Porcine MAP3K5 analysis: molecular cloning, characterization, tissue expression pattern, and copy number variations associated with residual feed intake.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5 (MAP3K5) is essential for apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, and is a candidate marker for residual feed intake (RFI) in pig. We cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine MAP3K5 by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. The 5451-bp gene contains a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) (718 bp), a coding region (3738 bp), and a 3'-UTR (995 bp), and encodes a peptide of 1245 amino acids, which shares 97, 99, 97, 93, 91, and 84% sequence identity with cattle, sheep, human, mouse, chicken, and zebrafish MAP3K5, respectively. The deduced MAP3K5 protein sequence contains two conserved domains: a DUF4071 domain and a protein kinase domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that porcine MAP3K5 forms a separate branch to vicugna and camel MAP3K5. Tissue expression analysis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that MAP3K5 was expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, muscle, fat, pancrea, ileum, and stomach tissues. Copy number variation was detected for porcine MAP3K5 and validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, a significant increase in average copy number was detected in the low RFI group when compared to the high RFI group in a Duroc pig population. These results provide useful information regarding the influence of MAP3K5 on RFI in pigs.

Effect of MSTN propeptide protein on the growth and development of Altay lamb muscle.

Prokaryotic expression technology was used to express maltose-binding protein binding myostatin (MSTN) propeptide fusion protein. Six disease-free Altay lambs were used in this study. The right leg gastrocnemii were injected with MSTN recombinant propeptide protein. The left leg gastrocnemii (the control group) were injected with the same dose of phosphate based saline. The lambs were fed during four months under the same conditions and then slaughtered. Gastrocnemius samples were hematoxylin-eosin stained and the size of the muscle fibers was measured. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that single gastrocnemius cells in the experimental group had an average area of 1163.01 µm(2), while it was 845.09 µm(2) in the control group (P < 0.05). This indicates that the MSTN propeptide biological agents had an inhibitory effect on MSTN. In order to reveal its mechanism, RT-PCR was conducted to detect the expression of the differentiation-associated genes MyoD, Myf5, Myogenin, p21, and Smad3. The results showed that, in the MSTN propeptide biological agent injected group, expression levels of MSTN, Smad3, and p21 were lower than the control group, while Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin were higher compared to the control group. This indicates that, when expression of the MSTN gene was inhibited, muscle cell differentiation and growth can be promoted by Smad3 up-regulated expression of Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin.

NEDD4-1 and PTEN expression in keloid scarring.

Keloid scarring remains a major problem in plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor and NEDD4-1 genes in keloid tissue and explore their effect on the formation of such scarring. Twenty keloid patients were enrolled in the study and underwent surgical removal of keloid tissue. No patient had received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy prior to treatment. PTEN and NEDD4-1 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription PCR, while PTEN protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that levels of PTEN were significantly diminished in keloid samples (P < 0.05), whereas those of NEDD4-1 did not significantly differ between keloid tissue and normal skin (P > 0.05). Furthermore, we found that NEDD4-1 expression is high and inversely correlated with that of PTEN in keloids. Our results suggest that the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway may play an important role in keloid formation and reduces PTEN expression in such tissue. Finally, although NEDD4-1 has previously been identified as a factor in keloid susceptibility, and the protein for which it encodes is known to degrade PTEN by catalyzing its polyubiquitylation, the detailed mechanism behind its involvement in keloid formation needs to be further studied.

Effect of ultraviolet A exposure on transport of compatible organic osmolytes in human lens epithelial cells.

Compatible organic osmolytes, such as betaine, myoinositol, and taurine, are involved in antioxidant defense, protein stabilization, and stress responses. This osmolyte strategy requires the expression of specific osmolyte transporters such as betaine (BGT-1), myoinositol (SMIT), and taurine (TAUT). In contrast to the kidney, keratinocytes, and neural cells, few studies have examined osmolytes in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). We examined the expression of mRNA specific for BGT-1, SMIT, and TAUT in HLECs. In comparison to normoosmotic (305 mOsM) controls, there was a 3-5-fold time-dependent reaction of BGT-1, SMIT, and TAUT mRNA levels in HLECs exposed to hyperosmotic stress (405 mOsM). Maximal responses were obtained for BGT-1, SMIT, and TAUT mRNA expression after 3, 24 and 9 h of hyperosmotic exposure, respectively. This expression was correlated with increased osmolyte uptake. In contrast, hypoosmotic (205 mOsM) stimulation led to a significant efflux of osmolytes. Exposure to ultraviolet A (340-400 nm) radiation significantly stimulated osmolyte uptake. Increased osmolyte uptake was associated with upregulation of mRNA steady-state levels for osmolyte transporters in irradiated cells. These results demonstrate that ultraviolet A radiation leads to the accumulation of compatible organic osmolytes in HLECs as hyperosmotic pressure, which can maintain cellular environmental homeostasis.

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism with ischemic stroke in the Eastern Chinese Han population.

The association between the MTHFR genetic polymorphism and ischemic stroke has been reported by a number of investigators. However, the results have been controversial and conflicting. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the MTHFR variants C677T and A1298C and the risk of ischemic stroke in an Eastern Chinese Han population. A total of 199 patients with ischemic stroke and 241 controls were recruited. Genotyping of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms was carried out using the Taqman 7900HT Sequence Detection System. The overall estimates (odds ratio: OR) for the allele (C) and genotype (AC+CC) of the A1298C polymorphism were 1.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.10], and 2.36 (95%CI = 1.39-4.00), respectively, establishing significant association of the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism with ischemic stroke. In contrast, there were no statistically significant differences compared to controls between MTHFR C677T polymorphic variants in the association ischemic stroke risk. Furthermore, haplotype-based analysis demonstrated that compared with the C-677-A-1298 haplotype, the C-677-C-1298 and T-677-C-1298 haplotypes showed significant increased risk of ischemic stroke (OR = 1.56; 95%CI = 1.07- 2.2; P = 0.02; OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.17-2.65; P < 0.01, respectively). We concluded that the A1298C polymorphism and the haplotypes C-677-C-1298 and T-677-C-1298 in MTHFR might modulate the risk of ischemic stroke in the Eastern Chinese Han population.

Expression of recombinant myostatin propeptide pPIC9K-Msp plasmid in Pichia pastoris.

Myostatin propeptide can inhibit the biological activity of myostatin protein and promote muscle growth. To express myostatin propeptide in vitro with a higher biological activity, we performed codon optimization on the sheep myostatin propeptide gene sequence, and mutated aspartic acid-76 to alanine based on the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and the enhanced biological activity of myostatin propeptide mutant. Modified myostatin propeptide gene was cloned into the pPIC9K plasmid to form the recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp. Recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electrotransformation. Transformed cells were screened, and methanol was used to induce expression. SDS-PAGE and western blotting were used to verify the successful expression of myostatin propeptide with biological activity in Pichia pastoris, providing the basis for characterization of this protein.

Regulation of WNK4 gene transcription in the kidneys.

With-no-lysine (K) kinase-4 (WNK4) is a newly cloned kinase-encoding gene that plays a crucial role in the maintenance of electrolyte homeostasis. Mutations of WNK4 can cause pseudohypoaldosteronism type α, an autosomal dominant disease characterized by hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis and hypertension. We explored the expression and regulatory mechanism of WNK4 in the human kidneys, which is a key regulator of blood pressure. Expression of WNK4 was determined by RT-PCR. Transcription initiation site and regulatory elements in the promoter region of WNK4 were systematically analyzed with a combined set of experimental and bioinformatic methods. Using 5'-RACE, we have determined the transcription initiation site. We identified a number of putative cis-acting elements by analysis of the promoter region with the TRANSFAC-TESS software; these were subsequently confirmed with an electrophoresis mobility shift assay. As confirmed by a CAT-ELISA reporter assay, the promoter region of WNK4 has a high level of transcriptional activity. Several hormones, in particular dexamethasone, can suppress the level of WNK4 mRNA. These results have shed light on the regulatory mechanism of WNK4 expression in kidneys, as well as the influence of various hormones on expression levels. This should prove useful for studies on the roles of WNK4 in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Molecular characterization and structure analysis of RPL10/QM-like protein from the red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Sciaenidae).

The QM-like gene encodes a ribosomal protein L10. Besides housekeeping roles in protein synthesis, QM-like proteins have multiple extraribosomal functions during cell growth, cell differentiation and apoptosis. We obtained the full-length cDNA of QM-like protein (designated as SoQM) from the salt water game fish Sciaenops ocellatus, using RACE-PCR. The sequence consists of 740 bp, encoding 215-amino acid residues with 24.60 kDa. The AA sequence of the SoQM protein contains a series of functional motifs that belong to the QM family signature, which is conserved among different species. The SoQM gene contains five introns and six exons. The expression pattern of SoQM as determined by RT-PCR indicated that SoQM mRNA was expressed in all tissues tested, including brain, gill, head-kidney, intestine, stomach, heart, spleen, blood, muscle, and gonads. The phylogenetic tree constructed with MEGA 4.0 showed that SoQM clusters together with that of other fish. It was found that the sequences of the SoQM gene are highly conserved, suggesting the fundamental and critical functions of SoQM in S. ocellatus. The three-dimensional structure of the SoQM protein core domain (4~169) was predicted by the Swiss-Model program. Compared with QM proteins in other species, the main structure of SoQM protein was conserved, while the C-terminal domain was different from other QM-like proteins. Prediction of the three-dimensional structure of SoQM would provide valuable insight into the molecular basis of protein function, allowing an effective design of experiments, such as site-directed mutagenesis, studies of disease-related mutations or structure-based design of specific inhibitors.