Cofilin 1-mediated biphasic F-actin dynamics of neuronal cells affect herpes simplex virus 1 infection and replication

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) invades the nervous system and causes pathological changes. In this study, we defined the remodeling of F-actin and its possible mechanisms during HSV-1 infection of neuronal cells. HSV-1 infection enhanced the formation of F-actin-based structures in the early stage of infection, which was followed by a continuous decrease in F-actin during the later stages of infection. The disruption of F-actin dynamics by chemical inhibitors significantly reduced the efficiency of viral infection and intracellular HSV-1 replication. The active form of the actin-depolymerizing factor cofilin 1 was found to increase at an early stage of infection and then to continuously decrease in a manner that corresponded to the remodeling pattern of F-actin, suggesting that cofilin 1 may be involved in the biphasic F-actin dynamics induced by HSV-1 infection. Knockdown of cofilin 1 impaired HSV-1-induced F-actin assembly during early infection and inhibited viral entry; however, overexpression of cofilin 1 did not affect F-actin assembly or viral entry during early infection but decreased intracellular viral reproduction efficiently. Our results, for the first time, demonstrated the biphasic F-actin dynamics in HSV-1 neuronal infection and confirmed the association of F-actin with the changes in the expression and activity of cofilin 1. These results may provide insight into the mechanism by which HSV-1 productively infects neuronal cells and causes pathogenesis.     

Comparative proteomic and radiobiological analyses in human lung adenocarcinoma cells

In clinic, many non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receive radiation therapy after chemotherapy failure. However, whether the multidrug resistance (MDR) can elevate the radioresistance (RDR) remains unclear. To evaluate the MDR's effect on the RDR, screen MDR- and RDR-related proteins in human lung adenocarcinoma (HLA) cells and tissues A549, and A549/DDP cells after irradiation were analyzed by colony-forming assay and flow cytometry. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were utilized to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between them. The value of D0, Dq, and SF2 increased, the mean percentage in G2 phase and apoptosis rate significantly decreased in A549/DDP cells compared with A549 cells. 40 DEP points were found, and among them 27 were identified through proteomics. Four up-regulated proteins (HSPB1, Vimentin, Cofilin-1, and Annexin A4) in MDR cells compared with non-MDR cells, were confirmed by Western blot. Immuno-histochemistry showed that they were also over-expressed in MDR tissues compared with non-MDR counterparts of HLA. These results proved that the MDR in HLA cells and tissues increased the RDR. HSPB1, Vimentin, Cofilin-1, and Annexin A4 are potential biomarkers for predicting HLA response to MDR and RDR, and novel treatment targets of HLA.     

A natural compound induced cardiogenic differentiation of endogenous MSCs for repair of infarcted heart

An intra-myocardial injection of a cardiogenic factor (cardiogenin) was reported to induce myocardial regeneration of exogenous mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) origin. In this study, replacement of the dangerous intra-myocardial injection with a safe method and whether the endogenous MSCs contribute to the cardiogenin-mediated myocardial regeneration were investigated. Bone marrow transplantation with labeled MSCs was performed in rats, which were subsequently subject to a permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery one week after the transplantation. The rats were then treated with the cardiogenin through oral administration for 2 weeks. We not only demonstrated the substantial therapeutic effects of cardiogenin on myocardial infarction through an oral administration, but also provided direct evidences that the bone marrow derived endogenous MSCs are the major cellular source of the regenerating myocardium. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that miR-9 and its target E-cadherin may be required for intercalated disc formation.     

Laparoscope resection of ectopic corticosteroid-secreting adrenal adenoma

Tumors originating from ectopic adrenal tissue are relatively rare. In this article, we describe a case with Cushing's syndrome caused by an ectopic adrenal adenoma. A 38 year-old male patient presenting with cushingoid appearance for 2 years was diagnosed to have ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome based on endocrinological evaluation. Mutiple radiological examinations detected bilateral adrenal atrophy. When the images were investigated in a more expanded scope, a 3.0×3.5×5.3?cm mass was detected in the anterior of left renal hilum and left renal vein. The mass was successfully resected with intraoperative endoscopy and pathological evaluation revealed an ectopic adrenal tumor. It is suggested that when the endocrinlogically confirmed adrenal neoplasm could not be well and definitely localized, the possibility of ectopic adrenal should be presumed and further radiography examinations should extend to the field where ectopic adrenal usually presents.     

Seasonal changes in body mass, energy intake and thermogenesis in Maximowiczi’s voles (Microtus maximowiczii) from the Inner Mongolian grassland

Small mammals inhabiting temperate and arctic regions exhibit annual adaptive adjustments in physiology, anatomy, and behavior. No data on the physiology of Maximowicz’s voles (Microtus maximowiczii) are available at present. Here we examined the seasonal changes in body mass, food intake, thermogenic capacity, serum leptin and thyroid hormone levels in wild-captured individuals from Inner Mongolian grassland, China. We further examined the effects of photoperiod on these parameters. Energy intake, resting metabolic rate, nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), and serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels increased while serum leptin and body mass decreased in the cold seasons. Serum T3 levels were positively correlated with NST and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) contents in brown adipose tissue, and leptin levels were negatively correlated with energy intake and resting metabolic rate. Furthermore, laboratory data showed these changes could be induced by short photoperiod alone. Taken together, our results indicate that Maximowicz’s voles can increase thermogenic capacity and energy intake to cope with cold stress. Serum leptin seems to be involved in the regulation of energy intake and changes in T3 level may be important for the variations in NST and/or UCP1. Short photoperiod can serve as a seasonal cue for the winter acclimatization of energy balance in free-living Maximowicz’s voles.     

A thermostable recombinant transaldolase with high activity over a broad pH range

Thermophilic enzymes are in high demand for various applications due to their prolonged lifetimes and high reaction rates at elevated temperatures. In this work, an open reading frame TM0295, which encodes a putative transaldolase (TAL) from a hyper-thermophilic microorganism, Thermotoga maritima, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme activity of transaldolase at high temperatures (e.g., at 80 °C) was reported here for the first time. The recombinant T. maritima transaldolase was extremely thermostable, with a half-life time of 198 and 13.0 h at 60 °C and 80 °C, respectively. The estimated total turn-over number was 1.5 × 10⁶ mol of product per mol of enzyme at 80 °C. This enzyme also exhibited high activities within a broad pH range of 6.0–9.0. This ultra-thermostable TAL with high activity shows great potential for use in such applications as the production of enzymatic biofuels production and the synthesis of high-value carbohydrates by cell-free synthetic pathway biotransformation.     

微小RNA与肺癌耐药

肺癌细胞对化疗药物产生耐药性是目前肺癌化疗过程中遇到的主要问题。微小RNA（miRNA）是一类内源性非编码短链小分子RNA,它能调节细胞生长、凋亡和信号转导。miRNA的多态性与药物代谢和耐药形成密切相关,异常表达的miRNA对预测肺癌化疗药物敏感性有重要作用。调节特异miRNA的表达,将为克服肺癌耐药和选择个体化治疗开辟新的途径。     

毛白杨蔗糖合酶基因PtSUS1的克隆及其表达模式分析

蔗糖合酶（sucrose synthase）与植物库强调节、次生壁的形成和纤维素合成等有着密切的联系,其中在纤维素合成过程中的作用尤为显著。本研究根据我们已获得的毛白杨PtSUS1基因片段设计引物,采用RACE技术,获得了毛白杨PtSUS1的基因序列,测序结果显示该基因序列全长为2 669 bp,包括一个完整的阅读框,编码805个氨基酸。通过Blast检索分析表明,PtSUS1与拟南芥、巨桉、陆地棉、温州蜜柑、毛果杨SUS1的核酸和氨基酸序列的同源性分别达到76%~97%和82%~97%。运用生物信息软件对PtSUS1编码的蛋白进行了二级结构预测和功能位点分析,结果显示该蛋白氨基酸序列包括两个功能域,存在可能的磷酸化位点38个,无跨膜结构域存在。系统进化分析表明PtSUS1与PtSUS2关系最为接近。RT-PCR分析结果显示,PtSUS1在被检测的毛白杨根、茎、叶及雌雄花芽组织和器官中均有表达,呈现组成型表达模式。该研究为进一步深入探索毛白杨蔗糖合酶基因PtSUS1的功能奠定了基础。