Anti-oxidative effects of silkworm storage protein 1 in HeLa cell

Silkworm hemolymph contains unique proteins that exhibit anti-apoptotic activity in mammalian cells. Among them, 30 K protein, which is one of the major anti-apoptotic molecules in silkworm hemolymph, has been well investigated. However, little is known about the biological functions of storage protein 1 (SP1), another main protein in silkworm hemolymph. In this study, the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities of SP1 were analyzed. A stable cell line expressing SP1 was constructed, which showed strong anti-apoptotic effect induced by staurosporine treatment. In addition, the cell line exhibited resistance to oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide. For practical applications of SP1, recombinant SP1 was produced in Escherichia coli, and the supplementation of recombinant SP1 into culture medium exhibited anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities. In addition, SP1 was found to be a cell-penetrating protein and localized in the cytosol as well as on the plasma membrane. The findings showed that SP1 itself is not an anti-oxidant; rather, it mediates intracellular anti-oxidative activity. In conclusion, the cellular resistance of SP1 to apoptosis and oxidative stress will provide a new strategy that could be utilized in the bio-industry for the production of biologics as well as for the development of anti-aging cosmetics.     

人桥本甲状腺炎甲状腺组织中miRNAs表达谱的差异性分析

目的：桥本甲状腺炎是一种自身免疫性甲状腺疾病，且其发病率呈逐年上升趋势，在医疗实践中，HT 被认为是原发性甲状腺 功能减退最常见的原因，同时较易发生甲状腺癌和淋巴瘤。另外，HT 缺乏早期诊断标准，临床上发病隐匿且表现多样，病人多不 易察觉而延误治疗。本文旨在应用microRNA 芯片技术系统筛查HT病变甲状腺组织，以此研究并揭示其HT 的miRNA 表达谱 变化。方法：本研究首先采用microRNA芯片技术，对正常甲状腺组织及桥本甲状腺炎甲状腺组织中microRNA 的表达进行比较， 筛选桥本甲状腺炎中差异性表达的miRNAs。结果：与正常甲状腺相比，在桥本甲状腺炎及其合并甲状腺乳头状癌的一侧桥本甲 状腺炎中分别有39 个和25 个miRNAs 分子发生了差异性表达（P<0.05），比较2 组中共有的miRNAs 发现，miR-142-3p、 miR-338-3p、miR-454、miR-146a、miR-29b-1*、miR-150、miR-223 表达上调，miR-654-5p、miR-601、miR-198、miR-1226* 表达下调 （log2 FC≥ 2，P＜0.05）；而miR-142-5p 在原发性桥本甲状腺炎中表达显著性升高近8 倍（log2 FC=7.959，P＜0.01）。结论：我们通 过microRNA芯片，首次直接系统筛查了桥本甲状腺炎病变组织相关miRNA 表达谱，总体上初步掌握了与正常甲状腺相比，桥 本甲状腺炎及合并甲状腺乳头状癌时其miRNA 表达谱的变化情况，为我们后续的研究提供了方向与基础。     

Effect of combination of high-intensity ultrasound treatment and dextran glycosylation on structural and interfacial properties of buckwheat protein isolates

This study investigated the effects of high-intensity ultrasound and glycosylation on the structural and interfacial properties of the Maillard reaction conjugates of buckwheat protein isolate (BPI). The covalent attachment of dextran to BPI was confirmed by examination of the Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Emulsifying properties of the conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment were improved as compared to those obtained by classical heating. Structural feature analyses suggested that conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment had less α-helix and more random coil, higher surface hydrophobicity and less compact tertiary structure as compared to those obtained by classical heating. The surface activity measurement revealed that the BPI–dextran conjugates obtained by ultrasound treatment were closely packed and that each molecule occupied a small area of the interface. Combination of ultrasonic treatment and glycosylation was proved to be an efficient way to develop new stabilizers and thickening agents for food in this study.     

Distribution and function of prophage phiRv1 and phiRv2 among Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is notorious for causing diseases, such as tuberculosis. Tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis remains a global public health concern. Two prophages, phiRv1 and phiRv2, can be found among most MTBC genomes. However, no precise functions have been assigned for the two prophages. In this paper, to find out the function of these two prophages, the distribution and function of phiRv1 and phiRv2 in MTBC genomes were analyzed from multiple omics data. We found that complex insertion, deletion, and reorganization appeared on the locus of two prophages in MTBC genomes; some genes of the two prophages can be translated and are functional from proteomic data; the expression of other prophage genes, such as Rv1577c, Rv2650c, Rv2652c, Rv2659c, and Rv2658c, can vary with environmental stresses and might enhance the fitness of MTBC. These data will facilitate our in-depth understanding of their function.     

Differential Effects of GM1 Ganglioside Treatment on Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Content in the Rat Septum and Hippocampus After Partial Interruption of Their Connections

Abstract: The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content was investigated using immunoblotting techniques in the septum and hippocampus of the rat after bilateral lateral fimbria transection. Seven days after surgery GFAP content increased significantly both in the septum (140% of control) and hippocampus (120% in dorsal, the less denervated, and 145% in the most denervated ventral part), indicating the occurrence of reactive gliosis. The GM1 treatment caused statistically significant attenuation of GFAP increment in all hippocampal parts. In contrast, GM1 treatment has no influence on the increase of GFAP content in the septum. Results suggest a differential effect of GM1 on the two gliotic reactions formed as a consequence of the lesion at the level of the source of innervation (septum) and the target (hippocampus).