Purinergic regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis

Chemotaxis allows polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to rapidly reach infected and inflamed sites. However, excessive influx of PMN damages host tissues. Better knowledge of the mechanisms that control PMN chemotaxis may lead to improved treatments of inflammatory diseases. Recent findings suggest that ATP and adenosine are involved in PMN chemotaxis. Therefore, these purinergic signaling processes may be suitable targets for novel therapeutic approaches to ameliorate host tissue damage.     

Mechanisms of synaptic depression triggered by metabotropic glutamate receptors

Glutamate, by activation of metabotropic receptors (mGluRs), can lead to a reduction of synaptic efficacy at many synapses. These forms of synaptic plasticity are referred to as long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). We will distinguish between mGluR-LTD induced by pre- or postsynaptic receptors and mGluR-LTD induced by the locus of the expression mechanism of the synaptic depression. We will also review recent evidence that mGluR-mediated responses themselves are subject to depression, which may constitute a form of metaplasticity. Received 13 May 2008; received after revision 07 July 2008; accepted 11 July 2008     

Molecular and structural effects of inverse agonistic mutations on signaling of the thyrotropin receptor – a basally active GPCR

Several mutations that decrease the basal signaling activity of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with pathogenic implications are known. Here we study the molecular mechanisms responsible for this phenotype and investigate how basal and further activated receptor conformations are interrelated. In the basally active thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) we combined spatially-distant mutations with opposing effects on basal activity in double-mutations and characterized mutant basal and TSH induced signaling. Mutations lowering basal activity always have a suppressive influence on TSH induced signaling and on constitutively activating mutations (CAMs). Our results suggest that the conformation of a basally ‘silenced’ GPCR might impair its intrinsic capacity for signaling compared to the wild-type. Striking differences in conformation and intramolecular interactions between TSHR models built using the crystal structures of inactive rhodopsin and partially active opsin help illuminate the molecular details underlying mutations decreasing basal activity. G. Kleinau, H. Jaeschke: These two authors contributed equally to this work. Received 31 July 2008; received after revision 12 September 2008; accepted 19 September 2008     

The innate immunity of the central nervous system in chronic pain: The role of Toll-like receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that mediate innate immune responses to stimuli from pathogens or endogenous signals. Under various pathological conditions, the central nervous system (CNS) mounts a well-organized innate immune response, in which glial cells, in particular microglia, are activated. Further, the innate immune system has emerged as a promising target for therapeutic control of development and persistence of chronic pain. Especially, microglial cells respond to peripheral and central infection, injury, and other stressor signals arriving at the CNS and initiate a CNS immune activation that might contribute to chronic pain facilitation. In the orchestration of this limited immune reaction, TLRs on microglia appear to be most relevant in triggering and tailoring microglial activation, which might be a driving force of chronic pain. New therapeutic approaches targeting the CNS innate immune system may achieve the essential pharmacological control of chronic pain. Received 21 November 2006; received after revision 8 January 2007; accepted 7 February 2007     

一种烟碱乙酰胆碱受体(nChRs)显像前体化合物的合成及标记

以 2 溴 3 吡啶酚和 (S) 2 氮杂环丁烷羧酸为起始物 ,合成了一种以 N (CH3 ) 3 为取代基团的前体化合物 :6 [-N(CH3 ) 3 + I- ] A 85 380 .用此前体化合物进行18F标记取代 ,制得了可用于nChRs受体PET显像的标记化合物 :6 [18F] A 85 380 .整个放射标记分离时间为 5 0～5 5min .其标记率不低于 38%～ 4 8% ,比活度可达 0 .74× 10 11Bq/ μmol.     

内皮素对心脏功能的影响

内皮素(Endothelin,ET)是由血管内皮细胞产生的具有强烈缩血管作用的血管活性肽.大量实验表明,内皮素对心脏具有广泛的影响,使冠状血管收缩,对心脏产生正性肌力作用,通过内皮素受体参与神经体液因素对心肌细胞的调节作用.     

VDAC3与ABA受体蛋白相互作用的验证以及初步研究

酵母双杂交技术在拟南芥cDNA文库中筛选得到了与ABA受体蛋白RCAR1,RCAR3均有相互作用的蛋白质VDAC3,并已获得VDAC3基因的全长.VDAC3蛋白包含有3个结构域,分别为Porin3结构域,DUF3442结构域和SEG片段,现根据结构域分布,将VDAC3截短为包含DUF3442的VDAC3N以及包含SEG的VDAC3C两段.将VDAC3全长以及分别截短的169个氨基酸(VDAC3N)及105个氨基酸(VDAC3C)的片段进行酵母转化实验,与RCAR1或RCAR3共同转化后,VDAC3,VDAC3N的共转酵母能够在缺陷型培养基上生长,并且使X-Gal显色为蓝色,而VDAC3C则不能.这验证了全长的VDAC3与RCAR1,RCAR3的存在相互作用,并发现决定VDAC3蛋白与RCAR1,RCAR3是相互作用的结构域位于N端的DUF3442结构域.     

In vitro assay for human thyroid hormone receptor β agonist and antagonist effects of individual polychlorinated naphthalenes and Halowax mixtures

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are dioxin-like environmental contaminants. There is growing concern over the endocrine-disrupting effects of PCNs, but very few studies have investigated the effect of PCNs on the thyroid system. This study used a yeast two-hybrid assay, which included the recombinant human thyroid receptor(TR)-β and reporter genes, to characterize the TRβ-disrupting effects of five individual PCN congeners, five PCN Halowax mixtures, and naphthalene. Their agonist and antagonist effects...