双孢蘑菇对高温胁迫的响应及耐热机理

本研究以双孢蘑菇Agaricus bisporus工厂化菌株A15和筛选得到的耐高温菌株A15-TH为研究对象,比较了高温胁迫对两个菌株菌丝生长的影响,并从氧化损伤修复及基础碳代谢-糖酵解途径两个角度探索双孢蘑菇对高温胁迫的响应及耐热机理。高温胁迫下,对照菌株A15的菌丝生长速度降低,菌丝分叉增加;而耐高温菌株A15-TH菌丝生长速度高于A15,菌丝形态优于对照菌株,表现出对高温具有一定的耐受性。对两个菌株高温胁迫下氧化损伤及抗氧化酶系统进行研究发现,高温胁迫30-90min导致对照菌株A15的三磷酸腺苷（ATP）含量下降54.4%-59.6%,线粒体复合物I、II、III活性升高,超氧阴离子（O₂^-）含量增加了34.9%-71.3%;此外高温胁迫降低了超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性,影响了O₂^-的清除效率。耐高温菌株在受到高温胁迫后的氧化损伤及氧化修复效果与对照菌株不同,一方面体现在正常状态下维持较低的细胞能量代谢和较高的ROS合成量;另一方面抗氧化系统中sod1、sod2、cat1与对照菌株相比有不同程度的上调,SOD和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性增强,可以更有效地清除过量的活性氧,减轻高温对菌丝的氧化损伤。尤其在高温胁迫120min时,A15的线粒体功能及抗氧化系统受到严重损伤,线粒体复合物I、II、III活性和CAT活性大幅度下降,但是A15-TH线粒体复合体I、III活性分别增加至正常状态下的1.4倍和8.9倍,CAT活性比对照菌株高128%,维持了正常的线粒体功能及对活性氧的有效清除。进一步研究发现高温胁迫下,双孢蘑菇菌丝的己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶活性增加,糖酵解途径加快;耐高温菌株A15-TH在正常状态下和高温胁迫下,己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶的活性均高于对照菌株A15,具有更活跃的碳代谢。     

沉默NHEJ修复通路中关键蛋白Ku70在牙髓干细胞增殖和凋亡中的作用及其机制研究

目的:研究沉默非同源重组修复(non-homologous endjoining,NHEJ)通路中关键蛋白Ku70在牙髓干细胞增殖和凋亡中的作用,分析其机制。方法:提取健康恒牙牙髓组织,进行牙髓干细胞培养。采用脂多糖诱导人牙髓干细胞,分为对照组、阴性对照组、脂多糖组、沉默组和沉默+脂多糖组。观察Ku70免疫组化情况,进行细胞增殖、细胞凋亡实验,检测γ-H2A.X、Ku70、X线修复交叉互补基因4(X-ray repair cross complementary gene 4,Xrcc4)、Rad51 m RNA、Cleaved Caspase-3、p-p38水平。结果:与沉默组相比,对照组、阴性对照组、脂多糖组、沉默+脂多糖组各时间段牙髓干细胞增殖降低;沉默+脂多糖牙髓干细胞增殖高于脂多糖组(P<0.05)。随时间延长,脂多糖组牙髓干细胞增殖不断降低,其他四组牙髓干细胞增殖不断升高,其中在第5 d变化最明显。第5d,与沉默组相比,对照组、阴性对照组牙髓干细胞凋亡率、γ-H2A.X、Rad51 m RNA,Cleaved Caspase-3降低,p-p38升高;脂多糖组、沉默+脂多糖组各项指标较高,p-p38降低;对照组、阴性对照组、脂多糖组、沉默+脂多糖组Ku70、Xrcc4 m RNA降低(P<0.05)。沉默+脂多糖组牙髓干细胞凋亡率、γ-H2A.X、Rad51 m RNA,Cleaved Caspase-3低于脂多糖组,p-p38高于脂多糖组(P<0.05)。结论:沉默Ku70能促进脂多糖诱导的牙髓干细胞增殖,抑制其凋亡,其可能与γ-H2A.X、Rad51 m RNA表达降低,Ku70,Xrcc4升高有关。     

Oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold proteins: a growing family of genome guardians

The maintenance of genomic stability relies on the coordinated action of a number of cellular processes, including activation of the DNA-damage checkpoint, DNA replication, DNA repair, and telomere homeostasis. Many proteins involved in these cellular processes use different types of functional modules to regulate and execute their functions. Recent studies have revealed that many DNA-damage checkpoint and DNA repair proteins in human cells possess the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold domains, which are known to bind single-stranded DNA in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Furthermore, during the DNA damage response, the OB folds of the human checkpoint and DNA repair proteins play critical roles in DNA binding, protein complex assembly, and regulating protein–protein interactions. These findings suggest that the OB fold is an evolutionarily conserved functional module that is widely used by genome guardians. In this review, we will highlight the functions of several well-characterized or newly discovered eukaryotic OB-fold proteins in the DNA damage response.     

SLX4: multitasking to maintain genome stability

The SLX4/FANCP tumor suppressor has emerged as a key player in the maintenance of genome stability, making pivotal contributions to the repair of interstrand cross-links, homologous recombination, and in response to replication stress genome-wide as well as at specific loci such as common fragile sites and telomeres. SLX4 does so in part by acting as a scaffold that controls and coordinates the XPF–ERCC1, MUS81–EME1, and SLX1 structure-specific endonucleases in different DNA repair and recombination mechanisms. It also interacts with other important DNA repair and cell cycle control factors including MSH2, PLK1, TRF2, and TOPBP1 as well as with ubiquitin and SUMO. This review aims at providing an up-to-date and comprehensive view on the key functions that SLX4 fulfills to maintain genome stability as well as to highlight and discuss areas of uncertainty and emerging concepts.     

Base Excision Repair and its Role in Maintaining Genome Stability

For all living organisms, genome stability is important, but is also under constant threat because various environmental and endogenous damaging agents can modify the structural properties of DNA bases. As a defense, organisms have developed different DNA repair pathways. Base excision repair (BER) is the predominant pathway for coping with a broad range of small lesions resulting from oxidation, alkylation, and deamination, which modify individual bases without large effect on the double helix structure. As, in mammalian cells, this damage is estimated to account daily for 10⁴ events per cell, the need for BER pathways is unquestionable. The damage-specific removal is carried out by a considerable group of enzymes, designated as DNA glycosylases. Each DNA glycosylase has its unique specificity and many of them are ubiquitous in microorganisms, mammals, and plants. Here, we review the importance of the BER pathway and we focus on the different roles of DNA glycosylases in various organisms.     

Interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibit migration activity of chondrogenic progenitor cells from non-fibrillated osteoarthritic cartilage

Introduction

The repair capability of traumatized articular cartilage is highly limited so that joint injuries often lead to osteoarthritis. Migratory chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPC) might represent a target cell population for in situ regeneration. This study aims to clarify, whether 1) CPC are present in regions of macroscopically intact cartilage from human osteoarthritic joints, 2) CPC migration is stimulated by single growth factors and the cocktail of factors released from traumatized cartilage and 3) CPC migration is influenced by cytokines present in traumatized joints.

Methods

We characterized the cells growing out from macroscopically intact human osteoarthritic cartilage using a panel of positive and negative surface markers and analyzed their differentiation capacity. The migratory response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), supernatants obtained from in vitro traumatized cartilage and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were tested with a modified Boyden chamber assay. The influence of IL-1β and TNF-α was additionally examined by scratch assays and outgrowth experiments.

Results

A comparison of 25 quadruplicate marker combinations in CPC and bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells showed a similar expression profile. CPC cultures had the potential for adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. PDGF-BB and IGF-1, such as the supernatant from traumatized cartilage, induced a significant site-directed migratory response. IL-1β and TNF-α significantly reduced basal cell migration and abrogated the stimulative effect of the growth factors and the trauma supernatant. Both cytokines also inhibited cell migration in the scratch assay and primary outgrowth of CPC from cartilage tissue. In contrast, the cytokine IL-6, which is present in trauma supernatant, did not affect growth factor induced migration of CPC.

Conclusion

These results indicate that traumatized cartilage releases chemoattractive factors for CPC but IL-1β and TNF-α inhibit their migratory activity which might contribute to the low regenerative potential of cartilage in vivo.     

The XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and breast cancer risk: a case–control study in a Thai population

The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 gene (XRCC3) belongs to a family of genes responsible for repairing DNA double-strand breaks caused by normal metabolic processes and exposure to ionizing radiation. Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may alter an individual's capacity to repair damaged DNA and may lead to genetic instability and contribute to malignant transformation. We examined the role of a polymorphism in the XRCC3 gene (rs861529; codon 241: threonine to methionine change) in determining breast cancer risk in Thai women. The study population consisted of 507 breast cancer cases and 425 healthy women. The polymorphism was analysed by fluorescence-based melting curve analysis. The XRCC3 241Met allele was found to be uncommon in the Thai population (frequency 0.07 among cases and 0.05 among controls). Odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age, body mass index, age at menarche, family history of breast cancer, menopausal status, reproduction parameters, use of contraceptives, tobacco smoking, involuntary tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and education were calculated for the entire population as well as for pre- and postmenopausal women. There was a significant association between 241Met carrier status and breast cancer risk (OR 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.44). Among postmenopausal women, a slightly higher OR (1.82, 95% CI 0.95–3.51) was found than among premenopausal women (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.82–2.69). Our findings suggest that the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is likely to play a modifying role in the individual susceptibility to breast cancer among Thai women as already shown for women of European ancestry.     

Bulky DNA adduct levels in normal-appearing colon mucosa,and the prevalence of colorectal adenomas

Abstract

Purpose: Examine the association between bulky DNA adduct levels in colon mucosa and colorectal adenoma prevalence, and explore the correlation between adduct levels in leukocytes and colon tissue.

Methods: Bulky DNA adduct levels were measured using ³²P-postlabelling in biopsies of normal-appearing colon tissue and blood donated by 202 patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between DNA adducts, and interactions of DNA adduct-DNA repair polymorphisms, with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. Correlation between blood and tissue levels of DNA adducts was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.

Results: An interaction between bulky DNA adduct levels and XPA rs1800975 on prevalence of colorectal adenoma was observed. Among individuals with lower DNA repair activity, increased DNA adduct levels were associated with increased colorectal adenoma prevalence (OR?=?1.41 per SD increase, 95%CI: 0.92–2.18). Conversely, among individuals with normal DNA activity, an inverse association was observed (OR?=?0.60 per SD increase, 95%CI: 0.34–1.07). Blood and colon DNA adduct levels were inversely correlated (ρ?=??0.20).

Conclusions: Among genetically susceptible individuals, higher bulky DNA adducts in the colon was associated with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. The inverse correlation between blood and colon tissue measures demonstrates the importance of quantifying biomarkers in target tissues.     

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is associated with prostate cancer metastasis and chemo/radioresistance via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the second leading malignancy in men. The role of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), also known as CD326, in CaP progression and therapeutic resistance is still uncertain. Here, we aimed to investigate the roles of EpCAM in CaP metastasis and chemo/radioresistance. Expression of EpCAM in CaP cell lines and human CaP tissues was assessed using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. EpCAM was knocked down (KD) in PC-3, DU145 and LNCaP-C4-2B cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA), and KD results were confirmed by confocal microscope, Western blotting and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell growth was evaluated by proliferation and colony formation assays. The invasive potential was assessed using a matrigel chamber assay. Tumorigenesis potential was measured by a sphere formation assay. Chemo-/radiosensitivity were measured using a colony formation assay. Over-expression of EpCAM was found in primary CaP tissues and lymph node metastases including cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells. KD of EpCAM suppressed CaP proliferation and invasive ability, reduced sphere formation, enhanced chemo-/radiosensitivity, and down-regulated E-cadherin, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-4EBP1 and p-S6K expression in CaP cells. Our findings suggest that EpCAM plays an important role in CaP proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemo-/radioresistance associated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and is a novel therapeutic target to sensitize CaP cells to chemo-/radiotherapy.     

Targeted molecular trait stacking in cotton through targeted double‐strand break induction

Recent developments of tools for targeted genome modification have led to new concepts in how multiple traits can be combined. Targeted genome modification is based on the use of nucleases with tailor‐made specificities to introduce a DNA double‐strand break (DSB) at specific target loci. A re‐engineered meganuclease was designed for specific cleavage of an endogenous target sequence adjacent to a transgenic insect control locus in cotton. The combination of targeted DNA cleavage and homologous recombination–mediated repair made precise targeted insertion of additional trait genes (hppd, epsps) feasible in cotton. Targeted insertion events were recovered at a frequency of about 2% of the independently transformed embryogenic callus lines. We further demonstrated that all trait genes were inherited as a single genetic unit, which will simplify future multiple‐trait introgression.