The matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-3 cleaves laminin receptor at two distinct sites between the transmembrane domain and laminin binding sequence within the extracellular domain

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) stromelysin-3 (ST3) has long been implicated to play an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell fate determination during normal and pathological processes. However,like other MMPs, the molecular basis of ST3 function in vivo remains unclear due to the lack of information on its physiological substrates. Furthermore, ST3 has only weak activities toward all tested ECM proteins. Using thyroid hormone-dependent Xenopus laevis metamorphosis as a model, we demonstrated previously that ST3 is important for apoptosis and tissue morphogenesis during intestinal remodeling. Here, we used yeast two-hybrid screen with mRNAs from metamorphosing tadpoles to identify potential substrate of ST3 during development. We thus isolated the 37 kd laminin receptor precursor (LR). We showed that LR binds to ST3 in vitro and can be cleaved by ST3 at two sites,distinct from where other MMPs cleave. Through peptide sequencing, we determined that the two cleavage sites are in the extracellular domain between the transmembrane domain and laminin binding sequence. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these cleavage sites are conserved in human LR. These results together with high levels of human LR and ST3 expression in carcinomas suggest that LR is a likely in vivo substrate of ST3 and that its cleavage by ST3 may alter cell-extracellular matrix interaction, thus, playing a role in mediating the effects of ST3 on cell fate and behavior observed during development and pathogenesis.     

热休克蛋白(HSPs)在胚胎发育中的作用研究进展

本文总结了近十年有关热休克蛋白在动物胚胎发育中动态变化的研究成果,并讨论了热休克蛋白在歪胎发育中可能作用。     

茸毛赤瓟种子不同发育时期脱水耐性和发芽力的初步研究

茸毛赤瓟种子自花后30 d发育至55 d,发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数由0升至最大;含水量逐渐下降,但下降速率不等,发育后期存在显著的成熟脱水期。花后45 d果实干重接近最大,种子干重在45 d达到最大,种子和果实的发育基本同步。自然风干1d后,花后40~50 d的种子含水量下降2%~4%。花后40 d的种子发芽力显著提高,花后45~50 d的种子无明显变化,继续干燥,发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数均有不同程度的降低,而花后50 d的种子直到含水量低至4%后才明显下降;花后35 d和55 d的种子经过不同天数干燥后,发芽力均下降。不同发育时期茸毛赤瓟种子耐脱水力有差别,由强至弱依次为花后50、45、55、40、35 d。用半致死含水量可准确地反映不同发育时期茸毛赤瓟种子的脱水敏感性的强弱。     

The PDZ-Containing Unconventional Myosin XVIIIA Regulates Embryonic Muscle Integrity in Zebrafish

Myosin XVIIIA, or MYO18A, is a unique PDZ domain-containing unconventional myosin and is evolutionarily conserved from Drosophila to vertebrates. Although there is evidence indicating its expression in the somites, whether it regulates muscle function re- mains unclear. We show that the two zebrafish myo18a genes （myo18aa and myo18ab） are predominantly expressed at somite borders during early developmental stages. Knockdown of these genes or overexpression of the MYO18A PDZ domain disrupts myofiber integrity, induces myofiber lesions, and compromises the localization of dystrophin, ~-dystroglycan （~-DG） and laminin at the myotome boundaries. Cell transplantation experiments indicate that myo18a morphant myoblasts fail to form elongated myofibers in the myotomes of wild-type embryos, which can be rescued by the full-length MYO18A protein. These results suggest that MYO18A likely functions in the adhesion process that maintains the stable attachment of myofibers to ECM （extracellular matrix） and muscle integrity during early development.     

《现代生物医学进展》投稿指南

<正>来稿可用中文或英文撰写,用英文撰写的论文,请附上较英文摘要更为详细的中文摘要。用中文撰写的论文,应附较中文摘要更为详细的英文摘要,格式严格遵照国际医学期刊编辑委员会制定的《生物医学期刊投稿的统一要求》撰写。投稿前请登陆本刊网站下载《投稿承诺书》,按照文章署名顺序签名并加盖单位公章,确保论文未一稿两投。凡查出并证实的存在侵权或泄密行为的稿件,将由作者承担一切后果。作者来稿一律文责自负。依照《著作权法》有关规定,编辑部可以对稿件作文字修改、删节,凡涉     

蚁巢表层土壤温湿度对不同发育阶段红火蚁数量的影响(英文)

红火蚁一种攻击性非常强的外来入侵蚂蚁,可对入侵地的农业生产、生态系统、人体健康和公共安全等产生负面影响,温度和湿度是影响其生长和发育的重要环境因子.本研究评估了红火蚁蚁巢表层土壤温、湿度对红火蚁幼虫、有翅蚁蛹和有翅蚁成虫数量的影响.结果表明,随着土壤温度的升高,幼虫、有翅蚁蛹和有翅蚁成虫的数量都呈先升高后下降的趋势.当温度为26～30℃时,幼虫数量达到最大值,而当温度为20～25℃时,有翅蚁蛹和有翅蚁成虫数量达到最大值.当温度<20℃时,有翅蚁成虫和幼虫的数量均与土壤相对湿度呈负相关,但是有翅蚁雌雄蛹的数量都与相对湿度呈正相关.当温度<20℃时,在相对湿度为41％ ～50％时,雄性有翅蚁的数量达到最大值,在相对湿度为71％ ～80％时,有翅蚁蛹的数量达到最大值.本研究将对防治这种危险的入侵害虫提供理论依据.     

蓝细菌光敏色素Alr1966GAF2及其突变体的表达与光化学性质研究

采用PCR技术从鱼腥藻（Anabaena sp.PCC7120）中扩增蓝细菌光敏色素基因片段alr1966gaf2,将alr1966gaf2插入到pET-30a（+）载体中,构建表达质粒pET-alr1966gaf2。最后将Alr1966GAF2与HO1、PcyA在E.coli BL21（DE3）中共表达获得色素蛋白Alr1966GAF2,并对该蛋白的光化学性质进行分析。结果显示,色素蛋白Alr1966GAF2结合色素为藻蓝胆素（phycoerythrobilin,PCB）或藻紫胆素（phycoviolobilin,PVB）,在3种不同吸收态15Z-P_{428 nm}、中间态和15E-P_{514 nm}之间具有顺序可逆光效应。通过定点突变技术将DXCF基序中的保守性Cys突变为Ala,获得了突变体Alr1966GAF2（C72A）。将Alr1966GAF2（C72A）与HO1、PcyA共表达,获得色素蛋白Alr1966GAF2（C72A）。研究结果表明Alr1966GAF2（C72A）结合色素为PCB,Alr1966GAF2（C72A）-PCB具有较强的荧光活性,其荧光量子的产率高达0.11。Alr1966GAF2（C72A）不仅能够共价结合PCB,还可以结合胆绿素（Biliverdin,BV）,均具有较强的红色荧光活性。