线粒体DNA缺失与神经肌肉性疾病的研究

应用PCR技术对13例神经肌肉疾病患者的线粒体DNA缺失进行了研究。结果表明,其中二例肢带型肌营养不良症患者骨骼肌组织和一例帕金森氏病患者的血细胞线粒体DNA中存在至少526bp的缺失。提示线粒体突变在一些神经肌肉性疾病的发生中起一定的作用。 Abstract: Using PCR technique,we analysed the skeletal muscle and blood of 13 patients with neuromuscular disaeases.The results show that a mutant mitochondrial DNA with at least 526bp deletion exits in the skeletal muscles of 2 patients with Erb muscular dystrophy and in the blood of a patients with Parkinson’s disease.From our results,mitochondrial DNA mutations could be an important contributory factor to neuromuscular diseases.     

食管癌病人运铁蛋白(Tf)和组特异性成份(Gc)亚型分布的研究

应用超薄层聚丙烯酰胺凝胶等电聚焦电泳法, 分析了潮汕地区216例无血缘关系、临床上诊断为食管癌的病人和216例健康人的运铁蛋白(Tf)亚型分布情况, 结果发现:食管癌病人组TfC1C1纯合子频率为0.2639,Tf*Cl基因频率为0.4745,显著低于正常人组(分别为0.4352和0.6227,均为P<0.0 01);同时,食管癌病人组TfC2C2纯合子频率为0.2278,Tf*C2基因频率为0. 4977,显著高于正常对照组(分别为0.1852,P<0.05,和0.3634,P<0.001)。应用超薄层聚丙烯酰胺凝胶等电聚焦结合免疫固定法,分析了潮汕地区21 7例无血缘关系的临床上诊断为食管癌病人和 217例健康人的组特异性成份(Gc)亚型的分布,发现两组间无显著性差异。     

iASPP protects the heart from ischemia injury by inhibiting p53 expression and cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Currently, there remains a great need to elucidate the molecular mechanism of acute myocardial infarction in order to facilitate the development of novel therapy. Inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) is a member of the ASPP family proteins and an evolutionarily preserved inhibitor of p53 that is involved in many cellular processes, including apoptosis of cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of iASPP in acute myocardial infarction. The protein level of iASPP was markedly reduced in the ischemic hearts in vivo and hydrogen peroxide-exposed cardiomyocytes in vitro. Overexpression of iASPP reduced the infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis of mice subjected to 24 h of coronary artery ligation. Echocardiography showed that cardiac function was improved as indicated by the increase in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. In contrast, knockdown of iASPP exacerbated cardiac injury as manifested by impaired cardiac function, increased infarct size, and apoptosis rate. Mechanistically, overexpression of iASPP inhibited, while knockdown of iASPP increased the expressions of p53 and Bax, the key regulators of apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggested that iASPP is an important regulator of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which represents a potential target in the therapy of myocardial infarction.     

Electron microscopy: essentials for viral structure, morphogenesis and rapid diagnosis

Electron microscopy(EM) should be used in the front line for detection of agents in emergencies and bioterrorism,on accounts of its speed and accuracy.However,the number of EM diagnostic laboratories has decreased considerably and an increasing number of people encounter difficulties with EM results.Therefore,the research on viral structure and morphology has become important in EM diagnostic practice.EM has several technological advantages,and should be a fundamental tool in clinical diagnosis of viruses,particularly when agents are unknown or unsuspected.In this article,we review the historical contribution of EM to virology,and its use in virus differentiation,localization of specific virus antigens,virus-cell interaction,and viral morphogenesis.It is essential that EM investigations are based on clinical and comprehensive pathogenesis data from light or confocal microscopy.Furthermore,avoidance of artifacts or false results is necessary to exploit fully the advantages while minimizing its limitations.     

Secretory/releasing proteome-based identification of plasma biomarkers in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

For successful therapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) must be detected at an early stage. Herein, we used a proteomic approach to analyze the secretory/releasing proteome of HCC tissues to identify plasma biomarkers. Serum-free conditioned media (CM) were collected from primary cultures of cancerous tissues and surrounding noncancerous tissues. Proteomic analysis of the CM proteins permitted the identification of 1365 proteins. The enriched molecular functions and biological processes of the CM proteins, such as hydrolase activity and catabolic processes, were consistent with the liver being the most important metabolic organ. Moreover, 19% of the proteins were characterized as extracellular or membrane-bound. For validation, secretory proteins involved in transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways were validated in plasma samples. Alphafetoprotein (AFP), metalloproteinase (MMP)1, osteopontin (OPN), and pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG)9 were significantly increased in HCC patients. The overall performance of MMP1 and OPN in the diagnosis of HCC remained greater than that of AFP. In addition, this study represents the first report of MMP1 as a biomarker with a higher sensitivity and specificity than AFP. Thus, this study provides a valuable resource of the HCC secretome with the potential to investigate serological biomarkers. MMP1 and OPN could be used as novel biomarkers for the early detection of HCC and to improve the sensitivity of biomarkers compared with AFP.     

Duck egg drop syndrome virus: an emerging Tembusu-related flavivirus in China

Duck egg drop syndrome virus(DEDSV) is a newly emerging pathogenic flavivirus isolated from ducks in China.DEDSV infection mainly results in severe egg drop syndrome in domestic poultry,which leads to huge economic losses.Thus,the discovery of ways and means to combat DEDSV is urgent.Since 2010,a remarkable amount of progress concerning DEDSV research has been achieved.Here,we review current knowledge on the epidemiology,symptomatology,and pathology of DEDSV.A detailed dissection of the viral genome and polyprotein sequences,comparative analysis of viral antigenicity and the corresponding potential immunity against the virus are also summarized.Current findings indicate that DEDSV should be a distinct species from Tembusu virus.Moreover,the adaption of DEDSV in wildlife and its high homology to pathogenic flaviviruses(e.g.,West Nile virus,Japanese encephalitis virus,and dengue virus),illustrate its reemergence and potential to become a zoonotic pathogen that should not be overlooked.Detailed insight into the antigenicity and corresponding immunity against the virus is of clear significance for the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs specific for DEDSV.     

Visualization and Characterization of High-Order Chromatin Fibers under Light Microscope during Interphase and Mitotic Stages in Plants

Using genomic in situ hybridization with genomic DNA, high-order chromatin fibers were successfully exhibited under a light microscope through the cell cycle in barley, rice, maize and field bean. From the interphase to prophase and metaphase of mitosis, the fibers were basically similar. Each was estimated to be around 200 nm in diameter, but the strength of signals was not the same along the fiber length. Through the cell cycle a series of dynamic distribution changes occurred in the fibers. In the interphase, they were unraveled. At the early prophase they were arranged with parallel and mirror symmetry. During late-prophase and metaphase, the fibers were bundled and became different visible chromosomes. The parallel coiling and mirror symmetry structures were visible clearly until the metaphase. In anaphase they disappeared. During telophase, in peripheral regions of congregated chromosome group, borderlines of the chromosomes disappeared and the fibers were unraveled. This demonstrated that mitotic chromosomes are assembled and organized by parallel and adjacent coiling of the fibers and the fibers should be the highest order structure for DNA coiling.