基于p53DNA的泽泻醇抗肿瘤分子机制研究

研究泽泻醇类化合物23-乙酰泽泻醇B(alisol B 23-acetate, 23B)、24-乙酰泽泻醇A(alisol A 24-acetate, 24A)混合物(24A∶23B含量比=1∶1)与抑癌基因p53DNA的作用机理,探讨泽泻醇类化合物抗肿瘤作用的分子机制。紫外-可见吸收光谱法、荧光光谱法与分子模拟联用探讨23B,24A及24A-23B混合物与p53DNA的作用方式。紫外光谱显示泽泻醇单体与其混合物部分嵌插入p53DNA,他们使p53DNA紫外吸收降低的程度为：24A∶23B(1∶1)>23B>24A。荧光光谱显示泽泻醇单体及其混合物与p53DNA的相互作用模式均为嵌插结合,结合强度为：24A∶23B(1∶1)>23B>24A。分子模拟显示,泽泻醇单体及其混合物与p53DNA结合能的大小顺序为：24A∶23B (1∶1)>23B>24A,23B与p53DNA f 链的腺嘌呤脱氧核苷酸(DA4)形成1个氢键,24A-23B复合物与p53DNA的DA4、胸腺嘧啶脱氧核苷酸(DT19)形成4个氢键。24A,23B及其混合物与p53DNA结合的强度顺序：24A∶23B (1∶1)>23B>24A,表明24A和23B对抗癌靶点p53DNA具有协同作用,三者与p53DNA的作用方式均为部分嵌插结合。同时,泽泻醇化合物母环C14-和结构中的空间位阻,p53DNA f 链的DA4中磷酸上的氧原子为泽泻醇类化合物与p53DNA相互作用的关键结合位点,是该类泽泻醇发挥抗肿瘤作用的活性中心。24A侧链C19-上的羟基,p53DNA f 链的DA4中腺嘌呤上的氮原子和氧原子,e链的DT19中胸腺嘧啶上的氧原子为泽泻醇类化合物协同增效作用的关键。     

Effects of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7)

The study aimed to correlate cell proliferation inhibition with oxidative stress and p53 protein expression in cancerous cells. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) is the essential component of inorganic composition in human bone. It has been found to have obvious inhibitory function on growth of many kinds of tumor cells and its nanoparticle has stronger anti-cancerous effect than macromolecule microparticles. Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were cultured and treated with HAP nanoparticles at various concentrations. Cells viability was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. The morphology of the cancerous cells was performed by transmission electron microscopy and the expression of a cell apoptosis related gene (p53) was determined by ELISA assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in HAP exposed cells was measured by H₂DCFDA staining. DNA damage was measured by single-cell gel electrophoresis assay. The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA. The cellular proliferation inhibition rate was significantly (p < 0.05) increasing in a dose-dependent manner of HAP nanoparticles. Cell apoptotic characters were observed after MCF-7 cells were treated by HAP nanoparticles for 48 h. Moreover, ELISA assay and FCM shows a dose-dependent activation of p53 in MCF-7 cells treated with nanoHAP. These causative factors of the above results may be justified by an overproduction of ROS. In this study, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the level of intracellular ROS in HAP-treated cells was observed. This study shows that HAP inhibits the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells as well as induces cell apoptosis. This study shows that HAP NPs Induce the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and activate p53, which may be responsible for DNA damage and cell apoptosis.     

Mdm2生成速率调控的p53-Mdm2振子的全局动力学和稳定性

肿瘤抑制蛋白p53的动力学在一定程度上可以决定DNA损伤后的细胞命运.p53的动力学行为与p53信号通路中p53-Mdm2振子模块密切相关.然而,p53的负调控子Mdm2的生成速率的增加使其在一些癌细胞中过表达.因此探讨Mdm2生成速率对p53动力学的影响有重要意义.同时,PDCD5作为p53的激活子也调控p53的表达.因此,本文针对PDCD5调控的p53-Mdm2振子模型,通过分岔分析获得了Mdm2生成速率所调控的p53的单稳态、振荡以及单稳态与振荡共存的动力学行为,且稳定性通过能量面进行了分析.此外,噪声强度对p53动力学的稳定性有重要的影响.因此,针对p53的振荡行为,探讨了噪声强度对势垒高度和周期的影响.本文所获得的结果对理解DNA损伤后的p53信号通路调控起到一定的指导作用.     

用光波导光模光谱技术研究DNA-DNA结合蛋白相互作用

探讨了应用光波导光模光谱(Optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy,OWLS)技术研究DNA-DNA结合蛋白相互作用的可行性和灵敏性。以固定在传感器芯片表面的DNA探针为捕捉分子,溶液中同时含有探针结合序列和NF—κB结合位点序列的寡核苷酸与NF-κB亚单位p50同源二聚体形成的DNA-蛋白质复合物为检测分子,用光波导光模光谱检测技术建立非标记DNA-DNA结合蛋白相互作用检测研究体系。利用这一体系对不同样品中NF-κB p50浓度和具不同NF-κB结合位点序列的寡核苷酸与NF-κB p50亲合和力进行检测。样品中低至0．33 nmol/1的NF-κB p50被光波导光模光谱检测出,不同的NF-κB结合序列与NF-κB p50亲合力有显著的差异。研究发现,光波导光模光谱技术可以用于DNA-DNA结合蛋白相互作用研究,所建立的非标记检测研究体系可以进行样品中结合蛋白含量高灵敏检测和核酸序列与结合蛋白的亲合力的检测研究。     

Time-Resolved Fluorescence Anisotropy Study of the Interaction Between DNA and a Peptide Truncated from the p53 Protein Core Domain

Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy spectroscopy was applied to study the interaction between a peptide truncated from the binding site of tumor suppressor p53 protein and the DNAs covalently labeled with 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) dye. Fluorescence intensity quenching and changes of anisotropy decay lifetime were monitored when FAM labeled DNA formed complex with the peptide. The results demonstrated that the sequence of DNA could not define the binding specificity between the peptide and DNA. But the anisotropy decay of FAM can be used to examine the binding affinity of the peptide to DNA. The fluorescent dynamics of FAM can also be used to represent the rigidity of the complex formed between the peptide and DNA.     

DNA损伤致p53-Mdm2相互作用的动力学模型

最新实验结果表明，在受到各种辐射而引起DNA损伤后，在单体细胞和群体细胞情况下，细胞中的p53蛋白浓度表现为非衰减振荡和衰减振荡两种不同的动力学行为.通过研究p53-Mdm2负反馈回路的非线性动力学行为，分析了各种(特别是DNA损伤、p53和 Mdm2蛋白浓度三者之间)动力学关系，提出了一个能同时描述这两种不同动力学行为的非线性模型. 关键词： p53-Mdm2负反馈回路 非衰减振荡和衰减振荡 非线性动力学模型     

Insight into binding modes of p53 and inhibitors to MDM2 based on molecular dynamic simulations and principal component analysis

Inhibition of the p53–MDM2 interaction is a new therapeutic strategy to activate the wild-type function of p53 in tumors. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and calculations of binding free energies were performed to investigate the binding mechanisms of p53 and two inhibitors PMI and VZV to MDM2. The results show that van der Waals interaction is the main force to control the bindings of ligands to the hydrophobic cleft of MDM2, which basically agrees with the previous calculated and experimental studies. The results from the RMSF calculation, cross-correlation analysis and principal component (PC) analysis prove that the ligand bindings produce a significant effect on the conformation of the binding cleft of MDM2. In addition, the calculations of residue-based free energy decomposition suggest that the CH–CH, CH–π, and π–π interactions dominate the bindings of p53 and inhibitors to MDM2. This study can provide significant help for the design of potent inhibitors targeting the p53–MDM2 interaction.     

The role of p53 in the response of tumor cells to sonodynamic therapy in vitro

p53 plays a pivotal role in apoptosis. In addition, p53 is currently extensively investigated as a promising strategy for highly specific anticancer therapy in chemotherapeutics and photodynamic therapy. However, the role of p53 in the response of tumor cells to sonodynamic therapy treatment is still unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the activation of p53 in sonodynamic therapy. Three murine tumor models with distinct aggressiveness (S180, H-22 and EAC) were treated with 1.75 MHz continuous ultrasound at an acoustic intensity (I_SATA) of 1.4 W for 3 min in the presence of 20 μg/ml hematoporphyrin. The DNA fragment and nuclear damage were observed by TUNEL and single cell gel electrophoresis. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of p53, PUMA, Bax and Fas. Then we checked the translocation of p53 by confocal microscopy. DNA sequencing was used to determine the status of p53 gene in three tumor cell lines. Our results indicated that the level of p53 protein and mRNA increased significantly, and p53 activated the expression of its downstream pro-apoptosis gene PUMA, Bax and Fas in the S180 and H-22 cells. Meanwhile, p53 protein translocated onto mitochondria. In the EAC cells, expression and translocation of p53 was not found; the level of PUMA, Bax and Fas remained unaltered. The S180 cells showed most serious DNA fragment and nuclear damage with 77.43% TDNA; H-22 cells in the middle with 58.85% TDNA; whereas EAC cells appeared less nuclear material lost with just 15.82% TDNA. The results of DNA sequencing showed that the sequences of exons 5-8 of the p53 gene of S180, H-22 and EAC cells were the same with the sequences of wild-type p53 provided by NCBI. These results primarily demonstrated that: (1) p53 was activated to promote SDT-induced apoptosis through extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways in the S180 and H-22 cells; (2) cellular responses of different cells to SDT were distinct, the aggressive S180 cells were much more sensitive than H-22, whereas EAC cells were relatively less sensitive. The discrepancy among the cell lines may be due to different activation time of p53 protein.     

The birhythmicity increases the diversity of p53 oscillation induced by DNA damage

The tumor suppressor p53 mediates the cellular response to various stresses. It was experimentally shown that the concentration of p53 can show oscillations with short or long periods upon DNA damage. The underlying mechanism for this phenomenon is still not fully understood. Here, we construct a network model comprising the ATM-p53-Wip1 and p53-Mdm2 negative feedback loops and ATM autoactivation. We recapitulate the typical features of p53 oscillations including p53 birhythmicity. We show the dependence of p53 birhythmicity on various factors such as the phosphorylation status of ATM. We also perform stochastic simulation and find the noise-induced transitions between two modes of p53 oscillation,which increases the p53 variability in both the amplitude and period. These results suggest that p53 birhythmicity enhances the responsiveness of p53 network, which may facilitate its tumor suppressive function.     

基于DNA损伤的蛋白调控网络研究

细胞生长的每个阶段都离不开蛋白质相互作用.研究细胞周期的功能、调控机理及参与调控的蛋白质之间的关系对生物工程等领域有重大的应用价值.本文通过研究电离辐射下生物体细胞的DNA损伤后,细胞内以p53为核心的扩展蛋白调控网络的功能、原理及其自修复机理,在现有蛋白网络基础上引入更多蛋白网络调控因子来建立蛋白调控网络,仿真模拟更为全面的细胞周期进程;并且从复杂网络图论和细胞周期调控两个方面分析扩展PMP调控网络的抗扰能力及自修复机理,结果表明:1)蛋白网络在对抗环境中出现的小扰动时具有较强的稳定性.但在面对蓄意攻击时网络的稳定性较差.2)受损的DNA能否被修复取决于p53蛋白的动力学行为,即低损伤与中损伤情况下,p53可诱导细胞周期进程阻滞来完成细胞的自修复;而当高损伤或过损伤时,p53蛋白浓度表现为周期振荡行为并诱导细胞凋亡.     

VPRBP 蛋白与Abl 激酶诱发、抑制前列腺癌的 一种物理机制

在本文基于Hill动力学与Michaelis-Menten方程,建立理论模型研究VPRBP蛋白与Abl激酶诱发、抑制前列腺癌的一种物理机制.研究发现,DNA损伤使得ATM(共济失调毛细血管扩张症突变)很快激活,并激活上调p53蛋白表达,DNA损伤的后续破坏会在很大程度上通过p53表达上调而被抑制. VPRBP通过上调MDM2蛋白的激活水平,使得p53表达水平异常,进而无法正常抑制前列腺癌的发生发展.通过考察Abl在前列腺癌进程中的作用发现,Abl使得AKT的表达水平下调,由于Abl对AKT的抑制作用,致使在AKT信号通路中MDM2表达水平受到抑制,进而稳定p53表达.由此表明了,过少的Abl对AKT的抑制程度减弱,不仅使得细胞代谢出现紊乱,而且还会促使p53正常的周期表达水平异常,对DNA损伤诱发的肿瘤抑制性减弱,进而促进前列腺癌的发生发展.基于本文模型,可以预测VPRBP与Abl作为诱发、抑制前列腺癌的调节剂对现有和潜在的抗癌治疗较为敏感. VPRBP与Abl在诱发、抑制前列腺癌过程中的时滞效应,导致信号通路中p53与PTEN蓄积量增多、AKT蓄积量减少,以及Plk1周期振荡相位转移...     

Dual-Color Quantum Dot–Encoded Nanoprobe for DNA Assays and Cell Imaging

In this article, a novel dual-color quantum dot–encoded fluorescent nanoprobe was prepared by the reverse microemulsion method and layer-by-layer assembly method. First, red fluorescence–emitting CdTe quantum dots were encapsulated in silica nanoparticles by the reverse microemulsion method. Yellow fluorescence–emitting quantum dots were deposited on the surface of silica nanoparticles to form a dual-color quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe. Then capture DNA was linked to a QSQ nanoprobe via covalent bonding. We utilized the quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe to capture and detect the mutant BRAF DNA sequence through the competitive immunoassay method. The resulting quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe-capture DNA conjugates showed sequence-specific hybridization with target DNA. Furthermore, a multispectral imaging system was utilized to distinguish the quantum dot optical code in the quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe. The quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe was used in human osteoblast-like HepG2 cell imaging. The proposed quantum dot@silica beads/quantum dot nanoprobe and decoding analysis method could be used for targeting imaging, biological assays, and early detection of cancer.     

DNA Binding Property and Antitumor Evaluation of Xanthone with Dimethylamine Side Chain

In this work, a xanthone derivative was obtained by cationic modification of the free hydroxyl group of xanthone with dimethylamine group of high pKa value. The interactions of xanthones with DNA were investigated by spectroscopic methods, electrophoretic migration assay and polymerase chain reaction test. Results indicate that xanthones can intercalate into the DNA base pairs by the hydrophobic plane and the xanthone with dimethylamine side chain may also bind the DNA phosphate framework by the basic amine alkyl chain, thus showing a better DNA binding ability than the xanthone. Furthermore, inhibition on tumor cells (ECA109, SGC7901, GLC-82) proliferation of xanthones were evaluated by MTT method. Analysis results show that the xanthone with dimethylamine side chain exhibits more effective inhibition activity against three cancer cells than the xanthone. The effects on the inhibition of tumor cells in vitro agree with the studies of DNA binding. It means that the amine alkyl chain would play an important role in its antitumor activity and DNA binding property.     

Pre-irradiation with low-dose ~(12)C~(6+) beam significantly enhances the efficacy of AdCMV-p53 gene therapy in human non-small lung cancer

The combination of ionizing radiation and gene therapy has been investigated. However, there are very few reports about the combination of heavy-ion irradiation and gene therapy. To determine if the pre-exposure to low-dose heavy ion beam enhances the suppression of AdCMV-p53 on non-small lung cancer (NSLC), the cells pre-irradiated or non-irradiated were infected with 20, 40 MOI of AdCMV-p53. Survival fraction and the relative biology effect (RBE) were determined by clonogenic assay. The results showed that the proportions of p53 positive cells in 12C6+ beam induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells were more than 90%, which were signifi-cantly more than those in γ-ray induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells. The pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6+ beam significantly prevented the G0/G1 arrest and activated G2/M checkpoints. The pre-exposure to 12C6+ beam significantly improved cell to apoptosis. RBEs for the 12C6+ + AdCMV-p53 infection groups were 30%-60%, 20%-130% and 30%-70% more than those for the 12C6+-irradiated only, AdCMV-p53 infected only, and γ-irradiation induced AdCMVp53 infected groups, respectively. The data suggested that the pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6+ beam significantly promotes exogenous p53 expression in NSLC, and the suppression of AdCMV-p53 gene therapy on NSLC.     

拉直的单个DNA分子的全内反射荧光实时成像研究

全内反射荧光(TIRF)成像技术利用穿透深度仅200 nm左右的隐失波来激发诱导荧光,探测灵敏度和图像信噪比大大提高,成为单分子研究的有力工具。分子梳技术利用DNA末端与固体表面的结合力和周围流体流动产生的侧向力将DNA分子拉伸并平铺在表面上。结合这两种技术,对分子梳拉直的单个DNA分子进行了清晰的实时荧光成像,发现TIRF成像条件下DNA分子与荧光探针YOYO-1组成的复合体可自然避免发生光敏断裂现象;实时监测了单个DNA-YOYO-1复合体的光漂白过程,通过对激发光照射时间与探测器曝光时间进行同步控制,可大幅降低光漂白程度,为拉直的单个DNA分子的长时间实时观察和成像研究优化了实验条件,为实时、可视化地研究其与蛋白质相互作用的动力学过程奠定了基础。     

Point-mutation effects on charge-transport properties of the tumor-suppressor gene p53

We report on a theoretical study of point mutations effects on charge transfer properties in the DNA sequence of the tumor-suppressor p53 gene. On the basis of effective tight-binding models which simulate hole propagation along the DNA, a statistical analysis of mutation-induced charge transfer modifications is performed. In contrast to noncancerous mutations, mutation hot spots tend to result in significantly weaker changes of transmission properties. This suggests that charge transport could play a significant role for DNA-repairing deficiency yielding carcinogenesis.     

Radiation-induced robust oscillation [2mm]and non-Gaussian fluctuation

There have been many recent studies devoted to the consequences of stochasticity in protein circuitry. Stress conditions, including DNA damage, hypoxia, heat shock, nutrient deprivation, and oncogene activation, can result in the activation and accumulation of p53. Several experimental studies show that oscillations can be induced by DNA damage following nuclear irradiation. To explore the underlying dynamical features and the role of stochasticity, we discuss the oscillatory dynamics in the well-studied regulatory network motif. The fluctuations around the fixed point of a delayed system are Gaussian in the limit of sufficiently weak delayed feedback, and remain Gaussian along a limit cycle when viewed tangential to the trajectory. The experimental results are recapitulated in this study. We illustrate several features of the p53 activities, which are robust when the parameters change. Furthermore, the distribution in protein abundance can be characterized by its non-Gaussian nature.     

Rhythm generation by the pre-Bötzinger Complex in medullary slice and island preparations: Effects of adenosine A1 receptor activation

Background

Alpha-Synuclein (α-syn), a 140 amino acid protein associated with presynaptic membranes in brain, is a major constituent of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease (PD). Three missense mutations (A30P, A53T and E46K) in the α-syn gene are associated with rare autosomal dominant forms of familial PD. However, the regulation of α-syn's cellular localization in neurons and the effects of the PD-linked mutations are poorly understood.

Results

In the present study, we analysed the ability of cytosolic factors to regulate α-syn binding to synaptic membranes. We show that co-incubation with brain cytosol significantly increases the membrane binding of normal and PD-linked mutant α-syn. To characterize cytosolic factor(s) that modulate α-syn binding properties, we investigated the ability of proteins, lipids, ATP and calcium to modulate α-syn membrane interactions. We report that lipids and ATP are two of the principal cytosolic components that modulate Wt and A53T α-syn binding to the synaptic membrane. We further show that 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C16:0 PAF) is one of the principal lipids found in complex with cytosolic proteins and is required to enhance α-syn interaction with synaptic membrane. In addition, the impaired membrane binding observed for A30P α-syn was significantly mitigated by the presence of protease-sensitive factors in brain cytosol.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that endogenous brain cytosolic factors regulate Wt and mutant α-syn membrane binding, and could represent potential targets to influence α-syn solubility in brain.