Functional analysis of four naturally occurring variants of human constitutive androstane receptor

The human constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) is a member of the orphan nuclear receptor superfamily that plays an important role in the control of drug metabolism and disposition. In this study, we sequenced all the coding exons of the NR1I3 gene for 334 Japanese subjects. We identified three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that induce non-synonymous alterations of amino acids (His246Arg, Leu308Pro, and Asn323Ser) residing in the ligand-binding domain of CAR, in addition to the Val133Gly variant, which was another CAR variant identified in our previous study. We performed functional analysis of these four naturally occurring CAR variants in COS-7 cells using a CYP3A4 promoter/enhancer reporter gene that includes the CAR responsive elements. The His246Arg variant caused marked reductions in both transactivation of the reporter gene and in the response to 6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime (CITCO), which is a human CAR-specific agonist. The transactivation ability of the Leu308Pro variant was also significantly decreased, but its responsiveness to CITCO was not abrogated. The transactivation ability and CITCO response of the Val133Gly and Asn323Ser variants did not change as compared to the wild-type CAR. These data suggest that the His246Arg and Leu308Pro variants, especially His246Arg, may influence the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters that are transactivated by CAR.     

Isolation and characterization of Schistosoma mansoni constitutive androstane receptor

Full length cDNA clones encoding a Schistosoma mansoni homologue of vertebrate CAR/PXR/VDR group nuclear receptor, termed SmCAR were isolated from screening a S. mansoni adult worm cDNA library. SmCAR is a 702 amino acid protein which retains a typical domain organization of nuclear receptor superfamily members. A homology search demonstrated that SmCAR exhibits the highest homology with mouse constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Like its orthologues from invertebrates, SmCAR contains a P box sequence of ESCKA in the DNA binding domain. The P box is important in determining the DNA binding specificity for nuclear receptors. SmCAR mRNA is expressed in every stage of S. mansoni life cycle with an elevated expression level in egg and cercaria stages. Two forms (78 and 81 kDa) of SmCAR protein were detected in schistosome worm extract by Western blot analysis. SmCAR protein was demonstrated to be widely distributed in adult worms by immunolocalization studies, being found in the subtegument in both male and female worms and in the ovaries, vitellaria and eggs in female worms. In vitro DNA binding assays demonstrated that SmCAR binds to the hsp27 ecdysone response element (EcRE) as well as schistosome p14 gene upstream region. The AGTGCA half site is essential for binding of SmCAR to the p14 gene upstream region. Therefore, AGTGCA probably serves as a high affinity binding half site for ESCKA containing nuclear receptors.     

Alternative splicing of the human luteal LH receptor during luteolysis and maternal recognition of pregnancy

Deletion of exon 10 of the human LH receptor impairs LH but not hCG action. Other splice variants of the LH receptor impair both LH and hCG action in other species. We hypothesized that alternatively spliced LH receptors are involved in luteolysis and luteal rescue with hCG in women. mRNA was extracted from human luteinized granulosa cells and from corpora lutea from across the luteal phase and after luteal rescue in vivo with exogenous hCG. Splice variants were detected by RT-PCR using carefully designed primer pairs. Products were visualized on agarose gels, extracted, purified and sequenced. Three splice variants of the human LH receptor were detected and characterized. These demonstrate a region of multiple splicing between exons 8 and 11 of the receptor. A naturally occurring splice variant with exon 10 alone removed was not identified. There was no obvious change in the pattern of splice variants across the luteal phase in the presence or absence of hCG. These data do not support the hypothesis that qualitative changes in LH receptor splicing have a role in luteolysis or that a naturally occurring LH receptor lacking exon 10 has a role in maternal recognition of pregnancy.     

Characterization of human platelet binding of recombinant T cell receptor ligand

Background  

Recombinant T cell receptor ligands (RTLs) are bio-engineered molecules that may serve as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). RTLs contain membrane distal α1 plus β1 domains of class II major histocompatibility complex linked covalently to specific peptides that can be used to regulate T cell responses and inhibit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mechanisms by which RTLs impede local recruitment and retention of inflammatory cells in the CNS, however, are not completely understood.     

Activation of constitutive androstane receptor under the effect of hepatocarcinogenic aminoazo dyes in mouse and rat liver

Selective increase of DNA-binding activity of constitutive androstane receptor was detected in rat and mouse liver in response to aminoazo dyes exhibiting hepatocarcinogenic activity for these species (ortho-aminoazotoluene for mice and 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminobenzene for rats). Competition of azo dyes with ³H-5α-androst-16-ene-3α-ol (a well-known ligand of constitutive androstane receptor) for binding to liver cell cytosol proteins was studied. Ortho-aminoazotoluene and 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminobenzene were better competitors for cytosol proteins from mouse and rat liver, respectively. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 9, pp. 316–319, September, 2007     

A polymorphism in the type one complement receptor (CR1) involves an additional cysteine within the C3b/C4b binding domain that inhibits ligand binding

The type one complement receptor (CR1) contains a variable number of binding domains for C3b and C4b, formed through a nearly identical set of repeating units known as short consensus repeats (SCRs). Each SCR contains four cysteines that, by forming two disulfide bonds, impart a conformation critical for function. In this study, we identified a CR1 single nucleotide polymorphism (1597C>T) that results in an additional cysteine (483R>C) in SCR 8 of the N-terminal C3b/C4b binding domain, and occurring sporadically in corresponding SCRs of other repeated C3b/C4b binding domains. The normal carrier frequency for 483-C was 6.3% in 175 African Americans, and 2.4% in 153 Caucasians. In expression constructs containing one C3b/C4b binding domain, the 483-C residue reduced binding to C3b, C3bi, and C4b by over 80% (each p<0.0001), versus the wildtype construct. Full-length CR1 from 483-C carriers also exhibited reduced binding to C3b and C4b, although the effect was influenced by the total number of binding domains present. Race-matched comparisons between SLE patients (86 African Americans, 228 Caucasians) and the normal cohort showed that 483-C carrier status alone is not a risk factor for SLE or lupus nephritis. The physiological role of this polymorphism remains to be determined.     

Alternative splicing of the FMR1 gene in human fetal brain neurons

The alternative splicing expression of the FMR1 gene was reported in several human and mouse tissues. Five regions of FMR1 gene can be alternatively spliced, but the combination of them has not been investigated fully. We reported here the analysis of alternative splicing pattern of the FMR1 gene in cultured fetal human neurons, using a RT-PCR and cloning strategy. Eleven splicing types were cloned and different isoforms were not equally represented. The dominant isoform represents nearly 40%, and the other isoforms were relatively rare. One isoform has a different carboxyl-terminus. Most of the alternative spliced regions appear hydrophilic; thus, they may locate on the surface of the FMR1 protein. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

人血管内皮生长因子受体Flt—l胞外配体结合域的筛选及其结构分析

目的 应用酵母双杂交系统筛选人血管内皮生长因子受体Flt－1胞外最小配合结合域。方法 采用PCR技术,从人胎盘cDNA文库扩增出4个截短的Flt-1cDNA,分别含胞外第2、1、－2、2－3和1－3个loop,构建酵母双杂交系统配合表达质粒,并将pGB59／hVEGF165与pGAD424／Flt-ls两两配对转化酵母菌SFY526。采用滤纸法和液体培养法对阳性克隆进行β－半乳糖苷酶活性分析。结果 Flt－1胞外loop2－3与loop1-3的配体结合能力相关不大,loop1-2的结合力较弱,单独第2个loop无配体结合域－2－3loop,这对研制分子量更小、安全性高的可溶性Flt-1片段,开发其在肿瘤、糖尿病性网膜病变等血管生成相关疾病基因治疗中的应用具有重要的指导意义。     

Allosteric interaction between the amino terminal domain and the ligand binding domain of NR2A

Fast desensitization is an important regulatory mechanism of neuronal NMDA receptor function. Only recombinant NMDA receptors composed of NR1/NR2A exhibit a fast component of desensitization similar to neuronal NMDA receptors. Here we report that the fast desensitization of NR1/NR2A receptors is caused by ambient zinc, and that a positive allosteric interaction occurs between the extracellular zinc-binding site located in the amino terminal domain and the glutamate-binding domain of NR2A. The relaxation of macroscopic currents reflects a shift to a new equilibrium due to increased zinc affinity after binding of glutamate. We also show a similar interaction between the ifenprodil binding site and the glutamate binding site of NR1/NR2B receptors. These data raise the possibility that there is an allosteric interaction between the amino terminal domain and the ligand-binding domain of other glutamate receptors. Our findings may provide insight into how zinc and other extracellular modulators regulate NMDA receptor function.     

A novel nonsense mutation in the ligand binding domain of the vitamin D receptor causes hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets

Hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D resistant rickets (HVDRR) is a genetic disorder most often caused by mutations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR). In this report, we present our findings on a young girl who exhibited the typical clinical features of HVDRR with early onset rickets, hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and elevated serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. The patient also had total body alopecia. Fibroblasts from the patient were cultured for analysis of the VDR structure and function. In [3H]1,25(OH)(2)D(3) binding assays, no significant specific binding to the VDR was observed in cytosols from the patient's fibroblasts. The patient's fibroblast were also totally resistant to high doses of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) as demonstrated by their failure to induce expression of the 24-hydroxylase gene, a marker of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) activity. DNA sequence analysis of the VDR gene uncovered a unique C to T mutation in exon 8. The mutation changed the codon for glutamine to a premature stop codon at amino acid 317 (Q317X). Restriction enzyme analysis showed that the patient was homozygous for the mutation. Both parents were heterozygous for the mutant allele. In conclusion, we have identified a novel mutation in the VDR, Q317X, as the molecular defect in a patient with HVDRR. The Q317X mutation deletes 110 amino acids of the ligand-binding domain of the VDR and results in the loss of [3H]1,25(OH)(2)D(3) binding and target gene transactivation.     

Role of the alphaI domain in ligand binding by integrin alphaEbeta7

The I domain of integrin alphaE was modeled on the crystal structure of that in CD11b and mutated to produce an open (high affinity) or closed (low affinity) conformation. K562 transfectants expressing mutant alphaE and wild-type beta7 were tested for adhesion to E-cadherin-Fc. Downward displacement of the C terminus of the alphaI domain with a disulfide bridge enhanced adhesion and Mn(2+) dependency. Adhesion greatly exceeded that observed using wild type integrin under similar conditions. The closed integrin gave poor adhesion which was greatly improved by PMA-induced clustering. Blocking beta7 function with a betaI domain-specific antibody inhibited the wild-type but not the locked open integrin. Isolated open alphaI domain expressed on K562 cells showed strong Mn(2+)-dependent adhesion to E-cadherin, whereas the wild-type version was ineffective. alphaEbeta7 was shown to bind to monomeric E-cadherin but to only one component of dimeric E-cadherin. Finally, we report that M290, a function-blocking antibody, bound to a conformation-sensitive epitope near the rim of the alphaI domain MIDAS and recognized wild-type and closed alphaI domain but not the open conformation. The results broadly support the paradigm for affinity regulation by conformational change that has been established for beta2 integrins. Nevertheless, for alphaE, the fully open conformation may represent an extreme situation that does not occur physiologically.     

Alternative splicing of human VCAM-1 in activated vascular endothelium.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)/inducible cell adhesion molecule 110 is a mononuclear leukocyte-selective adhesion molecule, expressed on vascular endothelium following activation by certain cytokines or endotoxin. This inducible transmembrane protein and member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily was previously reported to contain six immunoglobulinlike domains. Using the polymerase chain reaction, a VCAM-1 cDNA was obtained from mRNA of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-treated cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The cDNA clone contained an additional 276 base-pair (bp) domain, located between domains 3 and 4. This new domain is most homologous to the existing N-terminal domain (domain 1). The internal 276-bp region is encoded by a single exon of the human VCAM-1 gene, indicating that the two forms of mRNA arise by alternative splicing. Both forms of VCAM-1 mRNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction in IL-1-stimulated HUVEC, although the seven-domain form appeared predominant. On the surface of HUVEC only a 110-kd polypeptide, consistent with the seven-immunoglobulinlike domain form of VCAM-1, was detectable by immunoprecipitation. Alternative splicing of the VCAM-1 gene in cytokine-activated endothelium may generate functionally distinct cell-surface adhesion molecules.     

猪FMDV受体β3亚基配体结合域的基因克隆及其多克隆抗体制备

目的:克隆猪FMDV受体β3亚基的配体结合域(LBD)基因,利用原核细胞表达β3亚基的LBD片段,纯化目的蛋白后制备兔多克隆抗体.方法:利用RT-PCR方法从FMDV实验感染猪的肺组织中克隆β3亚基的LBD基因,将其与pGEM T-easy载体相连构建pGEM/β3LBD,经BamH Ⅰ/Xho Ⅰ酶切后回收β3LBD片段,与同样酶切处理的原核表达载体pGEX 4T-1相连,构建原核表达质粒pGEX/β3LBD,将其转化感受态细胞BL21(DE3),以IPTG诱导表达β3LBD蛋白.纯化目的蛋白后免疫新西兰白兔制备多克隆抗体.通过ELISA和Western blot鉴定血清效价和特异性.结果:猪β3亚基的LBD基因含有507个核苷酸,编码169个氨基酸,猪β3 LBD基因与牛、人、黑猩猩、猕猴、马、犬、挪威大鼠、家鼠、和鸡的β3 LBD基因核苷酸序列同源性分别为90.3%、92.3%、92.1%、91.3%、90.5%、90.3%、87.8%、85.2%、79.5%.哺乳动物的β3亚基LBD基因同源性较高,与鸡的同源性较低.实现了重组猪β3 LBD蛋白在大肠杆菌中的高效表达,SDS-PAGE显示其相对分子质量(Mr)约为44 000,制备的兔多克隆抗体效价达1:12800以上.结论:实现了猪FMDV受体β3 LBD的基因克隆、原核表达和多克隆抗体的制备,为深入研究受体β3亚基在FMDV感染过程中的作用机制奠定了基础.     

HER-2/neu配体结合区2蛋白的甘露糖化修饰

目的 :建立一种蛋白质甘露糖化修饰的方法。方法 :用离子交换层析和钴亲和层析法 ,纯化重组HER 2 /neu配体结合区2 (LBD2 )蛋白 ,并将纯化后的LBD2蛋白进行甘露糖化修饰。新合成的LBD2拟糖蛋白经质谱法检测后 ,用间苯二酚 硫酸法进一步鉴定。结果 :纯化后LBD2蛋白的纯度可达 90 %。新合成的LBD2拟糖蛋白在质谱图上呈现相应于甘露糖修饰后蛋白质分子量的预期峰形。经间苯二酚 硫酸法检测 ,结合于LBD2蛋白上的化学基团为糖分子。结论 :获得了LBD2拟糖蛋白 ,为开展甘露糖受体介导的抗原提呈及肿瘤疫苗的实验研究打下了基础