Interferon-gamma （IFN-γ） is a major proinflammatory effector and regulatory cytokine produced by activated T cells and NK cells. IFN-γ has been shown to play pivotal roles in fundamental immunological processes su...Interferon-gamma （IFN-γ） is a major proinflammatory effector and regulatory cytokine produced by activated T cells and NK cells. IFN-γ has been shown to play pivotal roles in fundamental immunological processes such as inflammatory reactions, cell-mediated immunity and autoimmunity. A variety of human disorders have now been linked to irregular IFN-γ expression. In order to achieve proper IFN-γ-mediated immunological effects, IFN-γ expression in T cells is subject to both positive and negative regulation. In this study, we report for the first time the negative regulation of IFN-γ expression by Prospero-related Homeobox （Proxl）. In Jurkat T cells and primary human CD4＋ T cells, Proxl expression decreases quickly upon T cell activation, concurrent with a dramatic increase in IFN-γ expression. Reporter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation （CHIP） revealed that Proxl associates with and inhibits the transcription activity of IFN-γ promoter in activated Jurkat T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assay demonstrated a direct binding between Proxl and the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARγ）, which is also an IFN-γ repressor in T cells. By introducing deletions and mutations into Proxl, we show that the repression of IFN-γ promoter by Proxl is largely dependent upon the physical interaction between Proxl and PPARγ. Furthermore, PPARγ antagonist treatment removes Proxl from IFN-γ promoter and attenuates repression of IFN-γ expression by Proxl. These findings establish Proxl as a new negative regulator of IFN-γ expression in T cells and will aid in the understanding of IFN-γ transcription regulation mechanisms.展开更多
As a newborn interdisciplinary field, bioinformatics is receiving increasing attention from biologists, computer scientists, statisticians, mathematicians and engineers. This paper briefly introduces the birth, import...As a newborn interdisciplinary field, bioinformatics is receiving increasing attention from biologists, computer scientists, statisticians, mathematicians and engineers. This paper briefly introduces the birth, importance, and extensive applications of bioinformatics in the different fields of biological research. A major challenge in bioinformatics - the unraveling of gene regulation - is discussed in detail.展开更多
Actin is a protein abundant in cells. Recently, it has been proved to be universally existent in the nuclei of many cell types. Actin and actin-binding proteins, as well as actin-related proteins, are necessary for th...Actin is a protein abundant in cells. Recently, it has been proved to be universally existent in the nuclei of many cell types. Actin and actin-binding proteins, as well as actin-related proteins, are necessary for the mediation of the conformation and function of nuclear actin, including the transformation of actin between unpolymerized and polym- erized, chromatin remodeling, regulation of gene expression and RNA processing as well as RNA transportation. In this paper, we summarized the progresses in the research of nu- clear actin.展开更多
文摘Interferon-gamma （IFN-γ） is a major proinflammatory effector and regulatory cytokine produced by activated T cells and NK cells. IFN-γ has been shown to play pivotal roles in fundamental immunological processes such as inflammatory reactions, cell-mediated immunity and autoimmunity. A variety of human disorders have now been linked to irregular IFN-γ expression. In order to achieve proper IFN-γ-mediated immunological effects, IFN-γ expression in T cells is subject to both positive and negative regulation. In this study, we report for the first time the negative regulation of IFN-γ expression by Prospero-related Homeobox （Proxl）. In Jurkat T cells and primary human CD4＋ T cells, Proxl expression decreases quickly upon T cell activation, concurrent with a dramatic increase in IFN-γ expression. Reporter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation （CHIP） revealed that Proxl associates with and inhibits the transcription activity of IFN-γ promoter in activated Jurkat T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assay demonstrated a direct binding between Proxl and the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARγ）, which is also an IFN-γ repressor in T cells. By introducing deletions and mutations into Proxl, we show that the repression of IFN-γ promoter by Proxl is largely dependent upon the physical interaction between Proxl and PPARγ. Furthermore, PPARγ antagonist treatment removes Proxl from IFN-γ promoter and attenuates repression of IFN-γ expression by Proxl. These findings establish Proxl as a new negative regulator of IFN-γ expression in T cells and will aid in the understanding of IFN-γ transcription regulation mechanisms.
文摘As a newborn interdisciplinary field, bioinformatics is receiving increasing attention from biologists, computer scientists, statisticians, mathematicians and engineers. This paper briefly introduces the birth, importance, and extensive applications of bioinformatics in the different fields of biological research. A major challenge in bioinformatics - the unraveling of gene regulation - is discussed in detail.
文摘Actin is a protein abundant in cells. Recently, it has been proved to be universally existent in the nuclei of many cell types. Actin and actin-binding proteins, as well as actin-related proteins, are necessary for the mediation of the conformation and function of nuclear actin, including the transformation of actin between unpolymerized and polym- erized, chromatin remodeling, regulation of gene expression and RNA processing as well as RNA transportation. In this paper, we summarized the progresses in the research of nu- clear actin.
