Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 86
Filter
Add more filters

Country/Region as subject
Publication year range
1.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 81(1): 123, 2024 Mar 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38459149

ABSTRACT

Maintaining genomic stability is a prerequisite for proliferating NPCs to ensure genetic fidelity. Though histone arginine methylation has been shown to play important roles in safeguarding genomic stability, the underlying mechanism during brain development is not fully understood. Protein arginine N-methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a type II protein arginine methyltransferase that plays a role in transcriptional regulation. Here, we identify PRMT5 as a key regulator of DNA repair in response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) during NPC proliferation. Prmt5F/F; Emx1-Cre (cKO-Emx1) mice show a distinctive microcephaly phenotype, with partial loss of the dorsal medial cerebral cortex and complete loss of the corpus callosum and hippocampus. This phenotype is resulted from DSBs accumulation in the medial dorsal cortex followed by cell apoptosis. Both RNA sequencing and in vitro DNA repair analyses reveal that PRMT5 is required for DNA homologous recombination (HR) repair. PRMT5 specifically catalyzes H3R2me2s in proliferating NPCs in the developing mouse brain to enhance HR-related gene expression during DNA repair. Finally, overexpression of BRCA1 significantly rescues DSBs accumulation and cell apoptosis in PRMT5-deficient NSCs. Taken together, our results show that PRMT5 maintains genomic stability by regulating histone arginine methylation in proliferating NPCs.


Subject(s)
Neural Stem Cells , Recombinational DNA Repair , Animals , Mice , Arginine/metabolism , DNA Repair , Genomic Instability , Genomics , Histones/genetics , Histones/metabolism , Neural Stem Cells/metabolism , Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/genetics , Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/metabolism
2.
Cereb Cortex ; 33(8): 4977-4989, 2023 04 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36227200

ABSTRACT

Autism is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that Dip2a knockout (KO) induces autism-like behaviors in mice. However, the role of Dip2a in other psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this paper, we revealed that Dip2a KO mice had comorbid anxiety. Dip2a KO led to a reduction in the dendritic length of cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons. Molecular mechanism studies suggested that AMPK was overactivated and suppressed the mTOR cascade, contributing to defects in dendritic morphology. Deletion of Dip2a in adult-born hippocampal neurons (Dip2a conditional knockout (cKO)) increased susceptibility to anxiety upon acute stress exposure. Application of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an inhibitor of mTOR, rescued anxiety-like behaviors in Dip2a KO and Dip2a cKO mice. In addition, 6 weeks of high-fat diet intake alleviated AMPK-mTOR signaling and attenuated the severity of anxiety in both Dip2a KO mice and Dip2a cKO mice. Taken together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of DIP2A in anxiety pathophysiology via regulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling.


Subject(s)
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases , Signal Transduction , Mice , Animals , Mice, Knockout , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Anxiety/genetics , Nuclear Proteins
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(13)2024 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39000184

ABSTRACT

Microglia migrate to the cerebral cortex during early embryonic stages. However, the precise mechanisms underlying microglia migration remain incompletely understood. As an extracellular matrix protein, Netrin-1 is involved in modulating the motility of diverse cells. In this paper, we found that Netrin-1 promoted microglial BV2 cell migration in vitro. Mechanism studies indicated that the activation of GSK3ß activity contributed to Netrin-1-mediated microglia migration. Furthermore, Integrin α6/ß1 might be the relevant receptor. Single-cell data analysis revealed the higher expression of Integrin α6 subunit and ß1 subunit in microglia in comparison with classical receptors, including Dcc, Neo1, Unc5a, Unc5b, Unc5c, Unc5d, and Dscam. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) measurement confirmed the high binding affinity between Integrin α6/ß1 and Netrin-1. Importantly, activation of Integrin α6/ß1 with IKVAV peptides mirrored the microglia migration and GSK3 activation induced by Netrin-1. Finally, conditional knockout (CKO) of Netrin-1 in radial glial cells and their progeny led to a reduction in microglia population in the cerebral cortex at early developmental stages. Together, our findings highlight the role of Netrin-1 in microglia migration and underscore its therapeutic potential in microglia-related brain diseases.


Subject(s)
Cell Movement , Microglia , Netrin-1 , Netrin-1/metabolism , Netrin-1/genetics , Microglia/metabolism , Animals , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Cerebral Cortex/cytology , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics , Cell Line , Integrin beta1/metabolism , Integrin beta1/genetics
4.
Sheng Li Xue Bao ; 76(3): 429-437, 2024 Jun 25.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38939937

ABSTRACT

As a multifunctional adipokine, chemerin plays a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes through endocrine and paracrine manner. It can bind to three known receptors (ChemR23, GPR1 and CCRL2) and participate in energy metabolism, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation, especially in metabolic diseases. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases, which seriously affects the normal life of women of childbearing age. Patients with PCOS have significantly increased serum levels of chemerin and high expression of chemerin in their ovaries. More and more studies have shown that chemerin is involved in the occurrence and development of PCOS by affecting obesity, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. This article mainly reviews the production, subtypes, function and receptors of chemerin protein, summarizes and discusses the research status of chemerin protein in PCOS from the perspectives of metabolism, reproduction and inflammation, and provides theoretical basis and reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.


Subject(s)
Chemokines , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism , Humans , Chemokines/metabolism , Female , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Receptors, Chemokine/metabolism , Insulin Resistance , Animals , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Chemotactic Factors/metabolism
5.
Development ; 147(6)2020 03 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32098764

ABSTRACT

Neocortex development during embryonic stages requires the precise control of mRNA metabolism. Human antigen R (HuR) is a well-studied mRNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA metabolism, and it is highly expressed in the neocortex during developmental stages. Deletion of HuR does not impair neural progenitor cell proliferation or differentiation, but it disturbs the laminar structure of the neocortex. We report that HuR is expressed in postmitotic projection neurons during mouse brain development. Specifically, depletion of HuR in these neurons led to a mislocalization of CDP+ neurons in deeper layers of the cortex. Time-lapse microscopy showed that HuR was required for the promotion of cell motility in migrating neurons. PCR array identified profilin 1 (Pfn1) mRNA as a major binding partner of HuR in neurons. HuR positively mediated the stability of Pfn1 mRNA and influenced actin polymerization. Overexpression of Pfn1 successfully rescued the migration defects of HuR-deleted neurons. Our data reveal a post-transcriptional mechanism that maintains actin dynamics during neuronal migration.


Subject(s)
Cell Movement , ELAV-Like Protein 1/physiology , Neurons/physiology , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Animals , Body Patterning/genetics , Cell Movement/genetics , Cells, Cultured , Embryo, Mammalian , Female , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic , Neural Stem Cells/physiology , Neurogenesis/genetics , Pregnancy , Profilins/physiology , RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional/genetics
6.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(5)2023 Feb 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36901777

ABSTRACT

Neural circuits that control aversion are essential for motivational regulation and survival in animals. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in predicting aversive events and translating motivations into actions. However, the NAc circuits that mediate aversive behaviors remain elusive. Here, we report that tachykinin precursor 1 (Tac1) neurons in the NAc medial shell regulate avoidance responses to aversive stimuli. We show that NAcTac1 neurons project to the lateral hypothalamic area (LH) and that the NAcTac1→LH pathway contributes to avoidance responses. Moreover, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) sends excitatory inputs to the NAc, and this circuit is involved in the regulation of avoidance responses to aversive stimuli. Overall, our study reveals a discrete NAc Tac1 circuit that senses aversive stimuli and drives avoidance behaviors.


Subject(s)
Neurons , Nucleus Accumbens , Animals , Avoidance Learning , Hypothalamic Area, Lateral , Motivation , Neural Pathways/physiology , Nucleus Accumbens/physiology
7.
PLoS Biol ; 17(10): e3000461, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31600191

ABSTRACT

Dendritic spine development is crucial for the establishment of excitatory synaptic connectivity and functional neural circuits. Alterations in spine morphology and density have been associated with multiple neurological disorders. Autism candidate gene disconnected-interacting protein homolog 2 A (DIP2A) is known to be involved in acetylated coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) synthesis and is primarily expressed in the brain regions with abundant pyramidal neurons. However, the role of DIP2A in the brain remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that deletion of Dip2a in mice induced defects in spine morphogenesis along with thin postsynaptic density (PSD), and reduced synaptic transmission of pyramidal neurons. We further identified that DIP2A interacted with cortactin, an activity-dependent spine remodeling protein. The binding activity of DIP2A-PXXP motifs (P, proline; X, any residue) with the cortactin-Src homology 3 (SH3) domain was critical for maintaining the level of acetylated cortactin. Furthermore, Dip2a knockout (KO) mice exhibited autism-like behaviors, including excessive repetitive behaviors and defects in social novelty. Importantly, acetylation mimetic cortactin restored the impaired synaptic transmission and ameliorated repetitive behaviors in these mice. Altogether, our findings establish an initial link between DIP2A gene variations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and highlight the contribution of synaptic protein acetylation to synaptic processing.


Subject(s)
Acetyl Coenzyme A/genetics , Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics , Cortactin/genetics , Dendritic Spines/metabolism , Morphogenesis/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Acetyl Coenzyme A/deficiency , Acetylation , Amino Acid Motifs , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism , Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology , Binding Sites , Cortactin/metabolism , Dendritic Spines/ultrastructure , Disease Models, Animal , Embryo, Mammalian , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Genetic Complementation Test , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Nuclear Proteins/deficiency , Post-Synaptic Density/metabolism , Post-Synaptic Density/ultrastructure , Protein Binding , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Pyramidal Cells/metabolism , Pyramidal Cells/ultrastructure , Synaptic Transmission
8.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue ; 28(1): 37-42, 2022 Jan.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37459076

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the application value of MRI-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) targeted biopsy combined with large-section prostate pathology in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Totally, 310 patients with suspected PCa underwent MRI-TRUS targeted biopsy combined with large-section prostate pathology (the observation group, n = 183) or standard 12-core TRUS biopsy (the control group, n = 127) in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020. We compared the findings of biopsies and the detection rate of PCa between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the observation and control groups in the detection rates of PCa (35.52% vs 27.56%, P > 0.05), clinically significant PCa (30.60% vs 23.62%, P > 0.05) and clinically insignificant PCa (4.92% vs 3.94%, P > 0.05). The rate of positive punctures and the length of cancer tissue in the positive puncture were 27.50% and (4.68 ± 1.24) mm in the observation group, significantly higher than 22.38% and (3.70 ± 1.11) mm in the control (P < 0.05). The number of targeted punctures per case was markedly lower than that of system combined with targeted punctures (3 ï¼»1-5ï¼½ vs 15 ï¼»13-17ï¼½, P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the targeted biopsy and system combined with targeted biopsy in the detection rates of PCa, clinically significant PCa and clinically insignificant PCa, the rate of positive punctures, or the length of cancer tissue in the positive puncture (P > 0.05). As the MRI features of PCa, the rates of T2WI low signal, irregular shape, blurred edge of lesions and DWI high signal were 63.08%, 76.92%, 83.08% and 84.62%, respectively, significantly higher than those of the benign lesions (P < 0.05), while the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of PCa was remarkably lower (ï¼»0.81 ± 0.15ï¼½ ×10-3mm2/s) than that of the benign lesions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRI-TRUS targeted biopsy combined with large-section prostate pathology has a high application value in the diagnosis of PCa, which can reduce the number of punctures and differentiate benign from malignant prostatic lesions in MRI images.

9.
J Neurosci ; 40(19): 3862-3879, 2020 05 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32291328

ABSTRACT

Hydrocephalus is a pathologic condition associated with various brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysfunctional ependymal cells (EpCs) are believed to contribute to the development of hydrocephalus. It is thus of interest to investigate EpCs' development and function. Here, we report that vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 35 (VPS35) is critical for EpC differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival, and thus preventing neonatal hydrocephalus. VPS35 is abundantly expressed in EpCs. Mice with conditional knock-out (cKO) of Vps35 in embryonic (Vps35GFAP-Cre and Vps35Emx1-Cre) or postnatal (Vps35Foxj1-CreER) EpC progenitors exhibit enlarged lateral ventricles (LVs) and hydrocephalus-like pathology. Further studies reveal marked reductions in EpCs and their cilia in both Vps35GFAP-Cre and Vps35Foxj1-CreER mutant mice. The reduced EpCs appear to be due to impairments in EpC differentiation and survival. Additionally, both Vps35GFAP-Cre and Vps35Foxj1-CreER neonatal pups exhibit increased cell proliferation and death largely in a region close to LV-EpCs. Many microglia close to the mutant LV-EpC region become activated. Depletion of the microglia by PLX3397, an antagonist of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), restores LV-EpCs and diminishes the pathology of neonatal hydrocephalus in Vps35Foxj1-CreER mice. Taken together, these observations suggest unrecognized functions of Vps35 in EpC differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival in neonatal LV, and reveal pathologic roles of locally activated microglia in EpC homeostasis and hydrocephalus development.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study reports critical functions of vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 35 (VPS35) not only in promoting ependymal cell (EpC) differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival, but also in preventing local microglial activation. The dysfunctional EpCs and activated microglia are likely to induce hydrocephalus.


Subject(s)
Ependyma/metabolism , Ependymoglial Cells/metabolism , Hydrocephalus/metabolism , Microglia/metabolism , Vesicular Transport Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cell Survival , Ependyma/cytology , Hydrocephalus/physiopathology , Mice , Mice, Knockout
10.
J Neurosci ; 40(48): 9169-9185, 2020 11 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33097641

ABSTRACT

Myosin X (Myo X) transports cargos to the tips of filopodia for cell adhesion, migration, and neuronal axon guidance. Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) is one of the Myo X cargos that is essential for Netrin-1-regulated axon pathfinding. The function of Myo X in axon development in vivo and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence for the role of Myo X in Netrin-1-DCC-regulated axon development in developing mouse neocortex. The knockout (KO) or knockdown (KD) of Myo X in cortical neurons of embryonic mouse brain impairs axon initiation and contralateral branching/targeting. Similar axon deficits are detected in Netrin-1-KO or DCC-KD cortical neurons. Further proteomic analysis of Myo X binding proteins identifies KIF13B (a kinesin family motor protein). The Myo X interaction with KIF13B is induced by Netrin-1. Netrin-1 promotes anterograde transportation of Myo X into axons in a KIF13B-dependent manner. KIF13B-KD cortical neurons exhibit similar axon deficits. Together, these results reveal Myo X-KIF13B as a critical pathway for Netrin-1-promoted axon initiation and branching/targeting.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Netrin-1 increases Myosin X (Myo X) interaction with KIF13B, and thus promotes axonal delivery of Myo X and axon initiation and contralateral branching in developing cerebral neurons, revealing unrecognized functions and mechanisms underlying Netrin-1 regulation of axon development.


Subject(s)
Axons/physiology , Kinesins/physiology , Membrane Proteins/physiology , Myosins/physiology , Netrin-1/physiology , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Cerebral Cortex/cytology , Cerebral Cortex/growth & development , DCC Receptor/genetics , DCC Receptor/physiology , Female , Kinesins/genetics , Male , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Myosins/genetics , Neocortex/cytology , Neocortex/growth & development , Netrin-1/genetics , Pregnancy
11.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(9)2021 May 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34063230

ABSTRACT

It has been reported that Netrin-1 is involved in neuroprotection following injury to the central nervous system. However, the minimal functional domain of Netrin-1 which can preserve the neuroprotection but avoid the major side effects of Netrin remains elusive. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of a peptide E1 derived from Netrin-1's EGF3 domain (residues 407-422). We found that it interacts with deleted colorectal carcinoma (DCC) to activate focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation exhibiting neuroprotection. The administration of the peptide E1 was able to improve functional recovery through reduced apoptosis in an experimental murine model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In summary, we reveal a functional sequence of Netrin-1 that is involved in the recovery process after ICH and identify a candidate peptide for the treatment of ICH.


Subject(s)
Cell Death/drug effects , Cerebral Hemorrhage/drug therapy , Netrin-1/metabolism , Netrin-1/pharmacology , Neuroprotection/drug effects , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Apoptosis , Behavior, Animal , Cell Survival , DCC Receptor/genetics , Disease Models, Animal , Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Mice , Netrin-1/genetics
12.
Bioinformatics ; 35(9): 1469-1477, 2019 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30247625

ABSTRACT

MOTIVATION: Transcription termination is an important regulatory step of gene expression. If there is no terminator in gene, transcription could not stop, which will result in abnormal gene expression. Detecting such terminators can determine the operon structure in bacterial organisms and improve genome annotation. Thus, accurate identification of transcriptional terminators is essential and extremely important in the research of transcription regulations. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a new predictor called 'iTerm-PseKNC' based on support vector machine to identify transcription terminators. The binomial distribution approach was used to pick out the optimal feature subset derived from pseudo k-tuple nucleotide composition (PseKNC). The 5-fold cross-validation test results showed that our proposed method achieved an accuracy of 95%. To further evaluate the generalization ability of 'iTerm-PseKNC', the model was examined on independent datasets which are experimentally confirmed Rho-independent terminators in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis genomes. As a result, all the terminators in E. coli and 87.5% of the terminators in B. subtilis were correctly identified, suggesting that the proposed model could become a powerful tool for bacterial terminator recognition. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: For the convenience of most of wet-experimental researchers, the web-server for 'iTerm-PseKNC' was established at http://lin-group.cn/server/iTerm-PseKNC/, by which users can easily obtain their desired result without the need to go through the detailed mathematical equations involved.


Subject(s)
Transcription, Genetic , Bacillus subtilis , Escherichia coli , Nucleotides , Operon , Software
13.
Cereb Cortex ; 29(6): 2737-2747, 2019 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30843060

ABSTRACT

Chronic stress has been observed to increase the risk of developing depression and induce neuronal alterations of synaptic plasticity, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that the ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein HuR was up-regulated in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice following chronic stress. In adult mice, AAV-Cre-mediated knockout of HuR in the mPFC prevented anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic stress. HuR was also required for the stress-induced dendritic spine loss and synaptic transmission deficits. Moreover, HuRflox/flox;Nex-Cre mice, which induce HuR loss of function from embryonic development, exhibited enhanced synaptic functions. Notably, we ascertained RhoA signaling to be regulated by HuR and involved in the modulation of structural synaptic plasticity in response to chronic stress. Our results demonstrate HuR is a critical modulator for the regulation of stress-induced synaptic plasticity alterations and depression, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of depressive disorders.


Subject(s)
Depression/metabolism , ELAV-Like Protein 1/metabolism , Neuronal Plasticity/physiology , Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism , Animals , Depression/etiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Restraint, Physical , Stress, Psychological/complications
14.
J Cell Mol Med ; 23(2): 1622-1627, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30484953

ABSTRACT

Disabled-1 (Dab1) is best known as an adaptor protein regulating neuron migration and lamination during development. However, the exact function of Dab1 in breast cancer is unknown. In this study, we examined the expression of Dab1 in 38 breast cancer paraffin sections, as well as 60 paired frozen breast cancer and their adjacent tissues. Our results showed that Dab1 was reduced in breast cancer, and its compromised expression correlated with triple negative breast cancer phenotype, poor differentiation, as well as lymph node metastasis. Functional analysis in breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that Dab1 promoted cell apoptosis, which, at least partially, depended on its regulation of NF-κB/Bcl-2/caspase-9 pathway. Our study strongly suggests that Dab1 may be a potential tumour suppressor gene in breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Apoptosis/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Caspase 9/genetics , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics , Humans , MCF-7 Cells , Middle Aged , NF-kappa B/genetics , Prognosis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics , Transcription Factor RelA/genetics , Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/pathology , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics
15.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 511(2): 369-373, 2019 04 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30803756

ABSTRACT

Substance P is one of the major neuropeptides released by striatal neurons; however, its function in the striatum remains unclear. In this study, we found substance P triggers spontaneous neurotransmitter release and rapid synaptic vesicle exocytosis in cultured striatal neurons, as substance P knockdown in these neurons impaired spontaneous neurotransmitter release and calcium-dependent rapid synaptic neurotransmission. Furthermore, treatment with exogenous substance P completely rescued the synaptic dysfunction phenotype in striatal neurons lacking this neuropeptide. On the other hand, substance P knockdown had no effect on the size of the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles, but decreased the probability of presynaptic release of synaptic vesicles in cultured striatal neurons. Treatment with CP96345, a NK1 receptor antagonist, also resulted in synaptic defects in cultured striatal neurons. In summary, we propose substance P is critical for synaptic transmission in striatal neurons.


Subject(s)
Neurons/metabolism , Substance P/metabolism , Synaptic Transmission , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Corpus Striatum/cytology , Corpus Striatum/metabolism , Mice , Neurons/cytology , Presynaptic Terminals/metabolism , Synaptic Vesicles/metabolism
16.
Cell Biol Int ; 43(4): 421-428, 2019 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30672040

ABSTRACT

Disconnected interacting protein 2 (DIP2) is a highly conserved protein family among invertebrates and vertebrates, but its function remains unclear. In this paper, we summarized the conservation of gene sequences and protein domains of DIP2 family members and predicted that they may have a similar functional role in acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthesis. We then used the most characterized member, disconnected interacting protein 2 homolog A (DIP2A), for further study. DIP2A is a cytoplasmic protein that is preferentially localized to mitochondria, and its acetyl-CoA synthetase activity has been demonstrated in vitro. Furthermore, the level of acetyl-CoA in HEK293 cells overexpressing DIP2A was increased, which is consistent with its metabolically related function. Together, these data enrich the evolutionary and functional characterization of dip2 genes and provide significant insights into the identification and application of other homologs of DIP2.


Subject(s)
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Animals , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , China , Computational Biology/methods , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Mice , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
17.
J Cell Mol Med ; 22(6): 3259-3263, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29575613

ABSTRACT

Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies are the smallest immunoglobulins with high antigen-binding affinity. We have previously reported that fibroblast growth factor 1 played pivotal roles in cancer development and generated a mouse scFv (mscFv1C9) could effectively prohibit cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Here, we further humanized this scFv (hscFv1C9) using a structure-guided complementarity determining region grafting strategy. The purified hscFv1C9 maintained similar antigen-binding affinity and specificity as mscFv1C9, and it was capable of inhibiting growth of different tumours in vitro and in vivo. These data strongly suggested that hscFv1C9 has antitumour potentials.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Fibroblast Growth Factor 1/antagonists & inhibitors , Glioma/drug therapy , Single-Chain Antibodies/pharmacology , Amino Acid Sequence/genetics , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Fibroblast Growth Factor 1/chemistry , Fibroblast Growth Factor 1/genetics , Fibroblast Growth Factor 1/immunology , Glioma/genetics , Glioma/pathology , Heterografts , Humans , Mice , Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology
18.
J Neurosci ; 36(21): 5833-49, 2016 05 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27225772

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Neogenin, a DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer) family receptor, is highly expressed in neural stem cells (NSCs). However, its function in NSCs remains to be explored. Here we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence for neogenin's function in NSCs to promote neocortical astrogliogenesis, but not self-renewal or neural differentiation. Mechanistically, neogenin in neocortical NSCs was required for BMP2 activation of YAP (yes associated protein). The active/nuclear YAP stabilized phospho-Smad1/5/8 and was necessary for BMP2 induction of astrocytic differentiation. Deletion of yap in mouse neocortical NSCs caused a similar deficit in neocortical astrogliogenesis as that in neogenin mutant mice. Expression of YAP in neogenin mutant NSCs diminished the astrocytic differentiation deficit in response to BMP2. Together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of neogenin in increasing neocortical astrogliogenesis, and identify a pathway of BMP2-neogenin-YAP-Smad1 for astrocytic differentiation in developing mouse neocortex. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Astrocytes, a major type of glial cells in the brain, play important roles in modulating synaptic transmission and information processing, and maintaining CNS homeostasis. The abnormal astrocytic differentiation during development contributes to dysfunctions of synaptic plasticity and neuropsychological disorders. Here we provide evidence for neogenin's function in regulation of the neocortical astrocyte differentiation during mouse brain development. We also provide evidence for the necessity of neogenin in BMP2/Smad1-induced astrocyte differentiation through YAP. Thus, our findings identify an unrecognized function of neogenin in mouse neocortical astrocyte differentiation, and suggest a signaling pathway, BMP2-neogenin-YAP-Smad1, underlying astrogliogenesis in developing mouse neocortex.


Subject(s)
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism , Astrocytes/physiology , Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Neocortex/physiology , Phosphoproteins/metabolism , Smad1 Protein/metabolism , Animals , Astrocytes/cytology , Cell Cycle Proteins , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Female , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Neocortex/cytology , Neurogenesis/physiology , Up-Regulation/physiology , YAP-Signaling Proteins
19.
J Sports Sci ; 35(22): 2185-2190, 2017 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27900880

ABSTRACT

To observe the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) gene and sport performance and to analyse genotype associations of the associated SNPs with sport performance and relative maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]). Participants were selected from 685 Chinese Han male college students. The completion times of a 1000-m run and a 50-m run were used to reflect sport performance, respectively. Nineteen tagSNPs were genotyped with Polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction. Relative [Formula: see text] was directly determined with a cardiopulmonary function analyser. A significant association was found between rs2256292 and 1000-m run performance, but no significant association was found between any tagSNPs and 50-m run performance. The genotype associations of rs2256292 with 1000-m run performance and with relative [Formula: see text] were both significant under the recessive model (CC vs. CG + GG). No tagSNP in NNMT is significantly associated with 50-m run performance but rs2256292 is significantly associated with 1000-m run performance. The genotype associations of rs2256292 with sport performance are significant under recessive model, and a higher relative [Formula: see text] may be the physiological reason for minor homozygote CC carriers being of the better 1000-m runners.


Subject(s)
Athletic Performance , Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase/genetics , Oxygen Consumption/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Running , Adolescent , Gene Frequency , Genotype , Humans , Male , Students , Universities , Young Adult
20.
J Am Mosq Control Assoc ; 32(2): 144-51, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27280353

ABSTRACT

Widespread resistance of insect pests to insecticides has been widely reported in China and there is consequently an urgent need to adjust pest management strategies appropriately. This requires detailed information on the extent and causes of resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate levels of resistance to 5 insecticides among 12 strains of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a major vector of Japanese encephalitis in China. Resistance to deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, permethrin, dichlorvos, and propoxur were measured using larval bioassays. The allelic frequency of knockdown resistance (kdr) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mutations were determined in all strains. Larval bioassay results indicated that the field strains collected from different sites were resistant to deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, permethrin, dichlorvos, and propoxur, with resistance ratio values ranging from 1.70- to 71.98-fold, 7.83- to 43.07-fold, 3.54- to 40.03-fold, 291.85- to 530.89-fold, and 51.32- to 108.83-fold, respectively. A polymerase chain reaction amplification of specific alleles method for individual was developed to detect genotypes of the AChE gene mutation F455W in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The frequency of the AChE gene mutation F455W was 100.00% in all strains, making this mutation of no value as a marker of resistance to organophosphorous and carbamate pesticides in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in China. The kdr allele was present in all strains at frequencies of 10.00-29.55%. Regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between kdr allele frequencies and levels of resistance to deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, and permethrin. These results highlight the need to monitor and map insecticide resistance in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and to adjust pesticide use to minimize the development of resistance in these mosquitoes.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/genetics , Culex/genetics , Insect Proteins/genetics , Insect Vectors/genetics , Insecticide Resistance/genetics , Insecticides/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Animals , Base Sequence , China , Culex/metabolism , Encephalitis, Japanese/parasitology , Encephalitis, Japanese/transmission , Insect Proteins/metabolism , Insect Vectors/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL