Functions of reticulons in plants: What we can learn from animals and yeasts

Reticulons (RTNs) are membrane-spanning proteins sharing a typical domain named reticulon homology domain (RHD). RTN genes have been identified in all eukaryotic organisms examined so far, and the corresponding proteins have been found predominantly associated to the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. In animal and yeast, in which knowledge of the protein family is more advanced, RTNs are involved in numerous cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell division and intracellular trafficking. Up to now, a little attention has been paid to their plant counterparts, i.e., RTNLBs. In this review, we summarize the data available for RTNLB proteins and, using the data obtained with animal and yeast models, several functions for RTNLBs in plant cells are proposed and discussed. Received 01 July 2008; received after revision 08 September 2008; accepted 30 September 2008     

Biogenesis of β-barrel membrane proteins in bacteria and eukaryotes: evolutionary conservation and divergence

Membrane-embedded β-barrel proteins span the membrane via multiple amphipathic β-strands arranged in a cylindrical shape. These proteins are found in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. This situation is thought to reflect the evolutionary origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts from Gram-negative bacterial endosymbionts. β-barrel proteins fulfil a variety of functions; among them are pore-forming proteins that allow the flux of metabolites across the membrane by passive diffusion, active transporters of siderophores, enzymes, structural proteins, and proteins that mediate protein translocation across or insertion into membranes. The biogenesis process of these proteins combines evolutionary conservation of the central elements with some noticeable differences in signals and machineries. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the functions and biogenesis of this special family of proteins.     

燃料电池气、水、热平衡分析及综合管理系统设计

建立了质子交换膜燃料电池系统的气、水和热平衡计算模型,总结了电堆气、水和热管理相关物理量的计算方法;以60kW电堆为例计算分析,认为气、水、热管理三者有着密切的联系,应建立综合管理的概念;设计了气、水、热综合管理系统,该系统充分回收利用了电堆的尾气、电化学反应生成的水和电堆产生的热量。     

不同分子量膜对清络通痹水提液梯度纯化对比研究

目的通过考察不同梯度分子量膜对中药水提液物理化学性质的影响,探索中药水提液复杂体系在膜分离过程中的规律。方法测定以0．2μmAl2O3无机陶瓷膜和5万、1万、6千分子量PS膜纯化清络通痹水提液前后各样品的pH、浊度、粘度、电导率、青藤碱含量、总固含物量等指标。结果清络通痹水提液在膜分离前后的pH、浊度、粘度、电导率及青藤碱含量等方面表现出不同的特征。结论膜纯化前后样品的各指标变化趋势呈现一定的相关性。     

The cytotoxicity of eosinophil cationic protein/ribonuclease 3 on eukaryotic cell lines takes place through its aggregation on the cell membrane

Human eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)/ ribonuclease 3 (RNase 3) is a protein secreted from the secondary granules of activated eosinophils. Specific properties of ECP contribute to its cytotoxic activities associated with defense mechanisms. In this work the ECP cytotoxic activity on eukaryotic cell lines is analyzed. The ECP effects begin with its binding and aggregation to the cell surface, altering the cell membrane permeability and modifying the cell ionic equilibrium. No internalization of the protein is observed. These signals induce cell-specific morphological and biochemical changes such as chromatin condensation, reversion of membrane asymmetry, reactive oxygen species production and activation of caspase-3-like activity and, eventually, cell death. However, the ribonuclease activity component of ECP is not involved in this process as no RNA degradation is observed. In summary, the cytotoxic effect of ECP is attained through a mechanism different from that of other cytotoxic RNases and may be related with the ECP accumulation associated with the inflammatory processes, in which eosinophils are present. Received 26 October 2007; accepted 23 November 2007     

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.     

120kW级燃料电池可变喉口引射器的设计及特性

引射器是质子交换膜燃料电池氢气循环系统中的关键部件，依靠超音速流动的射流工质实现阳极排气的再循环。传统的固定结构引射器通常针对电堆额定工况设计，工作在非设计工况时性能较差；而可变喉口引射器可以动态地改变其喉口大小，有效扩大其工作范围。基于Sokolov设计理论，搭建了引射器的一维模型并探究了其工作特性，在此基础上提出了一种可变喉口引射器的设计方法。研究结果表明，引射器的工作特性主要受其操作压力、喉口直径和混合室直径影响；通过缩小喉口、提高工作流体压力可以使工作喷嘴保持临界状态，这对大负载下的引射性能影响较小，但能够有效提高电堆小负载下的引射比，并使引射器的工作范围向小负载扩展。     

乳状液膜技术在环境保护中的应用

乳状液膜分离技术是一种新兴的节能型分离手段。介绍了乳状液膜分离技术,综述乳状液膜技术在环境保护方面的应用进展情况。     

质子交换膜燃料电池温度的MPC控制

根据PEMFC热量传递机理建立电堆温度的simulink模型,由于实验模型属于非线性模型,很难对其设计控制器,因此在工作点附近将系统线性展开得到其线性模型.针对线性模型设计MPC控制器,调整得到合理参数后,利用此MPC控制器调节电堆温度模型的控制输入,得到对电堆温度的理想控制效果.     

MFI型分子筛膜晶内孔道的在线CVD调变

采用在线化学气相沉积(CVD)法对全硅MFI型分子筛膜进行晶内孔道修饰,考察晶间缺陷对膜晶内孔道修饰效果的影响。采用硅烷水解法对缺陷较多的膜进行缺陷孔的修补,结合扫描电子显微(SEM),观察膜微结构的变化。结果表明:分子筛膜表面缺陷显著影响晶内孔道调变效果。500℃时,缺陷较少的膜经晶内修饰后H2/CO2分离因子由修饰前的2.7提高到42.3,H2渗透性由2.25×10-7mol/(m2.s.Pa)降至1.52×10-7mol/(m2.s.Pa)。经缺陷修补后的分子筛膜,其晶内修饰后的H2/CO2分离因子比未修补的膜有一定幅度的提高。