人Sema4C重组腺病毒载体的构建及其在小鼠成肌细胞系C2C12中的表达

利用Ad5腺病毒载体系统构建人Sema4C基因重组腺病毒表达载体并在成肌细胞系C2C12中表达,并初步探讨Sema4C基因在成肌发育过程中的可能作用。利用脂质体介导重组腺病毒载体转染HEK293细胞,包装出完整的腺病毒;将重组腺病毒载体感染C2C12成肌细胞后,利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现12h即有绿色荧光表达,24h后绿色荧光蛋白表达最强;流式细胞仪检测病毒的感染效率几乎达100%。WB检测结果表明感染重组腺病毒载体组C2C12细胞Sema4C蛋白的表达量明显高于空载体对照组（P<0.01）。为了进一步观察Sema4C基因对C2C12细胞增殖分化的影响,流式细胞仪检测了病毒感染48h后C2C12细胞的增殖指数,并对感染后诱导分化的C2C12细胞的分化情况进行了观察。我们的结果首次表明,过表达外源性人Sema4C基因不仅能使C2C12细胞的G0/G1期比例增加,细胞的增殖指数下降,同时在分化培养条件下还能促进C2C12细胞肌管的形成。     

稳定过表达人KLHL31基因的H9c2细胞系的建立及鉴定

人类KLHL31基因是本实验室已克隆的基因,其蛋白质含有保守的BTB和串连重复的Kelch结构域,实验表明人类KLHL31在成体骨骼肌和心肌组织中特异表达,KLHL31蛋白的过表达可以抑制了AP-1与SRE的活性.本文拟利用阳离子聚合物转染技术将重组表达质粒pCMV-tag2B-KLHL31转染H9c2细胞,通过G41...     

DN-AMPK腺病毒载体的构建及其在小鼠成肌细胞系C2C12肌管分化中的影响

在研究AMPK的调控网络时,通常利用过表达显性失活突变型AMPK(dominant negative AMPK,DN-AMPK)作为研究手段来验证AMPK在某些重要生理病理调节通路中的关键作用。旨在利用Ad5腺病毒载体体系构建Ad-DN-AMPK表达载体,并在成肌细胞系C2C12中检测无活性AMPK高表达后对C2C12细胞分化为肌管细胞的影响。通过构建AMPKα1(D159A)和AMPKα2(K45R)的腺病毒表达载体,在HEK293细胞中成功包装并扩增出完整的腺病毒,待其感染能力基本稳定后,将腺病毒感染C2C12,利用激光定量成像仪检测其感染滴度,感染效率能高达100%,并且能够持续表达6 d。DN-AMPK高表达后,AMPK常用激活剂A769662(SN-5)不能激活AMPK,表现为AMPK下游蛋白活性丧失,如ACC磷酸化无变化。通过实时定量PCR的方法,检测DN-AMPK对C2C12分化为肌管细胞的影响,结果表明过表达DN-AMPK能够促进C2C12细胞分化为肌管细胞的标记蛋白(Myod和Myogenin)的表达,即促进C2C12分化为肌管细胞。     

siRNA沉默Myh3基因抑制C2C12细胞糖酵解

肌球蛋白重链3(myosin heavy chain 3,Myh3)基因为肌肉细胞分化的标志基因,调节肌肉细胞能量的利用,但其是否会影响肌肉细胞不同状态下的糖酵解过程尚鲜有报道。本文以成肌和成脂分化不同阶段的小鼠C2C12细胞为模型,利用qRT-PCR方法研究Myh3与糖酵解相关基因Pkm(M-type pyruvate kinse)、Prkag3(protein kinase adenosine monophosphate-activated γ3-subunit)和Gsk3β(glycogen synthase kinase-3β)的表达模式。发现在C2C12细胞成肌分化过程中,Myh3与糖酵解基因Prkag3和Pkm的相对表达趋势基本一致,都呈现相对表达水平先上升,分化第2 d达到峰值,之后下降的趋势;糖原合酶抑制基因Gsk3β的表达趋势相对平稳。而在C2C12细胞成脂分化过程中,Myh3依然与糖酵解基因Prkag3和Pkm的相对表达趋势基本一致,相对表达量逐渐上升,在分化第8 d达到最高值;糖原合酶抑制基因Gsk3β的表达保持稳定状态。在C2C12细胞成肌分化状态下,qRT-PCR和Western 印迹检测干扰Myh3对细胞糖酵解相关基因Pkm、Prkag3和Gsk3β mRNA和蛋白质表达的影响。结果显示,干扰Myh3后,糖酵解基因Pkm和Prkag3的mRNA表达量极显著降低(P<0.01),糖原合酶抑制基因Gsk3β的mRNA表达无明显变化(P>0.05);Myh3干扰组中Myh3和Pkm的蛋白质水平显著低于空白组和NC组细胞。在C2C12细胞成脂分化状态下,干扰Myh3,糖原合酶抑制基因Gsk3β和糖酵解基因Prkag3的mRNA表达量极显著升高(P<0.01),糖酵解基因Pkm的mRNA表达下降;Myh3干扰组中Myh3和Pkm的蛋白质水平也低于空白组和NC组细胞。综合以上研究,C2C12细胞成肌和成脂状态下糖酵解水平存在明显差异,Myh3与酵解基因的表达模式相似,进一步研究发现,干扰Myh3可以抑制C2C12细胞成肌状态下的糖酵解,不影响糖原合成。与成肌状态不同,在C2C12细胞成脂状态下干扰Myh3,抑制了糖原合成和糖酵解。     

低氧抑制C2C12细胞的体外分化

目的:研究低氧环境对C2C12细胞分化的影响,为探讨肌肉的发生和骨骼肌的损伤修复机理提供理论依据.方法:培养C2C12细胞,分别在常氧和低氧(3%O2)条件下诱导分化.免疫细胞化学方法检测成肌细胞终末分化的标志蛋白MI-IC(肌球蛋白重链)的表达;Western blot检测MHC以及MRFs(成肌调控因子)的表达.结果:在常氧条件下诱导分化的C2C12细胞融合形成肌管并表达MHC蛋白,而在低氧条件下培养的C2C12细胞几乎很少融合形成肌管并表达MHC蛋白;同时低氧下调了C2C12细胞中MRFs的表达.结论:低氧抑制了C2C12细胞的体外分化.     

过表达miR-155抑制C2C12成肌分化

为明确miR-155在C2C12成肌分化中的作用及分子机制,本研究构建了miR-155过表达腺病毒载体,运用过表达miR-155的腺病毒感染C2C12,并诱导其成肌分化。通过形态学观察,成肌标志基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平的检测,以及双荧光素酶报告基因系统对预测的miR-155靶基因(TCF4)的验证,结果表明,C2C12细胞分化中,过表达miR-155明显降低了肌管的形成,成肌标志基因MyoG和MyHC的mRNA表达量极显著地下降(P0.01),而MyoD差异不显著(P0.05),成肌标志基因蛋白检测结果与mRNA检测结果一致;进一步研究显示miR-155与预测的TCF4基因的3'UTR 3个靶点(1487-1493,1516-1522,4532-4583)中的1个(4532-4538)结合,并发现过表达miR-155显著降低了TCF4的mRNA水平(P0.05)。表明miR-155可能通过靶向TCF4抑制C2C12成肌分化。     

稳定表达人ASB12的C2C12细胞系的建立及鉴定

ASB12(homo sapiens ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 12)蛋白含有5个ANK(ankyrin repeat sequence)序列和一个保守的SOCS(suppressor of cytokine signaling)盒结构域,是ASBs(human ankyrin repeat andSOCS box containing protein family,ASB family)家族的成员.人类ASB12基因在成体心肌和骨骼肌组织中特异表达,是成肌分化的候选基因.利用阳离子聚合物转染技术将重组表达质粒pCMV-tag2B-ASB12转染小鼠骨骼肌细胞系C2C12细胞,通过G418筛选、免疫荧光检测、RT-PCR分析、Western blotting检测建立了稳定表达ASB12的细胞系C2C12-ASB12,为研究ASB12在骨骼肌发育及其相关功能提供有用的细胞研究模型.     

C2C12成肌细胞诱导肌性分化过程中miR-101a的表达

以C2C12成肌细胞为模型,在分化培养基中诱导C2C12建立体外肌性细胞分化模型.以poly (A)3′-端加尾和实时定量PCR方法研究miR-101a在C2C12细胞分化过程中的表达情况.结果发现,在细胞转入分化培养基进行肌性分化的1-5 d中,miR-101a的表达量逐渐增加,提示miR-101a可能在肌肉发生中发挥调控作用.     

miR-143-3p促进C2C12成肌细胞分化

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) 是一类小非编码RNA,近年研究发现其在骨骼肌发育调控中发挥重要作用.为探明miR-143-3p在C2C12成肌细胞分化中的调控作用,采用 real-time PCR 检测了miR-143-3p在小鼠各组织及C2C12成肌细胞分化过程中的表达;使用miR-143-3p 的模拟物和特异性抑制剂分别处理细胞,采用 real-time PCR 和 Western印迹分别检测成肌因子 MyoG和成肌标志基因 MyHC mRNA和蛋白水平的变化;用免疫荧光染色的方法观察肌管的形成.结果显示,miR-143-3p在小鼠各组织中均有表达,并且随着细胞分化表达量逐渐增加;C2C12成肌细胞过表达 miR-143-3p,与对照组相比,成肌调控因子MyoG和成肌标志基因MyHC 的mRNA和蛋白表达均显著升高,肌管数量明显增多;抑制剂处理结果显示,细胞分化被显著抑制.检测miR-143-3p对MyHC各亚型表达的影响发现,miR-143-3p表达的变化并不直接影响MyHC各亚型的表达.以上结果说明, miR-143-3p在骨骼肌和成肌细胞中均有表达,能够促进C2C12成肌细胞分化,但并不直接调控MyHCs的表达.     

KLF4过表达对RAW264.7巨噬细胞和C2C12肌原细胞增殖的影响

为探讨Krueppel样因子4（Krueppel-like factor 4,KLF4）过表达对Raw264．7巨噬细胞和C2C12小鼠肌原细胞生长的影响,采用脂质体转染KLF4的真核表达质粒于Raw264．7巨噬细胞和C2C12细胞中,G418筛选阳性克隆,Western blotting鉴定高表达克隆;观察各转染细胞生长情况,CCk-8法检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞周期分布,凋亡百分率,发现与空质粒转染细胞相比,KLF4过表达对Raw264．7巨噬细胞的生长曲线、细胞周期分布、凋亡百分率没有明显的影响,而C2C12细胞生长速度减慢,细胞凋亡百分率明显高于空载体组,上述结果表明KLF4基因对Raw264．7巨噬细胞增殖没有明显影响,而对C2C12细胞增殖起负调控作用．     

Update on the Kelch-like (KLHL) gene family

The Kelch-like (KLHL) gene family encodes a group of proteins that generally possess a BTB/POZ domain, a BACK domain, and five to six Kelch motifs. BTB domains facilitate protein binding and dimerization. The BACK domain has no known function yet is of functional importance since mutations in this domain are associated with disease. Kelch domains form a tertiary structure of β-propellers that have a role in extracellular functions, morphology, and binding to other proteins. Presently, 42 KLHL genes have been classified by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC), and they are found across multiple human chromosomes. The KLHL family is conserved throughout evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of KLHL family members suggests that it can be subdivided into three subgroups with KLHL11 as the oldest member and KLHL9 as the youngest. Several KLHL proteins bind to the E3 ligase cullin 3 and are known to be involved in ubiquitination. KLHL genes are responsible for several Mendelian diseases and have been associated with cancer. Further investigation of this family of proteins will likely provide valuable insights into basic biology and human disease.     

Molecular characterization of KLHL3, a human homologue of the Drosophila kelch gene

The Drosophila kelch protein is a structural component of ring canals and is required for oocyte maturation. Here, we report the cloning and genomic structure of a new human homologue of kelch, KLHL3. At the amino acid level, KLHL3 shares 77% similarity with Drosophila kelch and 89% similarity with Mayven (KLHL2), another human kelch homolog. The approximately 6.5-kb mRNA has a single open reading frame encoding a protein of 587 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 650 kDa. Like kelch and KLHL2, the KLHL3 protein contains a poxvirus and zinc finger domain at the N-terminus and six tandem repeats (kelch repeats) at the C-terminus. At least three isoforms, which differ in the length of the N-terminus, are produced and may be the result of alternative promoter usage. We also identified alternative polyadenylation sites and alternative splicing; thus, as many as 12 mRNA variants and six putative protein isoforms could be produced. The KLHL3 gene is mapped to human chromosome 5, band q31, contains 17 exons, and spans approximately 120 kb of genomic DNA. KLHL3 maps within the smallest commonly deleted segment in myeloid leukemias characterized by a deletion of 5q; however, we detected no inactivating mutations of KLHL3 in malignant myeloid disorders with loss of 5q.     

Decrease of WNK4 ubiquitination by disease-causing mutations of KLHL3 through different molecular mechanisms

Recently, we demonstrated that WNK4 is a substrate for KLHL3–Cullin3 (CUL3) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes and that impaired WNK4 ubiquitination is a common mechanism for pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) caused by WNK4, KLHL3, and CUL3 mutations. Among the various KLHL3 mutations that cause PHAII, we demonstrated that the R528H mutation in the Kelch domain decreased the binding to WNK4, thereby causing less ubiquitination and increased intracellular levels of WNK4. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of PHAII caused by other KLHL3 mutants remain to be determined. In this study, we examined the pathogenic effects of three PHAII-causing mutations in different KLHL3 domains; the protein levels of these mutants significantly differed when they were transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. In particular, S410L expression was low even with increased plasmid expression. The cycloheximide chase assay revealed that an S410L mutation in the Kelch domain significantly decreased the intracellular stability. Mutations in E85A in the BTB domain and C164F in the BACK domain decreased the binding to CUL3, and S410L as well as R528H demonstrated less binding to WNK4. In vitro and in vivo assays revealed that these mutants decreased the ubiquitination and increased the intracellular levels of WNK4 compared with wild-type KLHL3. Therefore, the KLHL3 mutants causing PHAII investigated in this study exhibited less ability to ubiquitinate WNK4 because of KLHL3’s low stability and/or decreased binding to CUL3 or WNK4.     

Involvement of myogenic regulator factors during fusion in the cell line C2C12

The myogenic factors, MyoD, myogenin, Myf5 and MRF4, can activate skeletal muscle differentiation when overexpressed in non-muscular cells. Gene targeting experiments have provided much insight into the in vivo functions of MRF and have defined two functional groups of MRFs. MyoD and Myf5 may be necessary for myoblast determination while myogenin and MRF4 may be required later during differentiation. However, the specific role of these myogenic factors has not been clearly defined during one important stage of myogenesis: the fusion of myoblasts. Using cultured C2C12 mouse muscular cells, the time-course of these proteins was analyzed and a distinct expression pattern in fusing cells was revealed. In an attempt to clarify the role of each of these regulators during myoblast fusion, an antisense strategy using oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbone modification was adoped. The results showed that the inhibition of myogenin and Myf5 activity is capable of significantly preventing fusion. Furthermore, the inhibition of MyoD can wholly arrest the engaged fusion process in spite of high endogenous expression of both myogenin and Myf5. Consequently, each MRF seems to have, at this defined step of myogenesis, a specific set of functions that can not be substituted for by the others and therefore may regulate a distinct subset of muscle-specific genes at the onset of fusion.     

Overexpression of nPKC theta is permissive for myogenic differentiation

Although protein kinase C (PKC) has been shown to participate in skeletal myogenic differentiation, the functions of individual isoforms of PKC in myogenesis have not been completely elucidated. These studies focused on the role of nPKC straight theta, an isoform of the PKC family whose expression has been shown to be regulated by commitment to the myogenic lineage, myogenic differentiation and innervation. We used the myogenic cell line C(2)C(12) as a tissue culture model system to explore the role of nPKC straight theta in the formation of multinucleated myotubes. We examined endogenous levels of nPKC straight theta in C(2)C(12) cells and showed that it is expressed at low levels in myoblasts compared to mouse skeletal muscle and that expression is maintained in myotubes. We overexpressed nPKC straight theta in C(2)C(12) myoblasts and examined the ability of overexpressing cells to differentiate into myotubes. Using an nPKC straight theta - green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimera to detect transfected myoblasts, we showed that overexpressed nPKC straight theta-GFP translocates to the plasma membrane in response to phorbol ester treatment of myoblast cultures in situ. nPKC straight theta-GFP was found to be completely extracted into the detergent-soluble fraction of cell lysates and was stably expressed throughout the extent of differentiation into myotubes. No difference was seen in the ability of myoblasts either overexpressing nPKC straight theta - GFP or GFP alone to form myotubes. These studies demonstrate that overexpression of nPKC straight theta does not interfere with fusion of myoblasts into myotubes suggesting that nPKC straight theta activity is not inhibitory for myogenesis. These studies also demonstrate a method for transfecting myoblasts and identifying differentiated cells that overexpress nPKC straight theta-GFP for investigating the function of nPKC straight theta in living myotubes.     

Subnuclear localization and differentiation-dependent increased expression of DGK-zeta in C2C12 mouse myoblasts

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) catalyze phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DG) to yield phosphatidic acid (PA). Previous evidence has shown that the nucleus contains several DGK isoforms. In this study, we have analyzed the expression and subnuclear localization of DGK-zeta employing C2C12 mouse myoblasts. Immunocytochemistry coupled to confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that both endogenous and green fluorescent protein-tagged overexpressed DGK-zeta localized mostly to the nucleus. In contrast, overexpressed DGK-alpha, -beta, -delta, and -iota did not migrate to the nucleus. DGK-zeta was present in the nuclear speckle domains, as also revealed by immuno-electron microscopy analysis. Moreover, DGK-zeta co-localized and interacted with phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cbeta1 (PLCbeta1), that is involved in inositide-dependent signaling pathways important for the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, we report that DGK-zeta associated with nuclear matrix, the fundamental organizing principle of the nucleus where many cell functions take place, including DNA replication, gene expression, and protein phosphorylation. Nuclear DGK-zeta increased during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells, while DGK-zeta down-regulation by siRNA markedly impaired differentiation. Overall, our findings further support the importance of speckles and nuclear matrix in lipid-dependent signaling and suggest that nuclear DGK-zeta might play some fundamental role during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells.     

Crystal Structure of KLHL3 in Complex with Cullin3

KLHL3 is a BTB-BACK-Kelch family protein that serves as a substrate adapter in Cullin3 (Cul3) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes. KLHL3 is highly expressed in distal nephron tubules where it is involved in the regulation of electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure. Mutations in KLHL3 have been identified in patients with inherited hypertension disorders, and several of the disease-associated mutations are located in the presumed Cul3 binding region. Here, we report the crystal structure of a complex between the KLHL3 BTB-BACK domain dimer and two copies of an N terminal fragment of Cul3. We use isothermal titration calorimetry to directly demonstrate that several of the disease mutations in the KLHL3 BTB-BACK domains disrupt the association with Cul3. Both the BTB and BACK domains contribute to the Cul3 interaction surface, and an extended model of the dimeric CRL3 complex places the two E2 binding sites in a suprafacial arrangement with respect to the presumed substrate-binding sites.