MiRNA-181b suppresses IGF-1R and functions as a tumor suppressor gene in gliomas

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, 18- to 23-nt RNA molecules that function as regulators of gene expression. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs play important roles in human cancers, including gliomas. Here, we found that expression levels of miR-181b were decreased in gliomas, and we identified IGF-1R as a novel direct target of miR-181b. MiR-181b overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenesis by targeting IGF-1R and its downstream signaling pathways, PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2. Overexpression of IGF-1R rescued the inhibitory effects of miR-181b. In clinical specimens, IGF-1R was overexpressed, and its protein levels were inversely correlated with miR-181b expression. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-181b functions in gliomas to suppress growth by targeting the IGF-1R oncogene and that miR-181b may serve as a novel therapeutic target for gliomas.     

Characterization and application of a newly synthesized 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase

A codon-optimized 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA) gene was newly synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli to investigate its biochemical properties and applications in synthesis of statin intermediates. The expressed DERA was purified and characterized using 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate as the substrate. The specific activity of recombinant DERA was 1.8 U/mg. The optimum pH and temperature for DERA activity were pH 7.0 and 35 °C, respectively. The recombinant DERA was stable at pH 4.0–7.0 and at temperatures below 50 °C. The enzyme activity was inhibited by 1 mM of Ni²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Fe²⁺. The apparent K _m and V _max values of purified enzyme for 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate were 0.038 mM and 2.9 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, for 2-deoxyribose were 0.033 mM and 2.59 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, respectively, which revealed that the enzyme had similar catalytic efficiency towards phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated substrates. To synthesize statin intermediates, the bioconversion process for production of (3R, 5S)-6-chloro-2,4,6-trideoxyhexose from chloroacetaldehyde and acetaldehyde by the recombinant DERA was developed and a conversion of 94.4 % was achieved. This recombinant DERA could be a potential candidate for application in production of (3R, 5S)-6-chloro-2,4,6-trideoxyhexose.     

Role of Complement 3 in TNF-α-Induced Mesenchymal Transition of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells In Vitro

Injured renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) have been recently thought to directly contribute to the accumulation of myofibroblasts in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through a process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the factors inducing RTECs to undergo EMT and the underlying mechanisms need to be further elucidated. This study aimed to determine the EMT-inducing activity of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the role for complement 3 (C3) in this activity in an in vitro model of human RTECs (HK-2 cells). Wild type HK-2 cells were treated with TNF-α, IFN-γ or C3a; C3 siRNA- or control siRNA-carrying HK-2 cells were treated with TNF-α. Changes in the cell morphology and phenotype were assessed by microscopy, RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunostaining. TNF-α effectively induced HK-2 cells to express C3 and to transform into morphologically myofibroblast-like cells that lost E-cadherin (a classical epithelial cell marker) expression but acquired alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a classical myofibroblast differentiation marker) expression. C3 siRNA robustly attenuated all the morphologic and phenotypic changes induced by TNF-α but the control siRNA showed no effect. Our preliminary observations suggest that TNF-α may induce EMT in RTECs through inducing C3 expression.     

The protein kinase 2 inhibitor CX-4945 regulates osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation In vitro

Drug repositioning can identify new therapeutic applications for existing drugs, thus mitigating high R&D costs. The Protein kinase 2 (CK2) inhibitor CX-4945 regulates human cancer cell survival and angiogenesis. Here we found that CX-4945 significantly inhibited the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, but enhanced the BMP2-induced osteoblast differentiation in a cell culture model. CX-4945 inhibited the RANKL-induced activation of TRAP and NFATc1 expression accompanied with suppression of Akt phosphorylation, but, in contrast, it enhanced the BMP2-mediated ALP induction and MAPK ERK1/2 phosphorylation. CX-4945 is thus a novel drug candidate for bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis.     

植被恢复模式对石漠化生态系统碳储量的影响

为揭示石漠化生态系统碳储量对植被恢复模式的响应,在广西天等县中度石漠化山地,研究了吊丝竹纯林(Dendrocalamus minorD)、任豆纯林(Zenia insignis Z)、任豆、蚬木(Buerretiodendron hsienmu)和顶果木(Acrocarpus fraxinifolius)混交林(mixed plantation M),以及相应同龄封育林(D_(CK)、Z_(CK)、M_(CK))的碳储量。结果表明:人工林碳储量显著高于相应同龄封育林的碳储量,D、Z、M人工林碳储量分别为67.75、66.56、121.20 t/hm~2,而D_(CK)、Z_(CK)、M_(CK)封育林仅为49.75、52.89、60.86 t/hm~2。碳储量在乔木层、地被物层、土壤层分配排序因生态系统类型而异,如M:乔木层土壤层地被物层;D和Z:土壤层乔木层地被物层;D_(CK)、Z_(CK)和M_(CK):土壤层地被物层乔木层。此外,M、D、Z乔木层年平均碳储量差异显著,而封育林尚未形成乔木层,其植被碳储量则随封育时间的增加而提高,即M_(CK)Z_(CK)D_(CK)。可见,在中度石漠化山地,植被恢复模式显著影响生态系统碳储量及其分配。人工造林相对于封山育林更能快速促进植被恢复、形成乔木林,从而提高生态系统碳储量。     

体外多酶分子机器的现状和最新进展

体外多酶分子机器遵循所设计的多酶催化路径,将若干种纯化或部分纯化的酶元件进行合理的优化与适配,高效地在体外将特定的底物转化为目标化合物。体外多酶分子机器反应系统呈现元件化和模块化的特点,在设计、组装和调控方面具有较高的自由度。近年来,体外多酶分子机器在实现反应过程的精准调控和提高产品得率方面的优势逐渐体现,展示了其在生物制造领域重要的应用潜力。对体外多酶分子机器的相关研究已成为合成生物学的一个重要分支领域,日益受到广泛的关注。文中系统地综述了基于酶元件/模块的体外多酶分子机器的构建策略,以及改善该分子机器中酶元件/模块之间适配性的研究进展,并分析了该生物制造平台的发展前景与挑战。     

氮添加和水分胁迫对红松、水曲柳幼苗生物量分配的影响

氮沉降和暖干化是我国东北地区面临的主要生态问题,它将对森林生态系统产生怎样的影响一直是生态学研究的热点.本研究以东北温带阔叶红松林中2个关键树种——红松和水曲柳为研究对象,探讨水分胁迫和氮(N)添加对其幼苗短期(55周)生长的影响.结果表明: 红松与水曲柳幼苗生长对N添加和水分胁迫的响应有明显差异.红松对水分胁迫更加敏感,在处理早期(10周)水分胁迫降低了红松幼苗叶生物量,提高了根生物量;N添加只在水分胁迫发生时显著减少了红松根和植株总生物量.水曲柳对N添加的反应更加敏感,氮添加迅速增加了水曲柳茎、根和总生物量;而只有持续的水分胁迫才对水曲柳的茎、根和总生物量有显著影响.红松和水曲柳在持续水分胁迫和N添加处理下,叶、根生物量占比和地上、地下生物量之比都趋于维持一个稳定值,说明两个树种都有很强的自我调节能力.以上结果说明,在未来干旱条件下,红松采取的是“积极”的调整策略,而水曲柳则是“被动”的适应策略,因而相比较而言,红松存活和适应能力可能更强;而在N沉降增加的环境下,水曲柳受益会更大.这些结果可为预测未来东北温带森林群落演替动态提供参考.