基于非负矩阵分解技术探寻早期阿尔茨海默症基因表达调控网络

本文利用非负矩阵分解(NMF)技术,依据加强算法的稀疏性对患早期阿尔茨海默 症(Alzheimer’s Disease,AD)样本的基因表达数据进行了分析,提取了对疾病早期诊断具有重 要意义的显著基因,样本分类实验结果证明了算法的有效性。在此基础上,结合与炎症反应 有重要关系的 NF-κB 等基因初步建立了与早期 AD 密切相关的基因表达调控网络结构图, 为 AD 致病机理的探询、早期诊断与治疗等提供了有益的途径和方法。     

TD-SCDMA网络测试仪中SCCP协议解码及上层PDU获取方案

以TD-SCDMA网络测试仪的信令分析功能作为研究背景,介绍了,3G协议栈中信令连接控制协议的基本概念、功能以及消息结构,并且在此基础上探讨了信令连接控制部分（SCCP）协议的解码以及针对实际数据的组装 方法,目的是对网络测试仪中SCCP模块的软件实现提出解决方案。该协议位于协议栈的传输层,其分析思路和 方法对研究传输层的其他协议具有指导和推广意义。     

Vaults and the major vault protein: Novel roles in signal pathway regulation and immunity

The unique and evolutionary highly conserved major vault protein (MVP) is the main component of ubiquitous, large cellular ribonucleoparticles termed vaults. The 100 kDa MVP represents more than 70% of the vault mass which contains two additional proteins, the vault poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (vPARP) and the telomerase-associated protein 1 (TEP1), as well as several short untranslated RNAs (vRNA). Vaults are almost ubiquitously expressed and, besides chemotherapy resistance, have been implicated in the regulation of several cellular processes including transport mechanisms, signal transmissions and immune responses. Despite a growing amount of data from diverse species and systems, the definition of precise vault functions is still highly complex and challenging. Here we review the current knowledge on MVP and vaults with focus on regulatory functions in intracellular signal transduction and immune defence. Received 27 June 2008; received after revision 25 July 2008; accepted 30 July 2008     

Tribbles: novel regulators of cell function; evolutionary aspects

Identification of rate-limiting steps or components of intracellular second messenger systems holds promise to effectively interfere with these pathways under pathological conditions. The emerging literature on a recently identified family of signalling regulator proteins, called tribbles gives interesting clues for how these proteins seem to link several ‘independent’ signal processing systems together. Via their unique way of action, tribbles co-ordinate the activation and suppression of the various interacting signalling pathways and therefore appear to be key in determining cell fate while responding to environmental challenges. This review summarises our current understanding of tribbles function and also provides an evolutionary perspective on the various tribbles genes. Received 10 January 2006; received after revision 20 March 2006; accepted 5 April 2006     

Lipid-lowering drugs

Although a change in life-style is often the method of first choice for lipid lowering, lipid-lowering drugs, in general, help to control elevated levels of different forms of lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia. While one group of drugs, statins, lowers cholesterol, the other group, fibrates, is known to take care of fatty acids and triglycerides. In addition, other drugs, such as ezetimibe, colesevelam, torcetrapib, avasimibe, implitapide, and niacin are also being considered to manage hyperlipidemia. As lipids are very critical for cardiovascular diseases, these drugs reduce fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular abnormalities in the general population. However, a number of recent studies indicate that apart from their lipidlowering activities, statins and fibrates exhibit multiple functions to modulate intracellular signaling pathways, inhibit inflammation, suppress the production of reactive oxygen species, and modulate T cell activity. Therefore, nowadays, these drugs are being considered as possible therapeutics for several forms of human disorders including cancer, autoimmunity, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Here I discuss these applications in the light of newly discovered modes of action of these drugs. Received 5 September 2005; received after revision 29 December 2005; accepted 26 January 2006     

Isoprenylated proteins

Isoprenoids are synthesized in all living organisms and are incorporated into diverse classes of end-products that participate in a multitude of cellular processes relating to cell growth, differentiation, cytoskeletal function and vesicle trafficking. In humans, the non-sterol isoprenoids, farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate, are synthesized via the mevalonate pathway and are covalently added to members of the small G protein superfamily. Isoprenylated proteins have key roles in membrane attachment and protein functionality, have been shown to have a central role in some cancers and are likely also to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer disease. This review details current knowledge on the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, their incorporation into proteins by the process known as prenylation and the complex regulatory network that controls these proteins. An improved understanding of these processe is likely to lead to the development of novel therapies that will have important implications for human health and disease. Received 5 July 2005; received after revision 17 October 2005; accepted 22 October 2005     

Activation and inactivation of thyroid hormone by deiodinases: Local action with general consequences

The thyroid hormone plays a fundamental role in the development, growth, and metabolic homeostasis in all vertebrates by affecting the expression of different sets of genes. A group of thioredoxin fold-containing selenoproteins known as deiodinases control thyroid hormone action by activating or inactivating the precursor molecule thyroxine that is secreted by the thyroid gland. These pathways ensure regulation of the availability of the biologically active molecule T3, which occurs in a time-and tissue-specific fashion. In addition, because cells and plasma are in equilibrium and deiodination affects central thyroid hormone regulation, these local deiodinase-mediated events can also affect systemic thyroid hormone economy, such as in the case of non-thyroidal illness. Heightened interest in the field has been generated following the discovery that the deiodinases can be a component in both the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and the TGR-5 signaling cascade, a G-protein-coupled receptor for bile acids. These new mechanisms involved in deiodinase regulation indicate that local thyroid hormone activation and inactivation play a much broader role than previously thought. Received 29 August 2007; received after revision 11 October 2007; accepted 16 October 2007     

Regulation of phagocyte migration and recruitment by Src-family kinases

Src-family kinases (SFKs) regulate different granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that members of this family are implicated in signal transduction pathways regulating phagocytic cell migration and recruitment into inflammatory sites. Macrophages with a genetic deficiency of SFKs display marked alterations in cytoskeleton dynamics, polarization and migration. This same phenotype is found in cells with either a lack of SFK substrates and/or interacting proteins such as Pyk2/FAK, c-Cbl and p190RhoGAP. Notably, SFKs and their downstream targets also regulate monocyte recruitment into inflammatory sites. Depending on the type of assay used, neutrophil migration in vitro may be either dependent on or independent of SFKs. Also neutrophil recruitment in in vivo models of inflammation may be regulated differently by SFKs depending on the tissue involved. In this review we will discuss possible mechanisms by which SFKs may regulate phagocytic cell migratory abilities.     

Molecular mechanisms of phagocytic uptake in mammalian cells

Phagocytosis is a highly conserved, complex process that has evolved to counter the constant threat posed by pathogens, effete cells and debris. Classically defined as a mechanism for internalising and destroying particles greater than 0.5 mum in size, it is a receptor-mediated, actin-driven process. The best-studied phagocytic receptors are the opsono-receptors, FcgammaR and CR3. Phagocytic uptake involves actin dynamics including polymerisation, bundling, contraction, severing and depolymerisation of actin filaments. Recent evidence points to the importance of membrane remodelling during phagocytosis, both in terms of changes in lipid composition and delivery of new membrane to the sites of particle binding. Here we review the molecular mechanisms of phagocytic uptake and some of the strategies developed by microbial pathogens to manipulate this process.     

Curcumin通过Wnt信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的研究

目的 观察姜黄素(Curcumin)对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的影响,以及对细胞内Wnt信号通路的影响,探索Curcumin可能存在的抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖的分子机制.方法 体外培养人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,并用不同浓度的Curcumin作用不同的时间.用MTT检测Curcumin对MCF-7细胞生长情况的影响;流式细胞仪观察经Curcumin作用后细胞周期的改变;RT-PCR和Westernblot分别检测细胞内β -catenin和下游靶基因CyclinD1的mRNA和蛋白水平的表达.结果 MTT结果显示Curcumin可以抑制MCF-7的增殖,并具有剂量-时间依赖性.在浓度为20 μmol·L-1时,对细胞生长的抑制作用最为明显.流式细胞仪观察细胞周期的结果提示,Curcumin能够阻止MCF-7细胞由G1期进入S期,提高Go/G1期细胞的百分比.RT-PCR和Western blot结果显示,Curcumin显著降低了细胞内β-catenin和CyclinD1的mRNA和蛋白水平的表达,且呈剂量-时间依赖性.结论 Curcumin能够抑制MCF-7细胞胞浆内β -catenin蛋白进入胞核,阻断Wnt信号转导通路.进而抑制下游靶基因CyclinD1的表达,阻止MCF-7由G1期进入S期,有效抑制了MCF-7细胞的增殖.