Enzymes and receptors in the leukotriene cascade

Leukotrienes are a family of paracrine hormones derived from the oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid. These lipid mediators are recognized as important signal molecules in a variety of inflammatory and allergic conditions affecting the skin, joints, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, in particular asthma. Such conditions are typified by local pain, tissue edema, hyperemia and functional losses. In the tissues, immunocompetent cells accumulate at the site of injury which contribute to tissue damage and perpetuation of the disease process. Leukotrienes can elicit most, if not all, of these signs and symptoms. Thus, leukotriene B₄ is one of the most powerful chemotactic agents known to date and participates in the recruitment of leukocytes. The cysteinyl leukotrienes, on the other hand, contract smooth muscles, particularly in the peripheral airways and microcirculation. Recently, drugs which block the formation and action of leukotrienes have been introduced as novel antiasthmatic medications. This chapter reviews the biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology of the key enzymes and cognate receptors in the leukotriene cascade.     

Induced recovery of defective membrane expression of a CC chemokine receptor 5 mutant by phytohemagglutinin

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. It plays an important role in macrophage tropic human immunodeficiency virus-1 entry and in some inflammatory reactions. CCR5-893(–) is a single-nucleotide deletion that results in complete truncation of the C tail of the gene product. We detected CCR5-893(–) in a sample of patients infected with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and found that it was maintained heterozygously with a frequency of 2%. There is no association between this mutation and any immunodeficiency. Membrane expression of CCR5-893(–) was substantially reduced compared to the wild type, but this defective surface presentation recovered greatly recovered in the presence of 2 mg l-1 phytohemagglutinin (PHA). However, PHA inducement did not affect the total intracellular expression of CCR5-893(–) or wild-type CCR5. Thus we suggest there exist some PHA-induced factor(s) that could mediate the presentation of truncated CCR5.Received 23 July 2003; accepted 18 August 2003     

Construction of ice nucleation active <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter cloacae</Emphasis> for control of insect pests

Ice nucleation active(INA)bacteria are the most potent heterogeneous ice nuclei in nature,which have become an important biological resource for diverse applications.Many researches have proved that INA bacteria can raise the supercooling points(SCPs)of insect pests,then reduce their cold hardiness.However,INA bacteria‘s inefficient colonization on the surface or in the guts of insects,and the high incidence of frost injury induced by their release hampered the application of INA bacteria in controlling insect pests in agricultural fields.In this study,we constructed a recombinant plasmid mob-Tn5-iceA with the ability of broad-host-range conjugal mobilization and integration of the ina gene of icaA into chromosomal DNA of many gram-negative bacteria by Tn5 transposition.In addition,Ent.cloacae strains stably carrying iceA and expressing high ice nucleation activity(INA),even in the absence of antibiotic pressure,were constructed through conjugal mobilization and Tn5 transposition.Ent,cloacae strains have benn reported to be able to efficently colonize in the guts of insects,but have weak plant epiphytic ability.Therefore,these transgenic Ent.Cloacae may be promising candidates for control of insect pests in agricultural fields.     

NMR study on self-assembled cage complex of hexamethylenetetramine and cucurbit[n]urils

Self-assembled complexes between cage com-pounds cucurbit[n = 5—8]urils and hexamethylenetetramine were studied by using NMR techniques. Experimental results reveal that hexamethylenetetramine can lid cucurbit[5]uril to forming self-assembled capsules in which nothing is encap-sulated yet; the cavity of the cucurbit[7]uril can accommo-date a hexamethylenetetramine molecule to form a self- assembled host-guest inclusion. Moreover, both the cavity interaction of the cucurbit[7]uril with hexamethylenetetra-mine稨Cl and the portal interaction of the dipole carbonyl of the cucurbit[7]uril with hexamethylenetetramine稨Cl lead to form self-assembled capsules in which the hexamethylene-tetramine稨Cl are encapsulated in the hexamethylenetetra-mine稨Cl lidded cucurbit[7]uril. Although the structures of the portal and cavity to cucurbit[5]uril are similar, there is no obvious interaction between decamethylcucurbit[5]uril and hexamethylenetetramine, and also between cucurbit [6]uril or cucurbit[8]uril and hexamethylenetetramine.     

Mo/HZSM-5催化剂上甲烷脱氢芳构化反应——催化剂蒸汽处理的影响

对机械混合法制备的Mo/HZSM-5催化剂进行蒸汽后处理,利用XRD、XPS等表征催化剂的晶相结构、Mo物种的分散度,在关联催化剂活性评价基础上,研究了催化剂的蒸气处理过程对Mo物种的分散度及其芳构化反应性能的影响.结果表明,机械混合法制备的催化剂上,Mo物种主要以微晶的形式分布在分子筛的外表面,由于缺少分子筛孔道择形保护,便于积炭副反应的发生.经高温蒸气处理后,催化剂上Mo物种的分散度显著提高,有较多的Mo物种迁移至分子筛的孔道内,并与B酸发生强相互作用生成钼氧二聚体,有效地增强了催化剂的抗积炭能力.因此,蒸气处理的Mo/HZSM-5催化剂的芳烃选择性和催化稳定性较传统机械混合法制备的催化剂有明显提高.     

3-甲基-6-氨基-5-氰基-4-（4-对甲氧基）苯基-1-苯基-1，4-二氢吡喃并[2，3-c]吡唑与牛血清白蛋白相互作用的研究

采用荧光光谱法研究了人体生理pH值条件下,3-甲基-6-氨基-5-氰基-4-(4-对甲氧基)苯基-1-苯基-1,4-二氢吡喃并[2,3-c]吡唑(Ⅰ)与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)分子间的相互结合反应;获得了不同温度下Ⅰ与BSA作用的结合常数K和结合位点数n;并根据Forster非辐射能量转移机理,计算出其与BSA相互作用时给体-受体间距离r为5.01 nm及能量转移效率E为0.280.证实了Ⅰ与BSA的相互结合作用为单一的静态猝灭过程,确定了其与BSA分子间有较强的结合作用,且结合力以疏水作用力为主.     

Eph受体家族和Ephrin-A5在NSCLCs中上调表达及其临床意义(英)

采用荧光实时定量PCR的方法在48个非小细胞肺癌组织以及配对的正常肺组织中检测Eph/ephrin 基因的mRNA水平.发现肺癌组织中EphB4, EphB3 和 ephrin-A5的表达水平与配对的正常肺组织相比分别上调了60%，81%和65%,并具有显著的统计学差异. 而且，统计学分析发现ephrin-A5的表达水平与肿瘤分型、转移、性别、吸烟以及诊断年龄等临床病理学参数之间存在显著的相关性.此外，EphA2的表达水平与肿瘤大小、家族遗传史以及诊断年龄之间也存在显著的相关性.总之，这些结果提示EphB4, EphA2, EphB3 和ephrin-A5 在肺癌的发生和发展过程中可能以一种单独或者协同的形式发挥作用.这些蛋白有可能成为研究和诊断肺癌的重要靶向基因.     

一次特大暴雨天气的数值模拟试验研究

目的检验各非绝热物理过程参数化方案对模式输出结果的影响,进一步了解和认识MM5模式中不同积云对流参数化方案的性能、特点和适用范围,为合理选择使用模式中的物理过程参数化方案提供依据,提高模式对类似暴雨天气过程的预报能力。方法运用相互比较和试验分析的方法在不同模式分辨率下,对MM5V3模式中的不同物理过程参数化方案设计18种组合方案,进行比较试验和分析。结果主要雨带位置对参数化方案并不是十分敏感,但模拟的暴雨中心强度、范围、雨带走向随参数化方案的不同有较大变化,甚至出现虚假的强降水中心。各组合方案模拟的天气尺度系统水平环流结构差别较小,模拟的中尺度系统结构存在着较大差别,这种差别对定点、定量降水的准确预报产生影响。结论在实际预报中可根据初始气象场的分型特点选择较合适的组合方案启动数值预报模式,从而达到提高模式对类似暴雨天气过程的预报能力。     

禽流感病毒H5亚型特异性抗原捕捉ELISA检测方法的研究

 在获得禽流感病毒多克隆抗体及H5亚型特异性单克隆抗体的基础上,研究建立H5亚型特异性抗原捕捉ELISA检测方法,用于检测H5亚型禽流感病毒.优化反应条件,确定包被抗体、检测抗体及酶结合物的最佳工作浓度,进行敏感性、特异性、重复性及稳定性分析,并与RT-PCR方法比较.同时使用该方法对野外样品进行检测.结果表明:该方法敏感、特异,具有良好的重复性和稳定性,可用于检测临床样品、鸡胚培养物及细胞培养物中的H5亚型禽流感病毒.     

1,3,4—恶二唑的酰基硫脲衍生物的合成

从邻氯苯酚出发合成邻氯苯氧乙酰异硫氯氰酸酯，分别与５种２－氨基－５－芳基－１，３，４－恶二反应得到１，３，４－恶二唑的邻氯苯氧乙酰基硫脲衍生物，用ＩＲ，＾１ＨＮＭＲ，元素分析等对它们的结构进行了确证，并分析归纳合成该目标产物的最佳合成条件。