Synaptopodin and 4 novel genes identified in primary sensory neurons

Salidroside Reduces High-Glucose-Induced Podocyte Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress via Upregulating Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) Expression

Background

Hyperglycemia is one of the most dangerous factors causing diabetic nephropathy. Salidroside is considered to have the effects of reducing oxidative stress damage and improving cell viability. This study was performed to investigate whether and how salidroside reduces high-glucose (HG)-induced apoptosis in mouse podocytes.

Material/Methods

We examined whether salidroside could decrease HG-induced podocyte oxidative stress and podocyte apoptosis in vitro. The potential signaling pathways were also investigated. Podocytes (immortalized mouse epithelial cells) were treated with normal glucose (5.5 mM) as control or HG (30 mM), and then exposed to salidroside treatment.

Results

HG enhanced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in podocytes. Salidroside reduced HG-induced apoptosis-related consequences via promoting HO-1 expression. Salidroside increased the expression level of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and phosphorylated ILK (p-ILK), p-JNK, and p-ERK and localization of Nrf-2. JNK inhibitor and ILK inhibitor decreased HO-1 expression to different degrees. Moreover, specific siRNAs of ILK, Nrf-2, and HO-1, and inhibitors of HO-1 and ILK significantly increased ROS generation and Caspase9/3 expression in the presence of salidroside and HG.

Conclusions

The results suggest that salidroside reduces HG-induced ROS generation and apoptosis and improves podocytes viability by upregulating HO-1 expression. ILK/Akt, JNK, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Nrf-2 are involved in salidroside-decreased podocyte apoptosis in HG condition.

Synaptopodin and the spine apparatus organelle-regulators of different forms of synaptic plasticity?

Synaptopodin (SP) is an actin-binding molecule, which is closely linked with the spine apparatus organelle (SA). Recent experimental evidence suggests that SP containing spines differ in their functional and structural properties from neighboring spines, which do not contain SP. These studies revealed for the first time that SP clusters colocalize with a functional internal source of calcium, which affects synaptic plasticity. Strikingly, SP-cluster associated calcium surges were shown to control synaptic strength in two ways: a ryanodine receptor (RyR) dependent potentiation of synaptic strength was reported, as well as inositol-triphosphate-receptor (IP3R) dependent depression. These results suggested that the SA is an important component of the molecular machinery controlling the calcium-dependent accumulation of AMPA-receptors (AMPA-R) at excitatory synapses. They raise the intriguing possibility that SP/SA could play a role in different forms of synaptic plasticity.

Functional analysis of promoter mutations in the ACTN4 and SYNPO genes in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the promoter mutations of ACTN4 and SYNPO genes in patients with idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and to provide functional analysis of these mutations in the role of FSGS occurrence.

METHODS

The study consisted of 82 Chinese idiopathic FSGS patients (55 patients had nephrotic syndrome: NS) and 90 healthy individuals. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral leukocytes of patients of healthy individuals were used to analyse the ACTN4 and SYNPO gene promoter mutations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Mutations were matched with GenBank and TRANSFAC software database (www.genometix.de; www.gene-regulation.com). A dual luciferase assay system was used to analyse the effects of mutations based on PGL3-Basic vector, pRL-SV40 vector, a PC12 cell line and podocytes in vitro. Kidney alpha-actinin-4 and synaptopodin expression of mutated patients and genomic DNA of their parents were investigated.

RESULTS

The study detected the ACTN4 gene promoter 1-34C>T, 1-590delA and (1-1044delT)+(1-797T>C)+(1-769A>G) heterozygous mutations in three patients, respectively, and the SYNPO gene promoter 1-24G>A and 1-851C>T heterozygous mutations in two patients, respectively (with adenine of translation start site ATG naming +1). The same mutations were not found in the control group of 90 healthy people. Excepting one patient with an ACTN4 gene promoter mutation who inherited her parents' 1-1044delT and 1-797T>C mutated chromosome, respectively, the same mutations were not found in patients' parents. Alpha-actinin-4 and synaptopodin protein expression are reduced in mutated patients' kidneys. Dual luciferase assays show that compared to the normal group (with the exception of the 1-1044delT group), luciferase activity in mutated groups decreased for the most part. (1-1044delT)+(1-797T>C)+(1-769A>G) mutations are associated with poor clinical outcomes, and patients with these mutations progress to end-stage renal failure.

CONCLUSION

The study detected heterozygous mutations in the promoters of the ACTN4 and SYNPO genes in patients with idiopathic FSGS. These mutations affected gene transcription in vitro and may affect protein translation in vivo. So we presumed that the ACTN4 and SYNPO promoter mutations might also contribute to pathophysiology of idiopathic FSGS.