一种降刺猬内源性脂蛋白(a)反义靶向连接物

通过酶联免疫法测定了刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的含量,从中选出一些脂蛋白（ａ）水平较高的刺猬,研究脱唾液酸糖蛋白－多聚赖氨酸－反义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ连接物对刺猬内源性脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用．结果表明,该连接物可明显降低刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的水平,而脱唾液酸糖蛋白－多聚赖氨酸－正义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ连接物对刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）无降低作用,无脱唾液酸糖蛋白靶向的反义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ寡核苷酸对刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用明显低于有脱唾液酸糖蛋白靶向的连接物．连接物几乎不影响刺猬体内的纤维蛋白溶酶原的活性,连接物对刺猬脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用至少可持续１６ｈ．     

Double-enzyme conjugates, producing an intermediate color, for simultaneous and direct detection of three different intracellular immunoglobulin determinants with only two enzymes

A new double-enzyme conjugate was synthesized by coupling alkaline phosphatase (AP) to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After AP (blue) and subsequent HRP (red) cytochemistry, this new conjugate produced a stable intermediate-colored (violet) product. By coupling this double-enzyme conjugate to an antigen (trinitrophenyl, TNP) or an antibody (anti-mouse immunoglobulin G2a), anti-TNP or -IgG2a-producing cells could be demonstrated as violet cells in spleen sections. This led to the development of a rapid one-step incubation--two-step cytochemical procedure for simultaneous detection of three different determinants in a single tissue section. To demonstrate this novel triple staining method, we coupled three different antigens to, respectively, AP, HRP, and AP-HRP. When spleen sections of immunized animals were incubated with a mixture of these three antigen-enzyme conjugates, we could distinguish antibody-forming cells against each of these three antigens simultaneously as red (HRP), blue (AP), and violet (AP-HRP) cells. The simultaneous detection of three different classes of intracellular antibodies in a single section also proved to be possible with this method. With this study we provide a new direct method for detection of three different intracellular immunoglobulins after a one-step incubation and a two-step standard cytochemical procedure.     

Application of an anti-HQIgY antibody for the measurement of IgY concentrations of hen's and quail's serum and yolk

The development of a sensitive ELISA for the measurement of quail IgY (QIgY) was the main purpose of our study. The suitable antibody (AB) was prepared in rabbits. Both quail IgY (QIgY) and hen IgY (HIgY) were precipitated by this developed AB. For this reason it was marked as anti-hen-quail-IgY (a-HQIgY). The purified AB was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (aHQIgY-HRP) and a sensitive direct ELISA was developed, based on this labeled AB. The prepared aHQIgY AB which was used in this developed ELISA method was suitable for the measurement of total and specific IgY concentration in domestic hen (Gallus domesticus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) either. As a result of our experiments it is very likely that there are identical sequences of IgYs of both species. This part of IgY has good antigen character at the same time. Probably, this phenomenon has occurrence in other Galliform species, too. Further investigations will be carried out in this field.     

A high-throughput fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based endothelial cell apoptosis assay and its application for screening vascular disrupting agents

In this study, we developed a high-throughput endothelial cell apoptosis assay using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor. After exposure to apoptotic inducer UV-irradiation or anticancer drugs such as paclitaxel, the fluorescence of the cells changed from green to blue. We developed this method into a high-throughput assay in 96-well plates by measuring the emission ratio of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) to cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) to monitor the activation of a key protease, caspase-3, during apoptosis. The Z' factor for this assay was above 0.5 which indicates that this assay is suitable for a high-throughput analysis. Finally, we applied this functional high-throughput assay for screening vascular disrupting agents (VDA) which could induce endothelial cell apoptosis from our in-house compounds library and dioscin was identified as a hit. As this assay allows real time and sensitive detection of cell apoptosis, it will be a useful tool for monitoring endothelial cell apoptosis in living cell situation and for identifying new VDA candidates via a high-throughput screening.     

Regulation of the type III InsP(3) receptor by InsP(3) and calcium

It has been proposed that the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) type III acts as a trigger for InsP(3)-mediated calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling, because this InsP(3) isoform lacks feedback inhibition by cytosolic Ca(2+). We tested this hypothesis in RIN-m5F cells, which express predominantly the type III receptor. Extracellular ATP increases Ca(2+) in these cells, and we found that this effect is independent of extracellular Ca(2+) but is blocked by the InsP(3)R antagonist heparin. There was a dose-dependent increase in the number of cells responding to ATP and two-photon flash photolysis of caged-Ca(2+) heightened the sensitivity of RIN-m5F cells to this increase. These findings provide evidence that Ca(2+) increases the sensitivity of the InsP(3)R type III in intact cells and supports the idea that this isoform can act as a trigger for hormone-induced Ca(2+) signaling.     

A potential model for early stages of chromosomal evolution via concentric Robertsonian fans: a large area of polymorphism in southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis)

Western Tennessee contains unusually highly polymorphic populations of southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis). We previously documented eight Robertsonian translocations (ROBs) accounting for a variation in diploid number from 46 in most of this species' range to 34-40 in western Tennessee. We have now expanded our study to include data from adjacent areas in Tennessee and Mississippi, 10 localities in all. The new data show a variation in diploid number ranging from 31 to 41, four new ROBs (for a total of 12), and the novel finding of monobrachial translocations in this group. All animals collected from this large area (extending over 12, 000 km(2)) had some level of ROBs, and none represented the 2n = 46 form seen in other parts of the range of this species. Because other species of shrews (genus Sorex) are not affected in the same area, the factors and/or selective forces causing this extensive polymorphism in B. carolinensis must be unique to this species and to this geographic area. Some ROBs were found throughout this large area of over 12,000 km(2). Other translocations (including those with monobrachial homology) were located in one or two localities in this large area, and still other translocations were intermediate in their distribution. There was a concentric pattern to the evolution and presumed spreading of the ROBs. This allowed us to expand the concept of a Robertsonian "fan," introduced by Matthey (1970), to that of concentric evolution of multiple fusion fans: ROBs likely arose independently, separated temporally and geographically, and radiated into surrounding populations to create this complex zone of polymorphism. This is an active process in its infancy, and it is not as mature as that seen in European studies of Mus and Sorex.     

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of a Rolling Leaf Mutation Gene in Rice

A rice mutant with rolling leaf, namely γ-rl, was obtained from M2 progenies of a native indica rice stable strain Qinghuazhan （QHZ） from mutagenesis of dry seeds by γ-rays. Genetic analysis using the F2 population from a cross between this mutant and QHZ indicated the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene. In order to map the locus for this mutation, another F2 population with 601 rolling leaf plants was constructed from a cross between y-rl and a japonica cultivar 02428. After primary mapping with SSR （simple sequence repeats） markers, the mutated locus was located at the short arm of chromosome 3, flanked by RM6829 and RM3126. A number of SSR, InDel （insertion/deletion） and SNP （single nucleotide polymorphism） markers within this region were further developed for fine mapping. Finally, two markers, SNP121679 and InDe1422395, were identified to be flanked to this locus with genetic distances of 0.08 cM and 0.17 cM respectively, and two SNP markers, SNP75346 and SNPl10263, were found to be co-segregated with this locus. These results suggested that this locus was distinguished from all loci for the rolling leaf mutation in rice reported so far, and thus renamed rl10（t）. By searching the rice genome database with closely linked markers using BLAST programs, an e-physical map covering rl10（t） locus spanning about a 50 kb region was constructed. Expression analysis of the genes predicted in this region showed that a gene encoding putative flavin-containing monooxygenase （FMO） was silenced in γ-rl, thus this is the most likely candidate responsible for the rolling leaf mutation.     

Implication of an unfavorable residue (Thr346) in intrinsic flexibility of firefly luciferase

In order to better understand the functional role of an unusual residue (Thr346) of firefly luciferase mutagenesis at this residue was performed. Firefly luciferase, catalyzes the bioluminescence reaction and is an excellent tool as a reporter in nano-system biology studies. Nonetheless, the enzyme rapidly loses its activity at temperatures above 30°C and this leads to reduced sensitivity and precision in analytical applications. Residue Thr346 in a connecting loop (341-348) of firefly luciferase is located in a disallowed region of Ramachandran plot. In this study, we have substituted this residue (T346) with anomalous dihedral angles with Val, Gly and Pro to clarify the role of this residue in structure and function of the enzyme using site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of this unfavorable residue (T346) with atypical dihedral angles (ψ, φ) with other residues brought about an increase of thermostability and decrease of specific activity. Structural and functional properties of the mutants were analyzed using different spectroscopic methods. It seems that this residue is a critically conserved residue to support the functional flexibility for a fast kinetic bioluminescence reaction at the expense of lower stability.     

The phosphorylation state of threonine-220, a uniquely phosphatase-sensitive protein kinase A site in microtubule-associated protein MAP2c,regulates microtubule binding and stability

Phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) has a profound effect on microtubule stability and organization. In this work a consensus protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation site, T(220), of juvenile MAP2c is characterized. As confirmed by mass spectrometry, this site can be phosphorylated by PKA but shows less than average reactivity among the 3.5 +/- 0.5 phosphate residues incorporated into the protein. In contrast, T(220) is uniquely sensitive to dephosphorylation: three major Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, in the order of efficiency PP2B > PP2A(c) > PP1(c), remove this phosphate group first. MAP2c specifically dephosphorylated at this site binds and stabilizes microtubules stronger than either fully phosphorylated or nonphosphorylated MAP2c. Phosphorylation of this site also affects proteolytic sensitivity of MAP2c, which might represent a further level of control in this system. Thus, the phosphorylation state of T(220) may be a primary determinant of microtubule function.     

The proximal hydrogen bond network modulates Bacillus subtilis nitric-oxide synthase electronic and structural properties

Bacterial nitric-oxide synthase (NOS)-like proteins are believed to be genuine NOSs. As for cytochromes P450 (CYPs), NOS-proximal ligand is a thiolate that exerts a push effect crucial for the process of dioxygen activation. Unlike CYPs, this catalytic electron donation seems controlled by a hydrogen bond (H-bond) interaction between the thiolate ligand and a vicinal tryptophan. Variations of the strength of this H-bond could provide a direct way to tune the stability along with the electronic and structural properties of NOS. We generated five different mutations of bsNOS Trp66, which can modulate this proximal H-bond. We investigated the effects of these mutations on different NOS complexes (FeIII, FeIICO, and FeIINO), using a combination of UV-visible absorption, EPR, FTIR, and resonance Raman spectroscopies. Our results indicate that (i) the proximal H-bond modulation can selectively decrease or increase the electron donating properties of the proximal thiolate, (ii) this modulation controls the σ-competition between distal and proximal ligands, (iii) this H-bond controls the stability of various NOS intermediates, and (iv) a fine tuning of the electron donation by the proximal ligand is required to allow at the same time oxygen activation and to prevent uncoupling reactions.     

Calpain 1 binding capacities of the N1-line region of titin are significantly enhanced by physiological concentrations of calcium

Calpain 1, an ubiquitous well-known calcium-dependent intracellular protease, was recently shown to bind tightly to the proximal end of the I-band titin segment in a calcium-dependent manner [Raynaud et al. (2005) FEBS J. 272, 2578-2590]. In the present work we identified the titin Ig-domain of concern by this interaction and the role of calcium in this interaction using a recombinant fragment of titin spanning the I2-I6 region and its subfragments. The heterodimeric form of calpain 1 binds to this titin fragment with a very high affinity ( K d = 5.1 +/- 0.2 x 10 (-7) M) at much lower calcium levels than those saturating the high-affinity binding sites of the peptidase ( K d = 25 microM). Investigation of this interaction with I2-I6 subfragments clearly showed that the dimeric form of calpain 1 binds exclusively to the Ig-domain I4 of titin with an affinity similar to that of the whole I2-I6 segment. As for the I2-I6 fragment, this interaction is calcium regulated. Calcium was shown to bind tightly to titin ( K d = 1.9 x 10 (-7) M), causing an oligomerization of the titin segment. At physiological calcium concentration (10 (-6) to 10 (-8) M), the prevailing form of the titin fragment is a trimer, suggesting that calpain 1 binds to this titin structure. From the present findings, it was concluded that calcium binding to titin increased the amount of bound calpain 1 (up to 40% of the total calpain 1) and that this bound calpain 1 might constitute a reservoir for this peptidase. In this context, we proposed a schematic diagram of this series of calcium-dependent events with the inherent unanswered questions. These events are probably under a complex regulation involving undoubtedly different yet unidentified proteins.     

A "ready-to-use" fluorescent-labelled-cysteine-TBTP (4-thiobutyltriphenylphosphonium) synthon to investigate the delivery of non-permeable PNA (peptide nucleic acids)-based compounds to cells

This paper reports: (i) the facile synthesis of a cysteine synthon incorporating both a fluorescent group and a triphenylphosphonium derivative (TBTP) via the formation of a disulphide bond, which can subsequently undergo facile intracellular scission, (ii) the direct conjugation of this synthon to a non-permeable drug, (a cyclic PNA (peptide nucleic acid)-based compound has been chosen as a model), and (iii) that this conjugation enables the efficient homogenous delivery of the otherwise non-permeable cyclic PNA into the cytoplasm of cells, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. Our results indicate that this fluorescent-labelled cysteine-TBTP synthon can provide a very useful tool for exploring the cellular uptake of a large range of molecules of biological interest, containing only a single reactive function. The preparation of an activated TBTP derivative is also described and this procedure could be widely used to introduce a TBTP cation to any thio-containing molecule.     

Geographic distribution of Ala62Thr variant associated to Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis from Sub-Saharan to Mediterranean area

Recently, we identified a susceptibility locus for human Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis (UAN) on 10q21-q22 and showed that a variant (Ala62Thr) of a novel gene (ZNF365) encoding a specific protein (Talanin) is associated with Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis (UAN) (OMIM 605990). We analyzed the frequency of this polymorphism associated with UAN in some ethnic groups from the Mediterranean to the African area. We found that this variant is common in Sardinian (frequency 32%) and Sicilian populations (frequency 23%). Both Mediterranean islands in the Italian peninsula this frequency was 27%. On the contrary, in Burkina Faso and in Benin, both Sub-Saharan countries, a low frequency of this variant predisposing to UAN was found (1.1% and 1.2% respectively). This low frequency of Ala62Thr is associated with a low prevalence of UAN in Burkina Faso and in Benin.     

Elucidation of the mechanism of interaction of sheep spleen galectin-1 with splenocytes and its role in cell-matrix adhesion

The binding of a 14 kDa beta-galactoside animal lectin to splenocytes has been studied in detail. The binding data show that there are two classes of binding sites on the cells for the lectin: a high-affinity site with a K(a) ranging from 1.1 x 10(6) to 5.1 x 10(5) M (-1) and a low affinity binding site with a K(a) ranging from 7.7 x 10(4) to 3.4 x 10(4) M (-1). The number of receptors per cell for the high- and low-affinity sites is 9 +/- 3 x 10(6) and 2.5 +/- 0.5 x 10(6), respectively. The temperature dependence of the K value yielded the thermodynamic parameters. The energetics of this interaction shows that, although this interaction is essentially enthalpically driven (DeltaH - 21 kJ lambdamol(-1)) for the high-affinity sites, there is a very favorable entropy contribution to the free energy of this interaction (-TDeltaS - 17.5 Jmol(-1)), suggesting that hydrophobic interaction may also be playing a role in this interaction. Lactose brought about a 20% inhibition of this interaction, whereas the glycoprotein asialofetuin brought about a 75% inhibition, suggesting that complex carbohydrate structures are involved in the binding of galectin-1 to splenocytes. Galectin-1 also mediated the binding and adhesion of splenocytes to the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin, suggesting a role for it in cell-matrix interactions.     

A small deletion in the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy locus —a functionally important region?

Summary A DNA deletion in a patient with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has been delineated by restriction endonuclease mapping. The deletion is unusually small, removing six kilobases (kb) of DNA distal to pERT 87-1 (DXS164). This region has previously been shown to contain an exon of a candidate gene which, when defective, causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or Becker muscular dystrophy. Removal of this exon and surrounding DNA is apparently sufficient, in this case, to cause a BMD phenotype. The occurrence of this deletion in DXS164 would appear to confirm that this region is part of the BMD locus. Many DMD patients have deletions in and around this region, adding further evidence for the allelic nature of the two disorders. This fortuitous deletion may identify a functionally important domain of the protein product in terms of the severity of phenotype manifested.     

The binding components for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Separation from the rat and mouse hepatic cytosol and characterization of a light density component

Using sucrose density gradient centrifugation in a vertical rotor, we have separated three major binding components contained in hepatic cytosols from C57BL/6 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Using this preparative method we have obtained, after a 3-h run of 2.4 ml of crude cytosol from 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichlorodipyridyloxy)]benzene-treated C57BL/6 mice (approximately 50 mg of protein: 10,000 fmol of Ah receptor) 50 and 75% yields of isolated Ah receptor and carcinogen-binding protein (4 S binding protein), respectively. Both binding components may be kept at -70 degrees C for several months without loss of activity. A third binding component, which did not sediment in a sucrose density gradient (5-20%), even after a 4-h run at 63,000 rpm, was recovered from the top fractions of gradients. When applied to Sephacryl S-300 columns this component was eluted in the void fraction. Resistant to the direct degradative action of nucleases and proteases, this large complex was sequentially converted to its subcomponents by lipoprotein-lipase, proteinase K, and phospholipases. Only the phospholipases are able to abolish the binding capacity of this light density component (LDC) for [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: hence, we conclude that phospholipids are the true binders of this radioligand. In vitro, this lipoprotein irreversibly binds many hydrophobic radioligands (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,3-methylcholanthrene, benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, and dexamethasone). Using single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation, the major part (80%) of LDC was characterized as a very low-density lipoprotein, and a minor part (20%) as a low-density lipoprotein. This conclusion was supported by the size of LDC particles (about 25-75 nm) observed in electron microscopy.     

Purification of a new isoform of laccase from a Marasmius quercophilus strain isolated from a cork oak litter (Quercus suber L)

A new isoform of laccase from Marasmius quercophilus is described in this study. The strain of this white-rot fungus was isolated for the first time on a cork oak litter. This isoform exhibited certain common properties of laccases (a molecular weight of 65 Kda, an optimum pH of 6.2 with syringaldazine). But this laccase has also particularly novel features: the best activity measured was observed at high temperatures (80 C) and this isoform was not inhibited with EDTA. Furthermore, this induced laccase was able to transform most of the aromatic compounds tested without the addition of mediators to the reaction mixture, and the transformation of certain chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) by a laccase isoform from M. quercophilus is reported here for the first time. We also demonstrate the importance of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) as a mediator since it allowed veratryl alcohol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid transformation. Moreover, new products of transformation were observed using the combination of ABTS with this isoform of laccase.     

Signals and targets of the self-incompatibility response in pollen of Papaver rhoeas

Self-incompatibility (SI) in Papaver rhoeas involves an allele-specific recognition between stigmatic S-proteins and pollen, resulting in inhibition of incompatible pollen. A picture of some of the signalling events and mechanisms involved in this specific inhibition of pollen tube growth is beginning to be built up. This highly specific response triggers a Ca(2+)-dependent signalling cascade in incompatible pollen when a stigmatic S-protein interacts with it. Rapid increases in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) can now be attributed (at least in part) to Ca(2+) influx. The rapid loss of the pollen apical Ca(2+) gradient within approximately 1-2 min is accompanied by the inhibition of pollen tube tip growth. Concomitant with this time-frame, hyper-phosphorylation of p26, a soluble pollen phosphoprotein is detected. Characterization of p26 reveals that it is a soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase, which suggests a possible direct functional role in pollen tube growth. Slightly later, a putative MAP kinase (p52) is thought to be activated. Finally, preliminary evidence that programmed cell death (PCD) may be triggered in this response is described. A key target for these signals, the actin cytoskeleton, has also been identified. In this article the current understanding of some of the components of this signalling cascade and how they are beginning to throw some light on possible mechanisms involved in this SI-induced inhibition of pollen tube growth, is discussed.