Cinobufacini-induced HeLa cell apoptosis enhanced by curcumin

When used in combination with certain chemotherapies, curcumin has been shown to increase apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. Here, we report the combined effects of curcumin and cinobufacini on human cervical carcinoma cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether curcumin could enhance apoptosis induced by cinobufacini. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2,5- diphenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays revealed that the growth and proliferation of HeLa cells could be inhibited by 75% after a combined treatment of 25 μg/mL cinobufacini and 8 μg/mL curcumin. The combined treatment is 3 times more effective than treatment with 25 μg/mL cinobufacini alone. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, morphological changes and immunofluorescence verified a significant enhancement in cinobufacini-induced apoptosis when cells were also exposed to curcumin. The data showed that the proportion of early apoptotic cells significantly increased from 15.43% in cells treated only with 25 μg/mL cinobufacini to 49.2% in cells treated with 25 μg/mL cinobufacini and 8 μg/mL curcumin. Moreover, compared with treatment of only 25 μg/mL cinobufacini, ROS production increased 1.7-fold, the intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration increased 1.5-fold, and the mitochon- drial membrane potential decreased by 20% in the combined treatment. Simultaneously, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) re- sults suggest that cells treated with a combination of cinobufacini and curcumin varied significantly in shape and ultrastructure. Collapsed cells with leaking cytoplasm, blebbing pores and emerging apoptotic bodies were prevalent. The nanoparticle size increased from 70 nm when the cells were treated with 25 μg/mL cinobufacini to 190 nm when the cells were treated with 25 μg/mL cinobufacini and 8 μg/mL curcumin. The size increase resulted in the cell membrane becoming considerably rough. These results can improve our understanding of combination treatments. Specifically, the combination of cinobufacini and curcumin may potentially find use as a novel cervical carcinoma treatment. Additionally, AFM is a powerful tool that can be used to explore cellular morphologies and ultrastructures.     

Transplanted bone marrow regenerates liver by cell fusion

Results from several experimental systems suggest that cells from one tissue type can form other tissue types after transplantation. This could be due to the presence of multipotential or several types of adult stem cells in donor tissues, or alternatively, to fusion of donor and recipient cells. In a model of tyrosinaemia type I, mice with mutations in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase gene (Fah-/-) regain normal liver function after transplantation of Fah+/+ bone marrow cells, and form regenerating liver nodules with normal histology that express Fah. Here we show that these hepatic nodules contain more mutant than wild-type Fah alleles, and that their hepatocytes express both donor and host genes, consistent with polyploid genome formation by fusion of host and donor cells. Using bone marrow cells marked with integrated foamy virus vectors that express green fluorescent protein, we identify common proviral junctions in hepatic nodules and haematopoietic cells. We also show that the haematopoietic donor genome adopts a more hepatocyte-specific expression profile after cell fusion, as the wild-type Fah gene was activated and the pan-haematopoietic CD45 marker was no longer expressed.     

Monoclonal antibody production by receptor-mediated electrically induced cell fusion

Fusion of myeloma cells and B lymphocytes to form hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies has been a major advance, but the poor efficiency and randomness of viral or polyethylene glycol fusion techniques generally gives poor yields of specific, high affinity antibodies. High voltage electrical fields with dielectrophoresis to ensure cell alignment can fuse a limited number of cells under direct microscopic examination, but it is not possible to identify B-cells destined to secrete relevant antibodies. However, B-cells express, on their surface, antigen receptor immunoglobulins of the same antigenic specificity as the secreted antibodies. Binding of antigen to surface immunoglobulins stimulates proliferation and differentiation of B-cells into plasma cells. Here we report the use of the selective, high affinity interaction of antigen with surface immunoglobulins on B-cells to facilitate a close adherence to myeloma cells. The antigen, covalently conjugated to avidin, binds to the surface immunoglobulins on B-cells. This B-cell-antigen-avidin complex binds to biotin covalently attached to the surface of myeloma cells. An intense electric field across a bulk cell suspension then produces selective fusion of cells in contact, that is, of myeloma cells with B-cells which make the appropriate antibody. We have used this technique with several antigens, and all resultant hybridomas secrete appropriate antibodies with very high affinity.     

Epstein--Barr virus-induced cell fusion

Serological and molecular biological studies have shown an association between Epstein--Barr virus (EBV) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Although it has been shown that the epithelioid tumour cells carry EBV genomes, they are apparently devoid of receptors for EBV (H.W., unpublished observations). Other have suggested that fusion of EBV carrying cells with epithelial cells may be the mode of entry of the virus into cells unable to absorb the virus and that this may be mediated by one of the known syncytium-forming viruses which inhabit the respiratory tract (for example, members of the paramyxovirus group). de Thé and colleagues suggested that intercellular bridges could be seen in NPC tumour material. We have developed a technique which permits the preparation of stable monolayers of viable human lymphoblastoid cell lines. Using this technique we have now demonstrated that EBV can induce fusion between EBV-superinfected lymphoblastoid cells and cells devoid of EBV receptors.     

复合诱变和原生质体融合选育S-腺苷甲硫氨酸酿酒酵母高产菌株

对生产S-腺苷甲硫氨酸（SAM）的酿酒酵母（S.cerevisiae）菌株R1进行复合诱变和原生质体融合。采用酶解法获得出发菌株S.cerevisiae R1的单倍体菌株hR10,对其进行UV和DES复合诱变,筛选出了4个单倍体正突变株DR1-3、NM14、NM39和NM45。制备了单倍体正突变株的原生质体,采用热灭活和UV灭活法灭活双亲原生质体,在聚乙二醇（PEG）的诱导下进行原生质体融合,筛选得到融合子F35,其生产 SAM的产量为22.5 mg/L,与出发菌株R1（11.1 mg/L）相比,提高了103%,并且能够稳定遗传。采用正交试验优化了F35发酵生产SAM的培养基和发酵时间,优化了的培养基配方为麦芽糖100 g/L,蛋白胨10 g/L,NH₄H₂PO₄4g/L,NH₄Cl₅g/L,MgSO₄0.1g/L,KH₂PO₄6 g/L,发酵时间为72h。