PU.1, a novel capase-3 substrate, partially contributes to chemotherapeutic agents-induced apoptosis in leukemic cells

PU.1 is one of key regulators of hematopoietic cell development, a tightly-regulated lineage-specific process. Here we provide the first evidence that PU.1 protein is cleaved into two fragments of 24 kDa and 16 kDa during apoptosis progression in leukemic cell lines and primary leukemic cells. Further experiments with specific capase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-fmk and the in vitro proteolytic system confirmed that PU.1 is a direct target of caspase-3. Using site-directed mutagenesis analyses, the aspartic acid residues at positions 97 and 151 of PU.1 protein were identified as capsase-3 target sites. More intriguingly, the suppression of PU.1 expression by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) significantly inhibits DNA-damaging agents NSC606985 and etoposide-induced apoptosis in leukemic cells, together with the up-regulated expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene. These results would provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of PU.1 protein in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis.     

The European carbon balance. Part 3: forests

We present a new synthesis, based on a suite of complementary approaches, of the primary production and carbon sink in forests of the 25 member states of the European Union (EU‐25) during 1990–2005. Upscaled terrestrial observations and model‐based approaches agree within 25% on the mean net primary production (NPP) of forests, i.e. 520±75 g C m^?2 yr^?1 over a forest area of 1.32 × 10⁶ km² to 1.55 × 10⁶ km² (EU‐25). New estimates of the mean long‐term carbon forest sink (net biome production, NBP) of EU‐25 forests amounts 75±20 g C m^?2 yr^?1. The ratio of NBP to NPP is 0.15±0.05. Estimates of the fate of the carbon inputs via NPP in wood harvests, forest fires, losses to lakes and rivers and heterotrophic respiration remain uncertain, which explains the considerable uncertainty of NBP. Inventory‐based assessments and assumptions suggest that 29±15% of the NBP (i.e., 22 g C m^?2 yr^?1) is sequestered in the forest soil, but large uncertainty remains concerning the drivers and future of the soil organic carbon. The remaining 71±15% of the NBP (i.e., 53 g C m^?2 yr^?1) is realized as woody biomass increments. In the EU‐25, the relatively large forest NBP is thought to be the result of a sustained difference between NPP, which increased during the past decades, and carbon losses primarily by harvest and heterotrophic respiration, which increased less over the same period.     

Characterization of the specific CD4+ T cell response against the F protein during chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Background

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) Alternate Reading Frame Protein (ARFP or F protein) presents a double-frame shift product of the HCV core gene. We and others have previously reported that the specific antibodies against the F protein could be raised in the sera of HCV chronically infected patients. However, the specific CD4⁺ T cell responses against the F protein during HCV infection and the pathological implications remained unclear. In the current study, we screened the MHC class II-presenting epitopes of the F protein through HLA-transgenic mouse models and eventually validated the specific CD4⁺ T cell responses in HCV chronically infected patients.

Methodology

DNA vaccination in HLA-DR1 and-DP4 transgenic mouse models, proliferation assay to test the F protein specific T cell response, genotyping of Chronic HCV patients and testing the F-peptide stimulated T cell response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) by in vitro expansion and interferon (IFN)- γ intracellular staining.

Principal Findings

At least three peptides within HCV F protein were identified as HLA-DR or HLA-DP4 presenting epitopes by the proliferation assays in mouse models. Further study with human PBMCs evidenced the specific CD4⁺ T cell responses against HCV F protein as well in patients chronically infected with HCV.

Conclusion

The current study provided the evidence for the first time that HCV F protein could elicit specific CD4⁺ T cell response, which may provide an insight into the immunopathogenesis during HCV chronic infection.     

顺铂靶向食管癌细胞周期Cx43表达的研究

目的:为研究顺铂治疗食管鳞癌细胞的靶向作用。方法:本研究使用流式细胞技术双变量分析检测顺铂对食管癌细胞周期进程和癌细胞周期的连接蛋白43(connexin 43,Cx43)表达的影响。结果:顺铂对食管鳞癌细胞周期的影响主要作用于S期的DNA复制,细胞阻滞于S期,G2/M期减少。顺铂诱导食管鳞癌细胞周期S和G2/M期的Cx43表达的大幅度改变。低浓度顺铂(由0~2μmol/L),Cx43表达增强;顺铂渐高浓度(2~12μmol/L),细胞Cx43表达由强逐渐变弱,特别是G2/M期细胞的Cx43表达活跃,易受顺铂影响。结论:我们的研究表明以顺铂处理食管鳞癌细胞,癌细胞周期的S期和G2/M期的Cx43表达与S期的DNA复制一样可作为的潜在治疗靶标。顺铂靶向作用细胞周期S和/或G2/M期细胞的特性可能减少或避免对非分裂细胞的影响。     

PTEN在人食管上皮永生化细胞株和食管癌细胞株中的表达

目的:探讨人胚食管上皮永生化细胞株SHEE、SHEEMT、食管癌细胞株EC8712中PTEN表达的差,判断食管上皮细胞在恶性转化过程中是否有PTEN缺失现象的发生;方法:培养三种细胞株,采用免疫组织化学、激光共聚焦显微镜、流式细胞仪和Westernblot等检测方法对三种细胞株中PTEN的表达进行检测。结果:三种细胞株均有PTEN的表达,表达强度与分化程度有关,PTEN在三种细胞株中表达强弱顺序为SHEE>SHEEMT>EC8712,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);结论:PTEN在SHEE、SHEEMT和EC8712三种来源于食管鳞状上皮但分化程度不同的细胞株均中表达,表达强度与分化程度相关,分化程度越高,表达越强。     

一种检测早期凋亡细胞的方法

本文介绍了一种定量检测早期凋亡细胞的流式细胞术——Annexin V-PI双染色法,并作了一些改进。     

PCR方法制备地高辛标记DNA探针检测中国对虾非包涵体型杆状病毒

A pair of primers created from information of PmNOBⅢ genome DNA Sal I fragment produced a 355bp band by using Penaeus chinensis non occluded baculovirus (PcNOBV),the WSBV isolate from P.hinensis in mainland China,as the DNA template.The specific PCR product was cloned,sequenced and labeled with digoxigenin (DIG)DNA labeling kit(Boehringer Mannheim).The DIG labeled fragment was tested by dot blot hybridization for sensitivity and specificity with purified PcNOBV nucleocapsid,PcNOBV infected shrimp tissues and healthy shrimp tissues.The detection limit of the DNA probe is 6.8pg of purified PcNOBV DNA.No hybridization signals were observed using DNA from healthy shrimp as template.Healthy P.chinensis,artificially infected P.chinensis and pond reared adult P.chinensis were screened for PcNOBV infection by both PCR and the hybridization assay.The results showed a good relationship between PCR and the hybridization assay.These findings demonstrate that the DIG labeled probe can be used as a sensitive,specific and cost effective reagent for detection of PcNOBV.     

关苍术两性花与雌花花药的解剖学研究

苍术属(Atractylodes DC.)是菊科菜蓟族(Cynareae)刺苞亚族(Carlininae O. Hoffm.)的一个东亚特有属,世界上仅有7种,其中我国有5种。该研究以关苍术为材料,采用石蜡切片法比较研究了两性花和雌花的花药及雄配子体发育进程,并进一步探讨了其雌花产生花药退化的时期及原因。结果表明：(1)关苍术小孢子发育与花蕾长度间存在相关性,当花蕾长度在5 mm时进入花粉母细胞时期,花药壁已分化,在7~9 mm时处于四分体时期,大于11 mm时开始进入花粉粒时期。(2)关苍术花药5个,花粉囊4个,减数分裂属同时型,四分体以正四面体为主,属3-细胞型,萌发沟3个。(3)关苍术花粉囊壁发育属双子叶型,从外层的表皮、药室内壁,到内层的中层和绒毡层均由一层细胞构成,关苍术绒毡层为腺质绒毡层。(4)关苍术雌花花药退化发生在花药发育早期至四分体时期,表现为花药发育早期畸形、药壁分化异常、小孢子母细胞发育停滞在前期、绒毡层增生4个原因。该研究结果为苍术属植物的系统发育、物种形成和进化提供胚胎学依据。     

利用CRISPR/Cas9技术产生肌肉特异表达Cas9的小鼠胚胎

目的通过CRISPR/Cas9技术获得肌肉特异性表达Cas9蛋白小鼠胚胎,为建立肌肉特异表达Cas9小鼠动物模型奠定基础。方法设计小鼠Rosa26位点sgRNA并通过体外酶切验证活性,同时使用同源重组构建肌肉特异性同源打靶载体;通过显微注射将Rosa26sgRNA与Cas9蛋白注射到小鼠胚胎,通过PCR及测序检测胚胎的编辑情况,同时移植到假孕母鼠体内,待其生产;将同源打靶载体与Rosa26sgRNA和Cas9一起注射到小鼠胚胎,通过PCR检测整合情况。结果体外酶切实验表明,体外转录的sgRNA与Cas9蛋白联合可对靶位点产生编辑作用;成功构建了肌肉特异性同源打靶载体Donor-SP-px459;通过原核注射获得Rosa26基因编辑胚胎,经移植获得Rosa26基因编辑小鼠;注射同源打靶载体后,成功获得肌肉特异表达Cas9蛋白的基因打靶小鼠胚胎。结论利用CRISPR/Cas9技术,成功获得Rosa26基因编辑胚胎和小鼠,并获得了肌肉特异性表达Cas9蛋白小鼠胚胎,为利用基因打靶构建肌肉特异表达Cas9的小鼠动物模型奠定基础。