Growth hormone signal transduction

Growth hormone (GH) promotes animal growth by stimulating bone and cartilage cell proliferation, and influences carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Some of these effects are brought about indirectly via somatomedin induction in hepatocytes, others by acting directly on the target cells. In either case, GH first binds to specific receptors on cells to trigger a sequence of biochemical events culminating in a biological response. Recently much has been learnt about the molecular structure of GH receptor, its binding to ligand, and the ensuing signal transduction events.     

The melatonin rhythm: both a clock and a calendar

The paper briefly reviews the data which shows that the circadian production and secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland can impart both daily, i.e., clock, and seasonal, i.e., calendar, information to the organism. The paper summarizes the 3 patterns of nocturnal melatonin production that have been described. Clearly, regardless of the pattern of nocturnal melatonin production a particular species normally displays, the duration of nightime elevated melatonin is proportional to the duration of the night length. Since daylength under natural conditions changes daily the melatonin rhythm, which adjusts to the photoperiod sends time of year information to the organism. The melatonin receptors which subserve the clock message sent by the pineal gland in the form of a melatonin cycle may reside in the biological clock itself, namely, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The melatonin receptors that mediate seasonal changes in reproductive physiology are presumably those that are located on the pars tuberalis cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Besides these receptors which likely mediate clock and calendar information, melatonin receptors have been described in other organs. Interestingly, the distribution of melatonin receptors is highly species-specific. Whereas the clock and calendar information that the melatonin cycle imparts to the organism relies on cell membrane receptors, a fact that is of some interest considering the high lipophilicity of melatonin, recent studies indicate that other functions of melatonin may require no receptor whatsoever.     

多巴胺能神经递质系统在癫痫发生与发展过程中的作用

在癫痫的发生与发展过程中，多巴胺（DA）受体密度及PDA可以发生改变，其变化情况因癫痫类型及不同脑区而异。不同的DA受体在癫痫发生与发展过程中发挥不同的作用，其作用也与癫痫类型等因素有关。     

中枢型尼古丁受体与阿尔茨海默病

阿尔茨海默病是一种以渐进性的认知功能障碍为主要特征的神经退行性疾病，该病最终会导致死亡，是痴呆病中最常见的一种类型。近年来研究发现中枢尼古丁受体在AD的发病中起着非常重要的作用，本文对此进行综述。     

Non-host-selective fungal phytotoxins: Biochemical aspects of their mode of action

During the last decade increasing attention has been directed towards the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the biological activity of phytotoxins. Studies on the mode of action of some non-host-selective phytotoxins, some following on from previous observations, have demonstrated a very specific interaction with particular components of the cell machinery, and have suggested the possible use of these phytotoxins as tools for the investigation of important biochemical processes. This review article reports and discusses results of studies carried out in the 1980s with seven non-host-selective fungal toxins: brefeldin A, cercosporin,Cercospora beticola toxin, fusicoccin, ophiobolins, tentoxin, and zinniol. Each of these interferes with the life of the host by interacting with a different biochemical target.     

Biogenesis of mitochondrial porin: The import pathway

Summary We review here the present knowledge about the pathway of import and assembly of porin into mitochondria and compare it to those of other mitochondrial proteins. Porin, like all outer mitochondrial membrane proteins studied so far is made as a precursor without a cleavble signal sequence; thus targeting information must reside in the mature sequence. At least part of this information appears to be located at the amino-terminal end of the molecule. Transport into mitochondria can occur post-translationally. In a first step, the porin precursor is specifically recognized on the mitochondrial surface by a protease sensitive receptor. In a second step, porin precursor inserts partially into the outer membrane. This step is mediated by a component of the import machinery common to the import pathways of precursor proteins destined for other mitochondrial subcompartments. Finally, porin is assembled to produce the functional oligomeric form of an integral membrane protein wich is characterized by its extreme protease resistance.     

血管内皮生长因子对牛早期胚胎发育的影响

为了探明血管内皮生长因子VEGF对牛体外受精胚胎早期发育的影响,本试验采用了成分明确的体外发育培养系统.通过在体外发育培养液中分别添加0、1、5、10 ng/mL的VEGF,对868枚胚胎的发育能力进行检测.研究结果显示:对照组与添加1 ng/mL、5 ng/mL、10 ng/mL VEGF的各实验组卵裂率分别为61.99%、75.69%、76.81%、68.92%;8-细胞期发育率分别为51.82%、61.21%、65.41%、63.40%;囊胚期发育率分别为27.74%、24.85%、23.90%、22.88%;囊胚孵化率分别为5.11%、4.85%、5.66%、3.27%.添加1、5、10 ng/mLVEGF与对照组比较,卵裂率、8-细胞期发育率有所增加,囊胚期发育率和囊胚孵化率表现下降趋势,但实验组与对照组间上述几项发育指标差异均不显著(P>0.05).     

血管紧张素与一氧化氮的调节平衡对缺血心肌的作用

在心血管系统中,肾素 血管紧张素系统是重要的体液调节系统,一氧化氮是具有多种作用的重要的细胞信使。本文就这二者之间的联系对于缺血心肌的影响及血管内皮生长因子表达的机制作一综述。     

成年雄性斑胸草雀脑多巴胺D1受体的分布

多巴胺是脑内关键的神经递质,它通过与多巴胺受体的作用及其下游的一系列反应来影响基因表达、神经调节和行为活动.在成年鸣禽中,中脑多巴胺能神经元投射到X区、HVC和RA等鸣唱相关核团,释放多巴胺的量受一定社会情境的影响,从而表现出directed song和undirected song等不同鸣唱行为.获得斑胸草雀脑中多巴胺受体的表达情况,为与社会情境有关的鸣唱行为及其他和多巴胺相关的行为活动的神经机制探究提供了基础,并可促进行为学、电生理等方面的研究.我们发现D1受体在斑胸草雀脑中的分布与其mRNA的分布基本一致:在脑的绝大部分区域都有分布;主要鸣唱核团HVC和RA有表达,与其周围区域差异不明显;LMAN中表达量较少;DLM中的表达量较高,并与其周围区域差异明显.但是纹状体内的表达与其周围区域的差异性没有mRNA明显;GCT中的表达量较多,与周围区域差异明显.     

新型靶向性药物VEGF-hFc的抗肿瘤研究

生物机体内天然存在许多受体与配体,它们之间亲和结合力远远高于抗体亲和力（Kd=10-8~10-9）.本实验根据VEGFR和VEGF之间的高亲和力（Kd=1.6×0-11）,以新生血管细胞表面的VEGFR为靶点,设计VEGFhFc融合蛋白作为靶向抗肿瘤药物.在本实验中构建pcDNA3.1IgG leader-VEGF-hFc重组载体,转染CHO/dhFr-细胞真核表达融合蛋白VEGF-hFc,并通过Protein A纯化.使用A549细胞构建人非小细胞肺癌裸鼠肿瘤模型,小鼠静脉注射10 μg VEGF-h