is a key player in epidermal differentiation and barrier formation. RIPK4 signaling pathways controlling keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation depend on its kinase activity leading to Dvl2, Pkp1 and IRF6 phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. However, the mechanism regulating RIPK4 activity levels remains elusive. We show that cultured keratinocytes display constitutive active phosphorylated RIPK4 while PKC signaling can trigger RIPK4 activation in various non-keratinocyte cell lines, in which RIPK4 is present in a non-phosphorylated state. Interestingly, we identified the SCF^β-TrCP ubiquitin E3 ligase complex responsible for regulating the active RIPK4 protein level. The SCF^β-TrCP complex binds to a conserved phosphodegron motif in the intermediate domain of RIPK4, subsequently leading to K48-linked ubiquitinylation and degradation. The recruitment of β-TrCP is dependent on RIPK4 activation and trans-autophosphorylation. β-TrCP knock-down resulted in RIPK4-dependent formation of actin stress fibers, cell scattering and increased cell motility, suggesting that tight control of RIPK4 activity levels is crucial to maintain cell shape and behavior in keratinocytes.     

Roles for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 in the generation of allocytotoxic T cells in the primary and secondary responses in vitro.

Roles for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 in the generation of murine allocytotoxine T lymphocytes (allo-CTL) in the primary and secondary responses were studied in vitro. The generation of allo-CTL in the primary response was inhibited by anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), but was not inhibited by anti-IL-4 mAb. On the other hand, the generation of allo-CTL in the secondary response was partially inhibited by either anti-IL-2 or anti-IL-4 mAb, and it was almost completely inhibited by the combination of two mAbs. CD8+ cell-depleted splenocytes produced IL-2, but not IL-4, in response to alloantigens in the primary response, and these cells produced both IL-2 and IL-4 in the secondary response. Both exogenous IL-2 and IL-4 induced functionally active allo-CTL in the primary response from CD4+ cell-depleted splenocytes when these cells were stimulated with T cell-depleted allogeneic cells. These results suggest that the allo-CTL induction in the primary response is IL:-2-dependent and secondary allo-CTL induction is both IL-2 and IL-4-dependent, because unprimed CD4+ T cells produce IL-2, but not IL-4, whereas primed cells produce both IL-2 and IL-4 in response to alloantigens.     

Subcellular trafficking of the substrate transporters GLUT4 and CD36 in cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes use glucose as well as fatty acids for ATP production. These substrates are transported into the cell by glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and the fatty acid transporter CD36. Besides being located at the sarcolemma, GLUT4 and CD36 are stored in intracellular compartments. Raised plasma insulin concentrations and increased cardiac work will stimulate GLUT4 as well as CD36 to translocate to the sarcolemma. As so far studied, signaling pathways that regulate GLUT4 translocation similarly affect CD36 translocation. During the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, CD36 becomes permanently localized at the sarcolemma, whereas GLUT4 internalizes. This juxtaposed positioning of GLUT4 and CD36 is important for aberrant substrate uptake in the diabetic heart: chronically increased fatty acid uptake at the expense of glucose. To explain the differences in subcellular localization of GLUT4 and CD36 in type 2 diabetes, recent research has focused on the role of proteins involved in trafficking of cargo between subcellular compartments. Several of these proteins appear to be similarly involved in both GLUT4 and CD36 translocation. Others, however, have different roles in either GLUT4 or CD36 translocation. These trafficking components, which are differently involved in GLUT4 or CD36 translocation, may be considered novel targets for the development of therapies to restore the imbalanced substrate utilization that occurs in obesity, insulin resistance and diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Fluorimetric assay of 3-o-methyldopamine and 4-0-methyldopamine in rat urine and o-methylation of dopamine]

A new method for the isolation and determination of 3-O-methyldopamine (3 MD) and 4-O-methyldopamine (4 MD) in the urine of Rat has been described. The administration of L-dopa enabled us to detect 4 MD in the urine with a molar ratio 4 MD/3 MD = 0.07. This ratio decreased with the simultaneous treatment of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). This result might explain the therapeutic L-dopa+SAM in the treatment of parkinsonism, 4 MD being neurotoxic. The low level of 4 MD compared with the level of isovanillic acid, found by other authors, seems to indicate that the 4-O-methylation pathway takes place via dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.     

Roles for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 in the generation of allocytotoxic T cells in the primary and secondary responses in vitro

Roles for interleukin-2(IL-2) and IL-4 in the generation of murine allocytotoxine T lymphocytes (allo-CTL) in the primary and secondary responses were studied in vitro. The generation of allo-CTL in the primary response was inhibited by anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), but was not inhibited by anti-IL-4 mAb. On the other hand, the generation of allo-CTL in the secondary response was partially inhibited by either anti-IL-2 or anti-IL-4 mAb, and it was almost completely inhibited by the combination of two mAbs. CD8⁺ cell-depleted splenocytes produced IL-2, but not IL-4, in response to alloantigens in the primary response, and these cells produced both IL-2 and IL-4 in the secondary response. Both exogenous IL-2 and IL-4 induced functionally active allo-CTL in the primary response from CD4⁺ cell-depleted splenocytes when these cells were stimulated with T cell-depleted allogeneic cells. These results suggest that the allo-CTL induction in the primary response is IL:-2-dependent and secondary allo-CTL induction is both IL-2 and IL-4-dependent, because unprimed CD4⁺ T cells produce IL-2, but not IL-4, whereas primed cells produce both IL-2 and IL-4 in response to alloantigens.     

Ablation of LMO4 in glutamatergic neurons impairs leptin control of fat metabolism

The LIM domain only 4 (LMO4) protein is expressed in the hypothalamus, but its function there is not known. Using mice with LMO4 ablated in postnatal glutamatergic neurons, including most neurons of the paraventricular (PVN) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic nuclei where LMO4 is expressed, we asked whether LMO4 is required for metabolic homeostasis. LMO4 mutant mice exhibited early onset adiposity. These mice had reduced energy expenditure and impaired thermogenesis together with reduced sympathetic outflow to adipose tissues. The peptide hormone leptin, produced from adipocytes, activates Jak/Stat3 signaling at the hypothalamus to control food intake, energy expenditure, and fat metabolism. Intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin suppressed feeding similarly in LMO4 mutant and control mice. However, leptin-induced fat loss was impaired and activation of Stat3 in the VMH was blunted in these mice. Thus, our study identifies LMO4 as a novel modulator of leptin function in selective hypothalamic nuclei to regulate fat metabolism.     

SLC26A4基因突变与耳聋

耳聋是最常见感觉障碍之一,与遗传关系密切.SLC26A4基因作为第二位的耳聋基因,与Pendred综合征(PS)和非综合征性聋DFNB4密切相关.SLC26A4基因突变主要与PS及DFNB4共同表现出的前庭水管扩大(EVA)相关,且不同种族及地区EVA患者该基因的突变频率及热点突变大不相同.SLC26A4基因的表现型与突变的类型关系不大,而是与等位基因数目相关.但目前SLC26A4基因突变的研究仍不完善.本文主要综述了近年来耳聋及SLC26A4基因的研究进展.     

Sexual differences in the development of plasma thyroxine levels in the embryo and young chick]

Plasma thyroxine (T4) levels were separately ascertained in male and female embryo and young chicken from the 12th day of incubation till the 4th day after hatching by the thyroxine binding globulin technique. In both sexes, plasma T4 reach a peak the 20th day of incubation, but values are significantly higher in females. A sharp decrease occurred thereafter, plasma T4 tending toward adult values the 4th day after hatching.     

Differential sensitivity of amphibian nodal and paranodal K+ channels to 4-aminopyridine and TEA

Voltage-dependent K+ channels are blocked by several drugs, including 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). 4-AP is most widely used to localize K+ channels in mammalian and non-mammalian nerve fibers, but 4-AP and TEA alter various K+ channels and/or preparations in specific ways. The reason is not known, in part because dissociation constants for 4-AP and TEA have not been measured for nodal and internodal K+ channels in the same fibers. Smith and Schauf showed that the density of nodal versus paranodal K+ channels in frog nerves depends on fiber diameter. The size dependence was used to determine the relative sensitivity of nodal and internodal K+ channels to 4-AP and TEA, and to compare voltage- and time-dependent activation. The results show nodal and internodal K+ channels activate similarly. However, internodal channels are selectivity blocked by 4-AP while TEA is more effective on nodal channels. A high sensitivity of internodal K+ channels may explain why 4-AP improves symptoms in diseases such as multiple sclerosis.     

慢性酒精性胰腺炎中CD14、TLR4、TNFα的表达

目的 研究酒精性慢性胰腺炎组织中白细胞分化抗原14(CD14)、钟样受体4(TLR4)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNFα)的表达,探讨酒精性慢性胰腺炎的发病机制.方法 24只1月龄雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、脂多糖组、酒精组、酒精联合脂多糖组(以下简称联合组)各6只.酒精组和联合组饲以25％酒精,饮酒12用后联合组和脂多糖组,反复腹腔注射脂多糖2 mg/kg·w,共4次.用免疫组化及RT-PCR检测CD14、TLR4、TNF在各组的表达.结果 酒精组CD14、TLR4和TNF表达较对照组和脂多糖组增加(P＜0.05),联合组CD14、TLR4和TNF表达较对照组、脂多糖组明显增加(P＜0.01),较酒精组增加(P＜0.05).结论 酒精性慢性胰腺炎组织中CD14、TLR4和TNF表达增加,脂多糖通路可能参与了慢性胰腺炎发生发展.     

循环雌二醇及代谢物与绝经后乳腺癌的相关性

目的探讨循环雌二醇（E2）、4-羟雌二醇（4-OHE2）、2-甲氧雌二醇（2-MOE2）水平及4-羟雌二醇：2-甲氧雌二醇（4-OHE2：2-MOE2）比值与绝经后乳腺癌危险性的相关性。方法采用ELISA法检测绝经后34例乳腺癌、40例乳腺良性（乳腺纤维腺瘤与乳腺囊性增生病）疾病患者和20例正常对照循环雌二醇、4-羟雌二醇、2-甲氧雌二醇水平并计算4-羟雌二醇：2-甲氧雌二醇比值。结果乳腺癌组及乳腺良性疾病组循环2-甲氧雌二醇水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但均较正常对照组低（P〈0．05）;乳腺癌组及乳腺良性疾病组4-羟雌二醇：2、甲氧雌二醇比值差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,但均较正常对照组升高（P〈0．05）。乳腺癌Ⅰ期～Ⅲ期各期循环雌二醇、4．羟雌二醇、2-甲氧雌二醇、4-羟雌二醇：2-甲氧雌二醇比值差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。4-羟雌二醇、2．甲氧雌二醇、4．羟雌二醇：2-甲氧雌二醇比值在乳腺癌ER（-）组与ER（＋）组间差异无统计学意义（P〉005）,但ER（＋）组雌二醇水平较ER（-）组明显升高（P〈0．05）。结论2．甲氧雌二醇与绝经后乳腺疾病负相关;4-羟雌二醇：2-甲氧雌二醇比值可能预示绝经后乳腺疾病危险。     

eIF4E和 VEGF C在大肠癌中的表达及其意义

目的探讨大肠癌组织中真核细胞翻译起始因子4E(eIF4E)和血管内皮生长因子 C(VEGF C)的表达及意义.方法应用免疫组织化学技术检测46例大肠癌及20例正常大肠组织中 eIF4E和 VEGF C的表达,同时结合患者的临床病理资料进行分析.结果46例大肠癌组织中的 elF4E和 VEGF C的表达阳性率分别为91.3和76.1%.而正常大肠组织中 elF4E和 VEGF C的表达阳性率分别为10%和20%.eIF4E和 VEGF的表达都与大肠癌患者性别、年龄、肿瘤病理分化程度无明显相关,但与肿瘤浸润深度、临床分期、有无淋巴结转移有关(P<0.05);两者的表达具有正相关(r=0.347,P<0.05).结论 eIF4E和 VEGF C与大肠癌的发生发展密切相关,可作为判断大肠癌侵袭转移及预后的重要指标     

LIM domain only 4 protein promotes granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced signaling in neurons

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is currently in clinical trials to treat neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Here, we tested whether LIM domain only 4 protein (LMO4), a hypoxia-inducible gene that protects neurons from ischemic injury, could modulate the neuroprotective effect of GCSF. We showed that GCSF treatment acetylates and phosphorylates Stat3, activates expression of a Stat3-dependent anti-apoptotic gene, p27, and increases neuron survival from ischemic injury. LMO4 participates in Stat3 signaling in hepatocytes and associates with histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in cancer cells. In the absence of LMO4, GCSF fails to rescue neurons from ischemic insults. In wild-type neurons, inhibition of HDAC promoted Stat3 acetylation and the antiapoptotic effect of GCSF. In LMO4 null cortical neurons, expression of wild-type but not HDAC-interaction-deficient LMO4 restored GCSF-induced Stat3 acetylation and p27 expression. Thus, our results indicate that LMO4 enhances GCSF-induced Stat3 signaling in neurons, in part by sequestering HDAC.     

Changes in transmitter release at frog neuromuscular junction induced by 4-aminopyridine]

4-aminopyridine (4-AP) at micromolar concentrations, increases the end-plate potential amplitude in curarized preparations and the mean quantal content in every preparation tested, but the spontaneous release is not modified by 4-AP. These results can explain the anticurare activity observed in the wole animal or in vitro. 4-AP prolongs the falling phase of the muscle action potential without change in the muscle membrane potential.     

Ca-efflux,from direct membrane injury by CCl4, is elicited by amphiphilic vehicles in vitro

Direct membrane injury by CCl₄, in situations excluding metabolic activation, was evaluated in saponin-permeabilized hepatocytes and in microsomes by measuring immediate Ca²⁺ efflux. A good correlation appears between the Ca²⁺ efflux and the level of CCl₄ in the membrane and also the variations in fluidity. Mixtures of CCl₄ with water-soluble vehicles were used to improve the dispersion of CCl₄ in the medium. The mixtures varied in their ability to elicit the membrane effects of CCl₄. The performance of ethanol and, to a lesser degree, other alcohols, suggests the existence of a water stable structural organization between CCl₄ and these amphiphilic vehicles, facilitating the transfer of CCl₄ to the membrane.     

Correlation between 3′,5′, c-AMP levels and thyrotropin in separated rat pituitary thyrotropic cells

Summary The correlation between 3,5, c-AMP levels, TSH content and secretion of separated thyrotropic cells was studied. Incubation of the separated cells with 1, 10 and 100 ng of TRH does not change the 3,5, c-AMP levels, despite the significant rises of the TSH level. Dibutyryl c-AMP causes rise in TSH content, with no indication of its secretion. PGE₂ 10^–5 increased 3, 5, c-AMP levels with no change in the content or secretion of TSH in separated thyrotropic cells.     

The molecular role of the Rothmund-Thomson-, RAPADILINO- and Baller-Gerold-gene product, RECQL4: recent progress

The RecQ family of DNA helicases is highly conserved throughout evolution and plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability in all organisms. Mutations in three of the five known family members in humans, BLM, WRN and RECQL4, give rise to disorders that are characterized by predisposition to cancer and premature aging, emphasizing the importance of studying the RecQ proteins and their cellular activities. Interestingly, three autosomal recessive disorders have been associated with mutations in the RECQL4 gene: Rothmund-Thomson, RAPADILINO, and Baller-Gerold syndromes, thus making RECQL4 unique within the RecQ family of DNA helicases. To date, however, the molecular function of RECQL4 and the possible cellular pathways in which it is involved remain poorly understood. Here, we present an overview of recent findings in connection with RECQL4 and try to highlight different directions the field could head, helping to clarify the role of RECQL4 in preventing tumorigenesis and maintenance of genome integrity in humans. Received 31 October 2006; received after revision 4 January 2007; accepted 5 February 2007