Lipocalin‐Type Prostaglandin D Synthase Is a Novel Phytocannabinoid‐Binding Protein

Lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS; EC:5.3.99.2) is an enzyme with dual functional roles as a prostaglandin D₂‐synthesizing enzyme and as an extracellular transporter for diverse lipophilic compounds in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Transport of hydrophobic endocannabinoids is mediated by serum albumin in the blood and intracellularly by the fatty acid binding proteins, but no analogous transport mechanism has yet been described in CSF. L‐PGDS has been reported to promiscuously bind a wide variety of lipophilic ligands and is among the most abundant proteins found in the CSF. Here, we examine the binding of several classes of endogenous and synthetic ligands to L‐PGDS. Endocannabinoids exhibited low affinity toward L‐PGDS, while cannabinoid metabolites and synthetic cannabinoids displayed higher affinities for L‐PGDS. These results indicate that L‐PGDS is unlikely to function as a carrier for endocannabinoids in the CSF, but it may bind and transport a subset of cannabinoids.     

鼠抑铁素2蛋白的原核表达及鉴定

目的表达鼠抑铁素2(lcn2)蛋白,并检测表达产物的生物学活性。方法从小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞提取总RNA,逆转录合成cDNA,以cDNA为模板,PCR扩增lcn2基因片段,插入原核表达质粒pET-32a(+),转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)plysS,用IPTG诱导表达。表达产物经His-tagin-gel stain鉴定后,采用Ni2+-NTA亲和层析纯化,并检测其生物学活性。结果经核苷酸序列测定和酶切鉴定,表明重组质粒pET-32a(+)-lcn2构建正确。表达的重组蛋白经SDS-PAGE分析,相对分子质量约为21000,表达量占菌体总蛋白的35%,主要以包涵体形式存在。纯化后蛋白浓度为1.0g/L,并对大肠杆菌和乙型链球菌生长有一定的抑制作用。结论成功地在原核细胞中表达了重组lcn2蛋白,且表达的蛋白具有一定的抑菌作用。     

Lipocalin 2 Influences Bone and Muscle Phenotype in the MDX Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is an adipokine involved in bone and energy metabolism. Its serum levels correlate with bone mechanical unloading and inflammation, two conditions representing hallmarks of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Therefore, we investigated the role of Lcn2 in bone loss induced by muscle failure in the MDX mouse model of DMD. We found increased Lcn2 serum levels in MDX mice at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Consistently, Lcn2 mRNA was higher in MDX versus WT muscles. Immunohistochemistry showed Lcn2 expression in mononuclear cells between muscle fibres and in muscle fibres, thus confirming the gene expression results. We then ablated Lcn2 in MDX mice, breeding them with Lcn2^−/− mice (MDXxLcn2^−/−), resulting in a higher percentage of trabecular volume/total tissue volume compared to MDX mice, likely due to reduced bone resorption. Moreover, MDXxLcn2^−/− mice presented with higher grip strength, increased intact muscle fibres, and reduced serum creatine kinase levels compared to MDX. Consistently, blocking Lcn2 by treating 2-month-old MDX mice with an anti-Lcn2 monoclonal antibody (Lcn2Ab) increased trabecular volume, while reducing osteoclast surface/bone surface compared to MDX mice treated with irrelevant IgG. Grip force was also increased, and diaphragm fibrosis was reduced by the Lcn2Ab. These results suggest that Lcn2 could be a possible therapeutic target to treat DMD-induced bone loss.