Lipoprotein lipase activator deficiency in very low density lipoproteins in rat nephrotic syndrome.

Marked urinary loss of lipoprotein lipase activator in experimental rat nephrotic syndrome may be partly responsible for its deficiency in plasma very low density lipoproteins.     

鲫幼鱼易钓性与标准代谢及形态特征的关联

【目的】考察鲤科(Cyprinidae)鱼类的标准代谢率(Standard metabolic rate)及形态参数与易钓性是否存在关联。【方法】以广布种鲤科鱼类鲫(Carassius auratus)幼鱼为实验对象,在(25±0.5)℃条件下测定体质量相近、体格健康的40尾幼鱼的标准代谢率,随后在实验室环境中连续进行5d垂钓,每日垂钓20尾幼鱼即停止当日垂钓活动。【结果】1)第1d被钓出幼鱼的标准代谢率高于未被钓出幼鱼,具有统计学意义(p<0.05);随后连续4d中被钓出幼鱼与未被钓出幼鱼的标准代谢率之间的差异均不具有统计学意义。另外,每日被钓出幼鱼与未被钓出幼鱼的体质量之间的差异也无统计学意义,但被钓出幼鱼的体长在第3d和第5d大于未被钓出幼鱼,且具有统计学意义(p<0.05),并且被钓出幼鱼的肥满度在第3d高于未钓出组,具有统计学意义(p<0.05)。2)在5d的连续垂钓中,被钓上5次的幼鱼有3尾,被钓上1~4次的幼鱼分别为7,7,6,10尾,仅7尾幼鱼从未被钓出,单因素方差分析显示不同被钓出频次的幼鱼的标准代谢率之间差异不具有统计学意义。3)对5d中均被钓出的幼鱼的钓出顺序进行分析,发现它们每日被钓排序在整体上保持一致,而幼鱼的平均被钓次序号与它们的标准代谢率和形态参数均无统计学意义上的相关性。【结论】鲫幼鱼的首次被钓经历并不影响自身再次被钓;在体质量相近条件下,鲫的易钓性与外部形态(如体质量、体长或肥满度等)以及维持代谢有关。
     

Scavenger receptor family proteins: roles for atherosclerosis, host defence and disorders of the central nervous system

In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the scavenger receptor family of proteins including class A (type I and II macrophage scavenger receptors, MARCO), class B (CD36, scavenger receptor class BI), mucinlike (CD68/macrosialin, dSR-CI) and endothelial (LOX-1) receptors. Two motifs have been identified as ligand-binding domains a charged collagen structure of type I and II receptors, and an immunodominant domain of CD36. These structures can recognize a wide range of negatively charged macromolecules, including oxidized low-density lipoproteins, damaged or apoptotic cells, and pathogenic microorganisms. After binding, these ligands can be either internalized by endocytosis or phagocytosis, or remain at the cell surface and mediate adhesion or lipid transfer through caveolae. Under physiological conditions, scavenger receptors serve to scavenge or clean up cellular debris and other related materials, and they play a role in host defence. In pathological states, they mediate the recruitment, activation and transformation of macrophages and other cells which may be related to the development of atherosclerosis and to disorders caused by the accumulation of denatured materials, such as Alzheimer's disease. Received 17 September 1997; received after revision 16 March 1998; accepted 17 March 1998     

Regional distribution of thiamin pyrophosphokinase in rat brain

The highest specific activity of thiamin pyrophosphokinase was found in the cerebellum, and lower activity in cerebral cortex and midbrain. The regional difference in the enzyme activity was similar to that in thiamin content and the influx rate in rat brain, suggesting that the enzyme is involved in the thiamin transport.     

Control of haemoglobin switching by a developmental clock?

The pattern of haemoglobin production changes at the embryonic, fetal and postnatal stages of human development, reflecting the expression of different globin genes in both the alpha-like and beta-like gene clusters. Recent studies have identified alterations in the state of DNA methylation and sensitivity to nuclease digestion associated with developmental expression of the globin genes in red blood cell precursors, but the mechanism initiating these changes remains unknown. Despite the screening of large numbers of blood samples from newborn infants, no mutants have been found which affect the timing of these changes (with one possible exception involving a chromosomal translocation), thus necessitating alternative approaches to analysing the cellular basis for the timing of haemoglobin switching. Although many mechanisms are possible, the initiation of the switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin could be regulated essentially either by a developmental clock inherent to haematopoietic stem cells or by an inductive environment, and in an attempt to distinguish between these possibilities, we have transplanted sheep fetal haematopoietic tissue into adult animals. Although previous experiments of this type produced conflicting results, the accumulated results presented here demonstrate that the pattern of haemoglobin production after transplantation is determined largely by the gestational age of the fetal donor cells.     

Location of functional regions of acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit by site-directed mutagenesis

The availability of cloned cDNAs encoding the four subunits of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor, which can be expressed to make functional receptors in Xenopus oocytes, has made possible a detailed investigation of the functions of the different structural components of the receptor. The functional analysis of receptors with alpha-subunits altered at specific sites by site-directed mutagenesis of the cDNA has allowed the location of specific regions of the alpha-subunit molecule involved in acetylcholine binding and forming a transmembrane ionic channel.     

Enhanced expression of Epstein-Barr virus early antigens by antitubulin agents in a latently infected human lymphoblastoid cell line

28 anticancer agents have been surveyed for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activating potency. Two vinca alkaloids with antitubulin activity, vinblastine (VLB) and vincristine (VCR), enhanced the expression of EBV early antigens (EA) in a latently infected human lymphoblastoid cell line (Raji), when used in combination with n-butyrate. Other antitubulin agents, colchicine, colcemid, and podophyllotoxin, had the same effect, although their effects were less than that of the potent tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA).     

Bicuculline and picrotoxin block gamma-aminobutyric acid-gated Cl- conductance by different mechanisms

Using isolated, internally perfused bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells we have studied the dose-response curves for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the presence of internally or externally applied GABA antagonists. With external application of antagonists the inhibition of the GABA current by bicuculline was competitive and that by picrotoxin was noncompetitive. Picrotoxin but not bicuculline blocked when internally perfused.