Liu Tzu-An, Liu Ming-Cheh, Yang Yuh-Shyong
Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Feb 29;367(1):14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.12.082. Epub 2007 Dec 26.
Sulfotransferase (ST)-catalyzed sulfation plays an important role in various neuronal functions such as homeostasis of catecholamine neurotransmitters and hormones. Drosophila is a popular model for the study of memory and behavioral manifestations because it is able to mimic the intricate neuroregulation and recognition in humans. However, there has been no evidence indicating that cytosolic ST(s) is(are) present in Drosophila. The aim of this study is to investigate whether or not cytosolic ST(s) is(are) expressed in the Drosophila nervous system. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ST-like protein in Drosophila brain and a sensitive fluorometric assay revealed its sulfating activity toward DHEA. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated this DHEA ST-like protein to be abundant in specific neurons as well as in several bundles of nerve fibers in Drosophila. Clarification of a possible link between ST and a neurotransmitter-mediated effect may eventually aid in designing approaches for alleviating neuronal disorders in humans.
硫酸转移酶（ST）催化的硫酸化在多种神经元功能中发挥着重要作用，如儿茶酚胺神经递质和激素的稳态。果蝇是研究记忆和行为表现的常用模型，因为它能够模拟人类复杂的神经调节和识别过程。然而，尚无证据表明果蝇中存在胞质ST。本研究的目的是调查果蝇神经系统中是否表达胞质ST。免疫印迹分析表明果蝇大脑中存在脱氢表雄酮（DHEA）ST样蛋白，灵敏的荧光测定法揭示了其对DHEA的硫酸化活性。免疫组织化学染色表明，这种DHEA ST样蛋白在果蝇的特定神经元以及几束神经纤维中大量存在。阐明ST与神经递质介导效应之间的可能联系最终可能有助于设计缓解人类神经元疾病的方法。
