1.Structure and Function of GPR126/ADGRG6
Ting-Ting WU ; Si-Qi JIA ; Shu-Zhu CAO ; De-Xin ZHU ; Guo-Chao TANG ; Zhi-Hua SUN ; Xing-Mei DENG ; Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):299-309
GPR126, also known as ADGRG6, is one of the most deeply studied aGPCRs. Initially, GPR126 was thought to be a receptor associated with muscle development and was primarily expressed in the muscular and skeletal systems. With the deepening of research, it was found that GPR126 is expressed in multiple mammalian tissues and organs, and is involved in many biological processes such as embryonic development, nervous system development, and extracellular matrix interactions. Compared with other aGPCRs proteins, GPR126 has a longer N-terminal domain, which can bind to ligands one-to-one and one-to-many. Its N-terminus contains five domains, a CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain, a PTX (Pentraxin) domain, a SEA (Sperm protein, Enterokinase, and Agrin) domain, a hormone binding (HormR) domain, and a conserved GAIN domain. The GAIN domain has a self-shearing function, which is essential for the maturation, stability, transport and function of aGPCRs. Different SEA domains constitute different GPR126 isomers, which can regulate the activation and closure of downstream signaling pathways through conformational changes. GPR126 has a typical aGPCRs seven-transmembrane helical structure, which can be coupled to Gs and Gi, causing cAMP to up- or down-regulation, mediating transmembrane signaling and participating in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. GPR126 is activated in a tethered-stalk peptide agonism or orthosteric agonism, which is mainly manifested by self-proteolysis or conformational changes in the GAIN domain, which mediates the rapid activation or closure of downstream pathways by tethered agonists. In addition to the tethered short stem peptide activation mode, GPR126 also has another allosteric agonism or tunable agonism mode, which is specifically expressed as the GAIN domain does not have self-shearing function in the physiological state, NTF and CTF always maintain the binding state, and the NTF binds to the ligand to cause conformational changes of the receptor, which somehow transmits signals to the GAIN domain in a spatial structure. The GAIN domain can cause the 7TM domain to produce an activated or inhibited signal for signal transduction, For example, type IV collagen interacts with the CUB and PTX domains of GPR126 to activate GPR126 downstream signal transduction. GPR126 has homology of 51.6%-86.9% among different species, with 10 conserved regions between different species, which can be traced back to the oldest metazoans as well as unicellular animals.In terms of diseases, GPR126 dysfunction involves the pathological process of bone, myelin, embryo and other related diseases, and is also closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors such as breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the biological function of GPR126 in various diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target still needs further research. This paper focuses on the structure, interspecies differences and conservatism, signal transduction and biological functions of GPR126, which provides ideas and references for future research on GPR126.
2.Analysis of Kidney Differential Metabolites and Hypoxia Adaptation Mechanism of Plateau Pikas Based on UHPLC-QE-MS
Yuxin HE ; Zhenzhong BAI ; Hua XUE ; Zixu GUO ; Xuefeng CAO
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):3-12
Objective To explore the potential mechanisms of hypoxic adaptive metabolic changes in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes using non-targeted metabolomics analysis via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole electrostatic field orbital trap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Methods 10 plateau pikas were captured at an altitude of 4 360 m in Xingxiuhai area, Maduo County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (MD group), and 10 plateau pikas were captured at an altitude of 2 900 m in Menyuan area, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (MY group). After anesthesia, serum samples were collected, and kidney samples were collected after euthanasia. General physiological and biochemical indicators were measured and metabolomics analysis was performed. Part of the serum samples was used for hematology analysis, another part for blood gas analysis, and the remaining part for biochemical indicator detection. Metabolites were extracted from the kidney tissue samples and then analyzed using UHPLC-QE-MS. Differential metabolites were analyzed using metabolomics principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), with screening criteria set as variable importance in projection (VIP)>1.5 and fold change (FC)>1.5, or VIP>1.5 and FC<1/1.5. Correlation analysis heatmaps, significance analysis volcano plots, signaling pathway recognition bubble charts, and rectangular graphs were used for the analysis of differential metabolites and related signaling pathways. Results The red blood cell count, glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, and homocysteine levels in the MD group plateau pikas were higher than those in the MY group, while hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, and carbon dioxide combining power were lower than those in the MY group. This indicated a significant difference in the blood oxygen-carrying capacity of plateau pikas at different altitudes. The principal component pattern recognition analyses, and OPLS-DA permutation test showed that the kidney metabolites of the MD and MY groups of plateau pikas had distinct clustering distributions (R²Y=0.930, Q²=0.655). According to the screening criteria and database comparison, 46 differential metabolites were identified in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes. In the MD group of plateau pikas, the expression levels of bufadienolide, adenosine, adenine, diosgenin, berberine chloride, carnosol, and astaxanthin were significantly increased (VIP>1.5, P<0.05), while the levels of arachidonic acid, histamine, and coumarin were significantly decreased (VIP>1.5, P<0.05). The analysis of related signaling pathways showed that the biosynthetic pathways of valine, leucine, and isoleucine had the largest impact factors (P<0.05), while the biosynthetic pathways of pantothenate and coenzyme A showed the most significant enrichment (P<0.05). Conclusion The differential metabolites of amino acids, pantothenate, and coenzyme A pathways in the kidneys of plateau pikas at different altitudes may be involved in the metabolic mechanisms of plateau pikas' hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude environments.
3.Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers from the Perspective of "Heart"
Mengfan REN ; Nailin ZHANG ; Ruohan WANG ; Mengqian SUN ; Pingping CHEN ; Hua CAO ; Qiquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1174-1177
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "all pain, itching, and sores are related to the heart", this paper proposes treating recurrent aphthous ulcers from the perspective of the heart. It suggests that excessive heart fire and tissue erosion due to flaming fire in the heart meridian constitute the core pathogenesis of this condition. Hyperactive heart fire is identified as the key pathogenic factor, while heart yin deficiency, obstruction of the heart collaterals, and malnourishment of the heart spirit are considered significant contributing factors. Clinically, the treatment follows the principle of clearing heart fire as the main strategy, supplemented by nourishing yin, activating collaterals, and calming the spirit. The self-formulated Qingxin Yuchuang Formulation (清心愈疮方) serves as the base prescription, with flexible modifications incorporating the Yuyin Formulation (育阴方), Huoxue Formulation (活血方), and Yu'an Formulation (郁安方) to address specific syndromes involving heart yin deficiency, collateral blockage, and emotional disturbance.
4.Melatonin inhibits arrhythmias induced by increased late sodium currents in ventricular myocytes
Jie WEN ; Han-feng LIU ; Yan-yan YANG ; Ze-fu ZHANG ; An-tao LUO ; Zhen-zhen CAO ; Ji-hua MA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):143-151
Melatonin (Mel) has been shown to have cardioprotective effects, but its action on ion channels is unclear. In this experiment, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Mel on late sodium currents (INa.L) in mouse ventricular myocytes and the anti-arrhythmic effect at the organ level as well as its mechanism. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was applied to record the ionic currents and action potential (AP) in mouse ventricular myocytes while the electrocardiogram (ECG) and monophasic action potential (MAP) were recorded simultaneously in mouse hearts using a multichannel acquisition and analysis system. The results demonstrated that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Mel on transient sodium current (INa.T) and specific INa.L opener 2 nmol·L-1 sea anemone toxins II (ATX II) increased INa.L were 686.615 and 7.37 μmol·L-1, respectively. Mel did not affect L-type calcium current (ICa.L), transient outward current (Ito), and AP. In addition, 16 μmol·L-1 Mel shortened ATX II-prolonged action potential duration (APD), suppressed ATX II-induced early afterdepolarizations (EADs), and significantly reduced the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. In conclusion, Mel exerted its antiarrhythmic effects principally by blocking INa.L, thus providing a significant theoretical basis for new clinical applications of Mel. Animal welfare and experimental process are in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan University of Science and Technology (2023130).
5.Clinical study of Shenbao tablet in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome
Xiu-Dian LI ; Ping CHENG ; Zhe CAO ; Qiong HUA ; Xiang-Xin MENG ; Qing-Gang ZHOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(4):524-528
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shenbao tablet in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.Methods Patients with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome,will were treated with Shenbao Tablets orally,3 tablets once,3 times a day,and the course of treatment was 56 days or 84 days,depending on the condition.By comparing the clinical efficacy,the changes of symptom scores and syndrome scores before and after treatment,and symptoms remission time,the effectiveness of Shenbao tablet in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome was evaluated.The safety was evaluated by adverse reactions.Results There were 339 patients in the 56-day group and 345 patients in the 84-day group.After treatment,the clinical effective rates of the 56-day group and the 84-day group were 91.74%and 97.97%,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In the 56-day group and the 84-day group,the excellent rate were 58.41%and 59.13%,clinical control rates were 18.58%and 27.54%,and the progress rates were 14.75%and 11.30%,respectively.After treatment,the symptom scores of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome were significantly reduced respectively within both groups(P<0.05).In the 56-day group and the 84-day group,the nocturia scores of were 0.89±1.27 and 0.60±1.03,the soreness of waist scores were 1.31±1.19 and 0.72±1.00,the morning diarrhea scores were 0.28±0.74 and 0.19±0.61,the anaphrodisia scores were 0.65±1.13 and 0.53±0.98,the low spirits scores were 0.29±0.81 and 0.08±0.40,the cold limbs score were 1.09±1.20 and 0.55±0.93,the edema scores were 0.14±0.55 and 0.05±0.30,the bright pale complexion scores were 0.20±0.59 and 0.24±0.65,respectively.There were significant differences in the reduction of each symptom score between the two groups(P<0.05);the 56-day group had a more significant decrease in the score of cold limbs than the 84-day group.The remaining symptom scores decreased more significantly in the 84-day group.After treatment,the syndrome scores of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05);the change rates of score in the 56-day group and the 84-day group were(-72.33±24.57)%and(-78.77±19.53)%,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The self-reported time to first symptom relief was(14.85±7.18)days in the 56-day group and(14.10±7.78)days in the 84-day group,with no significant difference(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions of Shenbao tablets was 5.37%,mainly reflected in hepatobiliary system diseases,gastrointestinal system diseases and various examination abnormalities.Conclusions After taking Shenbao tablets for 2 to 3 months,the clinical symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency were better improved,and the improvement was more significant after 3 months of treatment.The security of Shenbao Tablets was good.
6.Toxicity evaluation of alcohol extract of Polygonum multiflorum based on 3D hepatocyte ball model
Hua-Long SU ; Xiang-Cao YAO ; Jia-Min CHEN ; Bo-Hong CEN ; Ping WANG ; Zong-Zheng CHEN ; Zhong-Yuan XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1272-1276
Objective To explore the toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum alcohol extract on 3D hepatospheres.Methods Variations in culture conditions and cell ratios were implemented,followed by the assessment of cell sphere diameter,density,and roundness,aiming to explore the optimal culture conditions.The 3D hepatocyte spheres were divided into control group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.The experimental-L,-M,-H groups were treated with 0.25,1.00 and 2.50 mg·mL-1 Polygounm multiforum alcohol extract,and the control group was given the same amount of culture medium.The cell viability of the cell spheroids was tested by CellTiter-Glo reagent,the expression level of liver function related genes was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qRCR).The toxicity of cell spheres was detected by double fluorescent staining of living and dead cells.Results The ideal culture condition of cell sphere was 500 cells per micropore,and the cell ratio was HepG2-Huvec-LX-2=8∶1∶1.It displayed the values of 0.91±0.07 for circularity,0.91±0.02 for firmness,1.12±0.14 for aspect ratio,and(170.97±14.79)μm for diameter.On the 3rd,7th,10th and 14th days,the expression levels of albumin(ALB)mRNA were 1.00±0.02,0.96±0.02,0.54±0.07,0.52±0.07,and the expression levels of cytochrome P450 1A2(CYP1A2)mRNA were 1.00±0.10,2.15±0.16,2.45±0.33,1.30±0.03,respectively.The expression levels of multidrug resistance protein 2(MPR2)in the control group and the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were 1.00±0.31,1.38±0.24,1.48±0.06 and 1.90±0.08,respectively;spheroid viability were(98.19±0.49)%,(88.53±0.90)%,(71.60±2.91)%and(56.65±5.41)%.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the experimental-L,-M,-H groups and the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion The established hepatocyte sphere co-culture model showed varying degrees of expression of phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ drug metabolism enzymes,transporters,and liver cell specific marker molecule albumin and can be used to evaluate the toxicity of multiflorum multiflorum,which provides further reference for the clinical application of multiflorum multiflorum.
7.Bioequivalence study of gliclazide sustained-release tablets in Chinese healthy subjects
Zhou-Ping DUAN ; Xiao-Wei ZHAO ; Jin-Hua WEN ; Shi-Bo HUANG ; Pu LI ; Duan-Wen CAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2241-2245
Objective To investigate the bioequivalence of gliclazide sustained-release tablets in Chinese healthy subjects.Methods The study was designed using a single-center,open,randomized,single-dose,two-cycle,two-sequence administration method;subjects were orally administered the test/reference preparation 30 mg on an fasting or fed conditions,with self-cross-dosing.The concentration of gliclazide in human plasma was determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of gliclazide(Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞)were analyzed by non-atrioventricular model of WinNonlin.Result In the fasting study,24 subjects were recruited and 22 completed the study.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of gliclazide sustained-release tablets test preparation and reference preparation in the fasting group were as follows:Cmax were(862.48±294.48)and(902.96±259.09)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(2.60 × 104±8 930.46)and(2.50 ×104±7 573.42)h·ng-1·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(3.00 × 104±1.43 × 104)and(2.68 × 104±7 085.99)h·ng·mL-1.In the fed study,twenty-four subjects were enrolled and 23 completed the study.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of gliclazide sustained-release tablets test preparation and reference preparation in fed group:Cmax were(1 531.74±273.49)and(1 510.87±241.08)ng·mL-1;AUC0-t were(2.78 ×104±9 565.89)and(2.76 ×104±9 821.43)h·ng·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were(3.02 ×104±1.24 ×104)and(3.02 × 104±1.30 × 104)h·ng·mL-1 h·ng·mL-1.The 90%confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios of Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0-∞ for the test preparation and reference preparation gliclazide sustained-release tablets were all between 80%and 125%.Conclusion The test and the reference preparation of gliclazide sustained-release tablets are bioequivalent in Chinese healthy subjects.
8.Construction of a closed-loop management model of drugs in operating room based on intelligent Internet of Things system
Hua QIAN ; Meixin NI ; Hanzhong CAO ; Haijuan GU ; Xianxian XIA
China Pharmacy 2024;35(14):1696-1700
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for improving the level of hospital pharmaceutical management for operating room drugs. METHODS The operating room pharmacy of our hospital utilized the concept and means of the Internet of Things (IoT) to build an intelligent IoT system for operating room drugs (hereinafter referred to as the “IoT system”), and optimized and improved it. The quality of drug management in the operating room of our hospital during the initial phase of the IoT system (Q1 2022) and after optimization and improvement (Q1 2023) were compared by setting indicators from four aspects: quality, efficiency, cost, and satisfaction. RESULTS After more than a year of optimization and improvement, our hospital has built a traceable IoT system for the entire drug process that integrated surgical anesthesia systems and hospital information systems, with the direction of drug circulation in the operating room as the axis, using intelligent drug vehicles as the hardware foundation, and anesthesia doctor’s order information system as the software medium. After the optimization and improvement of the IoT system, the standardized score of anesthesia orders in the operating room increased from (68.5±3.5) points in the initial period to (97.0± 2.7) points; the consistency rate between accounts and materials increased from (82.40±8.85)% to (96.50±4.80)%; the time of taking medicine was shortened from (40±8) min to (12±3) min; the frequency of drug withdrawal was reduced from (36.0± 6.5) times/day to (15.5±3.0) times/day; the cost of loss drugs was decreased from (1 292.61±305.90) yuan to (594.24±195.05) yuan; the satisfaction was increased from (80.5±6.5) points to (96.0±3.0) points. All indicators were significantly improved with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The intelligent IoT system constructed by our hospital effectively ensures the accessibility, timeliness, and safety of intraoperative medication, which is conducive to improving the quality of drug management in the operating room.
9.Mechanism of action of the bile acid receptor TGR5 in obesity.
Weijun LUN ; Qihao YAN ; Xinghua GUO ; Minchuan ZHOU ; Yan BAI ; Jincan HE ; Hua CAO ; Qishi CHE ; Jiao GUO ; Zhengquan SU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):468-491
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of membrane protein receptors, and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is a member of this family. As a membrane receptor, TGR5 is widely distributed in different parts of the human body and plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, including the processes of energy consumption, weight loss and blood glucose homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that TGR5 plays an important role in glucose and lipid metabolism disorders such as fatty liver, obesity and diabetes. With the global obesity situation becoming more and more serious, a comprehensive explanation of the mechanism of TGR5 and filling the gaps in knowledge concerning clinical ligand drugs are urgently needed. In this review, we mainly explain the anti-obesity mechanism of TGR5 to promote the further study of this target, and show the electron microscope structure of TGR5 and review recent studies on TGR5 ligands to illustrate the specific binding between TGR5 receptor binding sites and ligands, which can effectively provide new ideas for ligand research and promote drug research.
10.Establishment of an in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation model for BCMA CAR-T cells based on BCMA mutants
ZHANG Xiaoxue1a ; HUA Jinghan1a ; HOU Rui1b ; LIU Dan1c ; SHI Ming1c ; CAO Jiang2
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(5):493-500
[摘 要] 目的:为解决野生型B细胞成熟抗原(BCMA)被γ分泌酶切割导致表达不稳定的问题,构建抵抗γ分泌酶切割的BCMA突变体并构建靶细胞,用于评价BCMA CAR-T细胞的杀伤功能。方法:将野生型BCMA的穿膜域替换为人CD8α穿膜域,构建抵抗γ分泌酶切割的BCMA突变体(BCMA-CD8α TM),构建过表达该突变体的U266(U266BCMA Mut)、K562(K562BCMA Mut)、SKOV3(SKOV3BCMA Mut)和CHO(CHOBCMA Mut)细胞;构建装载NFAT-EGFP报告基因的BCMA CAR Jurkat细胞(BCMA-CAR-Jurkat-Reporter)与U266BCMA Mut细胞共培养,采用FCM检测该细胞中EGFP表达水平以指示NFAT激活水平,荧光素酶法检测BCMA CAR-T细胞对Luciferase标记的K562BCMA Mut细胞的杀伤作用,实时无标记动态细胞分析技术(RTCA)检测BCMA CAR-T细胞对SKOV3BCMA Mut和CHOBCMA Mut细胞的杀伤作用。结果:应用γ分泌酶抑制剂LY411575抑制γ分泌酶活性,显著增强野生型U266细胞表面BCMA表达水平,平均荧光强度上调10倍以上;但撤除抑制剂后BCMA表达水平逐渐降低(P<0.01);BCMA-CD8α TM突变体可抵抗γ分泌酶的切割作用,在U266细胞表面稳定表达(P>0.05);U266细胞及过表达BCMA-CD8α TM的U266细胞与BCMA-CAR-Jurkat-Reporter细胞共培养后都可激活Reporter系统、增强EGFP表达,但该效应在BCMA-CD8α TM过表达的U266细胞中更显著(P<0.01);BCMA-CD8α TM在BCMA表达阴性的K562、SKOV3和CHO 3种靶细胞中成功过表达,且在LY411575处理下该突变体的表达水平仅有小幅度升高;荧光素酶法检测结果显示,不同效靶比下,BCMA CAR-T细胞均可特异、高效杀伤过表达BCMA-CD8α TM的K562细胞;RTCA结果显示,不同效靶比下,BCMA CAR-T细胞均可有效识别、杀伤过表达BCMA-CD8α TM的SKOV3和CHO细胞,但同等效靶比下的Mock-T细胞无此效应。结论:本实验构建的BCMA-CD8α TM突变体能够抵抗γ分泌酶的切割,在多种靶细胞表面稳定表达,为评价BCMA CAR-T细胞体外杀伤的有效性和特异性提供多种检测手段。

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail