Helicobacter pylori CagA targets PAR1/MARK kinase to disrupt epithelial cell polarity

Helicobacter pylori cagA-positive strains are associated with gastritis, ulcerations and gastric adenocarcinoma. CagA is delivered into gastric epithelial cells and, on tyrosine phosphorylation, specifically binds and activates the SHP2 oncoprotein, thereby inducing the formation of an elongated cell shape known as the 'hummingbird' phenotype. In polarized epithelial cells, CagA also disrupts the tight junction and causes loss of apical-basolateral polarity. We show here that H. pylori CagA specifically interacts with PAR1/MARK kinase, which has an essential role in epithelial cell polarity. Association of CagA inhibits PAR1 kinase activity and prevents atypical protein kinase C (aPKC)-mediated PAR1 phosphorylation, which dissociates PAR1 from the membrane, collectively causing junctional and polarity defects. Because of the multimeric nature of PAR1 (ref. 14), PAR1 also promotes CagA multimerization, which stabilizes the CagA-SHP2 interaction. Furthermore, induction of the hummingbird phenotype by CagA-activated SHP2 requires simultaneous inhibition of PAR1 kinase activity by CagA. Thus, the CagA-PAR1 interaction not only elicits the junctional and polarity defects but also promotes the morphogenetic activity of CagA. Our findings revealed that PAR1 is a key target of H. pylori CagA in the disorganization of gastric epithelial architecture underlying mucosal damage, inflammation and carcinogenesis.     

Cloning of adiponectin receptors that mediate antidiabetic metabolic effects

Adiponectin (also known as 30-kDa adipocyte complement-related protein; Acrp30) is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that acts as an antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic adipokine. Levels of adiponectin in the blood are decreased under conditions of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Administration of adiponectin causes glucose-lowering effects and ameliorates insulin resistance in mice. Conversely, adiponectin-deficient mice exhibit insulin resistance and diabetes. This insulin-sensitizing effect of adiponectin seems to be mediated by an increase in fatty-acid oxidation through activation of AMP kinase and PPAR-alpha. Here we report the cloning of complementary DNAs encoding adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) by expression cloning. AdipoR1 is abundantly expressed in skeletal muscle, whereas AdipoR2 is predominantly expressed in the liver. These two adiponectin receptors are predicted to contain seven transmembrane domains, but to be structurally and functionally distinct from G-protein-coupled receptors. Expression of AdipoR1/R2 or suppression of AdipoR1/R2 expression by small-interfering RNA supports our conclusion that they serve as receptors for globular and full-length adiponectin, and that they mediate increased AMP kinase and PPAR-alpha ligand activities, as well as fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake by adiponectin.     

Accumulation of phenylpropanoids in the rectal glands of males of the Oriental fruit fly,Dacus dorsalis

Summary Two phenylpropanoid compounds, 2-allyl-4,5-dimethoxyphenol(II) and coniferyl alcohol(III), were characterized from body tissue of wild males of the Oriental fruit fly,Dacus dorsalis. These compounds accumulated in the rectal glands only when laboratory-reared males were fed with methyl eugenol. Compound II was released into the air during dusk, which coincides with the fly courtship period. Pheromonal and allomonal effects of the phenylpropanoids were examined.     

Synergistic effect of rabbit specific antiserum and amikacin on the treatment of mice with lethal infection due toKlebsiella pneumoniae

Summary A combination of rabbit specific antiserum and amikacin showed a synergistic effect on the treatment of mice with lethal infections due to a strain ofKlebsiella pneumoniae.     

Changes in dopamineβ-hydroxylase activity of monkey plasma with age

Summary Plasma dopamine -hydroxylase activity of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata) increased with age, and the developmental changes were similar to those of human beings. However, the adult level plasma DBH activity of various monkey species was much lower than that of human beings.We thank Dr.K. Nozawa, Dr.O. Takenaka and Mr.T. Shotake (Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University) for their help in collecting monkey blood samples.     

Structural basis for specific cleavage of Lys 63-linked polyubiquitin chains

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) remove ubiquitin from conjugated substrates to regulate various cellular processes. The Zn(2+)-dependent DUBs AMSH and AMSH-LP regulate receptor trafficking by specifically cleaving Lys 63-linked polyubiquitin chains from internalized receptors. Here we report the crystal structures of the human AMSH-LP DUB domain alone and in complex with a Lys 63-linked di-ubiquitin at 1.2 A and 1.6 A resolutions, respectively. The AMSH-LP DUB domain consists of a Zn(2+)-coordinating catalytic core and two characteristic insertions, Ins-1 and Ins-2. The distal ubiquitin interacts with Ins-1 and the core, whereas the proximal ubiquitin interacts with Ins-2 and the core. The core and Ins-1 form a catalytic groove that accommodates the Lys 63 side chain of the proximal ubiquitin and the isopeptide-linked carboxy-terminal tail of the distal ubiquitin. This is the first reported structure of a DUB in complex with an isopeptide-linked ubiquitin chain, which reveals the mechanism for Lys 63-linkage-specific deubiquitination by AMSH family members.