OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA expressions of the TNF adapter proteins, including TNF receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD), Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP-1) and TNF receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF-2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lupus nephritis (LN) patients of various TCM asthenia syndromes. Methods Fifty-one inpatients with LN were differentiated according to TCM syndrome differentiation, 13 cases of yin-deficiency with inner heat syndrome (A); 26 cases of both qi-yin deficiency syndrome (B), 12 cases of Pi-Shen yang-deficiency syndrome (C). Peripheral venous blood samples from the 51 LN patients and 17 healthy subjects were collected to separate PBMCs. The mRNA expressions of TNF adapter molecules (TRADD, FADD, RIP-1 and TRAF-2), as well as Caspase-3 and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and the differences among them were compared.

RESULTS(1) As compared with the healthy subjects, expression of TRADD mRNA in patients of syndrome A, B and C was lowered to 0.54, 0.32, and 0.38-fold, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), showing insignificant difference among the three syndromes; (2) FADD mRNA lowered to 0.79, 0.62, and 0.72-fold respectively, only with significance shown in syndrome B (P < 0.05); (3) RIP-1 mRNA lowered to 0.79, 0.50, and 0.60-fold respectively with significance shown in syndrome B and C (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and insignificant difference was shown among the three syndromes; (4) TRAF-2 lowered to 0.70, 0.52, and 0.50-fold respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.07), significance shown in syndrome B and C (P < 0.01), but with insignificant difference among the three; (5) Caspase-3 elevated in all patients of the three syndromes (all P < 0.01); (6) IL-1beta in syndrome A was apparently lower ed to the normal range and also lower than that in the other two syndromes (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExpressions of TRADD, FADD, RIP-1 and TRAF-2 mRNA decreased in all the patients of various TCM asthenia syndromes, the decrement in patients of syndrome B and C was lesser than that in syndrome A. These abnormal low expressions of signal proteins might be the substantial bases for asthenia syndromes of LN patients, and the apoptotic signal mediated by them may involve in the formation of asthenia syndrome in LN.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Lupus Nephritis ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; TNF Receptor-Associated Death Domain Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; metabolism ; Yang Deficiency ; blood ; Yin Deficiency ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of signal transduction in anti-HBV action of IFN-alpha.

METHODSThe HBV DNA in HepG 2.2.15 cell line supernatant with/without IFNalpha-2b were monitored by fluorescence real-time quantitive PCR. STAT1, STAT2, ISGF3-gamma, PKR, 2'5'-OAS mRNA levels from HepG 2 and HepG 2.2.15 cell lines that were treated with/without IFNalpha-2b at different times were detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. And the ISGF3-gamma protein was detected by Western blot. Then, these items were detected again after inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway with genistein.

RESULTSThe HBV DNA in 2215 supernatant that were treated with IFNalpha-2b for 8 hours decreased 0.72 log 10 copies/ml. But the basal levels of DNA in cells pretreated with genistein? followed by IFNalpha-2b did not decrease. The STAT1, STAT2, ISGF3-gamma, 2'5'-OAS, PKR mRNA levels were upregulated by IFNalpha-2b. The same phenomena were observed with STAT1, STAT2, ISGF3-gamma mRNA when pretreated with genistein then treated with IFNalpha-2b, but the levels of 2'5'-OAS, PKR mRNA were decreased in this situation. The expression of the protein of ISGF3-gamma was also augmented by IFNalpha-2b, and was blocked by genistein.

CONCLUSIONThe JAK-STAT pathway seems to be a critical pathway in IFNalpha-2b action against HBV? and ISGF3 is most probably a key factor of the route.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Humans ; Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT2 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which IFN-alpha regulated retinoic acid-induced gene G (RIG-G) expression.

METHODSThe expression of STAT1, p-STAT1 and RIG-G in IFN-alpha-treated NB4 cells was detected by Western blot. The roles of STAT1, STAT2 and IRF-9 in IFN-alpha-induced RIG-G expression were analyzed in STAT1-null U3A cells by cell transfection, reporter gene assay, co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitaion.

RESULTSIn U3A cells, only when STAT2 and IRF-9 were co-transfected, the luciferase activities of RIG-G promoter-containing reporter gene could be highly increased about 8-fold compared with that in the control group. Moreover, in the absence of IFN-alpha, similar effects were observed in either IRF-9 co-transfected with wild type or mutant form of STAT2, whereas IFN-alpha could increase the transactivation activity of wild type STAT2 and IRF-9 by 6-fold compared with that without IFN-alpha, but had no effect on mutant STAT2. In addition, STAT2 could interact with IRF-9 and bind to the RIG-G promoter.

CONCLUSIONSTAT2 may interact with IRF-9 in a STAT1-independent manner. The complex STAT2/IRF-9 is the key factor mediating the expression of RIG-G gene regulated by IFN-alpha. This is a novel signal transduction cascade for IFN which is different from the classical JAK-STAT pathway.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Plasmids ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT2 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

BACKGROUND: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) is a major cause of adult limb loss worldwide. Autophagy of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) contributes to the ASO progression. However, the molecular mechanism that controls VEC autophagy remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the GRB2 associated binding protein 1 (GAB1) in regulating VEC autophagy. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro studies were applied to determine the loss of adapt protein GAB1 in association with ASO progression. Histological GAB1 expression was measured in sclerotic vascular intima and normal vascular intima. Gain- and loss-of-function of GAB1 were applied in VEC to determine the effect and potential downstream signaling of GAB1. RESULTS: The autophagy repressor p62 was significantly downregulated in ASO intima as compared to that in healthy donor (0.80 vs. 0.20, t = 6.43, P < 0.05). The expression level of GAB1 mRNA (1.00 vs. 0.24, t = 7.41, P < 0.05) and protein (0.72 vs. 0.21, t = 5.97, P < 0.05) was significantly decreased in ASO group as compared with the control group. Loss of GAB1 led to a remarkable decrease in LC3II (1.19 vs. 0.68, t = 5.99, P < 0.05), whereas overexpression of GAB1 significantly led to a decrease in LC3II level (0.41 vs. 0.93, t = 7.12, P < 0.05). Phosphorylation levels of JNK and p38 were significantly associated with gain- and loss-of-function of GAB1 protein. CONCLUSION Loss of GAB1 promotes VEC autophagy which is associated with ASO. GAB1 and its downstream signaling might be potential therapeutic targets for ASO treatment.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Adult ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans/genetics* ; Autophagy ; GRB2 Adaptor Protein ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Binding ; Signal Transduction

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced rig-g gene expression and to better understand the signal transduction of ATRA during acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell differentiation, the luciferase reporter assay, co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to clarify the basic transcriptional factors, which directly initiated the expression of rig-g gene. The results showed that the expression of STAT2, IRF-9 and IRF-1 could be upregulated by ATRA with different kinetics in NB4 cells. IRF-9 was able to interact with STAT2 to form a complex, which could bind the rig-g gene promoter and trigger the rig-g expression. IRF-1 alone could also activate the reporter gene containing rig-g gene promoter, but C/EBPalpha could strongly inhibit this transcription activity of IRF-1. It is concluded that during ATRA-induced APL cell differentiation, IRF-1 is first upregulated by ATRA, and then IRF-1 increases the protein levels of IRF-9 and STAT2 with the downregulation of C/EBPalpha. The complex of IRF-9 and STAT2 is the primary transcriptional factor for rig-g gene induction. This study will be helpful for better understanding the signal transduction networks of ATRA during the course of APL cell differentiation.
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; drug effects ; Genes, Regulator ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 ; metabolism ; Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; STAT2 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Vav1, as a key downstream signaling molecule of T cell receptor, includes a catalytic core DH-PH-ZF domain with the function as guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), and a SH3-SH2-SH3 domain with the function as adaptor protein. These two structures of Vav1 play different roles in the development, activation, proliferation and function of T cells, and thereby exert the different regulatory effect on the occurrence and development of autoimmune disease, graft rejection, cancer and other clinical conditions, implicating that Vav1 might be a potential therapeutic target for these diseases. This paper reviews the role of Vav1 in T cells and the occurrence of related diseases.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav ; chemistry ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes

PRAS40, a proline-rich Akt substrate of 40 kD, is 14-3-3 binding protein. To study the interaction between PRAS40 and 14-3-3 isoforms, We constructed the expression vector pEG-PRAS40 (DNA-binding plasmid) and pJG-PRAS40 (transcriptional activity plasmid) in yeast using gateway cloning technology, then the plasmid of pEG-PRAS40/pJG-PRAS40 was co-transformed into yeast EGY48 strain with each pJG-14-3-3 /pEG-14-3-3 isoform plasmid. The co-transformation were tested by nutrition limitation growth analysis, beta-galactosidase color assay was used to study the interaction degree between PRAS40 and 14-3-3 isoforms. We confirmed successfully the construction of pJG-PRAS40 and pEG-PRAS40 with enzyme digestion. four 14-3-3 isoforms were found interacting with PRAS40 using yeast two-hybrid assay, the interaction degree of Epsilon was stronger than beta and zeta, tau was the weakest. Our result will be used to further study the biological function of PRAS40 and 14-3-3 as new drug target.
14-3-3 Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Isoforms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of Dureping injection to the murinal celiac macrophage Ana-1 on TIR signal pathway.

METHODAna-1 cell line was infected by influenza virus FM1 strain and treated with the Dureping injection in different concentrations (10.1 mg x L(-1) group) for 12 h and 24 h. Then we collected the cells, extracted mRNA and measured the expressions of TLR7, MyD88, IRAK4, TRAF6 and NF-kappaB p65 respectively by RT-PCR.

RESULTDureping injection down-regulated the expression of TLR7, MyD88, IRAK4, TRAF6 and NF-kappaB p65 mRNA in Ana-1 cell line infected by influenza virus, in a dose-dependent manner significantly.

CONCLUSIONDureping injection has an obvious effect against influenza virus FM1 strain by regulating the TIR signal pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Animals ; Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases ; genetics ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Bo investigate the regulatory relationship between NKD1 and YWHAE and the mechanism of NKD1 for promoting tumor cell proliferation. METHODS: HCT116 cells transfected with pcDNA3.0-NKD1 plasmid, SW620 cells transfected with NKD1 siRNA, HCT116 cells with stable NKD1 overexpression (HCT116-NKD1 cells), SW620 cells with nkd1knockout (SW620-nkd1^-/- cells), and SW620-nkd1^-/- cells transfected with pcDNA3.0-YWHAE plasmid were examined for changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of YWHAE using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to detect the binding of NKD1 to the promoter region of YWHAE gene. The regulatory effect of NKD1 on YWHAE gene promoter activity was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, and the interaction between NKD1 and YWHAE was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay. The regulatory effect of NKD1 on glucose uptake was examined in the tumor cells. RESULTS: In HCT116 cells, overexpression of NKD1 significantly enhanced the expression of YWHAE at both the mRNA and protein levels, while NKD1 knockout decreased its expression in SW620 cells (P < 0.001). ChIP assay showed that NKD1 protein was capable of binding to the YWHAE promoter sequence; dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that NKD1 overexpression (or knockdown) in the colon cancer cells significantly enhanced (or reduced) the transcriptional activity of YWHAE promoter (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated the binding of NKD1 and YWHAE proteins in colon cancer cells. NKD1 knockout significantly reduced glucose uptake in colon cancer cells (P < 0.01), while YWHAE overexpression restored the glucose uptake in NKD1-knockout cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION NKD1 protein activates the transcriptional activity of YWHAE gene to promote glucose uptake in colon cancer cells.
Humans ; Colonic Neoplasms ; HCT116 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Messenger ; Glucose ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; 14-3-3 Proteins/metabolism*

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), a member of the gamma-herpesvirus family, encodes an oncoprotein called Saimiri Transforming Protein (STP) which is required for lymphoma induction in non-human primates. However, a detailed mechanism of STP-A11-induced oncogenesis has not been revealed yet. We first report that STP-A11 oncoprotein interacts with TNF-alpha receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 in vivo and in vitro. Mutagenesis analysis of the TRAF6-binding motif 10PQENDE15 in STP-A11 reveals that Glu (E)12 residue is critical for binding to TRAF6 and NF-kappaB activation. Interestingly, co-expression of E12A mutant, lack of TRAF6 binding, with cellular Src (Src) results in decreased transcriptional activity of Stat3 and AP-1, a novel target of STP-A11 compared to that of wild type. Furthermore, the presence of STP-A11 enhances the association of TRAF6 with Src and induces the translocation of both TRAF6 and Src to a nonionic detergent-insoluble fraction. Taken together, these studies suggest that STP-A11 oncoprotein up-regulates both NF-kappaB and AP-1 transcription activity through TRAF6, which would ultimately contribute cellular transformation.
*Transcription, Genetic ; Transcription Factor AP-1/agonists/*metabolism ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6/*metabolism ; Solubility ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral/*metabolism ; NF-kappa B/agonists/*metabolism ; Ions ; Humans ; Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine/*metabolism ; Detergents ; Cell Line