第二信使分子c-di-AMP调控细菌中钾离子转运的机制

钾离子(K~+)是维持生命体存活的必需元素。原核生物进化出一系列K~+转运系统,如Kdp系统﹑Ktr系统和Trk系统等,来维持胞内相对恒定的K~+浓度。环二腺苷酸单磷酸(cyclic diadenosine monophosphate,c-di-AMP)是新发现的第二信使分子,可以与K~+转运系统中的KdpD、KtrA和TrkA结合。当胞内c-di-AMP浓度高时,c-di-AMP会与K~+转运蛋白结合,降低其转运活性。c-di-AMP的靶标除蛋白质外,还有RNA元件,即c-di-AMP的核糖开关。高浓度的c-di-AMP与其核糖开关结合后,可抑制下游K~+转运蛋白编码基因,如kdp、ktr和trk操纵子以及kup基因的转录,从而调控K~+的转运。总之,胞内高浓度的c-di-AMP抑制细菌对K~+的吸收。c-di-AMP调控K~+转运机制的研究,不仅丰富了K~+转运的调控方式,而且也扩大了c-di-AMP的调控范围,为细菌的利用与防治提供了新思路。     

盐度对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼渗透压调节和饥饿失重的影响

为探讨盐度对卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)渗透压调节的影响,研究了深水网箱养殖的卵形鲳鲹幼鱼鳃Na+-K+-ATP酶(NKA)活性,血浆、鳃和肾渗透压以及饥饿失重在盐度渐变条件下的反应。实验设5个盐度梯度组,分别为5、15、25、30和35。结果显示,鳃NKA活性除盐度15外都呈先下降后升高随之回落并趋于稳定的趋势,在2 d后的各时间节点随盐度变化呈"U"型分布;血浆渗透压在相同盐度下随时间延长呈先升高后下降再升高随后回落并趋于稳定,2 d后在各时间节点与盐度呈正相关关系,盐度30和35组的血浆渗透压显著高于其它盐度组(P0.05);肾脏对盐度变化的渗透调节比鳃敏感,在低盐度时(30以下),鰓和肾共同完成对渗透压的调节,在较高盐度(30以上),肾对渗透压的调节起主导作用。盐度变化对卵形鲳鲹的饥饿失重率有极显著的影响。研究表明,卵形鲳鲹幼鱼对盐度的渗透调节能力较强,在盐度5—35范围内的盐度变化均能适应,一般在1—2 d内可达到稳定,且更适于在低盐度水环境中生活。     

NHE基因家族的研究进展

Na⁺/H⁺交换泵(Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, NHE)是存在于所有脊椎动物细胞中的重要跨膜蛋白,该蛋白质涉及细胞的多种功能,包括细胞内pH值调节、细胞体积的控制以及离子转运等.目前已克隆了五个亚型NHE的cDNA,它们构成了脊椎动物细胞离子转运泵的一个基因家族. 这五个亚型的表达水平及活性可受多种因素的调节.在肿瘤、高血压及糖尿病等疾病中,已发现NHE-1亚型的表达水平和活性显著增高.因此,研究NHE-1的转录及活性调节机制,将可能为这些疾病的诊治提供新的手段.     

伪狂犬病病毒TK-/gG-缺失株的构建及其生物学特性研究

将伪狂犬病病毒TK^-/gG^-/LacZ⁺突变株的基因组DNA与含有缺失的gG基因的转移质粒pUSKBB共转染猪肾传代细胞PK-15,待完全病变后收获病毒进行空斑试验,用PCR筛选gG缺失的重组病毒。空斑纯化3次后,随机挑取空斑进行PCR扩增,证实所获得的病毒为均一的TK^-/gG^-缺失株。遗传稳定性试验表明该重组病毒能在PK-15细胞上稳定遗传,动物试验表明该缺失株对Balb/c小鼠极为安全且能保护Balb/c小鼠抵抗致死量PRV强毒的攻击。该突变株的获得为我国伪狂犬病的控制和根除奠定了基础。     

香蒲对不同浓度Pb~(2+)胁迫的生理应答及其细胞超微结构变化

通过室内水培试验,研究了不同浓度Pb2+(0、0.25、0.50、1.00和2.00mmol·L-1)胁迫对东方香蒲根和叶中Pb含量、叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT和POD)活性以及亚细胞结构的影响。结果显示:(1)随着外源Pb2+浓度的增加,Pb在香蒲根和叶中的积累量均显著高于对照,且Pb在根中的含量明显高于叶中,并与外源Pb2+浓度呈显著正相关关系。(2)香蒲叶片中的叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量随着外源Pb2+浓度的增加呈先升后降趋势,均在处理浓度为0.50mmol·L-1时达到峰值。(3)胁迫处理叶片的MDA含量与对照相比变化不显著,但根中MDA含量呈显著下降趋势。(4)叶片中SOD活性在1.00mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理时达到峰值,然后下降,但始终高于对照,CAT和POD活性则均低于对照组;根中SOD活性除1.00mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理组外均显著低于对照组,CAT和POD活性分别在0.25和0.50mmol·L-1 Pb2+处理时达到峰值,然后随处理Pb2+浓度升高而下降。(5)电镜观察发现,Pb2+胁迫使香蒲叶细胞中叶绿体被膜破裂,类囊体膨胀、破损;根和叶细胞中的线粒体被膜均破裂、内腔空泡化,细胞核核膜破损、核仁消失、染色质凝集。研究表明,Pb2+胁迫致使东方香蒲根、叶生理代谢失衡,亚细胞结构出现不可逆的损伤,这为从分子水平研究Pb2+作用的具体机理以及香蒲在重金属污染修复中的应用提供了依据。     

长苞香蒲对人工盐碱湿地Na+和K+的吸收与转运特征

为揭示长苞香蒲(Typha domingensis)对盐生湿地生态系统中Na⁺和K⁺的吸收与转运特征,探讨长苞香蒲对盐生湿地的生态修复效果,该研究采用人工模拟盐生湿地的方法,设置CK(对照)、T1(浇灌100 mmol·L^-1盐水)、T2(浇灌200 mmol·L^-1盐水)及T3(浇灌300 mmol·L^-1盐水)4种不同盐浓度的人工湿地生态系统,并分别于5月5日(开始盐胁迫处理,S0)、5月30日(S1)、6月30日(S2)和7月30日(S3)测量其株高和干重、植株地上与地下部分Na⁺和K⁺的含量以及底泥和水体中Na⁺和K⁺的含量以分析长苞香蒲对盐碱湿地的脱盐作用。结果表明:(1)各处理的长苞香蒲的株高和干重随着处理时间的延长呈增加趋势,但与CK 相比,各处理生长量随盐浓度升高出现下降趋势。(2)高浓度盐处理(T3)使长苞香蒲的地上部分和地下部分的Na⁺分别增加了2.56倍和1.75倍,地上部分及地下部分的K⁺含量分别降低了34.1%和35.8%。(3)地上部分和地下部分的Na⁺/K⁺在处理和对照间均随处理时间延长呈增加的趋势,选择性转移系数与Na⁺和K⁺转移系数总体随处理时间延长呈降低的趋势。(4)在S0至S3期间,长苞香蒲对处理组土壤Na⁺和K⁺的去除率为10.6%～15.8%和2.3%～12.8%,对处理组水体Na⁺和K⁺的去除率为55.0%～65.1%和1.6%～67.0%。综上表明,盐胁迫能影响长苞香蒲体内的Na⁺和 K⁺平衡,长苞香蒲能够有效地吸收Na⁺,并在一定盐浓度下能通过K⁺的交换将Na⁺从根部吸收转运至地上部分。因此,长苞香蒲可通过离子转运的形式完成对盐离子的吸收,可作为盐碱湿地生态修复的优良植物。     

Zn~(2+)对EGCG的结构和抑菌活性的影响

揭示耻垢分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium smegmatis mc~2155)和Zn~(2+)对表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(Epigallocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG)结构和生物学活性的影响,为开发高活性EGCG制剂奠定基础。首先利用HPLC检测EGCG和耻垢分枝杆菌相互作用后的含量和结构变化,进而化学合成EGCG-Zn~(2+),利用紫外吸收光谱法和HPLC方法鉴定EGCG被Zn~(2+)修饰前后的结构变化。最后采用纸片琼脂扩散法比较EGCG和EGCG-Zn~(2+)对耻垢分枝杆菌的抑制作用。EGCG与耻垢分枝杆菌相互作用18 h后,即出现不同的EGCG代谢物,且EGCG自身结构含量比例明显降低。EGCG与特定金属离子Zn~(2+)结合后,其最大吸收波长和吸收强度均有改变,且EGCG-Zn~(2+)在紫外吸收光区有明显的酚羟基吸收。HPLC结果表明, EGCG-Zn~(2+)能引起EGCG结构变化而导致保留时间延长。抑菌实验研究发现,EGCG-Zn~(2+)对耻垢分枝杆菌的抑菌作用弱于EGCG。研究表明,EGCG结构的稳定性容易受到细菌以及Zn~(2+)的影响,为EGCG的进一步研究开发提供线索。     

外源Ca~(2+)连续喷施时间对辣椒淹水胁迫的缓解效应研究

以‘博辣红牛’辣椒为材料,研究外源Ca~(2+)连续喷施不同天数对淹水胁迫下辣椒幼苗农艺性状和生理指标的影响,探讨Ca~(2+)对辣椒淹水胁迫伤害的缓解作用和适宜的喷施处理天数。结果显示:(1)辣椒幼苗生物量、壮苗指数、叶绿素、根系活力、脯氨酸、可溶性糖以及CAT和SOD活性随施Ca~(2+)天数的增加呈先升高后下降的趋势,MDA含量随施Ca~(2+)天数的增加呈先下降后上升的趋势。(2)施Ca~(2+)1d(T1d)处理对辣椒淹水胁迫伤害无明显缓解作用,连续施Ca~(2+)3d(T3d)和6d(T6d)处理的缓解效果不断增强,至连续施Ca~(2+)9d(T9d)时缓解效果达到最佳,随后连续施Ca~(2+)12d(T12d)和20d(T20d)处理的缓解效果又逐渐减弱,但仍显著优于T1d处理。研究表明,外源Ca~(2+)可以诱导增加淹水胁迫下辣椒幼苗渗透调节物质含量,上调抗氧化酶活性,降低叶绿素的降解,大幅提高根系活力,从而缓解淹水胁迫所造成的各种伤害,增强其忍耐淹水胁迫能力,并以连续施钙9d对淹水胁迫的缓解效果最佳。     

抗VacA+CagA+幽门螺杆菌IgY的抗感染作用研究*

为研究抗VacA⁺CagA⁺幽门螺杆菌(Hp)IgY的抗感染作用,以VacA⁺CagA+Hp为抗原免疫蛋鸡,聚乙二醇法和水稀释法从鸡卵黄中提取抗-VacA⁺CagA⁺Hp-IgY,酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)测定IgY抗体效价。建立胃腔感染VacA⁺CagAHp的昆明系小鼠模型,观察抗-VacA⁺CagA⁺     

β-烟酰胺单核苷酸合成研究进展

衰老过程中辅酶I-烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸（NAD⁺）水平下降被认为是导致疾病和残疾的主要原因。β-烟酰胺单核苷酸（NMN）是NAD⁺的直接前体,是提高细胞内NAD⁺水平的关键成分。口服补充NMN可以延缓、改善、防止与衰老相关的多种表型,改善代谢紊乱和老年疾病等。详细介绍了NMN的主要生理作用以及目前合成NMN的方法,包括化学法、微生物发酵法以及基于各种生物酶的体外合成方法。其中重点介绍了生物酶法的各种合成路线,并指出以烟酰胺核糖（NR）为基础的NMN的合成是最为理想的工艺路线,但转化工艺中涉及到的关键酶如烟酰胺核糖激酶（NRK）等的活性以及酶的稳定性需要进一步提高,才能达到降低生产成本的目的。     

Ca-dependent K channels in exocrine salivary glands

In the last 15 years, remarkable progress has been realized in identifying the genes that encode the ion-transporting proteins involved in exocrine gland function, including salivary glands. Among these proteins, Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels take part in key functions including membrane potential regulation, fluid movement and K⁺ secretion in exocrine glands. Two K⁺ channels have been identified in exocrine salivary glands: (1) a Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel of intermediate single channel conductance encoded by the KCNN4 gene, and (2) a voltage- and Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channel of large single channel conductance encoded by the KCNMA1 gene. This review focuses on the physiological roles of Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels in exocrine salivary glands. We also discuss interesting recent findings on the regulation of Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels by protein–protein interactions that may significantly impact exocrine gland physiology.     

The role of S100A4 protein in anticancer cytotoxicity: its presence is required on the surface of CD4+CD25+PGRPs+S100A4+ lymphocyte and undesirable on the surface of target cells

S100A4 is a Ca²⁺-binding protein that performs an important role in metastasis. It is also known for its antitumor functions. S100A4 is expressed by a specialized subset of CD⁴⁺CD²⁵⁺ lymphocytes and is present on those cell's membranes along with peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs). There, by interacting with major heat shock protein Hsp70, S100A4 plays an important cytotoxic role. The resulting stably formed complex of PGRPs, S100A4 and Hsp70 is required for the identification and binding between a lymphocyte and a target cell. Here, we investigated the S100A4 functions in CD⁴⁺CD²⁵⁺PGRPs⁺S100A4⁺ lymphocyte cytotoxicity against target cells. We demonstrated that those lymphocytes do not form a stable complex with the tumor target cells that themselves have S1004A on their surface. That observation can be explained by our finding that S100A4 precludes the formation of a stable complex between PGRPs, S100A4 (on the lymphocytes’ surface), and Hsp70 (on the target cells’ surface). The decrease in S100A4 level in CD⁴⁺CD²⁵⁺PGRPs⁺S100A4⁺ lymphocytes inhibits their cytotoxic activity, while the addition of S100A4 in the medium restores it. Thus, the resistance of target cells to CD⁴⁺CD²⁵⁺PGRPs⁺ S100A4⁺ lymphocyte cytotoxicity depends on their S100A4 expression level and can be countered by S100A4 antibodies.     

Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase β1 subunit interacts with M2 proteins of influenza A and B viruses and affects the virus replication

Interplay between the host and influenza virus has a pivotal role for the outcome of infection. The matrix proteins M2/BM2 from influenza (A and B) viruses are small type III integral membrane proteins with a single transmembrane domain, a short amino-terminal ectodomain and a long carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic domain. They function as proton channels, mainly forming a membrane-spanning pore through the transmembrane domain tetramer, and are essential for virus assembly and release of the viral genetic materials in the endosomal fusion process. However, little is known about the host factors which interact with M2/BM2 proteins and the functions of the long cytoplasmic domain are currently unknown. Starting with yeast two-hybrid screening and applying a series of experiments we identified that the β1 subunit of the host Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase β1 subunit (ATP1B1) interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of both the M2 and BM2 proteins. A stable ATP1B1 knockdown MDCK cell line was established and we showed that the ATP1B1 knockdown suppressed influenza virus A/WSN/33 replication, implying that the interaction is crucial for influenza virus replication in the host cell. We propose that influenza virus M2/BM2 cytoplasmic domain has an important role in the virus-host interplay and facilitates virus replication.     

Microbial βγ-crystallins

βγ-Crystallins have emerged as a superfamily of structurally homologous proteins with representatives across the domains of life. A major portion of this superfamily is constituted by members from microorganisms. This superfamily has also been recognized as a novel group of Ca²⁺-binding proteins with huge diversity. The βγ domain shows variable properties in Ca²⁺ binding, stability and association with other domains. The various members present a series of evolutionary adaptations culminating in great diversity in properties and functions. Most of the predicted βγ-crystallins are yet to be characterized experimentally. In this review, we outline the distinctive features of microbial βγ-crystallins and their position in the βγ-crystallin superfamily.     

Localized activation of proteins in a free intracellular space: dependence of cellular morphologies and reaction schemes

Localized activation of proteins in a cell is crucial for the segregation of cellular functions leading, for example, to the development of polarized cells and chemotaxis. If there is a physical diffusion barrier, localized activation of proteins will emerge. In case of no physical barrier, however, it is not clear to what extent the protein activation is localized within a three dimensional intracellular space. In the previous report we showed a simulation result of localized activation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) within a dendritic spine of a neuron, and this localization was enhanced by the diffusion of calmodulin. However, a dendritic spine will act as a physical diffusion barrier. Here, we report that the localization of activated proteins is seen in more simplified morphology with no diffusion barrier. Furthermore, this localization was seen with a simple reaction scheme. In case that a Ca²⁺ source was located at the center of the spherical cell with diameter of 20 μm, which is the extreme case without any physical diffusion barrier, the simulation results showed localized activation of a protein around the Ca²⁺ source. This localized activation was also enhanced by the diffusion of calmodulin. These localizations were not blurred with time within the tested time range. The reason for the increase in the localization by the diffusion of calmodulin was the replenishment of free calmodulin from surrounding regions. These simulation results indicate that the localized activation of proteins emerges in biological cells without any physical diffusion barrier, and the replenishment of proteins by diffusion can act as an enhancer of localized activation of downstream proteins.     

The detection and functions of RNA modification m6A based on m6A writers and erasers

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most frequent chemical modification in eukaryotic mRNA and is known to participate in a variety of physiological processes, including cancer progression and viral infection. The reversible and dynamic m⁶A modification is installed by m⁶A methyltransferase (writer) enzymes and erased by m⁶A demethylase (eraser) enzymes. m⁶A modification recognized by m⁶A binding proteins (readers) regulates RNA processing and metabolism, leading to downstream biological effects such as promotion of stability and translation or increased degradation. The m⁶A writers and erasers determine the abundance of m⁶A modifications and play decisive roles in its distribution and function. In this review, we focused on m⁶A writers and erasers and present an overview on their known functions and enzymatic molecular mechanisms, showing how they recognize substrates and install or remove m⁶A modifications. We also summarize the current applications of m⁶A writers and erasers for m⁶A detection and highlight the merits and drawbacks of these available methods. Lastly, we describe the biological functions of m⁶A in cancers and viral infection based on research of m⁶A writers and erasers and introduce new assays for m⁶A functionality via programmable m⁶A editing tools.     

The ancient cell death suppressor BAX inhibitor-1

Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) was initially identified for its ability to inhibit BAX-induced apoptosis in yeast cells and is the founding member of a family of highly hydrophobic proteins localized in diverse cellular membranes. It is evolutionarily conserved and orthologues from plants can substitute for mammalian BI-1 in regard to its anti-apoptotic function suggesting a high degree of functional conservation. BI-1 interacts with BCL-2 and BCL-XL and, similar to these two anti-apoptotic proteins, the effect of BI-1 on cell death involves changes in the amount of Ca²⁺ releasable from intracellular stores. However, BI-1 is also a negative regulator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor IRE1 α, it interacts with G-actin and increases actin polymerization, enhances cancer metastasis by altering glucose metabolism and activating the sodium-hydrogen exchanger, and reduces the production of reactive oxygen species through direct interaction with NADPH-P450 reductase. In this contribution, we summarize what is known about the expression, intracellular localization and structure of BI-1 and specifically illuminate its effects on the intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and how this might relate to its other functions. We also present a thorough phylogenetic analysis of BI-1 proteins from major phyla together with paralogues from all BI-1 family members.     

ORAI-mediated calcium influx in T cell proliferation, apoptosis and tolerance

Ca²⁺ homeostasis controls a diversity of cellular processes including proliferation and apoptosis. A very important aspect of Ca²⁺ signaling is how different Ca²⁺ signals are translated into specific cell functions. In T cells, Ca²⁺ signals are induced following the recognition of antigen by the T cell receptor and depend mainly on Ca²⁺ influx through store-operated CRAC channels, which are mediated by ORAI proteins following their activation by STIM proteins. The complete absence of Ca²⁺ influx caused by mutations in Stim1 and Orai1 leads to severe immunodeficiency. Here we summarize how Ca²⁺ signals are tuned to regulate important T cell functions as proliferation, apoptosis and tolerance, the latter one being a special state of immune cells in which they can no longer respond properly to an otherwise activating stimulus. Perturbations of Ca²⁺ signaling may be linked to immune suppressive diseases and autoimmune diseases.