Secretoneurin is a potential paracrine factor from lactotrophs stimulating gonadotropin release in the goldfish pituitary

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. R1290-R1297 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Zhao ◽  
Caleb L. Grey ◽  
Dapeng Zhang ◽  
Jan A. Mennigen ◽  
Ajoy Basak ◽  
...  

Secretoneurin (SN) is a functional neuropeptide derived from the evolutionarily conserved part of precursor protein secretogranin II (SgII). In the time course study, SN (10 nM) stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) production and secretion after 6 h of static incubation of goldfish pituitary cells. Due to the existence of SN-immunoreactivity (SN-IR) in goldfish lactotrophs, endogenous SN might exert a paracrine effect on LH in the pituitary. In an in vitro immunoneutralization experiment, coincubation with anti-SN antiserum reduces the stimulatory effect of salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) on LH release by 64%. Using Western blot analysis, we demonstrate that sGnRH significantly increases the expression of the major SgII-derived peptide (∼57 kDa, with SN-IR) and prolactin (PRL) after 12 h in the static culture of goldfish pituitary cells. Furthermore, there exists a significant correlation between the levels of these two proteins ( R = 0.76, P = 0.004). Another ∼30 kDa SgII-derived peptide containing SN is only observed in sGnRH-treated pituitary cells. Consistent with the Western blot analysis results, real-time RT-PCR analysis shows that a 12-h treatment with sGnRH induced 1.6- and 1.7-fold increments in SgII and PRL mRNA levels, respectively. SgII gene expression was also associated with PRL gene expression ( R = 0.66; P = 0.02). PRL cells loaded with the calcium-sensitive dye, fura 2/AM, respond to sGnRH treatment with increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration level, suggesting a potential mechanism of GnRH on PRL cells and thus SgII processing and SN secretion. Taken together, endogenous lactotroph-generated SN, under the control of hypothalamic GnRH, exerts a paracrine action on neighboring gonadotrophs to stimulate LH release.

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 991-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning-ning Liu ◽  
Ning Zhao ◽  
Na Cai

Background/Aims: To investigate the roles of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and its product, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced survivin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to examine the effect of celecoxib, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor, on survivin expression. Methods: HUVECs were exposed to a normal (95% O2) or hypoxic (3% O2) environment for 24 hrs. We observed the localized expression of survivin, Cox-2 and HIF-1α in HUVECs using immunocytochemistry and detected the inhibitory effects of celecoxib on the growth of HUVECs using an MTT assay. mRNA and protein levels of Cox-2, HIF-1α and survivin were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis under hypoxic conditions for 0, 6, 12, or 24 hrs. The time course changes of HIF-1α and survivin protein expression induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2) were studied using Western blot analysis. We then treated HUVECs under hypoxia for 24 hrs with celecoxib (a Cox-2 selective inhibitor), genistein (a HIF-1α inhibitor) or exogenous PGE2 to further investigate the changes in hypoxia-induced survivin expression. Results: Following 24 hrs of hypoxic treatment, cells exhibited strongly positive survivin, HIF-1α and Cox-2 cytoplasmic staining. Celecoxib (65 μM) effectively inhibited cell proliferation under hypoxic conditions. The protein and mRNA levels of Cox-2, HIF-1α and survivin were increased under hypoxia. The patterns of HIF-1α and survivin expression induced by CoCl2 were similar to those induced by exposure to hypoxia. Genistein partially blocked survivin expression. Celecoxib reversed the hypoxia-induced survivin expression, whereas the addition of PGE2 partially restored this effect. Conclusions: Hypoxia-induced survivin expression in HUVECs may be mediated by dual interdependent mechanisms directly involving HIF-1α and indirectly involving the Cox-2/PGE2 pathways. Celecoxib may offset hypoxia-induced survivin expression.


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ofek Y Hai ◽  
Iryna Voloshyna ◽  
Michael J Littlefield ◽  
Steven Carsons ◽  
Allison B Reiss

Introduction: We previously reported that resveratrol, a plant derived polyphenol with numerous cardioprotective properties, improves cholesterol homeostasis by upregulating the expression of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) proteins critical for preventing lipid overload and macrophage foam cell formation. However, the mechanism(s) by which resveratrol exerts this effect are unclear. The present study explores a possible mechanism for the atheroprotective actions of resveratrol on cholesterol metabolism. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the anti-atherogenic effects of resveratrol are mediated through PPAR-γ dependent signaling pathways leading to upregulation of RCT proteins and enhanced cholesterol efflux. Methods: THP-1 macrophages, a pertinent model for atherosclerosis, were incubated for 20h with resveratrol (10μM) with/without the specific PPAR-γ antagonist GW6992 (1μM). Alternatively, cells were transfected with 100 nM of human PPAR-γ small interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene silencing prior to resveratrol treatment. Total RNA was isolated, converted to cDNA, and evaluated by QRT-PCR. Each reaction was done in triplicate. Western blot analysis was performed to confirm results of gene expression. Results: Resveratrol significantly increased expression of PPAR-γ, ABCA1, and 27-hydroxylase mRNA (mean±SEM, 136.2±8.5%, 168.3±9.2%, and 171.7±11.0% of control respectively, P<0.001). PPAR-γ gene silencing and PPAR-γ antagonist GW6992 effectively reduced PPAR-γ message by 90.4% and 54.7%, respectively (P<0.001). Both pharmacological blockade and gene knockdown of PPAR-γ nullified resveratrol effects on cholesterol efflux proteins. In cells treated with GW6992, mRNA levels of ABCA1 and 27-hydroxylase were decreased to 66.1±3.3% and 55.0±2.9% of control, respectively (P<0.001). Similarly, PPAR-γ silencing resulted in downregulation of ABCA1 and 27-hydroxylase expression to the level of control, which is significantly lower than in resveratrol treated cells (P<0.001). Data from gene expression studies were subsequently confirmed by Western blot analysis. Conclusions: We propose here a mechanistic model for the atheroprotective effects of resveratrol. Our data strongly suggests that resveratrol regulates cholesterol efflux and intracellular cholesterol processing via the PPAR-γ/LXR-α pathway.


2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 182-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sulev Kõks ◽  
Rupert W. Overall ◽  
Marilin Ivask ◽  
Ursel Soomets ◽  
Mithu Guha ◽  
...  

The gene WFS1 encodes a protein with unknown function although its functional deficiency causes different neuropsychiatric and neuroendocrine syndromes. In the present study, we aimed to find the functional networks influenced by the time-dependent silencing of WFS1 in HEK cells. We performed whole genome gene expression profiling (Human Gene 1.0 ST Arrays) in HEK cells 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after transfection with three different WFS1 siRNAs. To verify silencing we performed quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Analysis was conducted in two ways. First we analyzed the overall effect of the siRNA treatment on the gene expression profile. As a next step we performed time-course analysis separately for different siRNAs and combined for all siRNAs. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed clear silencing of the expression of WFS1 after 48 h. Significant (FDR value <10%) changes in the expression of 11 genes was identified with most of these genes being related to the mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Time-course analysis confirmed significant correlations between WFS1 silencing and changes in the expression profiles of several genes. The pathways that were influenced significantly by WFS1 silencing were related to mitochondrial damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Our findings suggest a role of WFS1 gene in cell survival and its involvement in degenerative diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 030006051988944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfu Lv ◽  
Yejuan Li ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Yonghong Dong ◽  
Jie Deng

Objectives To evaluate the Th1/Th2 cell profile in spleens of cirrhotic and hypersplenic rats by investigating the expression of Th1-associated chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR5 and Th2-associated chemokine receptor CCR3. Methods Experimental liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism were induced in rats by the intragastric administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 40% solution [0.3 ml/100g, twice/week for 8 weeks]) and confirmed by pathology and hemogram. Presence of the three chemokine receptors was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemical staining, and western blot analysis. Results By comparison with control animals (n=10), RT-PCR demonstrated that CXCR3 and CCR5-mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the hypersplenic rats (n=26) and CCR3-mRNA levels were lower. Immunohistochemical staining showed that by comparison with controls, the mean density of the Th1-associated CXCR3 and CCR5 receptors was significantly increased but there was no difference between groups in Th2-associated CCR3 receptors. Western blot analysis showed that by comparison with controls, hypersplenic rats had higher levels of CXCR3 and CCR5 protein but lower levels of CCR3 protein. Conclusions The abnormal expression of Th1-associated chemokine receptors in spleens of rats with cirrhosis and hypersplenism induced by CCL4 suggests that a functional imbalance between Th1/Th2 cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypersplenism.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1553-1562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lin ◽  
Xiaojie Zhang ◽  
Wei Xiao ◽  
Bo Li ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Studies performed in experimental animals have shown that polyamines contribute to several physiological and pathological processes, including cardiac hypertrophy. This involves an increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and intracellular polyamines associated with regulation of gene expression. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC, has attracted considerable interest for its antiproliferative role, which it exerts through inhibition of the polyamine pathway and cell turnover. Whether DFMO attenuates cardiac hypertrophy through endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is unclear. Methods: Myocardial hypertrophy was simulated by isoproterenol (ISO). Polyamine depletion was achieved using DFMO. Hypertrophy was estimated using the heart/body index and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) gene expression. Cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis were measured by Masson and TUNEL staining. Expression of ODC and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) were analyzed via real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Protein expression of ERS and apoptosis factors were analyzed using Western blot analysis. Results: DFMO treatments significantly attenuated hypertrophy and apoptosis induced by ISO in cardiomyocytes. DFMO down-regulated the expression of ODC, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), cleaved caspase-12, and Bax and up-regulated the expression of SSAT and Bcl-2. Finally, these changes were partially reversed by the addition of exogenous putrescine. Conclusion: The data presented here suggest that polyamine depletion could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis, which is closely related to the ERS pathway.


1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huizhou Fan ◽  
Cristy Villegas ◽  
Arthur K Chan ◽  
Jim A Wright

A human Myc epitope is frequently used to tag proteins for expression experiments in nonhuman cells. We used the monoclonal 9E10 antibody specific for this epitope to analyse the expression of four proteins carrying the Myc tag in cells transfected with expression vectors. While all four proteins can be detected by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays, surprisingly, only two proteins could be detected in Western blot analysis, indicating that epitope recognition by the monoclonal antibody can be blocked in some membrane-retained ectopic proteins. Other techniques such as immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays can be successfully used with the 9E10 antibody to determine potential expression of Myc-tagged proteins.Key words: recombinant protein, Myc epitope, 9E10, Western blot, gene expression, immunofluorescence assay, immunoprecipitation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fang Li ◽  
Sumei Niu ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
Huaishi Zhu ◽  
Qiujie Ba ◽  
...  

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) presents great promise as an anticancer agent for human cancer therapy. In this study, a magnetofection agent (polyMAG-l000) was evaluated forin vitrodelivery of TRAIL gene towards drug-resistant A2780/DDP ovarian cancer cells. Transfection experiments showed that polyMAG-l000 was able to transfect A2780/DDP cellsin vitro, leading to a higher level of TRAIL gene expression in the presence of a static magnetic field as compared to other transfection agent, such as Lipofectamine 2000. TRAIL gene expression in the A2780/DDP cells was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, the TRAIL gene expression exhibited remarkable decrease in the cell viability, as determined by MTT assay. Importantly, PolyMAG-l000-mediated TRAIL gene transfection in the presence of anticancer drug cisplatin (CDDP) induced much higher percentages of apoptotic A2780/DDP cells, compared to TRAIL gene transfection or CDDP treatment alone. A further study by Western blot analysis indicated that cytochromecrelease and caspase-9 cleavage pathway were associated with the initiation of the apoptosis in A2780/DDP cells. The results of this study indicate that polyMAG-l000 can be used as an efficient agent for TRAIL gene transfection in ovarian cancer cells.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3200-3200
Author(s):  
Tânia Regina Zaccariotto ◽  
Daniela Maria Ribeiro ◽  
Joao Machado-Neto ◽  
Magnun N N Santos ◽  
Carolina Lanaro ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3200 Background: Phosphatidylinositol-phosphate-kinase type II alpha (PIP4KIIα) belongs to a family of lipid kinases responsible for the production of a variety of lipid second messengers, such as PI4,5P2 (phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate), and appears to be implicated in the regulation of gene expression, pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export. In a previous study, two transcripts, PIP4KIIα and β-globin, were found to be overexpressed in reticulocytes from two siblings with Hb H disease, suggesting a possible relationship between this enzyme and the production of globins, particularly β-globin. Recently, we established a gene expression pattern for PIP4KIIα in healthy individuals during in vitro erythropoiesis and observed a gradual increase in the expression of this gene during erythroid differentiation similar to that observed for globin genes, reinforcing the hypothesis of a relationship between PIP4KIIα and globin expression. Aim: To investigate the effects of PIP4KIIα gene silencing on the expression of α- and γ-globin genes in human K562 cells. Methods: Two different human K562 cells cultures were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding PIP4KIIα-specific shRNA or non-relevant control shRNA. After transduction the positive cells were selected by adding puromycin to the culture and collected 2, 6, 8 and 10 days later to analyze gene and protein expression. PIP4KIIα and α- and γ-globin gene expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and quantified using the equation RQ=2−ΔΔCt. Western blot analysis was performed to determine PIP4KIIα protein expression. β-actin and GAPDH were used as endogenous controls in the qRT-PCR, and β-actin in the Western blot. Results: Analysis of the results showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in PIP4KIIα mRNA levels in knockdown cells (79%) (0.208 ± 0.048; p<0.0001) compared with the control culture. Western blot analysis corroborated these findings. PIP4KIIα silencing resulted in an 18% (0.927 ± 0.244; p=0.09) and 44% (0.625 ± 0.124; p=0.03) reduction in the expression of α- and γ-globin genes, respectively, compared with the control. Conclusion: Although the reduction in α-globin gene expression did not achieve statistical significance, our results revealed alterations in α- and γ-globin gene expression in PIP4KIIα knockdown cells, suggesting a parallelism between the expression of PIP4KIIα and globin genes and reinforcing the hypothesis that the former may be involved in regulation of the latter. This work was supported by FAPESP, CNPq and INCTS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2002 ◽  
pp. 655-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Arturi ◽  
I Presta ◽  
D Scarpelli ◽  
JM Bidart ◽  
M Schlumberger ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Various clinical and experimental findings support the concept that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can stimulate iodide uptake in thyroid cells. DESIGN: We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of hCG on iodide uptake, and particularly its action on the expression of Na+/I- symporter (NIS) mRNA and protein. METHODS: Iodide uptake was analyzed in FTRL-5 cells by measuring (125)I concentrations in cells after a 30-min exposure to 0.1 microCi carrier-free Na (125)I in the presence or absence of hCG or, for control purposes, TSH. Expression of NIS mRNA and NIS protein synthesis were evaluated, respectively, with a semiquantitative 'multiplex' RT-PCR method and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Iodide uptake was increased by hCG in a dose- and time-dependent manner: maximal effects were observed after 72 h of stimulation. The effect was cAMP dependent and paralleled that of TSH, although it lacked the early cycloheximide-independent component seen with TSH, and its peak effect was lower. Semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR revealed that hCG produced a significant increase in NIS mRNA levels that was detectable after 4 h and peaked after 48 h. In contrast, in TSH-stimulated FRTL-5 cells, maximum NIS mRNA expression was observed after 24 h of stimulation. Western blot analysis demonstrated that hCG also caused a 2.5-fold increase over basal values in NIS protein levels, which was similar to that observed after TSH stimulation although the peak effects of the latter hormone were less marked and occurred earlier. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that hCG stimulates iodide uptake in FRTL-5 cells by increasing NIS mRNA and protein levels. Thus, the functional status of the thyroid may be influenced by hCG-dependent changes in NIS expression occurring during pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Yun Jung ◽  
Jae-Young Um ◽  
Acharan S. Narula ◽  
Ojas A. Namjoshi ◽  
Bruce E. Blough ◽  
...  

Matrine, a quinolizidine alkaloid, is commonly employed for treating various viral and inflammatory disorders. Here, we have evaluated matrine for its activity on C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9/2) expression, and its potential to affect tumor metastasis and invasion. The effects of matrine on CXCR4, MMP-9/2, and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation in lung (A549), prostate (DU145), and pancreas (MIA PaCa-2) cells were investigated by diverse techniques. The expression level of CXCR4 and MMP-9/2 was analyzed by western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. NF-κB activation was also evaluated by western blot analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay as well as immunocytochemical experiments. Furthermore, we monitored cell invasion and metastasis activities by wound healing and Boyden chamber assays. We noted that matrine induced a down-regulation of CXCR4 and MMP-9/2 at both protein and mRNA levels. In addition, matrine negatively regulated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12)-induced CXCR4 expression. Moreover, NF-κB suppression by matrine led to inhibition of metastatic potential of tumor cells. Our results suggest that matrine can block the cancer metastasis through the negative regulation of CXCR4 and MMP-9/2 and consequently it can be considered as a potential candidate for cancer therapy.


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