Apoptotic cell death induced by c-myc is inhibited by bcl-2.

Apoptosis is a form of physiological cell death, characterized by chromatin condensation, cytoplasmic blebbing and DNA fragmentation, which often depends on RNA and protein synthesis by the dying cell. The c-myc proto-oncogene, usually implicated in cell transformation, differentiation and cell-cycle progression also has a central role in some forms of apoptosis. These opposing roles of myc in cell growth and death require that other gene products dictate the outcome of c-Myc expression on a cell. A candidate for such a modifying gene is bcl-2, whose product prolongs cell survival and blocks apoptosis in some systems. Here we demonstrate that Bcl-2 prevents apoptotic death induced by c-Myc, provide a mechanism whereby cells can express c-Myc without undergoing apoptosis, and give a possible explanation for the ability of Bcl-2 to synergize with c-Myc in cell transformation.     

转录因子E2F—1的DNA结合结构域与GST的融合表达和纯化

通过聚合酶链式反应方法扩增转录因子Ｅ２Ｆ－１中ＤＮＡ结合结构域的基因片段,并将其克隆到ｐＧＥＸ－２Ｔ表达载体中,转化ＢＬ２１菌株．经ＩＰＴＧ诱导,目的蛋白在大肠杆菌中得到高效表达,其表达量达１５％．经ＧＳＴ－Ａｇａｒｏｓｅ亲合层析,目的蛋白得到了高度纯化．经胶迁移率改变实验（ｇｅｌｓｈｉｆｔｍｏｂｉｌｉｔｙａｓａｙ）证明目的蛋白具有与腺病毒Ｅ２启动子ＤＮＡ片段结合的能力．     

A common function for polyoma virus large-T and papillomavirus E1 proteins?

Nucleotide sequencing has revealed a common genetic organization for three papillomaviruses: BPV-1 (bovine papillomavirus type 1), HPV-1 (human papillomavirus type 1a) and HPV-6 (human papillomavirus type 6b). Several open reading frames, corresponding to as yet uncharacterized proteins, were observed in these genomes in the region that is required for oncogenic transformation by BPV-1 and for plasmidial maintenance of its genome. The longest of these frames, E1, is also the most conserved between the three viruses; we have compared the amino acid sequence of its putative product ('E1 protein') with those of the large-T proteins of three polyoma viruses and report here significant homologies in their carboxy-terminal halves, extending for over 200 amino acids. Moreover, similar secondary structures were predicted in this region, especially in two blocks of homologous residues, which correspond in the large-T proteins of polyoma and simian virus 40 (SV40) viruses to sites involved in the ATPase and nucleotide-binding activities. These observations suggest that the papillomavirus E1 proteins might have a function in common with the polyoma virus large-T proteins (which are required for the initiation of viral DNA replication). As it was suggested recently that the E1 gene product is involved in maintaining the BPV-1 genome as a plasmid in transformed cells, we speculate that the structural features conserved in these otherwise very different viruses are general characteristics of eukaryotic proteins involved in the control of DNA replication.     

Dephosphorylation and activation of Xenopus p34cdc2 protein kinase during the cell cycle

Genetic studies in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have established that a critical element required for the G2----M-phase transition in the cell cycle is encoded by the cdc2+ gene. The product of this gene is a serine/threonine protein kinase, designated p34cdc, that is highly conserved functionally from yeast to man2 and has a relative molecular mass of 34,000 (34 K). Purified maturation-promoting factor (MPF) is a complex of p34cdc2 and a 45K substrate that appears in late G2 phase and is sufficient to drive cells into mitosis. This factor has been identified in all eukaryotic cells, and in vitro histone H1 is the preferred substrate for phosphorylation. The increase in the activity of H1 kinase in M-phase is associated with a large increase in total cell protein phosphorylation which is believed to be a consequence of MPF activation. We show here that the H1 kinase activity of p34cdc2 oscillates during the cell cycle in Xenopus, and maximal activity correlates with the dephosphorylated state of p34cdc2. Direct inactivation of MPF in vitro is accompanied by phosphorylation of p34cdc2 and reduction of its protein kinase activity.     

细胞外信号调节激酶1/2信号通路在小鼠T细胞增殖、周期和活化中的作用

目的:探讨细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)信号通路在小鼠T淋巴细胞增殖、周期和活化中的作用.方法:分离小鼠淋巴结细胞,藉多克隆刺激剂刀豆蛋白(ConA)或佛波醇酯(PDB)加离子霉素(Ion)刺激,流式细胞术分析ERK1/2信号通路的特异性阻断剂PD98059对小鼠T淋巴细胞增殖、周期和活化的影响.结果:活体染料羧基荧光素乙酰乙酸染色分析显示,不同浓度(5、10、20、30、40 μmol/L)的PD98059对ConA诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖具有明显的抑制作用,呈现剂量依赖关系(r=0.985,P＜0.01).碘化丙锭染色分析表明,PD98059可阻止ConA刺激的T淋巴细胞进入S期和G2/M期,PD98059对PDB Ion刺激的T淋巴细胞细胞周期的影响与ConA刺激相似,不同的是S期和G2/M期的变化较ConA作用更显著.荧光标记单克隆抗体染色显示,不同浓度的PD98059仅能轻微影响T淋巴细胞表面活化标志CD69和CD25的表达.结论:PD98059对小鼠T淋巴细胞的增殖有明显抑制作用,并阻止其进入S期和G2/M期,但不能明显抑制小鼠T淋巴细胞的早期和中期活化.     

Genomic analysis of increased host immune and cell death responses induced by 1918 influenza virus

The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 was responsible for about 50 million deaths worldwide. Modern histopathological analysis of autopsy samples from human influenza cases from 1918 revealed significant damage to the lungs with acute, focal bronchitis and alveolitis associated with massive pulmonary oedema, haemorrhage and rapid destruction of the respiratory epithelium. The contribution of the host immune response leading to this severe pathology remains largely unknown. Here we show, in a comprehensive analysis of the global host response induced by the 1918 influenza virus, that mice infected with the reconstructed 1918 influenza virus displayed an increased and accelerated activation of host immune response genes associated with severe pulmonary pathology. We found that mice infected with a virus containing all eight genes from the pandemic virus showed marked activation of pro-inflammatory and cell-death pathways by 24 h after infection that remained unabated until death on day 5. This was in contrast with smaller host immune responses as measured at the genomic level, accompanied by less severe disease pathology and delays in death in mice infected with influenza viruses containing only subsets of 1918 genes. The results indicate a cooperative interaction between the 1918 influenza genes and show that study of the virulence of the 1918 influenza virus requires the use of the fully reconstructed virus. With recent concerns about the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses into humans and their potential to cause a worldwide pandemic with disastrous health and economic consequences, a comprehensive understanding of the global host response to the 1918 virus is crucial. Moreover, understanding the contribution of host immune responses to virulent influenza virus infections is an important starting point for the identification of prognostic indicators and the development of novel antiviral therapies.     

Neural cell adhesion molecules and myelin-associated glycoprotein share a common carbohydrate moiety recognized by monoclonal antibodies L2 and HNK-1

Cell surface molecules have been implicated in cell interactions which underlie formation of the nervous system. The analysis of the functional properties of such molecules has profited from the combined use of antibodies and cell culture systems. It has been suggested that the interplay between these molecules modulates cell-to-cell interaction at critical developmental stages. In the mouse, N-CAM and L1 antigen have been shown to mediate Ca2+-independent adhesion among neural cells. N-CAM plays a role in fasciculation of neurites and formation of neuromuscular junction. L1 is apparently not involved in synaptogenesis, but in migration of granule cell neurones in the developing mouse cerebellar cortex. The two antigens are distinct molecular and functional entities which act synergistically in aggregation of neuroblastoma and early postnatal cerebellar cells. In view of a certain similarity in function between the two groups of molecules, it was not surprising to find that structural similarities are detectable by the monoclonal antibody L2. We show here that a carbohydrate moiety recognized by L2 and HNK-1 monoclonal antibodies, is present in mouse N-CAM and L1. The L2 epitope appears on all major neural cell types but not all N-CAM molecules express it. This heterogeneity points to a previously undetected molecular diversity which may have functional implications for modulating cell adhesion during development.     

S100A8 mediates the activation of P65/HLA-B/S100A8/BCL-2/Caspase-9 (-3) pathway in laryngeal carcinogenesis

S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100A8),a possible novel member of NF-kappa B signal pathway in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC),interacts with human leukocyte antigen B (HLA-B) which carries an NF-kappa B binding site within the enhancer A. The objective of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of S100A8 in laryngeal carcinogenesis. RT-PCR,Western blotting and immuno-histochemistry staining were applied to evaluate the expression levels of IKKα,P65,REL-B,S100A8,APAF-1 and BCL-2 genes. The signal transduction passway in which S100A8 might participate was explored by RNA interference. Flow cytometry,TUNEL assay and cell invasion in vitro were used to detect the biological behavior of Hep2 cells induced by S100A8 gene. Our results showed that high expression of S100A8 was related to tumorigenesis in LSCC and negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation,indicating that S100A8 gene could inhibit apoptosis and promote metastasis in LSCC. Additionally,the suppression of S100A8 by RNA interference down-regulated BCL-2 but not APAF-1,P65 and IKKα,while,the suppression of P65 could significantly down-regulate the expression of S100A8 gene. In conclusion,S100A8 plays an important role in P65/HLA-B/S100A8/BCL-2/Caspase-9 (-3) pathway in laryngeal carcinoma.     

A unique set of polypeptides is induced by gamma interferon in addition to those induced in common with alpha and beta interferons

Human immune interferon (IFN-gamma) differs from leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha) and fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) in cell origin, inducing agents, physical and biological properties and amino acid sequence. These differences have led to interest in possible differences in the biological properties of IFN-gamma compared with IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. IFN-gamma has the same broad range of biochemical and biological actions as do IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, although relative potencies vary depending on the cell type and function investigated. There has so far been no direct evidence that IFN-gamma alters normal cell functions differently from other interferons. We report here striking qualitative and quantitative differences in the intracellular response of human fibroblasts to IFN-gamma compared with IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrates, in addition to the induction of a common group of polypeptides, the existence of a set of polypeptides whose synthesis is uniquely induced by IFN-gamma.     

The apoptosis and cell cycle changes of SUD4 and DOHH2 induced by topotecan

Topotecan (TPT), a semisynthetic analogue of the natural product camptothecin is a cell cycle-specific drug with antitumor activity. To clarify the effect of TPT on SUD4 and DOHH2 cell line in this study, we examined the apoptosis and cell cycle changes of the two human cancer cell lines by exposing to TPT for 18 hours at various concentrations. The linear relationship between apoptosis cell number and the concentration of TPT was observed by means of Flow Cytometry and Annexin V assay. Then, DOHH2 cell is much more sensitive to TPT than SUD4 cell. In addition, Cell Question Software Assay showed positive relationship between the frequency of cells accumulated in S-phase and the concentration of TPT. The least concentration of TPT to change cell cycle is 5 nmol·L⁻¹ in both cell lines. These results suggest that the inducing apoptosis of cancer cells is one of mechanism of TPT antitumor activity. Feng Xiaorong: born in 1965, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Engaging in Cell and Molecular Biology.     

紫杉醇对低分化鼻咽癌细胞株CNE-2生长凋亡的影响及Survivin mRNA的表达变化

目的:探讨紫杉醇对低分化的鼻咽癌细胞株CNE-2生长抑制率、凋亡的影响以及凋亡抑制基因Survivin的变化.方法:通过MTT法计算紫杉醇作用CNE-2细胞后的生长抑制率,通过流式细胞仪检测紫杉醇对CNE-2细胞凋亡及细胞周期的影响并应用One Step RT-PCR法检测Survivin mRNA表达的变化.结果:观察到CNE-2细胞对紫杉醇具有时间和剂量的依赖性.10-9～10-7 mol·L-1的紫杉醇作用后,随着时间的增加,细胞的凋亡率也明显增加.低浓度的紫杉醇(10-9～10-8 mol·L-1)作用细胞后,并没有出现G2/M期的累积.而当浓度达到10-7 mol·L-1作用24 h后便出现明显的G2/M期阻滞,但48 h后这种阻滞又出现下降.CNE-2细胞被高浓度的紫杉醇(10-7～10-6 mol·L-1)作用24 h后,Survivin mRNA的表达反而显著增加(P＜0.05),低浓度紫杉醇则对Survivin mRNA的表达无影响.10-7 mol·L-1紫杉醇作用CNE-2细胞后,Survivin mRNA表达明显增加并持续到48 h,72 h后则又降至对照组水平.结论:紫杉醇作用CNE-2细胞后可以出现早期明显的G2/M期累积,这种现象可能与Survivin基因表达上调有一定关系.     

吴茱萸碱调控微管蛋白聚集阻滞HepG -2细胞周期

研究吴茱萸碱对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的细胞周期阻滞作用及其机制.MTT法检测吴茱萸碱(Evodiamine)对人肝癌HepG-2细胞的细胞毒作用;流式细胞仪分析吴茱萸碱对HepG-2细胞周期的影响;免疫荧光染色法,经激光共聚焦显微镜( CLSM)观察检测吴茱萸碱对HepG-2细胞内微管蛋白α-tubulin聚合形态的影...     

Dephosphorylation and activation of a p34cdc2/cyclin B complex in vitro by human CDC25 protein.

Oocytes arrested in the G2 phase of the cell cycle contain a p34cdc2/cyclin B complex which is kept in an inactive form by phosphorylation of its p34cdc2 subunit on tyrosine, threonine and perhaps serine residues. The phosphatase(s) involved in p34cdc2 dephosphorylation is unknown, but the product of the fission yeast cdc25+ gene, and its homologues in budding yeast and Drosophila are probably positive regulators of the transition from G2 to M phase. We have purified the inactive p34cdc2/cyclin B complex from G2-arrested starfish oocytes. Addition of the purified bacterially expressed product of the human homologue of the fission yeast cdc25+ gene (p54CDC25H) triggers p34cdc2 dephosphorylation and activates H1 histone kinase activity in this preparation. We propose that the cdc25+ gene product directly activates the p34cdc2-cyclin B complex.