The mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway is essential for maintenance of the sensitivity of certain adult sensory neurons. Here, we investigated whether the mTOR cascade is involved in scorpion envenomation-...The mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway is essential for maintenance of the sensitivity of certain adult sensory neurons. Here, we investigated whether the mTOR cascade is involved in scorpion envenomation-induced pain hypersensitivity in rats. The results showed that intraplantar injection of a neurotoxin from Buthus martensii Karsch, BmK I （10 pg）, induced the activation of mTOR, as well as its downstream molecules p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase （p70 S6K） and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 （4E-BP1）, in lumbar 5-6 dorsal root ganglia neurons on both sides in rats. The activation peaked at 2 h and recovered 1 day after injection. Compared with the control group, the ratios of p-mTOR/p-p70 S6K/p-4E- BP1 in three types of neurons changed significantly. The cell typology of p-mTOR/p-p70 S6K/p-4E-BP1 immuno-reactive neurons also changed. Intrathecal administration of deforolimus, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, attenuated BmK I-induced pain responses （spontaneous flinching, paroxysmal pain-like behavior, and mechanical hypersensitivity）. Together, these results imply that the mTOR signaling pathway is mobilized by and contributes to experimental scorpion sting-induced pain.展开更多
The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 pathway may serve as a key signaling flow that regulates energy metabolism; thus, this pathway becomes an attractive target for...The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 pathway may serve as a key signaling flow that regulates energy metabolism; thus, this pathway becomes an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases that result from metabolic derangements. In addition, AMPK emerges as a kinase that controls the redox-state and mitochondrial function, whose activity may be modulated by antioxidants. A close link exists between fuel metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. The relationship between fuel metabolism and cell survival strongly implies the existence of a shared signaling network, by which hepatocytes respond to challenges of external stimuli. The AMPK pathway may belong to this network. A series of drugs and therapeutic candidates enable hepatocytes to protect mitochondria from radical stress and increase cell viability, which may be associated with the activation of AMPK, liver kinase B1, and other molecules or components. Consequently, the components downstream of AMPK may contribute to stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential for hepatocyte survival. In this review, we discuss the role of the AMPK pathway in hepatic energy metabolism and hepatocyte viability. This information may help identify ways to prevent and/or treat hepatic diseases caused by the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, clinical drugs and experimental therapeutic candidates that directly or indirectly modulate the AMPK pathway in distinct manners are discussed here with particular emphasis on their effects on fuel metabolism and mitochondrial function.展开更多
This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui （DU20）, Dazhui （DU14）, and bilateral Shenshu （BL23） in a ra...This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui （DU20）, Dazhui （DU14）, and bilateral Shenshu （BL23） in a rat model of vascular dementia produced by bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Morris water maze test showed that electroacupuncture improved the learning ability of vascular dementia rats. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in vascular dementia rats was significantly increased after electroacupuncture, compared with the model group that was not treated with acupuncture. The average escape latency was also shortened after electroacupuncture, and escape strategies in the spatial probe test improved from edge and random searches, to linear and trending swim pathways. The experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture improves learning and memory ability by up-regulating expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats.展开更多
This study was aimed to observe the expression of P70 S6 kinase （P70 S6K） in oral acinic cell carcinoma. P70 S6 kinase expression was examined by means of Western-blot test and Activity assay. Specimens were from 30...This study was aimed to observe the expression of P70 S6 kinase （P70 S6K） in oral acinic cell carcinoma. P70 S6 kinase expression was examined by means of Western-blot test and Activity assay. Specimens were from 30 cases of oral acinic cell carcinoma and 15 cases of normal oral tissue were used as controls. Statistical analysis software SPSS10.0 was used for t test to determine the relationship between gene expression and clinical features. The expression level of P70 S6K increased obviously in oral acinic cell carcinoma tissue （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Activity assay was the same as the Westemblot test （ P 〈 0.01 ）. P70 S6K expression level and activity played an important role in the development of oral acinic cell carcinoma. In conclusion, P70 S6K is amplified and overexpressed in oral acinic cell carcinoma tissue, which suggests a potential oncogenic function. P70 S6K and other possible targets of roTOR contribute significantly to tumor development and that inhibition of these proteins may be therapeutic for cancer patients. Overexpression of P70 S6K may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral acinic cell carcinoma.展开更多
Glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, has been found to induce apoptosis in some cell types, including pancreatic beta-cells. Since autophagy plays doubleedged roles in pancreatic beta-cell sur...Glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, has been found to induce apoptosis in some cell types, including pancreatic beta-cells. Since autophagy plays doubleedged roles in pancreatic beta-cell survival, frequently through cross-talking with apoptosis, we investigated if glibenclamide induced autophagy in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells and the influence of autophagy on apoptosis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a negative regulator of autophagy. As one of the substrates of mTOR, p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) is phosphorylated upon mTOR activation. Our results showed that glibenclamide induced an elevated protein level of the autophagy marker LC3-II, while decreasing phosphorylated p70 S6K, indicative of inhibition on mTOR signaling in INS-1 cells. Furthermore, inhibiting glibenclamide-induced autophagy via knocking down the autophagy essential gene Atg7 decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in INS-1 cells. Our results indicate that glibenclamide induces autophagy in INS-1 cells, and that autophagy activation is exerting a protective activity against apoptosis.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Basic Research Development Program of China(2010CB529806)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31171064)+2 种基金the Shanghai Science and Technology CommissionChina(11JC140430010411956700 and 124119b0600)
文摘The mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway is essential for maintenance of the sensitivity of certain adult sensory neurons. Here, we investigated whether the mTOR cascade is involved in scorpion envenomation-induced pain hypersensitivity in rats. The results showed that intraplantar injection of a neurotoxin from Buthus martensii Karsch, BmK I （10 pg）, induced the activation of mTOR, as well as its downstream molecules p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase （p70 S6K） and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 （4E-BP1）, in lumbar 5-6 dorsal root ganglia neurons on both sides in rats. The activation peaked at 2 h and recovered 1 day after injection. Compared with the control group, the ratios of p-mTOR/p-p70 S6K/p-4E- BP1 in three types of neurons changed significantly. The cell typology of p-mTOR/p-p70 S6K/p-4E-BP1 immuno-reactive neurons also changed. Intrathecal administration of deforolimus, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, attenuated BmK I-induced pain responses （spontaneous flinching, paroxysmal pain-like behavior, and mechanical hypersensitivity）. Together, these results imply that the mTOR signaling pathway is mobilized by and contributes to experimental scorpion sting-induced pain.
基金Supported by The National Research Foundation of Korea Grant,Funded by the Korea Government(MEST),No.2010-0001706,South Korea
文摘The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase-1 pathway may serve as a key signaling flow that regulates energy metabolism; thus, this pathway becomes an attractive target for the treatment of liver diseases that result from metabolic derangements. In addition, AMPK emerges as a kinase that controls the redox-state and mitochondrial function, whose activity may be modulated by antioxidants. A close link exists between fuel metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. The relationship between fuel metabolism and cell survival strongly implies the existence of a shared signaling network, by which hepatocytes respond to challenges of external stimuli. The AMPK pathway may belong to this network. A series of drugs and therapeutic candidates enable hepatocytes to protect mitochondria from radical stress and increase cell viability, which may be associated with the activation of AMPK, liver kinase B1, and other molecules or components. Consequently, the components downstream of AMPK may contribute to stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential for hepatocyte survival. In this review, we discuss the role of the AMPK pathway in hepatic energy metabolism and hepatocyte viability. This information may help identify ways to prevent and/or treat hepatic diseases caused by the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, clinical drugs and experimental therapeutic candidates that directly or indirectly modulate the AMPK pathway in distinct manners are discussed here with particular emphasis on their effects on fuel metabolism and mitochondrial function.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81001541
文摘This study investigated the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture therapy for vascular dementia through electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Baihui （DU20）, Dazhui （DU14）, and bilateral Shenshu （BL23） in a rat model of vascular dementia produced by bilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Morris water maze test showed that electroacupuncture improved the learning ability of vascular dementia rats. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in vascular dementia rats was significantly increased after electroacupuncture, compared with the model group that was not treated with acupuncture. The average escape latency was also shortened after electroacupuncture, and escape strategies in the spatial probe test improved from edge and random searches, to linear and trending swim pathways. The experimental findings indicate that electroacupuncture improves learning and memory ability by up-regulating expression of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and ribosomal protein S6 in the hippocampus of vascular dementia rats.
文摘This study was aimed to observe the expression of P70 S6 kinase （P70 S6K） in oral acinic cell carcinoma. P70 S6 kinase expression was examined by means of Western-blot test and Activity assay. Specimens were from 30 cases of oral acinic cell carcinoma and 15 cases of normal oral tissue were used as controls. Statistical analysis software SPSS10.0 was used for t test to determine the relationship between gene expression and clinical features. The expression level of P70 S6K increased obviously in oral acinic cell carcinoma tissue （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Activity assay was the same as the Westemblot test （ P 〈 0.01 ）. P70 S6K expression level and activity played an important role in the development of oral acinic cell carcinoma. In conclusion, P70 S6K is amplified and overexpressed in oral acinic cell carcinoma tissue, which suggests a potential oncogenic function. P70 S6K and other possible targets of roTOR contribute significantly to tumor development and that inhibition of these proteins may be therapeutic for cancer patients. Overexpression of P70 S6K may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral acinic cell carcinoma.
文摘Glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, has been found to induce apoptosis in some cell types, including pancreatic beta-cells. Since autophagy plays doubleedged roles in pancreatic beta-cell survival, frequently through cross-talking with apoptosis, we investigated if glibenclamide induced autophagy in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells and the influence of autophagy on apoptosis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a negative regulator of autophagy. As one of the substrates of mTOR, p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) is phosphorylated upon mTOR activation. Our results showed that glibenclamide induced an elevated protein level of the autophagy marker LC3-II, while decreasing phosphorylated p70 S6K, indicative of inhibition on mTOR signaling in INS-1 cells. Furthermore, inhibiting glibenclamide-induced autophagy via knocking down the autophagy essential gene Atg7 decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in INS-1 cells. Our results indicate that glibenclamide induces autophagy in INS-1 cells, and that autophagy activation is exerting a protective activity against apoptosis.
