Tex261 modulates the excitotoxic cell death induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) Larval Hemolymph in Response to Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Differentially Resistant Strains

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a kind of pathogen that causes huge economic losses to silkworm production. Although Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and BmNPV are both baculoviruses, the host domains of these two viruses have almost no intersection in nature. Recently, it has been found that some silkworms could be infected by recombinant AcMNPV through a puncture, which provided valuable material for studying the infection mechanism of baculovirus to silkworm. In this study, comparative transcriptomics was used to analyse the hemolymph of two differentially resistant strains following AcMNPV inoculation. There were 678 DEGs in p50 and 515 DEGs in C108 following viral infection. Among them, the upregulation and downregulation of DEGs were similar in p50; however, the upregulated DEGs were nearly twice as numerous as the downregulated DEGs in C108. The DEGs in different resistant strains differed by GO enrichment. Based on KEGG enrichment, DEGs were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways in p50 and the apoptosis pathway in C108. Moreover, 13 genes involved in metabolic pathways and 11 genes involved in the apoptosis pathway were analysed. Among the DEGs involved in apoptosis, the function of BmTex261 in viral infection was analysed. The BmTex261 showed the highest expression in hemolymph and a significant response to viral infection in the hemolymph of C108, indicating that it is involved in anti-AcMNPV infection. This was further validated by the significantly decreased expression of viral gene lef3 after overexpression of BmTex261 in BmN cells. The results provide a theoretical reference for the molecular mechanism of resistance to BmNPV in silkworms.

Human testis-expressed (TEX) genes: a review focused on spermatogenesis and male fertility

Spermatogenesis is a complex process regulated by a multitude of genes. The identification and characterization of male-germ-cell-specific genes is crucial to understanding the mechanisms through which the cells develop. The term “TEX gene” was coined by Wang et al. (Nat Genet. 2001; 27: 422–6) after they used cDNA suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to identify new transcripts that were present only in purified mouse spermatogonia. TEX (Testis expressed) orthologues have been found in other vertebrates (mammals, birds, and reptiles), invertebrates, and yeasts. To date, 69 TEX genes have been described in different species and different tissues. To evaluate the expression of each TEX/tex gene, we compiled data from 7 different RNA-Seq mRNA databases in humans, and 4 in the mouse according to the expression atlas database.

Various studies have highlighted a role for many of these genes in spermatogenesis. Here, we review current knowledge on the TEX genes and their roles in spermatogenesis and fertilization in humans and, comparatively, in other species (notably the mouse). As expected, TEX genes appear to have a major role in reproduction in general and in spermatogenesis in humans but also in all mammals such as the mouse. Most of them are expressed specifically or predominantly in the testis. As most of the TEX genes are highly conserved in mammals, defects in the male (gene mutations in humans and gene-null mice) lead to infertility. In the future, cumulative data on the human TEX genes’ physiological functions and pathophysiological dysfunctions should become available and is likely to confirm the essential role of this family in the reproductive process. Thirteen TEX genes are now referenced in the OMIM database, and 3 have been linked to a specific phenotype. TEX11 (on Xq13.1) is currently the gene most frequently reported as being associated with azoospermia.

Potential interactions of calcium-sensitive reagents with zinc ion in different cultured cells

Background

Several chemicals have been widely used to evaluate the involvement of free Ca²⁺ in mechanisms underlying a variety of biological responses for decades. Here, we report high reactivity to zinc of well-known Ca²⁺-sensitive reagents in diverse cultured cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In rat astrocytic C6 glioma cells loaded with the fluorescent Ca²⁺ dye Fluo-3, the addition of ZnCl₂ gradually increased the fluorescence intensity in a manner sensitive to the Ca²⁺ chelator EGTA irrespective of added CaCl₂. The addition of the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 drastically increased Fluo-3 fluorescence in the absence of ZnCl₂, while the addition of the Zn²⁺ ionophore pyrithione rapidly and additionally increased the fluorescence in the presence of ZnCl₂, but not in its absence. In cells loaded with the zinc dye FluoZin-3 along with Fluo-3, a similarly gradual increase was seen in the fluorescence of Fluo-3, but not of FluoZin-3, in the presence of both CaCl₂ and ZnCl₂. Further addition of pyrithione drastically increased the fluorescence intensity of both dyes, while the addition of the Zn²⁺ chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN) rapidly and drastically decreased FluoZin-3 fluorescence. In cells loaded with FluoZin-3 alone, the addition of ZnCl₂ induced a gradual increase in the fluorescence in a fashion independent of added CaCl₂ but sensitive to EGTA. Significant inhibition was found in the vitality to reduce 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide in a manner sensitive to TPEN, EDTA and BAPTA in C6 glioma cells exposed to ZnCl₂, with pyrithione accelerating the inhibition. Similar inhibition occurred in an EGTA-sensitive fashion after brief exposure to ZnCl₂ in pluripotent P19 cells, neuronal Neuro2A cells and microglial BV2 cells, which all expressed mRNA for particular zinc transporters.

Conclusions/Significance

Taken together, comprehensive analysis is absolutely required for the demonstration of a variety of physiological and pathological responses mediated by Ca²⁺ in diverse cells enriched of Zn²⁺.

NR2-reactive antibody decreases cell viability through augmentation of Ca(2+) influx in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor subunit NR2-reactive antibody may play a crucial role in neuronal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, how NR2-reactive antibody acts as a critical modulator of the NMDA receptor is unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the biologic function of NR2-reactive antibody in patients with SLE.

METHODS

The study included 14 patients with SLE, 9 of whom had NR2-reactive antibody. We analyzed the effects of NR2-reactive antibody on cell viability and intracellular Ca(2+) level. We also investigated the efficacy of zinc as a modulator of the intracellular Ca(2+) level in the presence of NR2-reactive antibody.

RESULTS

There was a significant inverse correlation between the NR2-reactive antibody titer and cell viability (R(2) = 0.67, P < 0.0001; n = 23), and there was a significant association between the NR2-reactive antibody titer and the intracellular Ca(2+) level in NR1/NR2a-transfected HEK 293 cells (R(2) = 0.69, P < 0.0001). Intracellular Ca(2+) levels were significantly higher in cells incubated with IgG derived from NR2-reactive antibody-positive SLE patients than in those incubated with IgG derived from NR2-reactive antibody-negative SLE patients (P = 0.0002). The addition of zinc decreased the intracellular Ca(2+) level in a dose-dependent manner. NR2-reactive antibody-positive SLE IgG weakened the efficacy of zinc as a negative modulator of the intracellular Ca(2+) level.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that NR2-reactive antibody decreases cell viability by Ca(2+) influx in SLE through inhibition of the binding capacity of zinc.

Maintenance and differentiation of neural stem cells

The adult mammalian brain contains self-renewable, multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) that are responsible for neurogenesis and plasticity in specific regions of the adult brain. Extracellular matrix, vasculature, glial cells, and other neurons are components of the niche where NSCs are located. This surrounding environment is the source of extrinsic signals that instruct NSCs to either self-renew or differentiate. Additionally, factors such as the intracellular epigenetics state and retrotransposition events can influence the decision of NSC's fate into neurons or glia. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors form an intricate signaling network, which is not completely understood. These factors altogether reflect a few of the key players characterized so far in the new field of NSC research and are covered in this review.

Activation of extrasynaptic, but not synaptic, NMDA receptors modifies amyloid precursor protein expression pattern and increases amyloid-ß production

Calcium is a key mediator controlling essential neuronal functions depending on electrical activity. Altered neuronal calcium homeostasis affects metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP), leading to increased production of β-amyloid (Aβ), and contributing to the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A linkage between excessive glutamate receptor activation and neuronal Aβ release was established, and recent reports suggest that synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation may have distinct consequences in plasticity, gene regulation, and neuronal death. Here, we report for the first time that prolonged activation of extrasynaptic NMDAR, but not synaptic NMDAR, dramatically increased the neuronal production of Aβ. This effect was preceded by a shift from APP695 to Kunitz protease inhibitory domain (KPI) containing APPs (KPI-APPs), isoforms exhibiting an important amyloidogenic potential. Conversely, after synaptic NMDAR activation, we failed to detect any KPI-APP expression and neuronal Aβ production was not modified. Calcium imaging data showed that intracellular calcium concentration after extrasynaptic NMDAR stimulation was lower than after synaptic activation. This suggests distinct signaling pathways for each pool of receptors. We found that modification of neuronal APP expression pattern triggered by extrasynaptic NMDAR activation was regulated at an alternative splicing level involving calcium-/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV, but overall APP expression remained identical. Finally, memantine dose-dependently inhibited extrasynaptic NMDAR-induced KPI-APPs expression as well as neuronal Aβ release. Altogether, these data suggest that a chronic activation of extrasynaptic NMDAR promotes amyloidogenic KPI-APP expression leading to neuronal Aβ release, representing a causal risk factor for developing AD.

Preferential inhibition by antidiarrheic 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol of Ca(2+) influx across acquired N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels composed of NR1/NR2B subunit assembly

In our previous studies, particular phenolic ingredients, such as 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (2M4MP), of the antidiarrheic drug wood creosote significantly prevented cell death by both hydrogen peroxide and glutamate in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In this study, we further evaluated the pharmacological properties of 2M4MP on Ca(2+) influx across native and acquired N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) channels. The addition of 2M4MP significantly prevented the loss of cellular viability and the increase in intracellular free Ca(2+) levels as determined by Fluo-3 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons briefly exposed to NMDA. Brief exposure to NMDA also led to a marked increase in mitochondrial free Ca(2+) levels determined by Rhod-2, in addition to intracellular free Ca(2+) levels, in HEK293 cells expressing either NR1/NR2A or NR1/NR2B subunit channels. The further addition of the general NMDAR channel blocker dizocilpine similarly inhibited the increase of intracellular Ca(2+) levels by NMDA in both types of acquired NMDAR channels, whereas the NR2B subunit selective antagonist ifenprodil drastically inhibited the increase by NMDA in HEK293 cells expressing NR1/NR2B, but not NR1/NR2A, subunits. Similarly, 2M4MP significantly and selectively inhibited the NMDA-induced influx of Ca(2+) across acquired NR1/NR2B channels in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, prior daily oral administration of 2M4MP significantly reduced the infarct volume in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion 1 day after reperfusion. These results suggest that 2M4MP may protect neurons from excitotoxicity through preferential inhibition of Ca(2+) influx across NMDAR channels composed of NR1/NR2B subunits.

Possible protection by notoginsenoside R1 against glutamate neurotoxicity mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors composed of an NR1/NR2B subunit assembly

Notoginsenoside R1 (NTR1) is the main active ingredient in Panax notoginseng, a herbal medicine widely used in Asia for years. The purpose of this study was to investigate pharmacological properties of NTR1 on neurotoxicity of glutamate (Glu) in primary cultured mouse cortical neurons along with its possible mechanism of action. We found that NTR1 significantly protected neurons from the loss of cellular viability caused by brief exposure to 10 microM Glu for 1 hr in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 microM, without affecting the viability alone. NTR1 significantly inhibited the increased number of cells positive to propidium iodide (PI) staining, increase of intracellular free Ca(2+) ions, overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured neurons exposed to Glu, in addition to blocking decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax expression levels. We further evaluated the target site at which NTR1 protects neurons from Glu toxicity by using the acquired expression strategy of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We found that 10 microM NTR1 protected NR1/NR2B subunit expressing cells from cell death by 100 microM NMDA, but not cells expressing NR1/NR2A subunits, when determined by PI staining. These results suggest that NTR1 may preferentially protect neurons from Glu excitotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptor composed of an NR1/NR2B subunit assembly in the brain.