Evaluation of Brugia malayi sheath protein (Shp-1) as a diagnostic antigen for human lymphatic filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis is the second leading cause of permanent long-term disability globally and control of this disease needs efficient diagnostic methods. In this study, abundantly expressing microfilarial sheath protein (Shp-1) from Brugia malayi was characterized as a filarial diagnostic candidate using samples from different clinical population. Monoclonal antibodies were developed against E. coil expressed recombinant Shp-1 in order to assess its efficiency in filarial antigen detection assay system. Endemic Normal (EN, n = 170), asymptomatic microfilaeremics (MF, n = 65), symptomatic chronic pathology (CP, n = 45) and non endemic normal (NEN, n = 10) sera were analyzed by antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 290 individuals, all MF individuals (both brugian and bancroftian) were positive in this assay followed by CP and EN. When compared with SXP-1 and Og4C3 antigen assays, all assays detected Wb MF correctly, Bm MF was detected by Shp-1 and SXP-1 assays, and only Shp-1 was able to detect EN (12%) and CP (29%). Results showed that this assay may be useful for monitoring prior to mass drug administration. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Platelet nitric oxide synthase is activated by tyrosine dephosphorylation: possible role for SHP-1 phosphatase

Background: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in endothelial cells is regulated by post-translational phosphorylation of critical serine, threonine and tyrosine residues in response to a variety of stimuli. However, the post-translational regulation of eNOS in platelets is poorly defined. Objectives: We investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of platelet eNOS activity. Methods: Tyrosine phosphorylation of eNOS and interaction with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 were investigated by coimmunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. An in vitro immunoassay was used to determine eNOS activity together with the contribution of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Results: We found platelet eNOS was tyrosine phosphorylated under basal conditions. Thrombin induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in eNOS activity without altering overall level of tyrosine phosphorylation, although we did observe evidence of minor tyrosine dephosphorylation. In vitro tyrosine dephosphorylation of platelet eNOS using a recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase enhanced thrombin-induced activity compared to thrombin alone, but had no effect on endothelial eNOS activity either at basal or after stimulation with bradykinin. Having shown that dephosphorylation could modulate platelet eNOS activity we examined the role of potential protein phosphatases important for platelet eNOS activity. We found SHP-1 protein tyrosine phosphatase, co-associated with platelet eNOS in resting platelets, but does not associate with eNOS in endothelial cells. Stimulation of platelets with thrombin increased SHP-1 association with eNOS, while inhibition of SHP-1 abolished the ability of thrombin to induce elevated eNOS activity. Conclusions: Our data suggest a novel role for tyrosine dephosphorylation in platelet eNOS activation, which may be mediated by SHP-1.

Regulation of SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase in human platelets by serine phosphorylation at its C terminus

SHP-1 is a Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase that plays an essential role in negative regulation of immune cell activity. We describe here a new model for regulation of SHP-1 involving phosphorylation of its C-terminal Ser(591) by associated protein kinase Calpha. In human platelets, SHP-1 was found to constitutively associate with its substrate Vav1 and, through its SH2 domains, with protein kinase Calpha. Upon activation of either PAR1 or PAR4 thrombin receptors, the association between the three proteins was retained, and Vav1 became phosphorylated on tyrosine and SHP-1 became phosphorylated on Ser(591). Phosphorylation of SHP-1 was mediated by protein kinase C and negatively regulated the activity of SHP-1 as demonstrated by a decrease in the in vitro ability of SHP-1 to dephosphorylate Vav1 on tyrosine. Protein kinase Calpha therefore critically and negatively regulates SHP-1 function, forming part of a mechanism to retain SHP-1 in a basal active state through interaction with its SH2 domains, and phosphorylating its C-terminal Ser(591) upon cellular activation leading to inhibition of SHP-1 activity and an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation status of its substrates.

The role of glucocorticoid in SIRP alpha and SHP-1 gene expression in AIHA patients

The aim of this work was to evaluate the regulation of SIRP alpha, an inhibitory phagocyte receptor, and the phosphatase SHP-1 in monocytes of patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and the role of dexamethasone on SIRP alpha and SHP-1 gene expression and erythrophagocytosis in vitro. SIRP alpha and SHP-1 expression was higher in monocytes from AIHA patients compared with normal, returning to normal after glucocorticoid therapy. SIRP alpha and SHP-1 mRNA expression was upregulated in healthy monocytes treated with dexamethasone compared with basal; however, the erythrophagocytic ability was not altered. Our results point to a minor role of SIRP alpha and SHP-1 in determining AIHA.

No sports – no mental health? Analysis of longitudinal effects in SHP data.

Results from the Zurich study have shown lasting associations between sport practice and mental health. The effects are pronounced in people with pre-exising mental health problems. This analysis aims to replicate these results with the large Swiss Household Panel data set and to provide more differentiated results. The analysis covered the interviews 1999-2003 and included 3891 stayers, i.e., participants who were interviewed in all years. The outcome variables are depression / blues / anxiety, weakness / weariness, sleeping problems, energy / optimism. Confounding variables include sex, age, education level, citizenship. The analyses were carried out with mixed models (depression, optimism) and GEE models (weakness, sleep). About 60% of the SHP participants practise weekly or daily an individual or a team sport. A similar proportion enjoys a frequent physical activity (for half an hour minimum) which makes oneself slightly breathless. There are slight age-specific differences but also noteworthy regional differences. Practice of sport is clearly interrelated with self-reported depressive symptoms, optimism and weakness. This applies even though some relevant confounders – sex, educational level and citizenship – were introduced into the model. However, no relevant interaction effects with time could be shown. Moreover, direct interrelations commonly led to better fits than models with lagged variables, thus indicating that delayed effects of sport practice on the self-reported psychological complaints are less important. Model variants resulted for specific subgroups, for example, participants with a high vs. low initial activity level. Lack of sport practice is an interesting marker for serious psychological symptoms and mental disorders. The background of this association may differ in different subgroups, and should stimulate further investigations in this area.

Oncogenic mutation in the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase alters substrate specificity and induces degradation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1

Activating mutations in the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase have been identified in both rodent and human mast cell leukemia. One activating Kit mutation substitutes a valine for aspartic acid at codon 816 (D816V) and is frequently observed in human mastocytosis. Mutation at the equivalent position in the murine c-kit gene, involving a substitution of tyrosine for aspartic acid (D814Y), has been described in the mouse mastocytoma cell line P815. We have investigated the mechanism of oncogenic activation by this mutation. Expression of this mutant Kit receptor tyrosine kinase in a mast cell line led to the selective tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130-kDa protein and the degradation, through the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway, of a 65-kDa phosphoprotein. The 65-kDa protein was identified as the src homology domain 2 (SH2)-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, a negative regulator of signaling by Kit and other hematopoietic receptors, and the protein product of the murine motheaten locus. This mutation also altered the sites of receptor autophosphorylation and peptide substrate selectivity. Thus, this mutation activates the oncogenic potential of Kit by a novel mechanism involving an alteration in Kit substrate recognition and the degradation of SHP-1, an attenuator of the Kit signaling pathway.

L’implication de SHP-1 en condition élevée de glucose inhibe la signalisation de l’insuline et du PDGF-BB dans les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires hypoxiques

Résumé : Bien que l’hypoxie soit un puissant inducteur de l’angiogenèse, l’activation des facteurs de croissance est perturbée en hyperglycémie au niveau du pied et du cœur. Cette perturbation entraîne la perte de prolifération et de migration chez les cellules endothéliales, musculaires lisses vasculaires et péricytes empêchant la formation de nouveaux vaisseaux qui mènera à l’amputation des membres inférieurs chez les patients diabétiques. Une étude a démontré qu’une augmentation de la protéine tyrosine phosphatase Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) en condition hyperglycémique chez les péricytes entraînait l’inhibition de la signalisation du PDGF-BB, ce qui résultait en le développement d’une rétinopathie diabétique. Nous avons alors soulevé l’hypothèse que l’expression de SHP-1 dans les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires affecte la prolifération et la migration cellulaire par l’inhibition de la signalisation de l’insuline et du PDGF-BB en condition diabétique. Nos expérimentations ont été effectuées principalement à l’aide d’une culture primaire de cellules musculaires lisses primaires provenant d’aortes bovines. Comparativement aux concentrations normales de glucose (NG : 5,6 mM), l’exposition à des concentrations élevées de glucose (HG : 25 mM) pendant 48 h a résulté en l’inhibition de la prolifération cellulaire par l’insuline et le PDGF-BB autant en normoxie (20% O2) qu’en hypoxie (24 dernières heures à 1% O2). Lors des essais de migration cellulaire, aucun effet de l’insuline n’a été observé alors que la migration par le PDGF-BB fut inhibée en HG autant en normoxie qu’en hypoxie. L’exposition en HG à mener à l’inhibition de la signalisation de la voie PI3K/Akt de l’insuline et du PDGF-BB en hypoxie. Aucune variation de l’expression de SHP-1 n’a été observée mais son activité phosphatase en hypoxie était fortement inhibée en NG contrairement en HG où on observait une augmentation de cette activité. Finalement, une association a été constatée entre SHP-1 et la sous-unité bêta du récepteur au PDGF. En conclusion, nous avons démontré que l’augmentation de l’activité phosphatase de SHP-1 en hypoxie cause l’inhibition des voies de l’insuline et du PDGF-BB réduisant les processus angiogéniques des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires dans la maladie des artères périphériques.

Signal transduction, regulation, and developmental logic of EGFR signalling in C. elegans

RTKs-mediated signaling systems and the pathways with which they interact (e.g., those initiated by G protein-mediated signaling) involve a highly cooperative network that sense a large number of cellular inputs and then integrate, amplify, and process this information to orchestrate an appropriate set of cellular responses. The responses include virtually all aspects of cell function, from the most fundamental (proliferation, differentiation) to the most specialized (movement, metabolism, chemosensation). The basic tenets of RTK signaling system seem rather well established. Yet, new pathways and even new molecular players continue to be discovered. Although we believe that many of the essential modules of RTK signaling system are rather well understood, we have relatively little knowledge of the extent of interaction among these modules and their overall quantitative importance.

My research has encompassed the study of both positive and negative signaling by RTKs in C. elegans. I identified the C. elegans S0S-1 gene and showed that it is necessary for multiple RAS-mediated developmental signals. In addition, I demonstrated that there is a SOS-1-independent signaling during RAS-mediated vulval differentiation. By assessing signal outputs from various triple mutants, I have concluded that this SOS-1-independent signaling is not mediated by PTP-2/SHP-2 or the removal of inhibition by GAP-1/ RasGAP and it is not under regulation by SLI-1/Cb1. I speculate that there is either another exchange factor for RASor an as yet unidentified signaling pathway operating during RAS-mediated vulval induction in C. elegans.

In an attempt to uncover the molecular mechanisms of negative regulation of EGFR signaling by SLI-1/Cb1, I and two other colleagues codiscovered that RING finger domain of SLI-1 is partially dispensable for activity. This structure-function analysis shows that there is an ubiquitin protein ligase-independent activity for SLI-1 in regulating EGFR signaling. Further, we identified an inhibitory tyrosine of LET-23/ EGFR requiring sli-1(+)for its effects: removal of this tyrosine closely mimics loss of sli-1 but not loss of other negative regulator function.

By comparative analysis of two RTK pathways with similar signaling mechanisms, I have found that clr-1, a previously identified negative regulator of egl-15 mediated FGFR signaling, is also involved in let-23 EGFR signaling. The success of this approach promises a similar reciprocal test and could potentially extend to the study of other signaling pathways with similar signaling logic.

Finally, by correlating the developmental expression of lin-3 EGF to let-23 EGFR signaling activity, I demonstrated the existence of reciprocal EGF signaling in coordinating the morphogenesis of epithelia. This developmental logic of EGF signaling could provide a basis to understand a universal mechanism for organogenesis.

太行花MADS-box基因克隆、表达模式及功能分析

基因的重复（duplication）及其功能的多样性（diversification）为生物体新的形态进化提供了原材料。重复的基因通过表达方式和（或）编码序列的改变而导致其亚功能化（subfunctionalization）和（或）新功能化（neofunctionalization），从而使这些重复基因有可能保留在生物体中，增添生物的遗传稳定性（robustness）和多样性。MADS-box基因在植物（特别是在被子植物）的进化过程中发生了大量的基因重复事件而形成一个多基因家族。MADS-box基因家族的不同成员在植物生长发育过程中起着非常重要的作用，在调控开花时间、决定花分生组织和花器官特征，以及调控根、叶、胚珠及果实的发育中起着广泛的作用。开展对MADS-box基因家族成员的序列结构、表达模式及编码蛋白的功能研究可以为这些同源基因在生物体中的可能命运提供很好的实验依据。本研究以我国特有的蔷薇科物种太行花做实验材料，通过3’ RACE和5’ RACE方法从太行花中克隆了7个MADS-box家族的基因。序列和系统进化树分析表明这7个基因分别与拟南芥的MADS-box基因AG、SHP（SHP1/2）、PI、AP1、FUL和SEP1以及与矮牵牛MADS-box基因PhTM6具有很高的同源性并聚为一支，从而将这7个MADS-box基因分别命名为TrAG（Taihangia rupestris AG）、TrSHP（Taihangia rupestris SHP）、TrPI（Taihangia rupestris PI）、TrAP1（Taihangia rupestris AP1）、TrFUL（Taihangia rupestris FUL）、TrSEP1（Taihangia rupestris SEP1）和TrTM6（Taihangia rupestris PhTM6）。针对克隆的这些基因，具体进行了以下几方面的研究： 第一，对TrAG和TrSHP两个MADS-box基因进行了研究，它们分别属于AG亚家族中旁系同源进化系euAG和PLE进化系的成员。通过原位杂交的方法分析了旁系同源基因TrAG和TrSHP的表达方式是否发生了分化;构建组成型表达载体转化野生型拟南芥，分析了TrAG和TrSHP的编码蛋白的功能是否发生了改变;并进一步通过酵母双杂交的方法比较了TrAG和TrSHP的相互作用方式是否发生了分化。原位杂交分析表明，TrAG和TrSHP主要在雄蕊、心皮和胚珠中表达。在花发育过程中，TrAG起始表达比TrSHP早，在随后将形成雄蕊和心皮原基的分生组织区域以及雄蕊原基中表达;然而直到雄蕊原基出现前未检测到TrSHP的表达。在雄蕊原基形成之后，TrAG和TrSHP在发育的雄蕊、随后将产生心皮原基的分生组织区域以及心皮原基中表达。在花发育的晚期，TrAG在发育的柱头、花柱以及胚珠中均有表达，而TrSHP仅在胚珠中表达。35S::TrAG和35S::TrSHP转基因拟南芥植株表现出相似的表型，包括开花提前;莲座叶和茎生叶向腹卷曲、变小;花芽在时期13前即开放，萼片包裹不住花芽;萼片和花瓣分别被同源异型转化为心皮化和雄蕊化器官，并在萼片向腹面产生异位的胚珠;在茎生叶上产生柱头化的乳突和胚珠;子房弯曲;果实提前沿着开裂区裂开，暴露出胚珠。此外，也观察到35S::TrAG和35S::TrSHP转基因拟南芥植株的一些表型差异，35S::TrAG转基因拟南芥植株花芽呈暗绿色，而35S::TrSHP转基因拟南芥植株花芽呈黄绿色;不同与35S::TrAG转基因植株表型的是，35S::TrSHP转基因拟南芥植株花被脱落受到了抑制，偶尔可以观察到花丝基部融合，果实变短、育性降低。酵母双杂交分析表明TrAG可以与TrSEP3相互作用，而TrSHP不能与TrSEP3形成异源二聚体。以上研究结果表明做为旁系同源基因，TrAG和TrSHP在表达方式上发生了改变，在蛋白编码序列上保持了其祖先的功能，但是编码序列的一些差异还是导致它们之间生化作用方式的不同和一定程度上的亚功能化。基于以上研究结果并结合先前报道的在拟南芥、金鱼草和矮牵牛等物种中旁系同源基因的表达和功能数据，我们提出在不同物种中旁系同源基因在进化过程中维持部分功能冗余（redundant），但是也通过改变表达方式、编码蛋白的功能及蛋白相互作用方式呈现出不同形式的亚功能化和（或）新功能化。 第二，对TrPI基因的功能也进行了初步研究，它属于AP3/PI亚家族PI-like进化系的成员。原位杂交结果表明，TrPI主要在花瓣、雄蕊和胚珠中表达。显示出TrPI与拟南芥同源基因PI保守的表达模式。35S::TrPI转基因拟南芥植株莲座叶发生延迟、变小、并且第一至第三片莲座叶呈白色针状;莲座叶和茎生叶并不像野生型呈有规则的螺旋状排列;花序茎基部、中间或顶端发生2-3个分支;在茎生叶的叶腋内的花序抽出时间明显晚于野生型，并且很小甚至不能完全抽出而藏在叶腋内。低温条件下转基因植株莲座叶的表型更加明显，表现为莲座叶变为针状，无叶片，仅有叶柄结构。这明显不同于35S::PI转基因拟南芥植株的表型。此外，酵母双杂交分析表明TrPI自身可以形成同源二聚体。这种相互作用方式也不同与拟南芥中PI的相互作用方式。以上研究结果表明，TrPI可能与拟南芥PI具有保守的表达模式但编码的蛋白可能获得了新的功能。 第三，构建了一个AP1-like基因（TrAP1）的过量表达载体，转化野生型拟南芥植株，通过反向遗传学分析了TrAP1的功能。35S::TrAP1转基因拟南芥植株开花提前;花序以两朵花终止，形成terminal flower的表型;偶尔可以观察到雄蕊转化为花瓣化的器官;莲座叶呈黄绿色并且其边缘呈锯齿状。酵母双杂交分析表明TrAP1蛋白自身可以形成同源二聚体。这些结果表明TrAP1可能与拟南芥同源基因AP1具有保守的功能。

高速半导体激光器在不同温度下的频响测试

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

Nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 and its characterization

In this work, both the thermal expansion and electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 were studied. The nanocrystalline powder of La2Mo2O9 was obtained by sol-gel method, and with the help of SHP (superhigh pressure) up to 4.5 x 10(4) atm at 700 degrees C for a short time, and the nanocrystalline powder was densified without obvious particle size growth. The electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 was one order of magnitude lower than that of the microcrystalline sample at the same temperature. Owing to the phase transition, the microcrystalline La2MO2O9 has an abrupt increase of thermal expansion with a peak value of 48 x 10(-6) K-1 at 556 degrees C. For the nanocrystalline material, the peak value increases to 112 x 10(-6) K-1 at 520 degrees C. On the other hand, above 600 degrees C the significant growth of particle size of the nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 was observed, accompanying by a tremendous increase of thermal expansion with a peak value of 1565 x 10(-6) K-1 at 620 degrees C. The electrical conductivity of La1.6Nd0.4Mo2O9 at 800 degrees C is 0.14 S center dot cm(-1) which is about one third higher than that of La2Mo2O9.

CD33 reponses are blocked by SOCS3 through accelerated proteasomal-mediated turnover

CD33 is a member of the sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) family of inhibitory receptors and a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). CD33 contains a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM), which can recruit SHP-1 and SHP-2. How CD33 expression is regulated is unclear. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is expressed in response to cytokines, LPS, and other PAMPs, and competes with SHP-1/2 binding to ITIMs of cytokine receptors, thereby inhibiting signaling. In this study, using peptide pull-down experiments, we found that SOCS3 can specifically bind to the phosphorylated ITIM of CD33. Additionally, following cross-linking SOCS3 can recruit the ECS E3 ligase resulting in accelerated proteasomal degradation of both CD33 and SOCS3. Our data suggest that the tyrosine motifs in CD33 are not important for internalization, while they are required for degradation. Moreover, SOCS3 inhibited the CD33-induced block on cytokine-induced proliferation. This is the first receptor shown to be degraded by SOCS3 and where SOCS3 and its target protein are degraded concomitantly. Our findings clearly suggest that during an inflammatory response, the inhibitory receptor CD33 is lost by this mechanism. Moreover, this has important clinical implications as tumors expressing SOCS3 may be refractory to -CD33 therapy.