氰丙氨酸合酶在乙烯诱导杨树耐盐中的作用

【目的】探讨木本植物线粒体β-氰丙氨酸合成酶在乙烯诱导的交替呼吸氧化酶(AOX)途径对盐胁迫响应中的作用。【方法】选取盐胁迫下‘南林895’杨叶片,利用HPLC测定氨基环丙烷羧酸(ACC,乙烯前体)含量,实时荧光定量PCR分析基因表达,比色法测定半胱氨酸水平。【结果】盐胁迫使杨树幼苗叶片ACC积累,乙烯合成相关酶(ACS7和ACO3)、氰丙氨酸合酶(CYS C1),以及腈水解酶(NIT4)等基因显著上调表达,同时伴随着线粒体交替呼吸氧化酶(AOX1b)基因的上调和细胞色素c氧化酶(COX6b)基因下调表达。水杨基氧肟酸(SHAM)预处理导致AOX1b基因表达被抑制,电解质渗透率(EL)和丙二醛(MDA)含量上升,但不影响CYS C1表达。而乙烯合成抑制剂氨基氧乙酸(AOA)了抑制CYS C1和盐胁迫诱导的AOX1b基因的表达,并增加EL和MDA含量。此外,AOA恢复盐胁迫减少的半胱氨酸含量,而SHAM和抗霉素A(AA)均无此效应。【结论】杨树叶片CYS C1参与了乙烯激发的耐盐响应,但乙烯诱导的交替呼吸氧化酶(AOX)并未位于CYS C1上游而发挥作用。     

A system for screening agonists targeting β2-adrenoceptor from Chinese medicinal herbs

In order to develop a model for screening the agonists of human β₂-adrenoceptor from Chinese medicinal herbs extracts, we used a cell-based functional assay based on a common G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) regulation mechanism and destabilized enhanced green fluorescent protein (d₂EGFP) reporter gene technique. The positive cell clone was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and imaging analysis. To assess the value of this model, we screened over 2000 high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fractionated samples from the ethanol extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs. Six fractions (isolated from Panax japonicus, Veratrum nigrum, Phellodendron amurense, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Chaenomeles speciosa, and Dictamnus dasycarpus) showed significant effects on active reporter gene expression, three of which (isolated from Phellodendron amurense, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, and Chaenomeles speciosa) were selected for further concentration response analysis and the half maximal effective concentration (EC_{1/2 max}) values were 4.2, 2.7, and 4.8 µg/ml, respectively. Therefore, this reporter gene assay was suitable for screening β₂-adrenoceptor agonists. The results suggest that the six herbal extracts are the possible agonists of β₂-adrenoceptor.     

Astragalus mongholicus ameliorates renal fibrosis by modulating HGF and TGF-β in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Astragalus mongholicus (AM) derived from the dry root of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongolicus (Bge.) Hsiao is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the potential role of AM on renal fibrosis on a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). We divided 48 Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into 4 groups: sham-operated group (Sham), untreated UUO group, AM-treated (10 g/(kg·d)) UUO group, and losartan-treated (20 mg/(kg·d)) UUO group as positive control. Haematoxylin & eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to study the dynamic histological changes of the kidneys 7 and 14 d after operation. The expressions of fibronectin (FN), type I collagen (colI), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry staining, and Western blot. Results show that, similar to losartan, AM alleviated the renal damage and decreased the deposition of FN and colI from UUO by reducing the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA (P<0.05), whereas HGF increased greatly with AM treatment (P<0.05). Our findings reveal that AM could retard the progression of renal fibrosis. The renoprotective effect of AM might be related to inhibition of myofibroblast activation, inducing of HGF and reducing of TGF-β1 expression.     

Detection of plasmid-mediated IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase and quinolone resistance determinants in an ertapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolate

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of carbapenem resistance and the occurrence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants qnr and aac(6′)-Ib-cr in a clinical isolate of Enterobacter cloacae. Methods: An ertapenem-resistant E. cloacae ZY106, which was isolated from liquor puris of a female gastric cancer patient in a Chinese hospital, was investigated. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by agar dilution method. Conjugation experiments, isoelectric focusing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequence analyses of plasmid-mediated carbapenemases and quinolone resistance determinants were preformed to confirm the genotype. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were examined by urea-sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Urea-SDS-PAGE). Results: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem for ZY106 were 2, 4, and 16 μg/ml, respectively. Conjugation studies with Escherichia coli resulted in the transfer of significantly reduced carbapenem susceptibility. ZY106 produced IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamase and CTX-M-3 extended-spectrum β-lactamase, and E. coli transconjugant produced IMP-1. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinant qnrS1 was detected in ZY106. Transfer of the qnrS1-encoding-plasmid into E. coli by conjugation resulted in intermediate resistance to ciprofloxacin in E. coli transconjugant. Urea-SDS-PAGE analysis of OMPs showed that ZY106 lacked an OMP of approximately 38 kDa. Conclusion: It is the first IMP-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae in China and the first report of a clinical isolate that harbors both blaIMP and qnrS genes as well. The blaIMP-1, blaCTX-M-3, and qnrS1 are encoded at three different plasmids. IMP-1 combined with the loss of an OMP possibly resulted in ertapenem resistance and reduced imipenem and meropenem susceptibility in E. cloacae.     

Differential regulation of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor by Na+ and guanine nucleotides

Many hormones interact with receptors which stimulate the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Less well characterized ar those receptors which mediate an inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. However, guanine nucleotides are clearly important in the regulation of both stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. Monovalent cations, notably Na+, regulate many inhibitory receptor systems but apparently not stimulatory receptors. We investigate here the effects of Na+ and guanine nucleotides on the adenylate cyclase-coupled inhibitory alpha 2-adrenergic receptor of the rabbit platelet. Computer modelling of adrenaline competition curves with 3H-dihydroergocryptine (3H-DHE) indicates that adrenaline induces two distinct affinity states of the alpha 2 receptor--one of higher (alpha 2H) and the other of lower (alpha 2L) affinity. Guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) seems to reduce adrenaline affinity to converting the high-affinity state into the low-affinity form of the receptor. In contrast, Na+ reduces adrenaline affinity at both the high- and low-affinity states of the alpha 2 receptor while preserving receptor heterogeneity. Thus, guanine nucleotides and Na+ differ in the manner by which each reduces agonist affinity for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor.     

Identification of Ser354 and Ser357 involved in the function of norepinephrine transporter

Conserved Ser 354, Ser 357 in the seventh transmembrane domain of NET were mutated and the function of mutants was studied by 3H-NE influx measurement. Double mutation at these two serine sites reduced the activity of NET to base level. It is inferred that these two sites may be involved in the recognition and transport activity of the NET protein.     

Community structure of β-Proteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in prawn farm sediment

To examine the community structure of β-Proteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in prawn farm sediment, the 16S rRNA gene library was constructed with β-Proteobacterial AOB-specific primers. The library was screened by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） analysis and clones with unique RFLP patterns were sequenced. Two groups of β-Proteobacterial AOB, the Nitrosomonas and the Nitrosospira, were detected. The Nitrosomonas occupied an absolute dominant position, accounting for more than 90% of total clones in the clone library, while the Nitrosospira accounting for 5.48%. Nitrosomonas-affiliated clones were grouped into the Nitrosomonas marina and the Nitrosomonas sp. Nm143 clusters, and Nitrosospira-affiliated clones were grouped into the Nitrosospira cluster 1. No other clusters of β-Proteobacterial AOB were found. The results enriched our knowledge of AOB diversity in the prawn farm sediment and provided important foundational data for further functional studies of these microbes in mariculture environments.     

Netrin-1-mediated axon outgrowth and cAMP production requires interaction with adenosine A2b receptor

The netrins, a family of laminin-related secreted proteins, are critical in controlling axon elongation and pathfinding. The DCC (for deleted in colorectal cancer) protein was proposed as a receptor for netrin-1 in the light of many observations including the inhibition of netrin-1-mediated axon outgrowth and attraction in the presence of an anti-DCC antiserum, the similitude of nervous system defects in DCC and netrin-1 knockout mice and the results of receptor swapping experiments. Previous studies have failed to show a direct interaction of DCC with netrin-1 (ref. 10), suggesting the possibility of an additional receptor or co-receptor. Here we show that DCC interacts with the membrane-associated adenosine A2b receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor that induces cAMP accumulation on binding adenosine. We show that A2b is actually a netrin-1 receptor and induces cAMP accumulation on binding netrin-1. Finally, we show that netrin-1-dependent outgrowth of dorsal spinal cord axons directly involves A2b. Together our results indicate that the growth-promoting function of netrin-1 may require a receptor complex containing DCC and A2b.     

叶酸受体在血液肿瘤细胞株的表达及叶酸-聚乙烯亚胺共聚物的制备

目的:研究叶酸受体(folate receptor,FR)在血液肿瘤细胞表达的特点,合成叶酸-聚乙烯亚胺(FA-PEI)聚合物,探讨其作为靶向性基因输送载体的可行性.方法:用实时荧光定量PCR(real time PCR)法检测α、β、γ3种FR在血液肿瘤细胞K562、K562/A02、U266细胞株上的表达;利用叶酸(FA)活性酯在微碱性条件下与聚乙烯亚胺(polyethylenimine,PEI)的支链氨基反应,合成FA-PEI共聚物;用葡聚糖凝胶柱G-25分离、纯化;用紫外分光光度计波长扫描法及氢核磁共振谱(~1H NMR)法验证交联是否成功.结果:α、β、γ3种FR在K562、K562/A02、U266 3种细胞株上均表达,其中,α-FR的表达占优势,较β-FR和γ-FR表达量高;紫外分光光度计扫描图谱在365 nm处出现叶酸的特征性吸收峰;核磁共振(~1H NMR)示:在2.5～3.2处出现PEI亚甲基质子的特征性化学位移,在6.5～9.0处出现叶酸芳香质子的特征性氢信号.结论:FR在K562、K562/A02、U266 3种细胞株上均有较高表达;FA-PEI偶联成功,为其作为血液肿瘤治疗中1种潜在的靶向性基因输送载体提供了依据.     

乳腺癌组织中蛋白Bcl-2的表达及意义

目的:探讨乳腺癌组织中抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达及其意义.方法:应用免疫组化方法检测124例乳腺癌组织中蛋白Bcl-2的表达水平,分析其与各临床病理指标及与乳腺癌分子分型的关系,探讨其在预测乳腺癌预后中的价值.结果:Bcl-2的表达与ER、PR呈正相关,与肿瘤直径、组织学分级、临床分期、脉管癌栓等不良预后因素呈负相关;Bcl-2在绝经前女性低表达,在Luminal型乳腺癌中高表达,当Bcl-2高表达时患者术后复发转移率低.结论:Bcl-2高表达的乳腺癌患者具有更好的预后,对内分泌治疗敏感,为临床更准确的进行个体化治疗提供依据.     

氯胺酮相关性膀胱炎大鼠逼尿肌热休克蛋白27的表达及其意义

研究热休克蛋白27(HSP27)在氯胺酮诱导膀胱炎大鼠逼尿肌中的表达及临床意义.基于氯胺酮腹腔内注射诱导大鼠膀胱炎模型,选择不同时间通过尿流动力学检测膀胱收缩功能,收集大鼠膀胱组织,常规病理染色观察膀胱粘膜及逼尿肌结构,免疫组化法检测HSP27在逼尿肌中的表达水平.实验后观察结果表明,同对照组相比,实验组尿动力学表现为膀胱收缩频率显著增加及初感膀胱容量明显减小;对照组膀胱组织无明显病理及免疫表达变化,而实验组可观察到不同程度膀胱粘膜充血,炎症细胞浸润,HSP27表达水平的上升,且HSP27表达水平与诱导时间呈正相关.实验结果表明HSP27的表达水平可能与氯胺酮膀胱炎的逼尿肌收缩活动程度相关.     

维生素D受体蛋白及其mRNA在人输卵管黏膜上皮的表达

目的:探讨人输卵管黏膜上皮维生素D受体(VDR)蛋白及其mRNA的表达.方法:30例输卵管标本取自具有正常妊娠生育史,因子宫肌瘤、子宫腺肌病等行腹式子宫切除术,一并切除输卵管的妇女.输卵管取材包括峡部、壶腹部和伞部,按子宫内膜组织学分期分为增生早期组6例、增生中晚期组9例、分泌早期组7例、分泌中晚期组8例.应用免疫组织化学法和逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测人输卵管黏膜上皮VDR的表达.结果:人输卵管黏膜上皮中检测到VDR蛋白及其mRNA表达.VDR蛋白主要表达于输卵管上皮细胞的细胞核中,部分间质平滑肌细胞核内亦有表达.相同时期各不同部位输卵管上皮细胞VDR蛋白表达无明显差别(P＞0.05),随月经周期变化,各不同部位输卵管上皮细胞VDB蛋白表达发生改变,在增生早期和分泌中晚期较低,与之比较,在增生中晚期和分泌早期其表达明显增高(P＜0.01),至分泌早期达最高值;壶腹部输卵管黏膜上皮组织VDR mRNA表达在增生早期和分泌中晚期较低,在增生中晚期和分泌早期明显增高(P＜0.01).结论:人输卵管黏膜上皮组织存在VDR蛋白及其mRNA表达,在增生中晚期和分泌早期其表达明显增高,且具有周期性变化.     

大豆磷脂对老龄大鼠学习记忆及抗氧化能力的影响

为了探讨大豆磷脂对老龄大鼠学习记忆及抗氧化能力的影响,将30只SD老龄大鼠按体质量随机分成3组,实验组按每天0.5,1.0 g/kg的剂量灌胃给予大豆磷脂,对照组用生理盐水灌胃.灌胃第30天测其学习、记忆能力;第45天将老龄大鼠处死,取心、肝、脾、肾、海马、骨骼肌、睾丸等组织分别测定丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性.结果表明:与对照组比较,实验组老龄大鼠在新异环境中较安逸,学习与记忆能力显著增强(P0.05);各组织内MDA含量均明显减少,SOD活性明显增强,CAT活性也有明显的提高(P0.05).结果提示大豆磷脂有增强记忆和延缓衰老的作用.     

高湿环境中大鼠肾脏AQP2与V2 R的表达及意义

目的研究水通道蛋白-2(AQP2)与加压素受体-2(V2R)在高湿环境下在大鼠肾脏中的表达及其意义.方法选择50只SD大鼠,随机将其分成研究组和对照组,每组各25只.研究组大鼠每日放入人工气候箱,对照组大鼠放置于常温常湿环境下,观察两组大鼠AQP2和V2R的蛋白表达水平.结果两组大鼠在血尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(SCr)、肾髓质AQP2和V2R mRNA水平、AQP2、V2R的蛋白表达和AQP2的磷酸化水平方面相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).结论通过本研究发现,高湿环境对大鼠肾脏有一定伤害,能降低V2R和AQP2的表达水平和AQP2磷酸化水平,说明V2R和AQP2可能参与了高湿环境对大鼠肾脏损害的过程.     

电针预处理对老龄大鼠长期术后认知功能障碍影响及相关机制

术后认知功能障碍(postoperative cognitive dysfunction, POCD)是老年人群常见的并发症。一种胆碱能依赖信号,α7-烟碱乙酰胆碱受体(α7-nAChR),已被认为在各种神经系统疾病中调节认知过程。为探讨电针预处理是否能改善老龄大鼠术后长期认知功能障碍以及其可能机制。通过将60只清洁级雄性SD(Sprague-Dawley)大鼠(20月龄)随机分为5组(样本数n=12):假手术组(S组)、模型组(M组)、电针组(EA组)、银环蛇毒+电针组(Y+EA组)、银环蛇毒+模型组(Y+M组)。在术后30 d后,分别对各组采用新物体识别实验评价认知功能,采用尼氏(Nissl)染色检测神经元数量,免疫荧光检测小胶质细胞活化、蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测海马IL-6、NF-κB和IL-1β的水平。实验结果表明：电针预处理增加了对新物体的探索,恢复了大鼠术后神经元的数量,降低了小胶质细胞激活,降低海马炎性因子蛋白表达,而α-BGT部分逆转了电针的作用。可见电针预处理改善了老龄大鼠长期术后认知功能障碍和海马炎症,其机制可能与激活α7nAChR介导的胆碱能抗...     

小凹蛋白-1和钙受体在人的脐静脉内皮细胞的表达

为探讨人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)中小凹蛋白-1与细胞外钙受体表达及定位,为进一步功能研究提供理论依据,采用Western-blot和Rt-PCR及免疫荧光技术检测HUVEC中小凹蛋白-1与细胞外钙受体mRNA和蛋白表达及定位.结果显示:(1)形态学观察和免疫细胞化学法测Ⅷ因子抗原,95%以上的细胞呈阳性着色,证实细胞为HUVEC.(2)RT-PCR检测到HUVEC中459bp和260bpmRNA表达,Western-blot测到HUVEC中22KD和150-160KD蛋白表达.(3)免疫荧光检测到小凹蛋白-1与细胞外钙受体定位于人脐静脉内皮细胞膜.由此可知,人的HUVEC中有小凹蛋白-1与细胞外钙受体表达,两者是否共定位及其功能有待进一步研究.     

热浪对成年和老年小鼠sICAM-1的影响

通过模拟一次高温热浪过程,研究热浪对成年小鼠和老年小鼠血液中可溶性细胞间黏附分子(sICAM-1)、体重、肛温的变化,以此探讨热浪过程对不同小鼠的影响。选取南京市2010年8月一次典型的热浪过程数据,利用气象环境模拟箱模拟其温度变化过程。将12只成年小鼠和12只老年小鼠分为对照组和热浪组,将热浪组放进模拟箱进行模拟,对照组正常温度饲养。试验期间,每日测量小鼠的体重、肛温,并于模拟结束后,检测两组sICAM-1的变化。结果两种小鼠中,热浪组sICAM-1表达均高于对照组。与对照组相比,热浪组老年小鼠sICAM-1显著升高(p0.01),热浪组成年小鼠sICAM-1有上升(p0.05),幅度小于老年小鼠。结论:老年小鼠在热浪刺激后,sICAM-1含量显著升高,可能增加患心脑血管疾病的危险性。     

A flagellin-induced complex of the receptor FLS2 and BAK1 initiates plant defence

Plants sense potential microbial invaders by using pattern-recognition receptors to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In Arabidopsis thaliana, the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases flagellin-sensitive 2 (FLS2) (ref. 2) and elongation factor Tu receptor (EFR) (ref. 3) act as pattern-recognition receptors for the bacterial PAMPs flagellin and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) (ref. 5) and contribute to resistance against bacterial pathogens. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that link receptor activation to intracellular signal transduction. Here we show that BAK1 (BRI1-associated receptor kinase 1), a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase that has been reported to regulate the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 (refs 6,7), is involved in signalling by FLS2 and EFR. Plants carrying bak1 mutations show normal flagellin binding but abnormal early and late flagellin-triggered responses, indicating that BAK1 acts as a positive regulator in signalling. The bak1-mutant plants also show a reduction in early, but not late, EF-Tu-triggered responses. The decrease in responses to PAMPs is not due to reduced sensitivity to brassinosteroids. We provide evidence that FLS2 and BAK1 form a complex in vivo, in a specific ligand-dependent manner, within the first minutes of stimulation with flagellin. Thus, BAK1 is not only associated with developmental regulation through the plant hormone receptor BRI1 (refs 6,7), but also has a functional role in PRR-dependent signalling, which initiates innate immunity.