黄檀素对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的治疗作用及机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨黄檀素（DAL）对小鼠心肌缺血/再灌注（MI/R）损伤心肌的治疗作用及其作用机制。方法：选择成年雄性C57 BL/6J小鼠随机分为假手术组（Sham）、模型组（MI/R）、地尔硫组（Diltiazem）和DAL低、中、高剂量组（10、30、90 mg/kg/d）,每组10只。结扎小鼠冠状动脉左前降支（LAD）,缺血30 min,再灌注1 h建立小鼠MI/R损伤模型。术后第1天起,Sham组、MI/R组小鼠均灌胃等体积生理盐水,Diltiazem组、DAL各剂量组小鼠灌胃相应药液,每日1次,连续7 d。给药结束后检测小鼠血清中肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性及肿瘤坏死因-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）含量;检测小鼠心肌组织中超氧化歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量;苏木精-伊红染色（HE）检测心肌损伤病理形态;Western Blot检测心肌组织中Akt和P-Akt的蛋白水平表达变化;超声检测左室舒张末内径（ESD）、左室舒张末容积（EDV）、射血分数（EF）和短轴缩短率（FS）。结果：DAL可以减轻小鼠血清中CK-MB、LDH活性及TNF-α、IL-6含量;升高小鼠心肌组织中SOD活性,减少MDA生成;增加p-Akt的蛋白水平表达,减轻心肌组织病理损伤,改善心脏功能。结论：DAL可以通过增加Akt磷酸化促进心肌细胞存活,减轻心肌组织病理损伤,进而抑制小鼠MI/R损伤,改善心脏功能,最终发挥心肌治疗作用。     

右美托咪定上调HIF-1α抑制NLRP3炎性体的激活减轻糖尿病小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤

摘要 目的：探讨右美托咪定（DEX）对糖尿病小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及可能分子机制。方法：将60只8周龄的SPF级C57BL小鼠高脂喂养6周,第7周通过腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）45 mg/kg/天,1次/天,连续5天,建立2型糖尿病模型,建模后采用随机数字表法分为假手术组（sham组）、缺血再灌注组（I/R组）、缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）抑制剂2ME2组（2ME2组）、DEX组、DEX+2ME2组（DM组）,每组12只。假手术组仅切开皮肤后缝合,其余四组开胸结扎冠状动脉左前降支,缺血60 min后松开结扎线结,再灌注120 min建立缺血再灌注损伤模型。于再灌注120 min时抽取小鼠腹主动脉血,ELISA检测血清肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）的浓度,随后处死小鼠,分离左心室,HE染色观察心肌组织形态结构,Western blot检测HIF-1α、nod样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）的表达量,再灌注24 h时超声心动图评估心功能。结果：与sham组相比,I/R组、2ME2组、DEX组、DM组cTnI、IL-1β,TNF-α浓度明显升高,心肌组织结构紊乱,心肌纤维断裂增加,心肌细胞明显肿胀,炎性细胞浸润增加,心肌组织NLRP3表达量显著增加,每搏量（SV）、射血分数（EF）%、短轴缩短率（FS）%明显下降（P＜0.05）;与I/R组相比,DEX组、DM组HIF-1α表达量明显增加,NLRP3表达明显降低,cTnI、IL-1β,TNF-α浓度明显下降,心肌组织结构明显改善,炎性细胞浸润明显减少,SV,EF、FS明显升高（P＜0.05）;与DEX组相比,DM组HIF-1α表达量明显降低,NLRP3表达量明显增加,cTnI、IL-1β、TNF-α浓度明显增加,心肌组织结构紊乱,心肌纤维断裂增加,心肌细胞明显肿胀,炎性细胞浸润增加,SV,EF、FS明显降低（P＜0.05）。结论：DEX可能通过上调心肌组织HIF-1α的表达,抑制NLRP3炎性体的激活,减轻心脏炎症反应,改善糖尿病小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤。     

miR-21在大鼠心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤中的作用机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨微小RNA-21（miR-21）在大鼠心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤中的作用机制。方法：选取50只SPF级Wistar大鼠并随机分为5组（n=10）,分别为对照组、模型组、模型+阴性对照组、模型+ miR-21组和模型+ miR-21抑制物组。通过结扎大鼠左冠前降支进行建模。建模成功后采用高频彩色超声诊断仪检查各组大鼠的心脏功能指标：心脏射血分数（EF）、左心室收缩期峰值压力（LVSP）、左室舒张末压（LVEDP）和缩短分数（FS）。检测各组大鼠心肌梗死面积和心肌细胞凋亡率。采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）测定各组心肌组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和白细胞介素-10（IL-10）的含量。采用反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）检测心肌组织中miR-21的表达水平。蛋白免疫印迹试验（Western Blot）检测各组大鼠心肌凋亡蛋白和TLR4/NF-κB表达水平。结果：模型组大鼠出现心肌梗死,提示建模成功,建模后大鼠心肌组织中miR-21的表达水平显著下降,提示miR-21可能具有保护心肌细胞的作用。建模成功后,EF、LVSP和FS下降,LVEDP升高,心肌细胞凋亡率显著升高,TNF-α和IL-6表达水平显著升高,IL-10显著下降,Bcl-2/Bax表达下降,Caspase-3表达升高,大鼠心肌细胞TLR4和NF-κB蛋白磷酸化表达水平升高,而模型+ miR-21组上述指标均得到改善。结论：大鼠心肌细胞缺血再灌注损伤导致miR-21表达降低,而过表达miR-21能有效抑制TLR4/NF-κB信号通路,降低大鼠心肌凋亡水平和炎症因子的释放,从而发挥保护心肌细胞的作用。     

血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1与脓毒症患儿心肌损伤指标的相关性及与预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨血清降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、糖原磷酸化酶脑型（GPBB）、高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）水平与脓毒症患儿心肌损伤指标以及预后的关系。方法：选择2019年3月至2022年3月中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九二六医院收治的271例脓毒症心肌损伤患儿（心肌损伤组）和同期收治的227例脓毒症感染性疾病但未发生心肌损伤患儿（对照组）。检测两组血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1水平以及心肌损伤指标水平。应用Pearson相关系数分析血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1与心肌损伤指标之间的相关性。根据心肌损伤组患儿28d的预后情况分为死亡组和存活组，脓毒症心肌损伤患儿死亡的危险因素通过多因素Logistic回归分析。结果：心肌损伤组血清PCT、肌红蛋白（Mb）、CRP、GPBB、心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、HMGB1、肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）水平均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1水平均与血清Mb、CK-MB、cTnI水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）。死亡组脓毒症休克比例、APACHE Ⅱ评分、SOFA评分、尿素氮、血肌酐、血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1水平高于存活组（P＜0.05）。前白蛋白低于存活组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，高APACHE Ⅱ评分、存在脓毒症休克、高PCT、高CRP、高GPBB、高HMGB1、高cTnI是脓毒症患儿预后的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：脓毒症心肌损伤患儿血清PCT、CRP、GPBB、HMGB1水平增高，且与预后不良以及心肌损伤指标有关。     

人参皂苷Rg3通过调节自噬减轻脓毒症心肌损伤

摘要 目的：探讨人参皂苷Rg3（ginsenoside Rg3,Rg3）对脓毒症介导的心肌损伤的作用效果及机制。方法：本研究通过对小鼠进行盲肠结扎穿孔手术的方法构建脓毒症模型。32只BALB/c小鼠随机分为假手术组（Sham组）、脓毒症组（CLP组）、人参皂苷Rg3治疗组（Rg3+CLP组）以及自噬抑制剂干预组（3-MA+Rg3+CLP组）,每组8只。术后18 h分别留取各组小鼠血浆及心肌组织。通过ELISA方法检测白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素-18（IL-18）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶同工酶MB（CK-MB）及半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（Caspase-3）表达水平。通过HE染色观察心肌组织形态结构的变化。应用Western-blot方法检测自噬及NLRP3炎性小体相关蛋白（NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1）的表达。结果：与Sham组相比,CLP组小鼠心肌组织结构紊乱,炎性细胞浸润明显。另外,Caspase-3活性增加,NLRP3炎性小体相关蛋白（NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1）表达升高,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与CLP组相比,外源应用Rg3组小鼠心肌组织炎性细胞浸润减少,并且Caspase-3活性降低,NLRP3炎性小体相关蛋白表达下降,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,而部分自噬相关蛋白表达升高。应用自噬抑制剂后,较单纯应用Rg3组,心肌组织损伤明显,而NLRP3炎性小体活性增加,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：脓毒症时NLRP3炎性小体激活,释放大量的细胞因子,进而导致心肌损伤。而Rg3治疗后,可以调节心肌细胞自噬,抑制NLRP3炎性小体激活,进而减轻细胞因子对心肌细胞的损伤。本研究表明Rg3可能通过调节心肌自噬,抑制NLRP3炎性小体的激活,进而减轻脓毒症时心脏的损伤。     

微小RNA-223(miR-223)在脓毒症早期诊断、炎症程度评估中的价值研究

摘要 目的：分析微小RNA-223（miR-223）在脓毒症的早期诊断、炎症严重程度评估中的检测价值。方法：通过便利抽样法选定本院2020年5月至2022年5月住院的30例脓毒症患者作为观察组,选取同期门诊体检中心30例健康体检者作为对照组,检测、比较两组外周血miR-223、血清降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）,比较脓毒症患者中轻度组、严重组外周血miR-223、血清PCT、CRP,比较脓毒症患者中死亡组、存活组外周血miR-223、血清PCT、CRP,Spearman分析miR-223与PCT、CRP的相关性,绘制ROC曲线,计算曲线下面积（AUC）,分析miR-223与PCT、CRP对脓毒症的预测价值。结果：观察组外周血miR-223、血清PCT、CRP水平均高于对照组,P＜0.05（差异均具有统计学意义）。严重组外周血miR-223、血清PCT、CRP水平均高于轻度组,P＜0.05（差异均具有统计学意义）。死亡组外周血miR-223、血清PCT、CRP水平均高于存活组,P＜0.05（差异均具有统计学意义）。miR-223与PCT、CRP均呈正相关性,P＜0.05（差异均具有统计学意义）（r值=0.796、0.785）。ROC曲线结果显示：miR-223+PCT+CRP诊断脓毒症的灵敏度（89.54%）、特异度（86.52%）明显高于miR-223（82.37%、80.44%）、PCT（78.34%、75.34%）、CRP（75.12%、74.07%）,P＜0.05（差异均具有统计学意义）。结论：脓毒症患者机体外周血miR-223水平较高,且外周血miR-223与血清PCT、CRP呈正相关性,miR-223联合PCT、CRP可提高脓毒症诊断灵敏度、特异度。     

miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究

摘要 目的：探究miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究。方法：SPF级C57BL/6J ApoE^-/-雄性小鼠根据研究目的将实验小鼠分为对照组、AS模型组和miR-19抑制剂组。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉组织中miR-19的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析小鼠主动脉PTEN、HMGB1和AKT的蛋白表达。通过荧光素酶活性检测miR-19a与PTEN的靶向关系。通过组织学和红油O染色分析小鼠胸腹主动脉和主动脉窦中的AS斑块面积。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉主动脉弓内膜中促炎细胞因子和趋化因子的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析主动脉弓内膜中ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达。结果：AS模型组miR-19mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组miR-19mRNA表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组PTEN蛋白表达较对照组降低,HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组PTEN蛋白表达较AS模型组升高,miR-19抑制剂组HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较对照组增加（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较AS模型组减少（P<0.05）。AS模型组TNF-α、IL-β、IL-6和CXCL2的mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-β和CXCL2的mRNA表达较AS模型降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。结论：miR-19通过靶向调控PTEN表达激活HMGB1/PI3K/Akt信号通路,这可能会促进VSMCs的异常增殖、迁移和炎症反应,有助于AS的进展。     

抗炎合剂对脓毒症小鼠心肌损伤的保护作用及机制

摘要 目的：探讨抗炎合剂对脓毒症致心肌损伤的保护作用及可能机制。方法：将32只体重22～25 g的雄性C57小鼠随机分为4组：正常组、假手术组、模型组（脓毒症模型）、抗炎合剂组。采用盲肠结扎穿孔术（cecal ligation and puncture，CLP）建立脓毒症模型，模型组、抗炎合剂组在造模后分别用生理盐水、抗炎合剂（Anti-inflammation mixture，AIM）对大鼠进行干预。正常组：正常进食饮水；假手术组：假手术前每天给予生理盐水（1.4 mL/100 g），并腹腔注射生理盐水（5 mg/kg）每日1次，连续3日。第4日行假手术；模型组（CLP组）：CLP术前给予生理盐水（1.4 mL/100 g），每天1次，并腹腔注射生理盐水（5 mg/kg）每日1次，连续3日。第4日CLP；抗炎合剂组：CLP术前给予中药抗炎合剂（1.4 mL/100 g），每天1次，并腹腔注射生理盐水（5 mg/kg）每日1次，连续3日。第4日行CLP；各组分别于手术后24小时行标本采集，采用HE染色和TUNEL染色观察小鼠心肌组织损伤情况，同时检测小鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和炎症因子白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）水平。结果：与正常对照组或假手术组相比，CLP模型组小鼠的心肌组织出现大量炎性细胞浸润，心肌细胞凋亡率显著升高（P<0.01）；而抗炎合剂组相较于CLP模型组心肌细胞凋亡率显著下降（P<0.01）。与正常对照组或假手术组相比，CLP模型小鼠血清TNF-α、IL-1β水平显著升高（P<0.001），而中药抗炎合剂组TNF-α、IL-1β水平相较于模型组显著降低（P<0.01）。此外，与正常对照组和假手术组相比，模型组SIRT1 mRNA水平和蛋白表达水平显著降低，抗炎合剂显著提高SIRT1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结论：抗炎合剂可能通过提高SIRT1的表达，抑制CLP脓毒症小鼠的炎症反应，进而减轻心肌损伤。     

血清miR-34b-5p、miR-155表达与早产儿急性呼吸窘迫综合征炎症因子和预后的关系分析

摘要 目的：探讨血清微小核糖核酸（miR）-34b-5p、miR-155表达与早产儿急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）炎症因子和预后的关系。方法：选择2019年2月至2021年3月我院收治的92例ARDS早产儿,根据ARDS病情严重程度将其分为轻度组（31例）、中度组（43例）和重度组（18例）,追踪患儿临床结局,根据院内死亡情况将其分为存活组（51例）和死亡组（41例）。检测所有患儿的血清miR-34b-5p、miR-155表达水平以及白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）水平,比较各组间上述指标差异,分析ARDS早产儿血清miR-34b-5p、miR-155表达与炎症因子的相关性以及miR-34b-5p、miR-155预测ARDS早产儿预后的价值。结果：重度组miR-155表达水平及IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6水平均高于中度组和轻度组,且中度组高于轻度组（P＜0.05）,重度组miR-34b-5p表达水平低于中度组和轻度组,且中度组低于轻度组（P＜0.05）。死亡组miR-155表达水平及IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6水平高于存活组（P＜0.05）,死亡组miR-34b-5p表达水平低于存活组（P＜0.05）。ARDS早产儿miR-155表达水平与IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6水平均呈正相关,而miR-34b-5p表达水平与IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6水平均呈负相关（P＜0.05）。联合miR-34b-5p、miR-155预测ARDS早产儿死亡的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.853,高于两指标单独预测的0.688、0.649。结论：ARDS早产儿血清miR-34b-5p、miR-155表达水平与患儿血清炎症因子水平以及预后有关,可作为ARDS早产儿病情评估以及预后预测的潜在指标。     

七氟醚通过影响外周血miR-340水平逆转脓毒症大鼠巨噬细胞吞噬功能抑制状态的机制

摘要 目的：探究七氟醚通过影响外周血miR-340水平逆转脓毒症大鼠巨噬细胞吞噬功能抑制状态的机制。方法：60只雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠根据研究目的将大鼠分为对照组、脓毒症组和七氟醚组。通过RT-PCR分析各组大鼠外周血miR-340以及促炎因子IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA表达水平。统计各实验组大鼠的存活率。通过血琼脂平板对各组大鼠腹腔液和血液中的细菌进行计数。通过使用荧光显微镜测量吞噬率和吞噬指数。通过蛋白印迹分析p65和NF-κB的蛋白表达。结果：脓毒症组miR-340水平较对照组升高（P<0.05）,七氟醚组miR-340水平较脓毒症组降低（P<0.05）。三组不同时间点存活率相比差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;第4 d、8 d脓毒症组大鼠存活率较对照组大鼠降低（P<0.05）,七氟醚组大鼠存活率较脓毒症组升高（P<0.05）。脓毒症组IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,七氟醚组IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA表达较脓毒症组降低（P<0.05）。脓毒症组腹腔液和血液中的细菌数量较对照组升高（P<0.05）,七氟醚组腹腔液和血液中的细菌数量较脓毒症组减少（P<0.05）。血琼脂平板对各组大鼠腹腔液和血液中的细菌进行计数,脓毒症组腹腔液和血液中的细菌数量较对照组升高（P<0.05）,七氟醚组腹腔液和血液中的细菌数量较脓毒症组减少（P<0.05）。脓毒症组p65和NF-κB的蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,七氟醚组p65和NF-κB的蛋白表达较脓毒症组降低（P<0.05）。结论：miR-340参与了脓毒症大鼠巨噬细胞吞噬功能调节,七氟醚通过降低外周血miR-340水平减少内毒素诱导的大鼠促炎细胞因子的释放,并恢复巨噬细胞吞噬功能。     

六种藓类植物茎的比较解剖学研究

通过对6种藓类植物,即褶叶青藓(Brachythecium salebrosum(Web.et Mohr.)B.S.G.)、湿地匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum(Lindb.)Kop.)、侧枝匐灯藓(Plagiomnium maximoviczii(Lindb.)Kop.)、大凤尾藓(Fissidensnobilis Griff.)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium(Doz.et Molk.)B.S.G.)和大灰藓(Hypnum plumaeforme Wils.)嫩茎和老茎的石蜡切片和显微观察发现,同一藓类植株的嫩茎和老茎,茎结构稳定,不同种藓类植物茎横切面具有不同特征.植物体茎横切面形状、表层细胞的层数、细胞大小和细胞壁厚薄、皮层细胞大小和形状、中轴的有无以及比例等特征可以作为藓类植物的分科分类依据之一.     

Photoregulation of seed germination of wild-type and of an aurea-mutant of tomato

Seed germination of an aurea mutant of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is promoted by continuous irradiation with red, far-red or long-wavelength far-red (758 nm) light as well as by cyclic irradiations (5 min red or 5 min far-red/25 min darkness). Far-red light applied immediately after each red does not change the germination behaviour. Seed germination of the isogenic wild-type, cv. UC-105, is promoted by continuous and cyclic red light while it is inhibited by continuous and cyclic far-red light and by continious 758 nm irradiation. Far-red irradiation reverses almost completely the promoting effect of red light. The promoting effect (in the aurea mutant) and the inhibitory effect (in the wild-type) of continuous far-red light do not show photon fluence rate dependency above 20 nmol m⁻² s⁻¹. It is concluded that phytochrome controls tomato seed germination throgh low energy responses in both the wild type and the au mutant. The promoting effect of continuous and cyclic far-red light in the au mutant can be attributed to a greater sensitivity to P_fr.     

Cause of Senescence of Nine Sorts of Flowers

The levels of endogenous phytohormones and respiratory rate in nine sorts of flowers such as Cymbidium faberi Rolfe, Nopalxochia ackermannii Kunth and others were investigated both at full bloom and senescence and meanwhile the effect of exogenous phytohormones on prolonging the blossoms and promoting ethylene production were tested. There is a high content of endogenous ethylene in all the long-lived flowere, about 3–16 folds higer than the short-lived ones. There is a high level of ABA at full blooming flowers of short-lived flowers, in which there is no or only some cytokinins in it, but the ratio of CTK (6BA+zeatin)/ABA is smaller(l.7). The endogenous ABA reached a much higher level at senescence in all nine sorts of flowers, so it is reasonable to consider that it is ABA which plays an important role of regulation in controlling flower's senescence. There is a much higher level of GA3 and zeatin in the long-lived flowers which is not demonstrated in the shortlived ones. The respiratory rate is one of the factors controtling the longevity of flowers, but it does not play a decided role. Application of 6BA and zeatin prolongs distinctly orchid’s longevity, however exogenous IAA through the promotive action on ethylene production, evidently extends the longevity of the flowers of the Nopalxochia ackermannii Kunth.     

龙胆科药用植物化学成分的研究现状

龙胆科植物在我国的分布范围很广,且多数为药用植物,其多数种属的药用植物,至今其化学成分尚未被系统研究。综述了目前龙胆科药用植物的化学成分的研究现状及一般提取方法,对近年来发现的环烯醚萜及裂环烯醚萜类化合物进行了总结,为本科药用植物的更深入研究提供了参考。     

Interconnection of parameters of regulation system of lipid peroxidation and of morphophysiological parameters of mouse liver

A complex analysis of seasonal fluctuations of the mean group parameters of the system of regulation of lipid peroxidation has been performed in liver of Balb/c mice. Association of lipid characteristics and morphophysiological parameters is studied in the Balb/c mouse liver. An inter-connection is revealed between the liver index and the amount of lysoforms of phospholipids, the scale and character of the interconnection differing essentially depending on proportion of phos-phatidylcholine in mouse liver phospholipids.     

The effects of glutamine of the maintenance of embryogenic cultures of Cryptomeria japonica

Summary Embryogenic tissues of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) were induced on a modified Campbell and Durzan (CD) medium containing 1 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 600 mg l⁻¹ glutamine, and subcultured in the medium of the same composition for over 1 yr. This resulted in a mixed culture of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells. When embryogenic cells were isolated and cultured independently, their capacity to form embryogenic aggregates was lost. Thus, the non-embryogenic cells present within a mixed culture system were essential to the formation of embryogenic aggregates. When embryogenic tissues were isolated and cultured independently on a high glutamine-containing (2400 mg l⁻¹) medium, dry weights and endogenous levels of glutamine increased, and the tissue could generate a large number of embryogenic aggregates. Amino acid analysis of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells from the maintenance culture indicated a higher level of glutamine was present in the latter. The high endogenous level of glutamine in the non-embryogenic portion of mixed cell masses may be the supplier of glutamine for maintaining the embryogenic property of the tissues.     

Specificity of action of piperidylcholine derivatives as substrates of cholinesterases of various origin

The review deals with study of enzymologic properties of a novel highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate, N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium iodomethylate (“piperidylcholine”), and its 30 derivatives that were tested as effectors of cholinesterases of mammals and various species of Pacific squids. It was proven for the first time that responsible for specificity of action was structure of cyclic ammonium grouping of the alcohol part of molecule of the ester substrate. Analysis of specificity is performed based on enzymatic hydrolysis parameters—activity of catalytic center of cholinesterases and bimolecular constant of the reaction rate that are determined at optimal and low substrate concentrations. Among the specially synthesized group of thioester compounds there is revealed one more highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate—N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium.     

Physiological characteristics of various species of strains of carboxydobacteria

Seven strains of aerobic carbon monoxide-oxidizing bacteria (carboxydebacteria) when growing on CO as sole source of carbon and energy had doubling times which ranged from 12–42 h. The activity profiles obtained after discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation indicated that the CO-oxidizing enzymes are soluble and the hydrogenases are membrane-bound in all strains examined. The CO-oxidizing enzymes of Pseudomonas carboxydohydrogena, Pseudomonas carboxydoflava, Comamonas compransoris, and the so far unidentified strains OM2, OM3, and OM4 had a molecular weight of 230,000; that of Achromobacter carboxydus amounted to 170,000. The molecular weights of the CO-oxidizing and H₂-oxidizing enzymes turned out to be identical. The cell sonicates were shown to catalyze the oxidation of both CO and H₂ with methylene blue, thionine, phenazine methosulfate, toluylene blue, dichlorophenolindophenol, cytochrome c or ferricyanide as electron acceptors. Methyl viologen, benzyl viologen, FAD⁺, FMN⁺, and NAD(P)⁺ were not reduced. The spectrum of electron acceptors was identical for all strains tested. Neither free formate, hydrogen nor oxygen gas were involved in the CO-oxidation reaction. Methylene blue was reduced by CO at a 1:1 molar ratio. The results indicate that CO-oxidation by carboxydobacteria is catalyzed by identical or similar enzymes and that the reaction obeys the equation CO+H₂OCO₂+2H⁺+2e^- as previously shown for Pseudomonas carboxydovorans.Dedicated to Otto Kandler remembering almost three decades of enjoyable cooperation     

Modulation of allostery of pyruvate kinase by shifting of an ensemble of microstates

Since the introduction of the concepts of allostery about four decades ago, much advancement has been made in elucidating the structure-function correlation in allostery. However, there are still a number of issues that remain unresolved. In this review we used mammalian pyruvate kinase (PK) as a model system to understand the role of protein dynamics in modulating cooperativity. PK has a triosephosphate isomerase (TIM)(α/β)₈ barrel structural motif. PK is an ideal system to address basic questions regarding regulatory mechanisms about this common (α/β)₈ structural motif. The simplest model accounting for all of the solution thermodynamic and kinetic data on ligand-enzyme interactions involves two conformational states, inactive E^T and active E^R. These conformational states are represented by domain movements. Further studies provide the first evidence for a differential effect of ligand binding on the dynamics of the structural elements, not major secondary structural changes. These data are consistent with our model that allosteric regulation of PK is the consequence of perturbation of the distribution of an ensemble of states in which the inactive E^T and active E^R represent the two extreme end states. Sequence differences and ligands can modulate the distribution of states leading to alterations of functions. The future work includes: defining the network of functionally connected residues; elucidating the chemical principles governing the sequence differences which affect functions; and probing the nature of mutations on the stability of the secondary structural elements, which in turn modulate allostery.