β-arrestin信号转导通路在炎症性肠病发生过程中的作用机制

The role and mechanism of β‑arrestins in cancer invasion and metastasis (Review)

β-arrestins are a family of adaptor proteins that regulate the signaling and trafficking of various G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They consist of β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2 and are considered to be scaffolding proteins. β-arrestins regulate cell proliferation, promote cell invasion and migration, transmit anti-apoptotic survival signals and affect other characteristics of tumors, including tumor growth rate, angiogenesis, drug resistance, invasion and metastatic potential. It has been demonstrated that β-arrestins serve roles in various physiological and pathological processes and exhibit a similar function to GPCRs. β-arrestins serve primary roles in cancer invasion and metastasis via various signaling pathways. The present review assessed the function and mechanism of β-arrestins in cancer invasion and metastasis via multiple signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase, Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor-κB and phosphoinositide-3 kinase/Akt.

Intervention effect of Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction on DOR-β-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway in rats with ulcerative colitis

AIM: To explore the intervention effect of Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction on the DOR-β-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway in rats with ulcerative colitis.

METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were equally and randomly divided into normal control group, model group, mesalazine group, high-, medium-, and low-dose Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction groups. Except for the normal control group, ulcerative colitis was induced with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats of other groups. After induction of ulcerative colitis, bloody stools, mental state and diarrhea were observed and recorded daily. Two rats in the model group were randomly selected and executed on day 3 for observing pathological changes in the colon tissue. Rats in the mesalazine group and Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction groups were lavaged with mesalazine solution and Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction for 15 d, while those in the normal control group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water for the same duration. On day 16, the remaining rats were executed to detect histopathological changes in the colon tissue and the mRNA and protein expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 in the colon tissue by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 differed significantly among each group (P < 0.05). Compared to the normal control group, the mRNA and protein expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 protein was significantly increased (24.11 ± 12.61 vs 11.88 ± 5.90, 38.90 ± 5.30 vs 14.34 ± 8.97, 23.57 ± 9.96 vs 9.68 ± 3.94, all P < 0.05) in the colon mucosa in the model group. Compared to the model group, the mRNA and protein expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 in the colon mucosa was significantly decreased in the mesalazine group and Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction groups; however, the mRNA and protein expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 did not differ significantly between the mesalazine group and Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction groups.

CONCLUSION: The expression of DOR, β-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 is elevated in ulcerative colitis. The DOR-β-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, and Compound Sophorae Flavescentis decoction may have a significant therapeutic effect against ulcerative colitis.