糖基化、非糖基化、重组PAI－1功能和性质的比较

对从ＨｅｐＧ２细胞培养液中分离得到植基化和非糖基化ＰＡＩ－１（１型纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂）,以及从ｐＹＺＨＢＩ－６６表达菌中纯化的非糖基化重组ＰＡＩ－１的某些性质和功能进行比较,结果显示,糖基化ＰＡＩ－１对ｔＰＡ（组织型纤溶酶原激活物）有较强的抑制,能较显著地被蛋白质变性剂所激活,对热有较强的稳定性,糖基化与非糖基化ＰＡＩ－１在ｐＨ２．５－９．０的范围内都相当稳定。纤维蛋白原和肝素能明显提高两者对ｔＰＡ的抑制作用。     

人骨髓间充质干细胞向神经细胞分化过程中Notch通路信号分子表达的变化

本研究探讨Noah信号通路在人骨髓间充质干细胞（human mesenchymal stem cells,hMSCs）体外增殖及向神经细胞分化过程中的作用。采集健康自愿者骨髓,体外培养获得hMSCs,取第3代hMSCs,在诱导剂（β-ME,DMSO,BHA）作用下向神经细胞分化。诱导后用免疫细胞化学鉴定神经元特异性烯醇化酶（neuron-specific enolase,NSE）和尼氏体的表达以确定诱导效果：用流式细胞术检测细胞生长周期时相的变化。在诱导前后,用免疫荧光和RT-PCR方法检测Notch通路中Notch1受体蛋白、配体Jagged1（JAG1）、调节蛋白活化相关物早老素1（presenilin 1,PS1）、靶基因hairy and enhancer of split1（HES1）信号分子表达的变化。结果显示：诱导前,处于G0/G1期的hMSCs占58．5％,S＋G2/M期的细胞占41．5％;诱导后,G0/G1期细胞比例升高,而S＋G2/M期细胞比例下降,NSE阳性细胞率达（77±0．35）％,细胞质中可见深蓝色的块状或颗粒状尼氏体。免疫荧光显示,诱导前后hMSCs内Notch1和JAG1均呈阳性表达,但RT-PCR检测发现诱导后Notch1、JAG1、PSl和HES1 mRNA表达量较诱导前明显降低（均P〈0．05）。结果表明,诱导hMSCs向神经细胞分化能抑制Notch信号分子表达,低水平的Notch信号激活可能有利于神经细胞的分化。     

当归对大鼠缺血性脑损伤后Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA表达的影响

目的：研究大鼠缺血性脑损伤后不同时间点Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA的表达及当归对其表达的影响。方法：雄性Wistax大鼠,随机分为缺血损伤组和当归治疗组。采用线栓法制作大鼠短暂性大脑中动脉阻断（MCAO）与再灌模型。治疗组腹腔注射当归注射液（剂量5g／kg）。36只大鼠（每组各18只）在脑缺血／再灌后1d、3d、7d神经行为学评分完成后被处死,取大脑行氯化三苯四唑（TTC）染色以测脑梗死比;另取72只大鼠（每组各36只）在脑缺血／再灌后3h、6h、12h、1d、3d、7d分别被处死,应用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）技术检测缺血侧Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA的表达。结果：在同时间点神经功能缺损评分比较,缺血损伤组明显高于当归治疗组（P〈0．05）;在同时间点当归治疗组梗塞比明显小于缺血损伤组（P〈0．01）。RT-PCR检测表明,缺血损伤组Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA在缺血／再灌后3h即开始表达增强,于3d达高峰,后逐渐降低;当归治疗组Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA表达比缺血损伤组明显增加,于3d达到高峰后缓慢降低至第7d仍保持较高水平。缺血损伤组和当归治疗组中Flt-1 mRNA与Flk-1 mRNA的表达呈正相关性,相关系数为r=0．957（P〈0．01）。结论：当归可增强缺血性脑损伤后Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA表达。Flt-1、Flk-1 mRNA的表达紧密相关。     

Determinants of the nucleolar targeting of protein phosphatase-1

The ubiquitously expressed protein Ser/Thr phosphatase-1 isoforms PP1alpha, PP1beta and PP1gamma1 are dynamically targeted to distinct, but overlapping cellular compartments by associated proteins. Within the nucleus of HeLa cells, EGFP-tagged PP1gamma1 and PP1beta were predominantly targeted to the nucleoli, while PP1alpha showed a more diffuse distribution. Using PP1 chimaeras and point mutants we show here that a single N-terminal residue, i.e., Gln20 for PP1alpha, Arg19 for PP1beta and Arg20 for PP1gamma1 accounts for their distinct subnuclear distribution. Our data also suggest that the N-terminus of PP1beta and PP1gamma1 harbours an interaction site for one or more nucleolar interactors.     

Exploring the limits of sequence and structure in a variant betagamma-crystallin domain of the protein absent in melanoma-1 (AIM1)

βγ-Crystallins belong to a superfamily of proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes that are based on duplications of a characteristic, highly conserved Greek key motif. Most members of the superfamily in vertebrates are structural proteins of the eye lens that contain four motifs arranged as two structural domains. Absent in melanoma 1 (AIM1), an unusual member of the superfamily whose expression is associated with suppression of malignancy in melanoma, contains 12 βγ-crystallin motifs in six domains. Some of these motifs diverge considerably from the canonical motif sequence. AIM1g1, the first βγ-crystallin domain of AIM1, is the most variant of βγ-crystallin domains currently known. In order to understand the limits of sequence variation on the structure, we report the crystal structure of AIM1g1 at 1.9 Å resolution. Despite having changes in key residues, the domain retains the overall βγ-crystallin fold. The domain also contains an unusual extended surface loop that significantly alters the shape of the domain and its charge profile. This structure illustrates the resilience of the βγ fold to considerable sequence changes and its remarkable ability to adapt for novel functions.     

Occurrence of two different endorphins in the salmon pituitary

Two endorphins have been identified in the teleost pituitary, $\text{Oncorhynchus}\text{keta}$ (chum salmon). Endorphin I is a nonacosa peptide and the primary structure was reported previously. Endorphin II has been elucidated to be a triaconta peptide with the following primary structure: Ac-Tyr-Gly-Gly- Phe-Met-Lys-Ser-Trp-Asn-Glu-Arg-Ser-Gln-Lys-Pro-Leu-Leu-Thr- Leu-Phe-Lys-Asn-Val-Ile-Ile-Lys-Asp-Gly-Gln-Gln-OH. It is evident that these endorphins are highly homologous to each other, but are different molecules, and that endorphin II is much more similar to the mammalian endorphins than endorphin I.     

Identification of the alternative splice products encoded by the human protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 gene

We have isolated three major cDNA fragments of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 from human brain and liver by RT-PCR. The 536 bp fragment encoded the wild-type of inhibitor-1 while two other fragments were alternative splice products of the inhibitor-1 gene, which was confirmed by partial genomic DNA sequencing. The 380 bp fragment encoded an in-frame 51-residue-deleted inhibitor-1, named inhibitor-1alpha, and the deletion occurred from residue 84 to 134 of inhibitor-1. The 316 bp fragment termed inhibitor-1beta was derived from an internal deletion of 536 bp fragment. This deletion resulted in an out of frame shift, allowing the 316 bp fragment that encoded the partial sequence of inhibitor-1. Based on the reported mRNA sequence of inhibitor-1 and evidence from our RT-PCR, we suggested that inhibitor-1beta consisted of 132 amino acids of which the N-terminal 61 amino acid sequences were identical to inhibitor-1 while the sequence after residue-61 was markedly different.     

Deletion analysis in the catalytic region of the 10-23 DNA enzyme

In this study, the functional relevance of the core nucleotides of the RNA cleaving 10-23 DNA enzyme (DNAzyme) was investigated. Systematic deletion studies revealed that DNAzymes lacking thymine at position 8 (T8) retain catalytic activity comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme. Deletion of the adjacent cytosine at position 7 (C7) also resulted in a highly active enzyme and even the double deletion mutant C7/T8 displayed cleavage activity, although the catalytic rate under multiple turnover conditions was found to be reduced by one order of magnitude. The identification of non-essential nucleotides in the catalytic core might help to stabilize the DNAzyme against nucleolytic degradation and to overcome problems in elucidating its three-dimensional structure.     

Growth reference charts and the nutritional status of Indian children

We evaluate the growth performance of Indian children of age 0-3 using data from the 1998-1999 National Family and Health Survey, making use of the new child growth standards developed by the World Health Organization’ Multicentre Growth Reference Study. We find that the new charts lead to an increase of 4.2 million in the estimated number of stunted children, and an increase of 2.3 million in the estimated number of wasted children. The estimated number of underweight children decreases instead by 2.1 million. We also use data on ethnic Indians living in the United Kingdom to provide evidence on the height genetic potential of Indians. We find that children of Indian ethnicity who live in the UK have anthropometric outcomes comparable to those in commonly used growth standards and that the height of ethnic South Asian in the sample is negatively related with the amount of time spent outside the United Kingdom.     

CYP1A1基因单核苷酸多态性与肺癌的相关性研究

目的:探讨代谢酶CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性与新疆汉族人群肺癌遗传易感性之间的相关性.方法:应用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)-限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)技术检测59例新疆汉族肺癌和84例新疆汉族健康人的CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性分布频率,并分析了CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性与新疆汉族人群肺癌遗传易感性和患者性别之间的相关性.结果:(1)CYP1A1基因MspI位点3种多态基因型分布频率在两组间比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.682,P=0.035),CC基因型在病例组的分布频率显著高于正常对照组.(2)携带突变CC基因型的个体较携带TT基因型的个体患肺癌的危险性增加(OR=3.759.95%CI=1.228-11.494,P=0.035).(3)男女肺癌患者的CYP1A1基因MspI位点基因型及等位基因频率的差异均无显著性(P>0.05).结论:(1)CC突变基因型可能是新疆汉族人群的肺癌易感因素.(2)CYP1A1基因MspI位点多态性可能与新疆汉族肺癌患者的性别无关.     

家蝇细胞凋亡起始酶Caspase-1基因的克隆及在不同虫态的表达

为了研究Caspases家族在昆虫发育变态中的作用,通过RT-PCR扩增并结合RACE技术,克隆得到家蝇Musca domestica Caspase-1基因1条,命名为Mdom-Caspase-1（GenBank中cDNA序列号为EU854472, 氨基酸序列号为ACF71490）。该基因全长1 295 bp,阅读框序列870 bp,共编码289个氨基酸,理论分子量32.83 kDa,等电点8.67。 Mdom-Caspase-1蛋白有5个保守的半胱氨酸位点QACQG, 具有Caspase的典型特征; 整个分子呈现亲水性, 有8个区域共89个氨基酸为亲酯性, 蛋白质二级结构主要由11个α螺旋区、7个β-折叠区、17个β-转角区组成。昆虫间Caspase-1分子具有明显的保守性, Mdom-Caspase-1与黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster、埃及伊蚊Aedes aegypti和致倦库蚊Culex quinquefasciatus的Caspase-1氨基酸序列相似性为65%~77%。RT-PCR半定量分析结果表明, Mdom-Caspase-1基因在家蝇各个虫态中均有表达, 但在卵期、3龄幼虫、预蛹、蛹和羽化5 d的雌虫中的表达量明显高于其他虫态。这些结果提示Caspase-1可能与昆虫发育变态关系密切, 为进一步研究昆虫Caspase-1功能、设计Caspase-1抑制剂提供了分子基础。     

ClpXP-mediated Degradation of the TAC Antitoxin is Neutralized by the SecB-like Chaperone in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are composed of a deleterious toxin and its antagonistic antitoxin. They are widespread in bacterial genomes and mobile genetic elements, and their functions remain largely unknown. Some TA systems, known as TAC modules, include a cognate SecB-like chaperone that assists the antitoxin in toxin inhibition. Here, we have investigated the involvement of proteases in the activation cycle of the TAC system of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We show that the deletion of endogenous AAA⁺ proteases significantly bypasses the need for a dedicated chaperone and identify the mycobacterial ClpXP1P2 complex as the main protease involved in TAC antitoxin degradation. In addition, we show that the ClpXP1P2 degron is located at the extreme C-terminal end of the chaperone addiction (ChAD) region of the antitoxin, demonstrating that ChAD functions as a hub for both chaperone binding and recognition by proteases.     

HIV-1包膜基因变异的体外研究

采用亚型测定、核苷酸和氨基酸序列测定和同源性分析等方法,观察了HIV-1 ⅢB毒株在实验室长期传代过程中包膜基因变异的情况.研究的毒株包括:经过实验室8年多连续使用而获得的毒株、在MT4细胞长期连续传代而获得的每间隔10代的毒株样品及多次更换宿主细胞传代而获得的毒株.主要结果有:(1)各种毒株包膜基因变异均不显著,核苷酸序列同源性均大于92%,变异距离均小于7.5%,且随着传代数增加核苷酸趋于稳定,代间同源性由92%上升至99%,而变异距离由7.5%下降为0.6%.(2)在传代过程中HIV-1亚型保持稳定,各种毒株均为HIV-1 B3亚型.结果显示HIV在体外长期传代培养的过程中变异不大,遗传性状稳定,可能是体外生长的环境十分稳定,缺乏机体免疫学压力.结果也提示体外长期传代HIV毒株仍然适用于各种HIV的应用研究,用长期传代的方法发展HIV-减毒活疫苗的可能性不大.     

The timing of the rise in U.S. obesity varies with measure of fatness

There are several ways to measure fatness and obesity, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The primary measure for tracking the prevalence of obesity has historically been body mass index (BMI). This paper compares long-run trends in the prevalence of obesity when obesity is defined using skinfold thickness instead of BMI, using data from the full series of U.S. National Health Examination Surveys. The results indicate that when one uses skinfold thickness rather than BMI to define obesity, the rise in the prevalence of obesity is detectable 10-20 years earlier. This underscores the importance of examining multiple measures of fatness when monitoring or otherwise studying obesity.     

与线粒体分裂有关的蛋白质研究进展

在活细胞内线粒体处于不断的融合与分裂状态,线粒体融合与分裂的动态平衡影响着线粒体的形态和数量,本文对近年来与线粒体分裂有关的蛋白质研究进行了综述：（1）酵母（S.cerevisae)中的Dnm1蛋白或它的同源蛋白质可能通过缠绕于线粒体的收缩部分而影响线粒体外膜分裂;（2）位于线粒体上的3种同源蛋白Mdv1/Fis2/Gag3与Dnm1能短暂结合,它们都是线粒体分裂装置的组成部分;（3）一个插入线粒体外膜的跨膜蛋白Fisl或Mdv2极有可能是线粒体分裂装置的招募因子,并且由它启动分裂过程;（4）分布于膜间隙（IMS）中的Mgm1蛋白并不负责线粒体内膜分裂,这与以前的观点相反。