反式激活应答元件RNA在HIV-1感染中的作用

反式激活应答(transactivation response,TAR)元件RNA作为HIV-1中的一种非编码RNA,从转录与翻译水平负调控HIV-1的基因表达.同时HIV-1采取了相应的策略拮抗TAR RNA的负调控作用:病毒蛋白Tat或细胞蛋白TAR RNA结合蛋白(TRBP)结合TAR RNA后,分别在转录与翻译水平促进HIV-1的基因表达.此外,TAR编码的miRNA有助于保持HIV的潜伏感染及阻止细胞凋亡.TAR与其它蛋白间相互作用及其功能的研究对于深入了解HIV-1感染细胞后的调控机制,寻求新的抗HIV治疗靶点具有重要意义.     

TRBP2基因过表达对肺腺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的影响及可能机制

该文探讨了TAR RNA结合蛋白2(TAR RNA binding protein 2,TRBP2)基因对肺腺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的影响及可能机制。构建TRBP2慢病毒过表达载体,以不同感染复数(MOI)感染A549细胞,根据绿色荧光强度选择最适MOI值。荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)检测TRBP2、MMP-2(matrix metalloproteinase-2)、PKR(double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase)m RNA的表达量。免疫蛋白印记(Western blot)法检测TRBP2、MMP-2、PKR、p-PKR的表达。采用MTT法、平板克隆实验检测TRBP2基因对A549细胞增殖的影响,Transwell迁移及侵袭实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,黏附实验检测同种细胞和异种细胞间黏附情况。结果发现,成功构建了TRBP2基因过表达的A549细胞株,与空载体组和对照组比较,TRBP2基因过表达组细胞侵袭、迁移能力明显增强(P0.05),同种细胞间黏附力减弱(P0.05)而异种细胞间黏附力增强(P0.05),增殖速度加快(P0.05)及克隆形成率增加(P0.05)。此外,MMP-2、TRBP2蛋白及m RNA表达量明显升高(P0.05);p-PKR蛋白表达量降低(P0.05);PKR蛋白及m RNA表达量无差异。对照组与空载体组之间比较,以上各项指标均没有明显差异(P0.05)。该研究表明,过表达TRBP2基因可能通过促进MMP-2的表达同时抑制PKR磷酸化来促进肺腺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭。     

双链RNA激活的蛋白激酶(PKR)的克隆表达及其对丙型肝炎病毒蛋白合成的抑制

α干扰素为治疗丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染的主要药物,但部分患者呈干扰素耐受而不能获得持久的病毒阴转,其可能的原因之一是病毒通过其编码的蛋白(NS5A及E2)抑制干扰素诱导的抗病毒效应分子——双链RNA激活的蛋白激酶(PKR)的活性.而关于PKR是否在IFN-α抗HCV的机理中起抑制作用目前仍有争议.为研究PKR对HCV蛋白合成环节是否有抑制作用,通过构建野生型 PKR真核表达载体（pPKRwt）及主要起负性调节作用的缺失突变PKR真核表达载体（pPKRΔ6）,并将pPKRwt /pPKRΔ6 与HCV复制子RNA同时转染Huh7细胞进行共表达, 用Western印迹检测 HCV IRES 下游的NPTⅡ蛋白表达水平,与转染空载体的对照细胞及单用IFN-α处理的细胞相比较.结果显示：表达PKRwt的细胞中NPTⅡ蛋白水平低于转染空载体的对照细胞,但高于经IFN-α单独处理的细胞;表达PKRΔ6的细胞中NPTⅡ蛋白水平与对照细胞无明显差别,但PKRΔ能部分抵消IFN-α的抑制作用,说明在IFN-α抑制HCV IRES指导的蛋白合成中,PKR有一定的抑制作用,但可能还有其它的PKR非依赖机制参与.     

RNA传感器蛋白催化酶PKR研究新进展

PKR(Protein Kinase Double-Stranded RNA-Dependent)是丝氨酸-苏氨酸催化酶,细胞浆中重要的RNA传感器(RNA sensor),能自身磷酸化,也可使真核细胞初始化因子2亚单位(subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2,e IF-2α)磷酸化。PKR结合病毒dsRNA通过激活PKR/e IF-2α信号通路,抑制病毒基因的翻译,降低病毒蛋白合成,有效减少病毒复制。PKR还可通过激活IκB(inhibitor of NF-κB)/转导核因子(NF-κB,nuclear factorκB)信号通路抑制病毒的转录。PKR与肿瘤的发生具有相关性,能作为治疗癌症的靶点。本文主要综述PKR的分子生物学性质、PKR分子的活化、PKR对IFN转录和转录后的调节、PKR的信号转导、PKR对非病毒病原体感染的调节、PKR对肿瘤细胞的调节等方面的最新进展。     

小RNA病毒蛋白与细胞凋亡的关系

很多小RNA病毒科病毒感染宿主细胞后可引发宿主细胞凋亡,这种现象被认为是宿主细胞对抗小RNA病毒侵染的防御机制。凋亡机制可由某些病毒蛋白对细胞产生信号干扰来实现多种凋亡通路。虽然这些凋亡通路的上游事件是不同的,但最后的效应却很一致。此外,一些病毒蛋白具有抑制细胞凋亡的功能,它们能够令感染病毒后的细胞不死亡,形成病毒与宿主细胞共存的持续性感染状态。     

人类冠状病毒调节宿主抗病毒天然免疫分子机制

SARS冠状病毒和正在全球流行的猪源H1N1型流感病毒等人类新发呼吸道病毒对人类生命健康构成严重威胁.人类重要呼吸道病毒与宿主抗病毒天然免疫的关系是近年来研究热点.SARS冠状病毒等很多RNA病毒能够编码某种蛋白质,抑制干扰素表达以及干扰素介导的抗病毒信号通路.人类冠状病毒木瓜样蛋白酶(papain-like protease,PLP)利用其自身去泛素化酶(DUB)活性,使干扰素表达通路中重要调节蛋白发生去泛素化,从而抑制干扰素信号传导.同时,PLP蛋白酶通过阻碍干扰素表达信号通路中最新发现的重要调节蛋白ERIS(也称MITA/STING)二聚化,使其失活并丧失激活干扰素通路的功能,这些发现对于阐明人类重要呼吸道病毒对宿主细胞抗病毒天然免疫反应的调节作用及其机制具有重要意义,为人类新发病毒致病机理、免疫防治以及抗病毒药物研究提供新的思路.     

RNAi在抗HIV-1中的应用研究进展

目的 综述RNA干扰在抗HIV-1治疗中的应用研究进展.方法 广泛查阅国外和国内近年来有关RNA干扰在抗HIV-1治疗中的应用研究的文献并进行综述.结果 RNA干扰这一自然存在的、进化保守的抗病毒感染机制,导致序列特异的基因沉默.体外证明小干扰KNA能有效对抗HIV-1感染并抑制HIV在细胞内复制与表达.结论 RNA干扰有可能成为一种新的防治HIV-1感染的有效治疗方法.     

针对核因子-kB P65基因的短发夹干扰RNA逆转录病毒载体构建与鉴定

目的:构建针对人核因子kB亚基P65基因mRNA的短发夹干扰RNA(shRNA)逆转录病毒表达载体,并探讨小干扰RNA(siRNA)靶向抑制NF-kB P65基因表达的作用.方法:根据shRNA设计原则,在人NF-kB P65全长序列中选取合19个核苷酸靶序列,设计形成siRNA的DNA模板并克隆到shRNA表达载体pSUPER.retro.neo中,构建针对NF-kB P65基因的shRNA表达载体.经293A细胞包装,并感染NIH3T3细胞进行病毒滴度测定后,感染THP-1细胞.分别采用RT-PCR和Western blot从mRNA和蛋白水平检测干扰效果.结果:限制性酶切和基因测序证实针对人NF-kB P65亚基的shRNA表达逆转录病毒载体成功构建;其感染THP-1细胞后,NF-kB P65的mRNA和蛋白表达明显抑制.结论:成功构建了NF-kB P65 shRNA逆转录病毒表达载体,该载体能高效感染THP-1并明显抑制NF-kB P65的表达.     

Two dimerization domains in the trans-activation response RNA-binding protein (TRBP) individually reverse the protein kinase R inhibition of HIV-1 long terminal repeat expression.

Trans-activation response (TAR) RNA-binding protein (TRBP) is a cellular protein that binds to the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) TAR element RNA. It has two double-stranded RNA binding domains (dsRBDs), but only one is functional for TAR binding. TRBP interacts with the interferon-induced protein kinase R (PKR) and inhibits its activity. We used the yeast two-hybrid assay to map the interaction sites between the two proteins. We show that TRBP and PKR-N (178 first amino acids of PKR) interact with PKR wild type and inhibit the PKR-induced yeast growth defect in this assay. We characterized two independent PKR-binding sites in TRBP. These sites are located in each dsRBD in TRBP, indicating that PKR-TRBP interaction does not require the RNA binding activity present only in dsRBD2. TRBP and its fragments that interact with PKR reverse the PKR-induced suppression of HIV-1 long terminal repeat expression. In addition, TRBP activates the HIV-1 long terminal repeat expression to a larger extent than the addition of each domain. These data suggest that TRBP activates gene expression in PKR-dependent and PKR-independent manners.     

Expression of TAR RNA-binding protein in baculovirus and co-immunoprecipitation with insect cell protein kinase

TAR RNA-binding protein TRBP was originally isolated by its binding affinity for radiolabeled HIV-1 leader RNA. Subsequent studies have suggested that this protein is one member of a family of double-stranded RNA-binding proteins. Recent findings indicate that TRBP might function to antagonize the translational inhibitory effect that can be mediated through cellular protein kinase, PKR. Here, we report on the over-expression of a cDNA coding for TRBP in eukaryotic SF9 cells using baculovirus. We characterized the nuclear localization of TRBP in insect cells, and we demonstrate that TRBP co-immunoprecipitates with a protein in these cells antigenically related to human PKR.     

Low TRBP levels support an innate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 resistance in astrocytes by enhancing the PKR antiviral response

Acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in astrocytes produces minimal new virus particles due, in part, to inefficient translation of viral structural proteins despite high levels of cytoplasmic viral mRNA. We found that a highly reactive double-stranded (ds) RNA-binding protein kinase (PKR) response in astrocytes underlies this inefficient translation of HIV-1 mRNA. The dsRNA elements made during acute replication of HIV-1 in astrocytes triggers PKR activation and the specific inhibition of HIV-1 protein translation. The heightened PKR response results from relatively low levels of the cellular antagonist of PKR, the TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP). Efficient HIV-1 production was restored in astrocytes by inhibiting the innate PKR response to HIV-1 dsRNA with dominant negative PKR mutants, or PKR knockdown by siRNA gene silencing. Increasing the expression of TRBP in astrocytes restored acute virus production to levels comparable to those observed in permissive cells. Therefore, the robust innate PKR antiviral response in astrocytes results from relatively low levels of TRBP expression and contributes to their restricted infection. Our findings highlight TRBP as a novel cellular target for therapeutic interventions to block productive HIV-1 replication in cells that are fully permissive for HIV-1 infection.     

Small interfering RNAs against the TAR RNA binding protein, TRBP, a Dicer cofactor, inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat expression and viral production

RNA interference (RNAi) is now widely used for gene silencing in mammalian cells. The mechanism uses the RNA-induced silencing complex, in which Dicer, Ago2, and the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP) are the main components. TRBP is a protein that increases HIV-1 expression and replication by inhibition of the interferon-induced protein kinase PKR and by increasing translation of viral mRNA. After HIV infection, TRBP could restrict the viral RNA through its activity in RNAi or could contribute more to the enhancement of viral replication. To determine which function will be predominant in the virological context, we analyzed whether the inhibition of its expression could enhance or decrease HIV replication. We have generated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against TRBP and found that they decrease HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) basal expression 2-fold, and the LTR Tat transactivated level up to 10-fold. In the context of HIV replication, siRNAs against TRBP decrease the expression of viral genes and inhibit viral production up to fivefold. The moderate increase in PKR expression and activation indicates that it contributes partially to viral gene inhibition. The moderate decrease in micro-RNA (miRNA) biogenesis by TRBP siRNAs suggests that in the context of HIV replication, TRBP functions other than RNAi are predominant. In addition, siRNAs against Dicer decrease viral production twofold and impede miRNA biogenesis. These results suggest that, in the context of HIV replication, TRBP contributes mainly to the enhancement of virus production and that Dicer does not mediate HIV restriction by RNAi.     

Oncogenic potential of TAR RNA binding protein TRBP and its regulatory interaction with RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR.

TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP) belongs to an RNA binding protein family that includes the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR), Drosophila Staufen and Xenopus xlrbpa. One member of this family, PKR, is a serine/threonine kinase which has anti-viral and anti-proliferative effects. In this study we show that TRBP is a cellular down-regulator of PKR function. Assaying expression from an infectious HIV-1 molecular clone, we found that PKR inhibited viral protein synthesis and that over-expression of TRBP effectively countered this inhibition. In intracellular and in cell-free assays we show that TRBP directly inhibits PKR autophosphorylation through an RNA binding-independent pathway. Biologically, TRBP serves a growth-promoting role; cells that overexpress TRBP exhibit transformed phenotypes. Our results demonstrate the oncogenic potential of TRBP and are consistent with the notion that intracellular PKR function contributes physiologically towards regulating cellular proliferation.     

The Multiple Functions of TRBP,at the Hub of Cell Responses to Viruses,Stress, and Cancer

Summary: The TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP) has emerged as a key player in many cellular processes. First identified as a cellular protein that facilitates the replication of human immunodeficiency virus, TRBP has since been shown to inhibit the activation of protein kinase R (PKR), a protein involved in innate immune responses and the cellular response to stress. It also binds to the PKR activator PACT and regulates its function. TRBP also contributes to RNA interference as an integral part of the minimal RNA-induced silencing complex with Dicer and Argonaute proteins. Due to its multiple functions in the cell, TRBP is involved in oncogenesis when its sequence is mutated or its expression is deregulated. The depletion or overexpression of TRBP results in malignancy, suggesting that the balance of TRBP expression is key to normal cellular function. These studies show that TRBP is multifunctional and mediates cross talk between different pathways. Its activities at the molecular level impact the cellular function from normal development to cancer and the response to infections.