油酸体外诱导细胞脂肪变性对脂质代谢及炎症的影响

目的:利用不同浓度油酸处理人肝肿瘤细胞株HepG2,选取最佳浓度油酸后,观察最佳浓度的油酸对细胞脂质合成及代谢、肝细胞功能相关基因表达的影响及NF-κB、IL-6通路的变化,建立稳定高效的肝细胞脂肪变性体外研究模型。方法:将HepG2细胞用不同浓度油酸(0、0.5、0.75、1.25、1.5 m M)处理,油红O染色选取最佳浓度后,利用Realtime RT-PCR检测细胞内脂质合成、代谢及肝细胞功能相关基因表达情况,Western blot检测细胞内TLR4-TNFα-NF-κB及IL-6通路活性。结果:利用0.5 m M浓度油酸处理HepG2后,细胞未见明显死亡现象,细胞内脂质合成指标表达增多、代谢指标表达也明显增加,肝细胞功能相关基因表达下调,TLR4-TNFα-NF-κB、IL-6通路激活。结论:0.5 m M浓度油酸处理细胞可诱导HepG2脂肪变性,利用最佳浓度油酸处理细胞可作为NAFLD体外研究的细胞模型。     

利用RNA转录组数据库挖掘肿瘤细胞EZH2基因候选转录因子

转录因子的筛选是基因转录调控研究的重要环节。通常人们通过候选转录因子基序(motif)结构域的DNA结合序列是否存在于靶基因启动子而进行筛选。基因表达相关性是发现基因间相互作用的一种有效手段。利用已有的多种人类基因组转录组公共数据库,通过对已知转录因子与靶基因共转录关系分析,本研究发现,肿瘤细胞系大百科全书(CCLE)基因共转录相关系数可作为筛选候选转录(抑制和激活)因子的新方法。对所挖掘出的7个与EZH2基因转录高度相关的候选转录因子(TCF7L2、PML、TBP、PHF8、RBBP5、MYBL2、NRF1)进行实验验证,发现PHF8和NRF1过表达(或敲降)确实促进(或抑制)EZH2基因转录;染色质免疫共沉淀实验和荧光素酶报告基因结果亦证实,PHF8和NRF1能够结合EZH2基因启动子DNA,提示PHF8和NRF1可能是EZH2基因的转录因子。     

EB病毒编码的潜伏膜蛋白1参与鼻咽癌恶性演进的转录调控实验研究

探讨EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)激活激活蛋白1(AP1),和核转录因子(NF-κB)在鼻咽癌细胞SUNE-1及亚细胞株恶性演进中的作用.运用报告基因法和凝胶电泳迁移率法(EMSA)分析AP1和NF-κB反式激活活性和DNA结合活性,蛋白质印迹检测蛋白质表达;裸鼠致瘤实验结合组织制片研究瘤细胞的成瘤和转移能力. 结果显示恶性程度不同的SUNE-1亚细胞株的反式激活活性、DNA结合活性、LMP1蛋白表达及c-Jun氨基端激酶(JNK)活性均存在明显差异,且与细胞恶性程度正相关.这些结果提示LMP1活化AP1和NF-κB的信号通路参与了鼻咽癌细胞SUNE-1的恶性演进过程.     

翻译后修饰对转录因子NF-E2相关因子2功能的调控

抗氧化反应组件（AREs）普遍存在于编码抗氧化和/或解毒酶基因的启动子区域,为这些基因的转录启动所必需;而这些基因的表达对维持细胞内氧化还原稳态,抵抗活性氧类（ROS）引起的细胞损伤发挥重要作用。转录因子NF E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2, NRF2)作为抗氧化反应中的关键转录因子,可以与ARE结合,启动其下游靶基因,在氧化应激及亲电子剂应激中发挥重要的调控作用,广泛参与炎症、增殖、凋亡、细胞分化、组织再生和代谢等过程;因此,激活NRF2有望成为治疗肿瘤及其他与氧化、炎症相关疾病的新策略。蛋白质的翻译后修饰,对蛋白质空间构象、稳定性及其与其他蛋白质间相互作用具有重要作用。因此,探究NRF2的翻译后修饰如磷酸化、乙酰化和泛素化的修饰过程等,对深入了解NRF2的功能及调控机制至关重要,并与某些疾病的发生发展密切相关。本文对近年来翻译后修饰对NRF2的活性及功能的调控进行综述。     

S100A9参与乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白介导的HepG2细胞增殖与迁移

目的:探讨S100A9在乙型肝炎病毒X(HBx)介导的HepG2细胞增殖及迁移中的作用。方法:用表达HBx蛋白的重组腺病毒AdHBx感染HepG2细胞后,用CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖能力及划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移能力;在HepG2/AdHBx细胞中转染S100A9-siRNA及其对照siRNA后,检测HepG2细胞增殖及迁移能力;在HepG2/Ad HBx和对照组HepG2/AdGFP细胞中,采用Real-time PCR及Western Blot检测S100A9基因及蛋白的表达情况;在HepG2/AdHBx细胞中,加入不同剂量的NF-κB抑制剂BAY11-7082后,检测各组中S100A9的基因及蛋白表达情况。结果:HBx促进HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移; S100A9-siRNA抑制S100A9的表达后,HBx促进HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移的作用降低,HBx介导的HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移部分依赖于S100A9; S100A9基因及蛋白表达在HepG2/AdHBx中较对照组HepG2/Ad GFP显著升高,HBx可致S100A9表达增加;抑制NF-κB转录活性后,AdHBx+BAY11-7082组S100A9基因及蛋白表达较对照组显著降低,阻断NF-κB转录活性可部分抑制HBx调控的S100A9表达。结论:HBx可调控S100A9的表达且与NF-κB活化有关,S100A9参与HBx介导的HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移。     

JNK3通过与RelA/p65相互作用抑制NF-κB信号通路减弱Bel-7402细胞的黏附能力

JNK信号通路在细胞的炎症、增殖与凋亡等生物学过程中发挥了重要的作用．我们采用酵母双杂交技术发现转录因子p65是JNK3的相互作用蛋白质．体内体外实验均证实JNK3与p65存在蛋白质相互作用．报告基因实验结果表明过表达JNK3抑制TNFα诱导NF-κB介导的转录激活．EMSA结果证明JNK3减弱NF-κB的DNA结合能力．实时定量PCR结果表明JNF3减少NF-κB靶基因的表达．综上所述,我们的研究结果表明JNK3做为一个调节分子在体内发挥了抑制p65转录活性的功能．     

EWS蛋白质抑制核因子κB的转录活性

目的:研究EWS蛋白质是否参与核因子κB(NF-κB)信号通路,以及EWS蛋白质对NF-κB转录活性的影响。方法:在真核细胞中表达Flag-EWS,利用Western印迹检测其表达;通过双萤光素酶光报告系统,研究EWS蛋白质对NF-κB转录活性的影响及其发挥作用的分子水平。结果:Western印迹检测到相对分子质量为95×103的Flag-EWS能够在真核细胞中正确表达,过表达EWS蛋白质能够抑制TNFα、IL-1β及poly(I:C)激活的NF-κB转录活性;EWS蛋白质能够抑制由过表达HA-TRAF2或HA-p65激活的NF-κB转录活性,其抑制NF-κB转录活性发生在p65转录因子水平。结论:过表达EWS能够抑制多种刺激激活的NF-κB转录活性,这种抑制作用发生在p65转录因子水平。     

人皮肤成纤维细胞中α1(Ⅰ)前胶原基因转录调控研究

为寻找纤维化形成中调控人Ⅰ型前胶原基因高水平转录的启动序列及其DNA结合蛋白 ,以人皮肤成纤维细胞α1(Ⅰ )前胶原基因转录起始点上游 - 2 5kb至 + 4 2bp的片段为靶序列 ,采用PCR、基因重组、报告基因测活、细胞基因转染技术比较不同长短启动子活性 .凝胶滞留实验 (EM SA)研究高启动活性片段相应的DNA结合蛋白 .基因转染高活性转录因子识别序列至靶细胞 ,探讨前胶原基因激活阻断的新手段 .结果表明 ,- 2 4 83～ + 4 2bp、 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列具有强启动调控活性 ,而 - 10 5～ + 4 2bp片段启动活性最低 .EMSA对高启动活性小片段DNA结合蛋白的分析提示 ,- 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列中存在转录因子Ap 1、Sp 1、NF 1的特异结合位点 .转染高活性转录因子识别序列Ap 1、Sp 1至靶细胞可竞争性阻断胶原基因启动转录激活 .研究提示 ,人α1(Ⅰ )前胶原基因 - 2 4 83～ + 4 2bp、 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp片段有高启动活性 .转录因子Ap 1、Sp 1、NF 1与 - 2 6 8～ + 4 2bp序列中相应识别序列的结合与其基础高转录活性有关 .转染高活性转录因子识别序列Ap 1、Sp 1可从转录水平阻断胶原基因的激活     

氧化还原与细胞凋亡的关联

细胞内氧化还原状态与细胞凋亡相互关联的机理仍然存在很大争议。细胞内氧化还原状态的改变促进了氧自由基(ROS)的产生和凋亡诱导因子的激活,致使细胞凋亡的同时又加剧了细胞内氧化还原状态的改变。通过激活细胞凋亡信号激酶(ASK-1)、氧化还原转录因子NF-κB、AP-1及Caspase激活,揭示了细胞内氧化还原状态伴随细胞凋亡的不同阶段。     

骨桥蛋白通过NF-κB上调钙蛋白酶小亚基1促进肝癌细胞迁移

骨桥蛋白(osteopontin,OPN)参与调控多种信号途径激活转移相关基因,进而促进细胞迁移.钙蛋白酶小亚基1(calpain small subunit1,Capn4)与肿瘤转移密切相关,在许多肿瘤及其转移组织中高表达.为了探讨OPN促进肝癌细胞迁移的分子机制,应用报告基因检测、RT-PCR、免疫印迹及伤口愈合等方法检测了肝癌细胞中OPN对Capn4的调控作用及其对肝癌细胞迁移的影响.结果显示,在HepG2细胞中过表达OPN后,Capn4的启动子转录活性显著增强,同时mRNA及蛋白质表达水平也明显上调.在HepG2细胞中应用siRNA干扰OPN的表达可导致Capn4启动子转录活性受到明显抑制,同时mRNA及蛋白质表达水平也显著下调.应用核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)的抑制剂PDTC可抑制由过表达OPN导致的HepG2细胞中Capn4的上调.伤口愈合实验显示,OPN可以通过上调Capn4促进肝癌细胞迁移.因此,研究发现,OPN通过NF-κB上调Capn4的表达,进而促进肝癌细胞的迁移,这一发现对进一步阐明肝癌细胞迁移的分子机制具有重要意义.     

Recent advances in the study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis

It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.     

A Unique Protease Cleavage Site Predicted in the Spike Protein of the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Potentially Related to Viral Transmissibility

正Dear Editor,In December 2019, a novel human coronavirus caused an epidemic of severe pneumonia(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei, China(Wu et al. 2020; Zhu et al. 2020). So far, this virus has spread to all areas of China and even to other countries. The epidemic has caused 67,102 confirmed infections with 1526 fatal cases     

Curcuminoids as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase: A receptor based pharmacophore study with distance mapping of the active site

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric that interacts irreversibly forming an adduct with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme responsible for redox control of cell and defence against oxidative stress. Docking at both the active sites of TrxR was performed to compare the potency of three naturally occurring curcuminoids, namely curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and bis-demethoxy curcumin. Results show that active sites of TrxR occur at the junction of E and F chains. Volume and area of both cavities is predicted. It has been concluded by distance mapping of the most active conformations that Se atom of catalytic residue SeCYS498, is at a distance of 3.56 from C13 of demethoxy curcumin at the E chain active site, whereas C13 carbon atom forms adduct with Se atom of SeCys 498. We report that at least one methoxy group in curcuminoids is necessary for interation with catalytic residues of thioredoxin. Pharmacophore of both active sites of the TrxR receptor for curcumin and demethoxy curcumin molecules has been drawn and proposed for design and synthesis of most probable potent antiproliferative synthetic drugs.     

The structure, reproduction and taxonomy of Vidalia and Osmundaria (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae)

Comprises species occurring mostly in subtidal habitats in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the world. An analysis of the type species, V. spiralis (Sonder) Lamouroux ex J. Agardh, a species from Australia, establishes basic characters for distinguishing species in the genus. These characters are (1) branching patterns of thalli, (2) flat blades that may be spiralled on their axis, (3) width of the blade, (4) primary or secondary derivation of sterile and fertile branchlets and (5) position of sterile and fertile branchlets on the thalli. Application of the latter two characters provides an important basic method for separation of species into three major groups. Osmundaria , a genus known only in southern Australia, was studied in relation to Vidalia , and its separation from the Vidalia assemblage is not accepted. Species of Vidalia therefore are transferred to the older genus name, Osmundaria. Two new species, Osmundaria papenfussii and Osmundaria oliveae are described from Natal. Confusion in the usage of the epithet, Vidalia fimbriala Brown ex Turner has been clarified, and Vidalia gregaria Falkenberg, described as an epiphyte on Osmundaria pro/ifera Lamouroux, is revealed to be young branches of the host, Osmundaria prolifera.     

New or rare chromosome counts in Artemisia L. (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and related genera from Kazakhstan

Fifteen chromosome counts of six Artemisia taxa and one species of each of the genera Brachanthemum, Hippolytia, Kaschgaria, Lepidolopsis and Turaniphytum are reported from Kazakhstan. Three of them are new reports, two are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very scarce (one to four) earlier records. All the populations studied have the same basic chromosome number, x = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 6x. Some correlations between ploidy level, morphological characters and distribution are noted.