Transient receptor potential canonical channels in angiogenesis and axon guidance

Wiring of vascular and neural networks requires precise guidance of growing blood vessels and axons, respectively, to reach their targets during development. Both of the processes share common molecular signaling pathways. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are calcium-permeable cation channels and gated via receptor- or store-operated mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed the requirement of TRPC channels in mediating guidance cue-induced calcium influx and their essential roles in regulating axon navigation and angiogenesis. Dissecting TRPC functions in these physiological processes may provide therapeutic implications for suppressing pathological angiogenesis and improving nerve regeneration.     

Relationship between topology and functions in metabolic network evolution

What is the relationship between the topological connections among enzymes and their functions during metabolic network evolution? Does this relationship show similarity among closely related organisms? Here we investigated the relationship between enzyme connectivity and functions in metabolic networks of chloroplast and its endosymbiotic ancestor, cyanobacteria (Synechococcus sp. WH8102). Also several other species, including E. coli, Arabidopsis thaliana and Cyanidioschyzon merolae, were used for the comparison. We found that the average connectivity among different functional pathways and enzyme classifications (EC) was different in all the species examined. However, the average connectivity of enzymes in the same functional classification was quite similar between chloroplast and one representative of cyanobacteria, syw. In addition, the enzymes in the highly conserved modules between chloroplast and syw, such as amino acid metabolism, were highly connected compared with other modules. We also discovered that the isozymes of chloroplast and syw often had higher connectivity, corresponded to primary metabolism and also existed in conserved module. In conclusion, despite the drastic re-organization of metabolism in chloroplast during endosymbiosis, the relationship between network topology and functions is very similar between chloroplast and its precursor cyanobacteria, which demonstrates that the relationship may be used as an indicator of the closeness in evolution.     

血管生成抑制因子arresten克隆及功能的初步研究

血管生成抑制因子arresten是血管生成及肿瘤生长抑制物.研究发现,将arresten基因重组于质粒pGEX4T1转化入大肠杆菌BL21并用IPTG诱导蛋白表达,可获得分子量为45kDa的目的蛋白条带,arresten蛋白多数以包涵体形式存在,也有可溶蛋白存在于菌裂解液的上清,可溶蛋白可由Sepharose 4B凝胶柱亲和层析柱纯化.在鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜(chick chorioallantoic membrane,CAM)实验中,arresten基因可溶蛋白被证实抑制新生血管生成的效果较好.     

Molecular mechanism of abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein

The abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) is thought to be closely associated with Parkinson's disease, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In this review, we survey the latest development in the molecular mechanism of abnormal α-Syn aggregation, especially in the aspects of the core sequences, aggregation inhibitors, structural transformation and filament morphologies. By exploring the mecha-nism of α-Syn aggregation, we will have a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, and de-velop strategies for preventing and treating this severe disease.