Cdc42的生物活性

Cdc42是Rho家族蛋白(Rho GTPase)中的一种,是Rho家族中研究得较多的一个,具有GTP酶活性。Cdc42参与细胞周期调控和基因转录的调节,在调节细胞骨架、肿瘤表达、细胞极性等方面发挥重要作用。     

水稻OsRacD与OsRhoGDI2基因共表达载体的构建

水稻OsRacD是从水稻幼穗中分离的Rho基因,OsRhoGDI2是通过酵母双杂交筛选到的与OsRacD相互作用蛋白的编码基因,已有的研究表明OsRacD与OsRhoGDI2之间可能存在相互作用,并参与水稻育性调控过程.为了鉴定二者的相互作用,本研究构建了OsRacD与OsRhoGDI2基因共表达载体,为采用免疫共沉淀验证二者在体内的相互作用,解析OsRacD与OsRhoGDI2基因参与水稻育性控制的分子机制奠定了基础.     

子宫内膜异位症小鼠差异蛋白组学研究

利用所构建的BALB/c小鼠子宫内膜异位症(EMs)模型,通过对正常和EMs小鼠在位子宫内膜样品双向电泳图谱的比较,找到61个差异较明显的蛋白质斑点,结合质谱分析技术和数据库信息检索最终鉴定出23个蛋白,包括11个调控蛋白、4个信号转导相关蛋白、1个代谢相关蛋白、5个膜联蛋白、1个细胞骨架蛋白和1个RNA解旋酶.将蛋白质组学技术应用于EMs的研究,可以从分子水平探索EMs的发病机理,对EMs的诊断及治疗具有重要意义.本研究结果为进一步探索EMs发病机理提供实验基础,同时也为寻找该病早期诊断的标志物和治疗的靶点提供理论依据.     

CRMPs对神经元突起生长的调控

神经元突起是建立神经网络的物质基础,其生长为生长信号启动胞内信号促使神经元不断极化的过程.作为Rho GTPases的下游信号,CRMPs富集于神经系统,参与神经元的发育过程,可作为不同信号通路的共同受体后分子,通过改变细胞骨架的运动调控突起生长.其不同亚基的功能分化、不同亲和性特点显示其具有突起生长调控的分子开关特征...     

植物激素调控籽粒大小的研究进展

植物种子的大小和品质是影响农作物产量的主要因素之一,研究控制种子籽粒大小发育的相关因素,对提高农作物产量具有重要意义.近年通过分析种子发育缺陷突变体或QTL等分子遗传学的方法,发现许多控制种子发育的重要基因影响着种子的大小和产量.对模式植物拟南芥和水稻的研究发现,许多调控种子发育的功能基因通过整合到植物激素的代谢或信号转导途径起作用,说明植物激素在调控籽粒发育中发挥重要作用,但有关作用的分子机理及其遗传调控网络待阐明.该文以模式植物拟南芥和水稻种子发育研究为例,着重介绍植物激素调控种子籽粒大小调控的研究进展.     

细胞动力学研究进展与展望

细胞是生命活动的最小单元,其功能可塑性及动力学特征是维系生命个体健康及物种繁衍的重要保证.在分子水平,细胞可塑性与动力学特征受遗传学及表观遗传学的调控.随着基因组计划的顺利完成及我们对细胞增殖重要蛋白质作用网络生物化学特征研究的成功实施,表示细胞重要生命活动过程中功能分子的动力学特征及其调控机制显得日益重要.组建中国科学技术大学细胞动力学实验室旨在纳米尺度揭示细胞重要生命活动全过程的详尽全息分子调控机制.在过去的几年中,已取得了动点蛋白质网络研究的阶段性进展,动点蛋白复合物组分剖析、功能评估、蛋白质作用动力学及可塑性研究等方面均取得了具有特色的成绩.目前,拟在纳米尺度评估动点组装的时空动力学调控机制.相信在未来的日子里,细胞动力学实验室的创新性成果能够综合集成,并为人口与健康领域的重大命题提供相关的解答方案与技术平台.     

Era蛋白(E.coli ras-like protein)——一个可能参与真、原核细胞信号调控的新分子开关

充足的证据表明:G蛋白作为真核细胞的重要分子开关参与细胞的增殖调控以及部分代谢调控过程。而近年来在大肠杆菌中新发现的Era蛋白(E.coli ras-like protein)则是与已知的三聚体G蛋白和小分子G蛋白不同的一种新的GTP结合蛋白。进一步的研究发现该类GTP结合蛋白不仅存在于原核的大肠杆菌中,而且在高等植物、人类细胞中均含有该蛋白的同源蛋白。大肠杆菌的Era蛋白主要位于细胞膜的内侧,在细胞质中也有一定的分布;真核细胞ERA(ERG)蛋白来源于原核细胞,定位于线粒体或叶绿体上。ERA或ERG蛋白有可能担负着与其它两类G蛋白同样重要的分子开关功能。已有的研究表明,Era蛋白参与调节原核生物的细胞分裂、细胞周期以及部分细胞代谢过程;在哺乳动物细胞中,ERA的同源蛋白可能与细胞周期的G1期调控以及细胞凋亡有关;真核植物中相关研究报道尚少,推测该蛋白可能与种子的正常发育有关。     

嗜水气单胞菌Ⅲ型分泌系统研究进展

主要对嗜水气单胞菌Ⅲ型分泌系统、效应蛋白及其致病机理等方面的研究进展进行了综述.细菌分泌系统的发现是近年来细菌致病机制研究的重要进展,许多革兰氏阴性细菌借助于细菌的分泌系统,分泌出毒性因子和效应蛋白,与寄主进行分子交流.     

单分子表面增强光谱

单分子表面增强光谱的研究不仅对揭示分子与金属纳米结构的相互作用的物理机制具有重要意义, 而且具有重要的应用前景. 本文主要结合我们在单分子表面增强拉曼散射方面的研究工作, 介绍了单分子表面增强拉曼散射的研究进展, 包括增强机理、与入射光偏振的关系、多颗粒体系中对拉曼散射光的偏振调控、单分子表面增强拉曼散射中的光学力问题及单分子表面增强拉曼散射的远程激发, 并简要介绍了单分子针尖增强拉曼散射和单分子表面增强荧光.     

人横纹肌肉瘤细胞中RGS4基因表达受表观遗传调控的研究

RGS蛋白是G蛋白信号途径的关键调节分子之一,RGS蛋白的异常表达与多种恶性肿瘤的发展相关,其中RGS4蛋白的作用鲜有报道。横纹肌肉瘤是儿童最常见的起源于原始间叶组织的恶性肿瘤,临床病例中比较常见。以培养不同代数的横纹肌肉瘤RD细胞系为材料,分别利用RT-PCR技术及Western blot技术分析了5-Aza和TSA处理下的RGS4基因mRNA水平及蛋白质水平的表达量。同时利用ChIP试验明确了RGS4基因启动子区域结合的调控蛋白。试验结果显示RGS4基因的表达存在着表观遗传调控机理,受到甲基化和乙酰化的调控,MeCP2和HDAC2分别参与RGS4基因的DNA甲基化和组蛋白乙酰化调控,研究结果表明RGS4基因的表达与横纹肌肉瘤的产生相关,本试验为进一步研究横纹肌肉瘤的产生机理奠定了基础。     

Cloning and characterization of a new actin gene from Oryza sativa L.

Using Rho family member osRACD as bait, a new member of actin gene family -Act was isolated from Oryza sativa by yeast two-hybrid system. The full-length cDNA was cloned with 5' RACE technology, which contains an open reading frame of 1134 bp with a predicted protein of 377 amino acids. Sequence alignment revealed 96% to 81.8% identities with some known actin proteins in plants. The method of bioinformatics was used to analyze the protein modification sites, structure and evolution of the gene. Southern blot analysis showed that Act is a single-copy gene in the genome. The result of RT-PCR showed it is ubiquitously expressed in root, shoot, callus and panicle in a temporal fashion. The relationship between Rho family and actin family in evolution and function was also studied.     

A new family of RhoGEFs activates the Rop molecular switch in plants

In plants, the small GTP-binding proteins called Rops work as signalling switches that control growth, development and plant responses to various environmental stimuli. Rop proteins (Rho of plants, Rac-like and AtRac in Arabidopsis thaliana) belong to the Rho family of Ras-related GTP-binding proteins that turn on signalling pathways by switching from a GDP-bound inactive to a GTP-bound active conformation. Activation depends on guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that catalyse the otherwise slow GDP dissociation for subsequent GTP binding. Although numerous RhoGEFs exist in animals and yeasts, no Rop-specific GEFs have yet been identified in plants and so Rop activation has remained elusive. Here we describe a new family of RhoGEF proteins that are exclusive to plants. We define a unique domain within these RopGEFs, termed PRONE (plant-specific Rop nucleotide exchanger), which is exclusively active towards members of the Rop subfamily. It increases nucleotide dissociation from Rop more than a thousand-fold and forms a tight complex with nucleotide-free Rop. RopGEFs may represent the missing link in signal transduction from receptor kinases to Rops and their identification has implications for the evolution of the Rho molecular switch.     

过量维甲酸对小鼠胚胎神经管RhoA和Rac1表达的影响

目的:探讨过量维甲酸(RA)对小鼠胚胎神经管Rho A、Rac 1蛋白表达的影响.方法:应用免疫组织化学染色和图像分析方法检测Rho A、Rac 1蛋白的表达,分析在正常对照组和实验组小鼠胚胎神经管上皮的分布状况和表达水平的变化.结果:在各正常对照组和实验组,Rho A在神经管腔面、神经上皮细胞的细胞膜以及胞质均呈不同程度的阳性着色;比较有趣的是,在两侧神经褶靠拢的部位,Rho A的表达水平较神经管其它部位要强.统计学显示:Rho A在正常神经管的表达有时间依赖性;而且与正常对照组相比,其在实验组的表达水平明显高于正常对照组.在正常对照组,Rac 1的表达随着孕龄的增加在减弱;在各实验组,Rac1的表达都是阴性的.结论:过量RA会导致胚胎神经管Rho A和Rac1的表达异常,这两种蛋白与过量维甲酸致神经管畸形有关.     

The structural basis of Arfaptin-mediated cross-talk between Rac and Arf signalling pathways

Small G proteins are GTP-dependent molecular switches that regulate numerous cellular functions. They can be classified into homologous subfamilies that are broadly associated with specific biological processes. Cross-talk between small G-protein families has an important role in signalling, but the mechanism by which it occurs is poorly understood. The coordinated action of Arf and Rho family GTPases is required to regulate many cellular processes including lipid signalling, cell motility and Golgi function. Arfaptin is a ubiquitously expressed protein implicated in mediating cross-talk between Rac (a member of the Rho family) and Arf small GTPases. Here we show that Arfaptin binds specifically to GTP-bound Arf1 and Arf6, but binds to Rac.GTP and Rac.GDP with similar affinities. The X-ray structure of Arfaptin reveals an elongated, crescent-shaped dimer of three-helix coiled-coils. Structures of Arfaptin with Rac bound to either GDP or the slowly hydrolysable analogue GMPPNP show that the switch regions adopt similar conformations in both complexes. Our data highlight fundamental differences between the molecular mechanisms of Rho and Ras family signalling, and suggest a model of Arfaptin-mediated synergy between the Arf and Rho family signalling pathways.     

Rho激酶抑制剂治疗急性心肌梗死血清炎症因子的变化及疗效观察

目的给予急性心肌梗死患者早期应用Rho激酶抑制剂,测查其血清炎症因子IL-6,TNF-a,NO的变化情况,并以此为依据,观察Rho激酶抑制剂临床治疗效果.方法选择同期收治的未接受冠脉介入治疗的急性心肌梗死患者50例.随机分为治疗组和常规组,各25例.两组均给予硝酸甘油、硫酸氢氯吡格雷、辛伐他丁等常规治疗.治疗组在常规治疗的基础上静脉滴注盐酸法舒地尔30 mg,2次/d,10 d为1个疗程,观察患者血清炎症因子IL-6,TNF-a,NO浓度变化.结果加用法舒地尔的治疗组患者血清炎症因子IL-6,TNF-a浓度下降,NO浓度增高,均比常规组明显,且患者心功能检测治疗组改善更明显.结论 Rho激酶抑制剂治疗急性心肌梗死能够更有效地保护心肌细胞,降低炎症因子对心肌细胞的损伤,对改善患者心功能有显著效果.     

Structural and mechanistic insights into the interaction between Rho and mammalian Dia

Formins are involved in a variety of cellular processes that require the remodelling of the cytoskeleton. They contain formin homology domains FH1 and FH2, which initiate actin assembly. The Diaphanous-related formins form a subgroup that is characterized by an amino-terminal Rho GTPase-binding domain (GBD) and an FH3 domain, which bind somehow to the carboxy-terminal Diaphanous autoregulatory domain (DAD) to keep the protein in an inactive conformation. Upon binding of activated Rho proteins, the DAD is released and the ability of the formin to nucleate and elongate unbranched actin filaments is induced. Here we present the crystal structure of RhoC in complex with the regulatory N terminus of mammalian Diaphanous 1 (mDia1) containing the GBD/FH3 region, an all-helical structure with armadillo repeats. Rho uses its 'switch' regions for interacting with two subdomains of GBD/FH3. We show that the FH3 domain of mDia1 forms a stable dimer and we also identify the DAD-binding site. Although binding of Rho and DAD on the N-terminal fragment of mDia1 are mutually exclusive, their binding sites are only partially overlapping. On the basis of our results, we propose a structural model for the regulation of mDia1 by Rho and DAD.     

Crystal structure of Rac1 in complex with the guanine nucleotide exchange region of Tiam1

The principal guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho family G proteins contain tandem Dbl-homology (DH) and pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains that catalyse nucleotide exchange and the activation of G proteins. Here we have determined the crystal structure of the DH and PH domains of the T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis factor 1 (Tiam1) protein in complex with its cognate Rho family G protein, Rac1. The two switch regions of Rac1 are stabilized in conformations that disrupt both magnesium binding and guanine nucleotide interaction. The resulting cleft in Rac1 is devoid of nucleotide and highly exposed to solvent. The PH domain of Tiam1 does not contact Rac1, and the position and orientation of the PH domain is markedly altered relative to the structure of the uncomplexed, GTPase-free DH/PH element from Sos1. The Tiam1/Rac1 structure highlights the interactions that catalyse nucleotide exchange on Rho family G proteins, and illustrates structural determinants dictating specificity between individual Rho family members and their associated Dbl-related guanine nucleotide exchange factors.     

维药异常黑胆质成熟剂对人肝癌HepG2细胞生物行为和Rho/ROCK信号通路的影响

 为探讨维药异常黑胆质成熟剂(ASM)对人肝癌细胞(HepG2)增殖、侵袭转移的影响及Rho/ROCK 信号传导通路相关蛋白表达影响,采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MMT)法检测不同浓度ASM(10、20、25、50 mg/mL)和10 μmol/L Y-27632 作用24、48、72 h后,对HepG2 细胞增殖的影响;采用扫描电镜技术和细胞侵袭实验测定ASM 不同剂量组和10 μmol/L Y-27632 作用24 h 癌细胞侵袭运动能力,Western Blot 检测ASM 不同剂量组和10 μmol/L Y-27632 作用24 h 癌细胞RhoA、ROCK1、ROCK2 的表达。结果显示,ASM 对肝癌细胞增殖有明显抑制作用,且表现为有明显的剂量效应关系:在10、20 mg/mL ASM 剂量组,ASM 药物作用24、48、72 h 后,HepG2 细胞增殖抑制作用随时间的延长而抑制增加,而25、50 mg/mL 剂量组,ASM 抑制细胞增殖作用不明显;ASM 抑制瘤细胞侵袭运动能力,扫描电镜结果显示ASM 抑制肿瘤细胞伪足的生长,ASM 中高剂量组ROCK1、ROCK2 的表达明显降低,RhoA 表达无明显变化。由此推论,ASM 对人肝癌细胞生长增殖和侵袭运动能力有抑制作用,其机制可能与ROCK酶表达降低有关。     

绿茶提取物EGCG治疗乳腺癌分子机制的生物信息学分析

在PubChem数据库中查找绿茶提取物茶多酚(EGCG)活性靶蛋白,从Gene数据库中查找乳腺癌相关基因,运用Ingenuity Pathway Analysis(IPA)软件,构建二者信号通路和分子网络并进行分析.结果显示:二者共同作用的通路有235条,排在前面的主要是癌症分子机制通路、炎症反应通路、糖皮质激素受体信号通路、NF-κB信号通路;共同的分子网络有5个,也主要体现在"转录后修饰与调控,细胞生长、发育,DNA的复制、重组、修复,细胞死亡与生存"等生物学功能上.