家蝇抗菌肽AMP-17对白色念珠菌菌丝的抑制作用

【背景】AMP-17是从微生物诱导的家蝇转录组数据库筛选到的一条特异性高表达基因,采用原核表达体系获得其重组蛋白并证实了具有显著的抗菌效果,特别是对白色念珠菌具有较强的抗菌活性。【目的】研究抗菌肽AMP-17对白色念珠菌菌丝的抑制作用。【方法】采用微量液体稀释法测定AMP-17对11株白色念珠菌的最小抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC);根据对AMP-17的敏感程度选取3株绘制生长曲线;通过光学显微镜观察并计数经AMP-17作用后白色念珠菌芽生孢子生成率及芽管形成率;倒置荧光显微镜观察白色念珠菌酵母相向菌丝相转化及以菌丝相为起点AMP-17促进菌丝相转化为酵母相的情况。【结果】AMP-17对支气管肺泡灌洗液分离株16105的MIC为10μg/mL,对粪便分离株16214的MIC为40μg/mL,对其余9株白色念珠菌的MIC均为20μg/mL;白色念珠菌经不同浓度的AMP-17作用后,各时间点的芽生孢子生成率均显著低于对照组,尤其是40μg/mL的AMP-17组,芽生孢子生成率仅15%,显著低于阳性药物氟康唑;各实验组芽管形成率显著低于对照组,且芽管形成缓慢,培养6 h后芽管形成率仅为6%,形成的芽管长度较短,仅为菌体的1-2倍。镜下观察低浓度的AMP-17即可以完全抑制白色念珠菌菌丝的生长,并且对已经形成的菌丝有一定的生长抑制作用,高浓度的AMP-17则可使已形成的部分菌丝向酵母相转化。【结论】家蝇抗菌肽AMP-17可抑制白色念珠菌菌丝生长。     

白念珠菌ALS3、SSA1基因表达在念珠菌性阴道炎免疫机制中的作用

目的探讨白念珠菌ALS3、SSA1基因缺失对阴道上皮细胞激发免疫反应的作用。方法培养白念珠菌野生株及ALS3、SSA1基因敲除株(SC5314、Δals3、Δssa1),对其进行形态测定。按不同MOI感染人阴道上皮细胞系VK2/E6E7细胞,通过台盼蓝染色观察和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性检测,评价不同MOI白念珠菌对上皮细胞的损伤作用;使用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)评估感染过程中炎性细胞因子及趋化因子在共培养上清中的差异。结果 ALS3基因的缺失对白念珠菌芽管长度影响差异无统计学意义,而SSA1基因的缺失与其他两个菌株相比芽管长度减少约30%～40%(P<0.001)。台盼蓝染色观察及LDH测定发现,3株菌在感染上皮细胞时,其细胞损伤能力均与菌载量成正比;与野生型相比,Δssa1突变体在相同比率感染上皮细胞时,细胞损伤能力明显降低,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),Δals3突变株影响较小,甚至略微升高。检测炎性细胞因子及趋化因子发现,突变株在诱导上皮细胞产生促炎因子及趋化因子(GM-CSF、G-CSF、IL-1α、IL-8)的能力上明显减弱,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 ALS3和SSA1基因表达在阴道上皮细胞抗白念珠菌感染的局部免疫应答过程中可能起到重要作用,且SSA1基因表达意义更大。     

白头翁汤正丁醇提取物对白念珠菌VVC临床株体外生物膜形成的抑制作用

目的探讨白头翁汤正丁醇提取物(Butyl alcohol extract of Bai Tou Weng decoction,BAEB)对分离自外阴阴道念珠菌病(vulvovaginal candidiasis,VVC)的白念珠菌临床分离株(以下简称VVC临床株)生物膜形成的影响。方法采用微量稀释法测定BAEB对白念珠菌的最低抑菌浓度(Minimal Inhibitory Concentration,MIC);甲基四氮盐(XTT)还原法测定BAEB对白念珠菌生物膜代谢活性的影响,Time-kill法检测BAEB对白念珠菌活菌数的影响;结晶紫染色法测定BAEB对白念珠菌生物膜生物量(Biomass)的影响;扫描电镜(SEM)观察BAEB对白念珠菌生物膜形态结构的影响;激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)检测BAEB对白念珠菌生物膜荧光信号强度的影响;实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测生物膜相关基因UME6、PES1和HSP90的转录水平变化。结果 BAEB对12株白念珠菌的MIC在64~256μg/mL之间,对白念珠菌生物膜的SMIC80(抑制80%生物膜形成的最低药物浓度)为1 024μg/mL或以上;Time-Kill曲线显示在12h之后,512、1 024μg/mL浓度的BAEB对白念珠菌均具良好的杀伤作用;结晶紫染色法表明512、1 024μg/mLBAEB能够减少其生物膜生物量;SEM观察到1 024μg/mL BAEB能够有效抑制白念珠菌在不同黏附介质上生物膜的完整度;CLSM显示512、1 024μg/mL的BAEB可以明显降低生物膜荧光信号强度;qRT-PCR检测显示在256、512、1 024μg/mL的BAEB作用下,UME6转录水平分别下调了72%、71%、77%,在512、1 024μg/mL的BAEB下HSP90转录水平上调了2.23和3.31倍,而PES1未有明显变化。结论 BAEB可以抑制白念珠菌VVC临床株体外生物膜的形成。     

聚六亚甲基双胍体外抗真菌作用研究

目的探讨聚六亚甲基双胍(PHMB)对浅部真菌病常见致病菌的杀灭作用。方法参照标准的微量液基稀释法和琼脂稀释法检测PHMB粉剂和溶液对红色毛癣菌、须癣毛癣菌、犬小孢子菌及白念珠菌临床分离株的体外最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MFC)。结果 PHMB对红色毛癣菌、须癣毛癣菌、犬小孢子菌和白念珠菌临床分离株的MIC范围分别为1.0～4.0μg/mL、2.0～4.0μg/mL、2.0～4.0μg/mL和0.3～5.0μg/mL;MFC范围分别为2.0～8.0μg/mL、 4.0μg/mL、2.0～4.0μg/mL和5.0～10.0μg/mL。琼脂稀释法结果表明PHMB溶液浓度为1.25%时,红色毛癣菌、犬小孢子菌和须癣毛癣菌无菌落生长;PHMB溶液浓度为0.32%时,白念珠菌无菌落生长。加入透皮剂氮酮后,杀菌效果并无改变。结论 PHMB对浅部真菌病常见的致病真菌皮肤癣菌及白念珠菌具有较好的抑制和杀灭作用。     

罗米地辛对氟康唑体外抗白念珠菌影响的研究

目的检测罗米地辛对氟康唑体外抗白念珠菌活性作用的影响。方法参考CLSI的M27-A3方案检测氟康唑对受试白念珠菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC),以及不同浓度罗米地辛联合氟康唑检测其对受试白念珠菌的抗真菌效果。结果受试菌包括氟康唑敏感株、剂量依赖株、耐药株各5株。2μg/mL罗米地辛和4μg/mL罗米地辛联合氟康唑对氟康唑的抗真菌活性有增效作用,表现为MIC值降低、菌量减少和抑制拖尾现象。结论罗米地辛对氟康唑体外抗白念珠菌活性的增效作用,可抑制氟康唑的拖尾现象。     

小G蛋白抑制剂CASIN的体外抗真菌活性研究CSCD

目的通过对小G蛋白抑制剂体外抗真菌活性的测定,筛选具有新结构类型的抗真菌活性化合物。方法采用微量液基稀释法考察不同小G蛋白抑制剂对于念珠菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC),并从中筛选活性较强的化合物进一步进行抗真菌谱测定;采用时间-生长曲线和时间-杀菌曲线考察CASIN对于白念珠菌生长增殖的影响;采用菌丝诱导实验考察化合物CASIN对于白念珠菌菌丝形成的抑制效果;采用甲基四氮盐(XTT)法考察化合物CASIN对于白念珠菌生物被膜形成的抑制作用。结果在考察的小G蛋白抑制剂中,CASIN的体外抗真菌活性最强,对于近平滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌、热带念珠菌、光滑念珠菌中均有较好的抑制作用,MIC为8~16μg/mL。16μg/mL CASIN可以有效抑制YPD培养基中白念珠菌的生长增殖,也在RPMI1640培养基中展现出对白念珠菌的杀菌活性;当培养基中CASIN浓度高于8μg/mL时,白念珠菌菌丝受到明显抑制;此外,8μg/mL的CASIN浓度对于白念珠菌的被膜生成具有80%以上的抑制率。结论小G蛋白抑制剂CASIN具有较强的体外抗念珠菌活性。     

RNA聚合酶σ^38亚基缺失对假单胞菌抗生物质合成代谢的影响

设计引物从假单胞菌M18基因组DNA中扩增并获得rpoS基因的378bp保守区段。以此为探针,从假单胞菌基因组文库中克隆了包括rpoS基因全序列及其相邻序列的3·1kbEcoRⅠ-XhoⅠ片段。通过抗性基因(抗庆大霉素基因)的定点插入构建了σ38亚基缺失突变株M18S。HPLC检测结果显示,σ38亚基缺失引起该菌株的抗生物质合成代谢的显著变化。与野生株相比,缺失突变株的吩嗪-1-羧酸在PPM和KMB中2种培养基中合成量由58μg/mL和10·2μg/mL分别减少到20·4μg/mL和0μg/mL;而缺失突变株的藤黄绿脓菌素则相反,在PPM和KMB两种培养基中合成量由0·5μg/mL和20·5μg/mL分别提高到75·4μg/mL和185·6μg/mL。表明σ38亚基可区别性调控假单胞菌M18的抗生物质合成代谢。rpoS基因的互补实验和两种抗生素基因与β-半乳糖苷酶基因的翻译融合表达实验进一步验证了上述的结果:σ38亚基正调控吩嗪-1-羧酸的表达,而负调控藤黄绿脓菌素的表达。     

大蒜素对白念珠菌形态转换的影响研究

目的探讨大蒜素对白念珠菌形态转换的影响及其作用机制。方法倒置显微镜观察白念珠菌菌丝形成的体外动力学过程;采用CLSI-M27-A3微量液基稀释法检测大蒜素对白念珠菌的最小抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC);倒置显微镜观察不同浓度大蒜素对白念珠菌在Spider液体培养基中菌丝形成的影响;qRT-PCR法检测在不同浓度大蒜素作用下白念珠菌菌丝相关基因HWP1、ALS1、EFG1、PDE2表达水平的变化。结果白念珠菌在Spider液体培养基中6 h时出现较长菌丝,24 h后镜下可见大量念珠菌菌丝包裹酵母细胞,紧密交错;大蒜素对白念珠菌的MIC值为25μg/mL;倒置显微镜观察(25~100)μg/mL浓度的大蒜素能明显抑制Spider液体培养基中白念珠菌菌丝的生长;qRT-PCR结果显示,在(25~100)μg/mL浓度的大蒜素作用下,白念珠菌菌丝相关基因表达下调。结论大蒜素能有效抑制白念珠菌的形态转换,其作用机制可能与调节菌丝形成相关基因的表达水平有关。     

CRK1基因缺失对白念珠菌形态、黏附、生物被膜的影响

目的 研究CRK1基因缺失对白念珠菌形态、黏附、生物被膜的影响.方法 显微镜下观察,计算菌丝形成率,比较CRK1基因缺失菌（Δcrk1菌）及标准菌SC5314形成菌丝的能力;建立肠黏膜模型,计算黏附率,评价CRK1基因缺失对白念珠菌黏附的影响;MTT法及结晶紫法（CV）评价CRK1基因缺失对白念珠菌生物被膜形成的影响.结果 与SC5314相比,Δcrk1菌分别在10％胎牛血清和RPMI-1640培养条件下形成菌丝能力均较弱,两者之间有统计学差异;Δcrk1菌在60、90、120 min时对肠黏膜的黏附数明显少于标准菌SC5314,两者之间有统计学差异;通过MTT法、结晶紫法两种方法证实了,在经48 h培养后,Δcrk1菌与其标准菌SC5314相比,形成生物膜的能力弱,两者之间差异有统计学差异.结论 CRK 1基因缺失影响白念珠菌菌丝二态性的转化,进而影响黏附力和生物被膜的形成.     

国产泊沙康唑对生殖器来源念珠菌的体外药物敏感性研究

目的了解国产泊沙康唑对生殖器念珠菌病病原菌的体外抑菌活性。方法参照美国临床和实验室标准协会制定的M27-A4方案测定国产泊沙康唑及其他常用抗真菌药物对60株生殖器念珠菌病致病菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)值。结果国产泊沙康唑对氟康唑耐药白念珠菌的MIC范围为0.25～0.50μg/mL,几何均数为0.40μg/mL,MIC_(50)为0.5μg/mL,MIC_(90)为0.5μg/mL;对近平滑念珠菌的MIC范围为0.03～0.125μg/mL,几何均数为0.10μg/mL,MIC_(50)为0.125μg/mL,MIC_(90)为0.125μg/mL;对热带念珠菌的MIC范围为0.125～8.0μg/mL,几何均数为0.57μg/mL,MIC_(50)为0.5μg/mL,MIC_(90)为2μg/mL;对光滑念珠菌的MIC范围为0.06～2.0μg/mL,几何均数为0.25μg/mL,MIC_(50)为0.125μg/mL,MIC_(90)为1μg/mL;对克柔念珠菌的MIC范围为0.125～0.50μg/mL,几何均数为0.29μg/mL,MIC_(50)为0.25μg/mL,MIC_(90)为0.5μg/mL。结论对生殖器来源的氟康唑耐药白念珠菌及非白念珠菌,国产泊沙康唑均表现出了较好的体外抗菌活性,未来有望成为临床生殖器念珠菌病治疗的新选择。     

The expression pattern of a mouse doublesex-related gene is consistent with a role in gonadal differentiation

The signal for somatic sex determination in mammals, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster is chromosomal, but the overall mechanisms do not appear to be conserved between the phyla. However it has been found quite recently that the C. elegans sex-determining gene Mab-3 contains a domain highly homologous to the Drosophila sex-determining gene doublesex (dsx) and shares a similar role. These data suggest that at least some aspects of the regulation of sex determination might be conserved. In humans, a doublesex-related gene (DMRT1) was identified at less than 30 kb from the critical region for sex reversal on chromosome 9p24 (TD9). In order to get insights into the role of DMRT1 in sex determination/differentiation, we have isolated DMRT1 mouse homologue (Dmrt1) and analysed its expression pattern. The gene is expressed in the genital ridges of both sexes during the sex-determining switch and it shows male/female dimorphism at late stages of sex differentiation.     

Glutathione S-Transferase M1, T1, P1 Genotypes and Risk for Development of Colorectal Cancer

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) supergene family is an important part of cellular enzyme defense against endogenous and exogenous chemicals, many of which have carcinogenic potential. The present investigation was conducted to detect a possible association between polymorphisms at the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes and the interaction with cigarette smoking and colorectal cancer incidence. We examined 181 patients with colorectal cancer and 204 controls. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms were determined using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence resonance energy transfer with a Light-Cycler instrument. Associations between specific genotypes and the development of colorectal cancer were examined by use of logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The GSTM1 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.06–2.46). Also the risk of colorectal cancer associated with the GSTT1 null genotype was 1.64 (95% CI: 1.10–2.59). Statistically no differences were found between patients with colorectal cancer and control groups for the GSTP1 Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes. In addition, the frequencies of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion genotypes differed significantly between the cases and controls for current smokers; the GSTT1 null genotype especially is associated with a greater risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.24–4.81). The GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions were associated with an increased risk of developing a transverse or rectal tumor (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.15–3.00; OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.02–2.84; respectively). The glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms were not associated with risk in patients stratified by age. The risk of colorectal cancer increased as putative high-risk genotypes increased for the combined genotypes of GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and either GSTP1 valine heterozygosity or GSTP1 valine homozygosity (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.02–7.11). In conclusion, the results obtained in this study clearly suggest that those susceptibility factors related to different GST polymorphic enzymes are predisposing for colorectal cancer.     

The tomato Orion locus comprises a unique class of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hcr9</Emphasis> genes

Resistance against the tomato fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum is often conferred by Hcr9 genes (Homologues of the C. fulvum resistance gene Cf-9) that are located in the Milky Way cluster on the short arm of chromosome 1. These Hcr9 genes mediate recognition of fungal avirulence gene products. In contrast, the resistance gene Cf-Ecp2 mediates recognition of the virulence factor Ecp2 and is located in the Orion (OR) cluster on the short arm of chromosome 1. Here, we report the map- and homology-based cloning of the OR Hcr9 cluster. A method was optimised to generate clone-specific fingerprint data that were subsequently used in the efficient calculation of genomic DNA contigs. Three Hcr9s were identified as candidate Cf-Ecp2 genes. By PCR-based cloning using specific OR sequences, orthologous Hcr9 genes were identified from different Lycopersicon species and haplotypes. The OR Hcr9s are very homologous. However, based on the relative low sequence homology to other Hcr9s, the OR Hcr9s are classified as a new subgroup.Data deposition: The sequence of the Cf-Ecp2 Hcr9 gene cluster and the orthologous Hcr9 sequences have been deposited in the GenBank database (accession No. AY639600..AY639604)     

The Telomere-Binding Protein Taz1p as a Target for Modification by a SUMO-1 Homologue in Fission Yeast

In fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) the homologue of the mammalian SUMO-1 ubiquitin-like modifier is encoded by the pmt3 gene. A two-hybrid screen using the telomere-binding protein Taz1p as bait identified Pmt3p as an interacting factor. In vitro experiments using purified components of the fission yeast Pmt3p modification system demonstrated that Taz1p could be modified directly by Pmt3p. The amino acid sequence of Taz1p contains a close match to the consensus modification site for SUMO-1, and a PEST sequence similar to those found in established SUMO-1 targets. Although previous experiments have identified an increase in telomere length as one consequence of the pmt3– genotype, we could not detect Pmt3p modification of Taz1p in protein extracts made from exponentially growing haploid cells or any effect of Pmt3p on the localization of GFP-Taz1p at discrete foci in the haploid cell nucleus.     

Rbfox-regulated alternative splicing is critical for zebrafish cardiac and skeletal muscle functions

Rbfox RNA binding proteins are implicated as regulators of phylogenetically-conserved alternative splicing events important for muscle function. To investigate the function of rbfox genes, we used morpholino-mediated knockdown of muscle-expressed rbfox1l and rbfox2 in zebrafish embryos. Single and double morphant embryos exhibited changes in splicing of overlapping sets of bioinformatically-predicted rbfox target exons, many of which exhibit a muscle-enriched splicing pattern that is conserved in vertebrates. Thus, conservation of intronic Rbfox binding motifs is a good predictor of Rbfox-regulated alternative splicing. Morphology and development of single morphant embryos were strikingly normal; however, muscle development in double morphants was severely disrupted. Defects in cardiac muscle were marked by reduced heart rate and in skeletal muscle by complete paralysis. The predominance of wavy myofibers and abnormal thick and thin filaments in skeletal muscle revealed that myofibril assembly is defective and disorganized in double morphants. Ultra-structural analysis revealed that although sarcomeres with electron dense M- and Z-bands are present in muscle fibers of rbfox1l/rbox2 morphants, they are substantially reduced in number and alignment. Importantly, splicing changes and morphological defects were rescued by expression of morpholino-resistant rbfox cDNA. Additionally, a target-blocking MO complementary to a single UGCAUG motif adjacent to an rbfox target exon of fxr1 inhibited inclusion in a similar manner to rbfox knockdown, providing evidence that Rbfox regulates the splicing of target exons via direct binding to intronic regulatory motifs. We conclude that Rbfox proteins regulate an alternative splicing program essential for vertebrate heart and skeletal muscle functions.     

Genome Analysis inNeurospora crassa;Cloning of Four Lociarginine-1(arg-1),methionine-6(met-6),unknown-7(un-7), andribosome production-1(rip-1) and Associated Chromosome Walking

We have cloned fourNeurospora crassagenes by complementation analysis. Cloned genes include thearginine-1(arg-1),methionine-6(met-6),unknown-7(un-7), andribosome production-1(rip-1) loci. Chromosome walks were initiated in ordered cosmid libraries from the cloned loci. A total of about 700 kb of theNeurosporagenome is covered in these walks.