NPC1L1:固醇脂质吸收的关键蛋白质

NPC1L1是最近发现的一种与NPC1同源的蛋白质。在体内的分布有物种差异性,其亚细胞定位存在很大争议。近些年发现NPC1L1在固醇类脂质代谢途径中起着重要作用,是肠道吸收固醇类脂质尤其是胆固醇的关键蛋白质,这项新发现使得人们对固醇类脂质的吸收机制有了了解。高胆固醇血症是心血管系统疾病的一个高危因子,因此,对NPC1L1的研究具有重大的实际意义,正逐渐成为研究的热点。     

Stoichiometry studies reveal functional properties of KDC1 in plant shaker potassium channels

Functional heteromeric plant Shaker potassium channels can be formed by the assembly of subunits from different tissues, as well as from diverse plant species. KDC1 (K(+) Daucus carota 1) produces inward-rectifying currents in Xenopus oocytes when coexpressed with KAT1 and other subunits appertaining to different plant Shaker subfamilies. Owing to the presence of KDC1, resulting heteromeric channels display slower activation kinetics, a shift of the activation threshold toward more negative membrane potentials and current potentiation upon the addition of external zinc. Despite available information on heteromerization of plant Shaker channels, very little is known to date on the properties of the various stoichiometric configurations formed by different subunits. To investigate the functional properties of heteromeric nKDC1/mKAT1 configurations, we realized a series of dimeric constructs combining KDC1 and KAT1 alpha-subunits. We found that homomeric channels, formed by monomeric or dimeric alpha-subunit constructs, show identical biophysical characteristics. Coinjections of diverse tandem constructs, instead, displayed significantly different currents proving that KDC1 has high affinity for KAT1 and participates in the formation of functional channels with at most two KDC1 subunits, whereas three KDC1 subunits prevented the formation of functional channels. This article brings a contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating plant Shaker channel functionality by association of modulatory subunits.     

Variation in salinity tolerance and shoot sodium accumulation in Arabidopsis ecotypes linked to differences in the natural expression levels of transporters involved in sodium transport

Salinity tolerance can be attributed to three different mechanisms: Na⁺ exclusion from the shoot, Na⁺ tissue tolerance and osmotic tolerance. Although several key ion channels and transporters involved in these processes are known, the variation in expression profiles and the effects of these proteins on Na⁺ transport in different accessions of the same species are unknown. Here, expression profiles of the genes AtHKT1;1, AtSOS1, AtNHX1 and AtAVP1 are determined in four ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. Not only are these genes differentially regulated between ecotypes, the expression levels of the genes can be linked to the concentration of Na⁺ in the plant. An inverse relationship was found between AtSOS1 expression in the root and total plant Na⁺ accumulation, supporting a role for AtSOS1 in Na⁺ efflux from the plant. Similarly, ecotypes with high expression levels of AtHKT1;1 in the root had lower shoot Na⁺ concentrations, due to the hypothesized role of AtHKT1;1 in retrieval of Na⁺ from the transpiration stream. The inverse relationship between shoot Na⁺ concentration and salinity tolerance typical of most cereal crop plants was not demonstrated, but a positive relationship was found between salt tolerance and levels of AtAVP1 expression, which may be related to tissue tolerance.     

人骨髓间充质干细胞向神经细胞分化过程中Notch通路信号分子表达的变化

本研究探讨Noah信号通路在人骨髓间充质干细胞（human mesenchymal stem cells,hMSCs）体外增殖及向神经细胞分化过程中的作用。采集健康自愿者骨髓,体外培养获得hMSCs,取第3代hMSCs,在诱导剂（β-ME,DMSO,BHA）作用下向神经细胞分化。诱导后用免疫细胞化学鉴定神经元特异性烯醇化酶（neuron-specific enolase,NSE）和尼氏体的表达以确定诱导效果：用流式细胞术检测细胞生长周期时相的变化。在诱导前后,用免疫荧光和RT-PCR方法检测Notch通路中Notch1受体蛋白、配体Jagged1（JAG1）、调节蛋白活化相关物早老素1（presenilin 1,PS1）、靶基因hairy and enhancer of split1（HES1）信号分子表达的变化。结果显示：诱导前,处于G0/G1期的hMSCs占58．5％,S＋G2/M期的细胞占41．5％;诱导后,G0/G1期细胞比例升高,而S＋G2/M期细胞比例下降,NSE阳性细胞率达（77±0．35）％,细胞质中可见深蓝色的块状或颗粒状尼氏体。免疫荧光显示,诱导前后hMSCs内Notch1和JAG1均呈阳性表达,但RT-PCR检测发现诱导后Notch1、JAG1、PSl和HES1 mRNA表达量较诱导前明显降低（均P〈0．05）。结果表明,诱导hMSCs向神经细胞分化能抑制Notch信号分子表达,低水平的Notch信号激活可能有利于神经细胞的分化。     

Carboxamide SIRT1 inhibitors block DBC1 binding via an acetylation-independent mechanism

SIRT1 is an NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase that counteracts multiple disease states associated with aging and may underlie some of the health benefits of calorie restriction. Understanding how SIRT1 is regulated in vivo could therefore lead to new strategies to treat age-related diseases. SIRT1 forms a stable complex with DBC1, an endogenous inhibitor. Little is known regarding the biochemical nature of SIRT1-DBC1 complex formation, how it is regulated and whether or not it is possible to block this interaction pharmacologically. In this study, we show that critical residues within the catalytic core of SIRT1 mediate binding to DBC1 via its N-terminal region, and that several carboxamide SIRT1 inhibitors, including EX-527, can completely block this interaction. We identify two acetylation sites on DBC1 that regulate its ability to bind SIRT1 and suppress its activity. Furthermore, we show that DBC1 itself is a substrate for SIRT1. Surprisingly, the effect of EX-527 on SIRT1-DBC1 binding is independent of DBC1 acetylation. Together, these data show that protein acetylation serves as an endogenous regulatory mechanism for SIRT1-DBC1 binding and illuminate a new path to developing small-molecule modulators of SIRT1.     

Enhancement of hepatic microsomal drug oxidation and glucuronidation in rat by 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT)

A single dose of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) (160 mg/kg i.p.) enhanced the monooxygenase step of drug biotransformation in rat liver. The O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole was especially increased, a peak in activity approximately 5-fold compared with controls being attained in 7 days. On the other hand, there was only a 2-fold increase in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity.DDT increased the cytochrome P-450 content of the liver, this increase coincided well with that in p-nitroanisole O-demethylation activity.The UDPglucuronosyltransferase activity of liver microsomes was not enhanced by DDT administration, unless the microsomes were pretreated to reveal latent activity prior to assay. After trypsin digestion of microsomes a maximum increase in activity of approximately 3-fold was observed as a result of DDT dosage. The canonic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride was less active in revealing the latent UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity, and two other membrane perturbants, the detergent digitonin and phospholipase A, were unable to show enhancement in UDPglucuronosyltransferase as a result of DDT dosage.     

粘膜系统鳞状细胞癌(SCC)相关蛋白(DCUN1D1)的表达、纯化和晶体生长

目的:SCCRO/RP42/DCUN1D1是粘膜系统鳞片状细胞癌(SCC)发生时人类基因组3q区域扩增的潜在靶标之一,其蛋白作用机制尚不清楚,本文拟通过表达并大量纯化SCC相关蛋白DCUN1D1用于蛋白结晶以求获得其三维结构。方法:使用人肝脑组织RNA反转录产物为模板扩增出DCUN1D1基因cDNA片断并将其克隆至原核表达载体PGEX-6P-1中,通过IPTG诱导获得大量可溶性表达,再经过GST亲和层析和Sephadex G-200层析柱纯化。结果:获得了纯度95%以上的蛋白,采用悬滴气相扩散法筛选蛋白晶体,获得显微镜下可见的微晶。结论:初步得出DCUN1D1晶体生长条件及范围,为解析DCUN1D1的三维结构并进一步认识其生物功能奠定了基础。     

CYP1A1基因单核苷酸多态性与肺癌的相关性研究

目的:探讨代谢酶CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性与新疆汉族人群肺癌遗传易感性之间的相关性.方法:应用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)-限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)技术检测59例新疆汉族肺癌和84例新疆汉族健康人的CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性分布频率,并分析了CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性与新疆汉族人群肺癌遗传易感性和患者性别之间的相关性.结果:(1)CYP1A1基因MspI位点3种多态基因型分布频率在两组间比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.682,P=0.035),CC基因型在病例组的分布频率显著高于正常对照组.(2)携带突变CC基因型的个体较携带TT基因型的个体患肺癌的危险性增加(OR=3.759.95%CI=1.228-11.494,P=0.035).(3)男女肺癌患者的CYP1A1基因MspI位点基因型及等位基因频率的差异均无显著性(P>0.05).结论:(1)CC突变基因型可能是新疆汉族人群的肺癌易感因素.(2)CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性可能与新疆汉族肺癌患者的性别无关.     

eEF1A1基因克隆、原核分泌表达及融合蛋白纯化

eEF1A1作为蛋白合成中的重要翻译延伸因子,可与多种功能性蛋白如F-actin、BPOZ-2结合,并在细胞凋亡、蛋白降解方面起重要作用.以往原核基因工程蛋白表达系统大多为包涵体表达的变性分子,需要复性.为了获得eEF1A1原核分泌性可溶性蛋白分子,克隆了人eEF1A1蛋白编码序列(约1 300 bp),并成功构建pET22b-A原核分泌表达重组质粒,转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株,0.4 mmol/L终浓度IPTG诱导,经不同温度下包涵体与胞浆蛋白组分分析,快速明确蛋白表达情况,即诱导4 h后,37℃表达于包涵体组分,在30℃分泌表达至胞浆组分.通过His-Trap亲和层析纯化柱进行线性洗脱,Bradford法测定蛋白浓度高达620 mg/mL,SDS-PAGE分析纯度约为95%,蛋白大小符合50 kD,Western blotting显示目的蛋白能被eEF1A1抗体识别;质谱分析证实重组蛋白为人eEF1A1蛋白分子.为进一步研究其与重要功能性蛋白的相互作用及在细胞凋亡和蛋白降解中的作用奠定基础.     

细胞色素P450 1A1基因多态性与我国某些肿瘤遗传易感性

近年来有关细胞色素P450基因多态性与肿瘤遗传易感性的研究正日益吸引越来越多的关注,本文对我国近年来有关细胞色素P450 1A1(CYP1Al)基因多态性与几种肿瘤遗传易感性的研究进行探讨,推测我国几种高发病率肿瘤的发生与我国CYP1A1基因多态分布状况有关,以此为进一步研究CYP1A1与肿瘤的关系作参考。     

达菲药物对H1N1病毒作用研究

甲型H1N1病毒在全世界范围内爆发,引起人们广泛关注,而目前疫苗和新的药物正处于研发阶段,与此同时该病毒神经氨酸酶蛋白序列不断被报道。达菲作为治疗H1N1病毒的药物被患者广泛使用。通过同源性建模的方法比较神经氨酸酶的变异情况,从而预测达菲药物对变异前后的作用效果评价。通过AUTODOCK计算结合能,发现达菲药物与神经氨酸酶的结合能维持在2.4～4.2 kJ/mol范围内,动力学常数最高值达到18.2 mM。证明达菲药物对抑制病毒进入寄主细胞有明显效果。     

一个中国Gilbert综合征家系的遗传学分析

对一个中国汉族Gilbert综合征遗传家系致病基因突变位点进行鉴定,以期了解该病的分子遗传学基础。首先提取先证者基因组DNA,PCR扩增尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖醛酸转移酶UGT1A1基因的5个外显子,以琼脂糖电泳鉴定PCR产物,纯化后直接测序鉴定。基因扫描显示,与血清胆红素水平密切相关的UGT1A1基因在第1和第5外显子存在纯合突变,而 UGT1A1基因启动子区域和内含子/外显子剪接边界位点序列未检测到突变。进一步对其他家系成员该基因的相应位点进行突变检测,结果显示他们在第1和第5外显子也存在杂合突变,其中还有两个成员在启动子区域检测到(TA)插入突变。对家系成员未抗凝新鲜血液进行生化检测证实了基因突变分析的结果。综合以上结果发现该家系三种突变并存,致病因素为第1和/或第5外显子突变,为显性遗传,两种突变位点纯合导致先证者出现严重胆红素代谢功能障碍。该家系因此成为Gilbert综合征突变位点及其致病机理研究的一个典型临床病例。     

Molecular dialogues between viruses and receptor-like kinases in plants

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) play a prominent role in the interaction between plants and extracellular pathogens. Intriguingly, in the past few years several studies have demonstrated that a number of RLKs influence plant susceptibility to viruses and, in some cases, interact with viral proteins. In this review, we will summarize and discuss recent advances suggesting a direct role for RLKs in plant–virus interactions.     

Growth reference charts and the nutritional status of Indian children

We evaluate the growth performance of Indian children of age 0-3 using data from the 1998-1999 National Family and Health Survey, making use of the new child growth standards developed by the World Health Organization’ Multicentre Growth Reference Study. We find that the new charts lead to an increase of 4.2 million in the estimated number of stunted children, and an increase of 2.3 million in the estimated number of wasted children. The estimated number of underweight children decreases instead by 2.1 million. We also use data on ethnic Indians living in the United Kingdom to provide evidence on the height genetic potential of Indians. We find that children of Indian ethnicity who live in the UK have anthropometric outcomes comparable to those in commonly used growth standards and that the height of ethnic South Asian in the sample is negatively related with the amount of time spent outside the United Kingdom.     

For better or worse: Relationship status and body mass index

Recent increases in the incidence of obesity and declines in marriage have prompted policymakers to implement policies to mitigate these trends. This paper examines the link between these two outcomes. There are four hypotheses (selection, protection, social obligation and marriage market) that might explain the relationship between marital status transitions and changes in Body Mass Index (BMI). The selection hypothesis suggests that those with a lower BMI are more likely to be selected into marriage. The protection hypothesis states that married adults will have better physical health as a result of the increased social support and reduced incidence of risky behavior among married individuals. The social obligation hypothesis states that those in relationships may eat more regular meals and/or richer and denser foods due to social obligations which may arise because of marriage. Finally, the marriage market hypothesis indicates that when adults are no longer in the marriage market they may not maintain a healthy BMI because doing so is costly and they are in a stable union—or on the other hand, adults may enhance their prospects in the marriage market by losing weight. Taking advantage of longitudinal data and complete marriage histories in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, we estimate individual fixed effects models to examine associations between the change in log BMI and the incidence of overweight and obesity, and changes in relationship status controlling for the effects of aging and other respondent characteristics. We find no support for the marriage protection hypothesis. Rather we find evidence supporting the social obligation and marriage market hypotheses—BMI increases for both men and women during marriage and in the course of a cohabiting relationship. Separate analyses by race and ethnicity reveal substantial differences in the response of BMI to relationship status across these groups.     

Occurrence of two different endorphins in the salmon pituitary

Two endorphins have been identified in the teleost pituitary, $\text{Oncorhynchus}\text{keta}$ (chum salmon). Endorphin I is a nonacosa peptide and the primary structure was reported previously. Endorphin II has been elucidated to be a triaconta peptide with the following primary structure: Ac-Tyr-Gly-Gly- Phe-Met-Lys-Ser-Trp-Asn-Glu-Arg-Ser-Gln-Lys-Pro-Leu-Leu-Thr- Leu-Phe-Lys-Asn-Val-Ile-Ile-Lys-Asp-Gly-Gln-Gln-OH. It is evident that these endorphins are highly homologous to each other, but are different molecules, and that endorphin II is much more similar to the mammalian endorphins than endorphin I.     

三氯乙烷污染环境中脱卤素杆菌的多样性

三氯乙烷(1,1,1-Trichloroethane,TCA)是一种易挥发的氯代烃,密度大于水,曾作为金属清洗剂和高效溶剂在工业上广泛应用.近年来三氯乙烷对环境及人类健康的危害引起人们的关注,其自然分解过程较为困难,在环境中的存在具有一定的持久性.由于不合理的排放和意外泄漏等原因,三氯乙烷已成为地下水中最普遍的污染物之一,严重威胁生态系统和人体健康,是美国环保署(EPA)所确定的优先污染物.研究表明,Peptococcaceae科的脱卤素杆菌属(Dehalobacter)细菌纯培养物或含有Dehalobacter的混合培养物可催化三氯乙烷及1,1,-二氯乙烷还原脱氯,在其降解过程中起关键作用[1 3],并可利用含有Dehalobacter的菌群对三氯乙烷污染场地进行生物治理[4],其中Dehalobacter 16SrRNA基因的特异性探针被用作生物标记物来评价三氯乙烷污染场地的生物降解潜能[4-5].