茶多糖的抗氧化活性及对细胞氧化损伤的保护机制

茶多糖是一种从茶叶中提取的酸性糖蛋白,具有良好的抗氧化活性。以自由基清除率为指标,分析皖西南地区夏秋茶多糖的抗氧化活性,基于H₂O₂和EDTA-Fe²⁺建立的外源性羟基自由基(·OH)损伤细胞模型和PMA诱导内源性羟基自由基损伤模型,进一步探讨茶多糖对自由基损伤的修复作用机制。结果表明,茶多糖具有良好的体外抗氧化活性,对DPPH·和·OH均具有较强的清除效果,EC₅₀值分别为209.5和535.2μg·mL^–1,最大清除效率与Vc相当。细胞增殖实验表明,外源性和内源性自由基氧化损伤模型中细胞存活率均随着茶多糖浓度的增加而升高,在茶多糖浓度为800μg·mL^–1时细胞存活率分别高达87.41%和85.84%,且显著高于模型组(47.67%和48.03%)。在修复机制上,利用激光共聚焦显微镜显影细胞内活性氧(ROS)分布以及荧光强度,分析结果显示,与模型组相比,茶多糖对于细胞模型中外源和内源性ROS均具有明显的清除效果,与体外抗氧化实验结果一致。茶多糖在体外表...     

生长素结构与其活性关系的揭示

生长素结构与活性之间关系是长期以来悬而未决的一个难题。最近的研究证明,生长素分子像“胶水”一样将受体TIR1与效应蛋白Aux／IAA“粘合”后,形成SCF^TIR1-生长素-Aux／IAA复合物,进而激活泛素连接酶3（SCF^TIR1）,起着促使Aux／IAA泛素化后的降解,转录因子ARFs得到活化后,启动一系列生长素响应基因的转录,于是植物表现出相应的生长发育状态。     

Relationship between the Interhelical Packing Angles and the Length of α-Helices in Proteins

Abstract—Mutual arrangement, or packing, of α-helices in proteins depends on several factors, but, tight packing and the chemical nature of the polypeptide chain are the most important. This study shows, for the first time, that the torsion packing angles between axes of α-helices depend on their length. A database of helical pairs formed by two connected and juxtaposed α-helices has been compiled using the Protein Data Bank. These helical pairs have been subdivided into four types: (1) 10474 pairs formed by long helices; (2) 3665 pairs in which the first α-helix is long and the second is short; (3) 3648 pairs in which the first α‑helix is short and the second is long; 4) 1895 pairs in which both helices are short. Analysis of the database showed that most helical pairs in which both the helices are long form α-hairpins having interhelical packing angles of Ω ≈ 20°. Most helical pairs in which one α-helix is long and the other is short or both helices are short form αα-corners having orthogonal (Ω ≈ –70°…–90°) or slanted (Ω ≈ –50°) packing of α-helices. The possible reasons for this relationship between interhelical angles (Ω) and the length of α-helices are discussed. These results are of great importance in protein modeling and prediction since they enable the determination of the mutual arrangement of α-helices in protein molecules.     

Convulsive Activity of α-Guanidinoglutaric Acid and the Possible Involvement of 5-Hydroxytryptamine in the α-Guanidinoglutaric Acid-Induced Seizure Mechanism

alpha-Guanidinoglutaric acid (alpha-GGA) was first found in cobalt-induced epileptogenic focus tissue in the cerebral cortex of cats. We examined the effect of alpha-GGA on the electroencephalogram and on the brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level after intraventricular administration into rats. Sporadic low-voltage spikes appeared 4 min after the administration of alpha-GGA. Spikes increased in voltage 6 min after the administration. Multiple spikes appeared 10 min after the administration, and they reached maximal frequency 30 min after the administration. The epileptic discharges disappeared 100 min after the administration. The 5-HT level increased in the right and left cortices 3 min after the administration. The 5-HT level decreased in the mid-brain 5 min after the administration and subsequently in all regions of the brain 10 min after the administration. No change in the 5-HT level was found 30 min and 100 min after the administration. These results show that alpha-GGA induces epileptic seizures in rats after intraventricular administration. The results also suggest that alpha-GGA-induced seizures are associated with abnormal serotonergic function and that they are initiated by a decrease in the 5-HT level.     

The loop between β-strands β2 and β3 and its interaction with the N-terminal α-helix is essential for biogenesis of α7 nicotinic receptors

Recently, we have shown that the α-helix present at the N-termini of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors plays a crucial role in their biogenesis. Structural data suggest that this helix interacts with the loop linking β-strands β2 and β3 (loop 3). We studied the role of this loop as well as its interaction with the helix in membrane receptor expression. Residues from Asp62 to Val75 in loop 3 were mutated. Mutations of conserved amino acids, such as Asp62, Leu65 and Trp67 abolished membrane receptor expression in Xenopus oocytes. Others mutations, at residues Asn68, Ala69, Ser70, Tyr72, Gly74, and Val 75 were less harmful although still produced significant expression decreases. Steady state levels of wild-type and mutant α7 receptors (L65A, W67A, and Y72A) were similar but the formation of pentameric receptors was impaired in the latter (W67A). Mutation of critical residues in subunits of heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α3β4) also abolished their membrane expression. Complementarity between the helix and loop 3 was evidenced by studying the expression of chimeric α7 receptors in which these domains were substituted by homologous sequences from other subunits. We conclude that loop 3 and its docking to the α-helix is an important requirement for receptor assembly.     

Structural Analysis of the Sixth Immunoglobulin-Like Domain of Mouse Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 and Its Interactions with αvβ3, αIIbβ3, and α5β1 Integrins

Abstract: Previous experiments suggested that the human cell adhesion molecule L1 interacts with different integrins via its sixth immunoglobulin-like domain in an RGD-dependent manner. Here we have described the expression of this domain from early postnatal mouse brain, analyzed the structure of the recombinant protein by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, and performed solid-phase binding studies to αvβ3, αIIbβ3, and α5β1 integrins. The domain was found to have the expected β-sheet organization, which was lost in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The midpoint of the single-step transition occurred at 1.5 M guanidine hydrochloride. The sixth immunoglobulin-like domain of mouse brain L1 contains two RGD motifs and was found to bind in a concentration-dependent and saturable way to αvβ3, αIIbβ3, and α5β1 integrins, suggesting specific interactions with these ligands. However, only the interaction to αvβ3 could be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by an RGD-containing peptide, and the IC₅₀ was determined to be ∼20 n M . Mutants of the domain, which lack either one or both of the RGD sites, demonstrated that the RGD site comprising residues 562–564 is involved in the interaction to αvβ3. Our findings indicate an RGD-independent mechanism for the interactions to αIIbβ3 and α5β1, as no involvement of any RGD motif could be demonstrated.     

Partial purification of cell wall α-galactosidases and α-arabinosidases from Cicer arietinum epicotyls. Relationship with cell wall autolytic processes

Two protein fractions with activity as α-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) and α-arabinosidase (EC 3.2.1.55), respectively, were identified in the proteins of cell wall of Cicer arietinum L. cv. Castellana extracted with 3 M LiCl. These fractions were partially purified by gel filtration chromatography (Bio Gel P-150), increasing the specific arabinosidase activity 57-fold and the α-galactosidase activity 6-fold. Other protein fractions with glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) and glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) activity also appeared. According to earlier authors, α-arabinosidases and α-galactosidases are related to alterations in linkages occurring in cell walls, since the enzymes are able to hydrolyze isolated wall polymers. However, our preparations hydrolyze intact cell walls only to a very limited extent, such that their participation in the autolytic processes of cell walls can be ruled out.     

褐藻糖胶的结构及构效关系研究

综述了褐藻糖胶结构方面的研究进展,以及褐藻糖胶的抗凝血活性和抗病毒活性与结构之间的关系。     

Study of the Prooxidant and Antioxidant Activity of Anti-Radiation Agents with LUX-Biosensors

Biology Bulletin - The effects of 29 substances, including known antioxidants, anti-radiation agents, amino acids, and vitamins, on the luminescence intensity of E. coli K12 MG1655 (pSoxS-lux) and...     

In Vitro Protective Effect and Antioxidant Mechanism of Resveratrol Induced by Dapsone Hydroxylamine in Human Cells

Dapsone (DDS) hydroxylamine metabolites cause oxidative stress- linked adverse effects in patients, such as methemoglobin formation and DNA damage. This study evaluated the ameliorating effect of the antioxidant resveratrol (RSV) on DDS hydroxylamine (DDS-NHOH) mediated toxicity in vitro using human erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The antioxidant mechanism was also studied using in-silico methods. In addition, RSV provided intracellular protection by inhibiting DNA damage in human lymphocytes induced by DDS-NHOH. However, whilst pretreatment with RSV (10–1000 μM significantly attenuated DDS-NHOH-induced methemoglobinemia, but it was not only significantly less effective than methylene blue (MET), but also post-treatment with RSV did not reverse methemoglobin formation, contrarily to that observed with MET. DDS-NHOH inhibited catalase (CAT) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, but did not alter superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes. Pretreatment with RSV did not alter these antioxidant enzymes activities in erythrocytes treated with DDS-NHOH. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory methods showed that DDS-NHOH has a pro-oxidant effect, whereas RSV and MET have antioxidant effect on ROS. The effect on methemoglobinemia reversion for MET was significantly higher than that of RSV. These data suggest that the pretreatment with resveratrol may decrease heme-iron oxidation and DNA damage through reduction of ROS generated in cells during DDS therapy.     

Effect of α-Naphthalene- and α-Naphthoxyacetic Acid on the Activity of Certain Enzymes of Atropa belladonna cv. lutea Cells in Suspension Culture

The growth of Atropa belladonna cv. lutea Döll cells and the activities of several enzymes were studied as a function of time in suspension cultures without added auxin, with α-naphthaleneacedc acid (NAA) and with α-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA). The growth curves were rather similar and therefore easy to compare. The enzyme activities (per mg dry weight of culture) were distinctly higher in cultures grown with NAA than in the other two treatments, in which root formation was common. In some cases the enzyme activities were lower in cultures with NOA than in the control series but usually the curves were quite parallel. Promotion of enzyme activities by NAA (aldolase, aminopeptidase, gluta-mate: oxaloacetate transaminase) was clearest in the beginning of the phase of rapid cell division (6-day-old culture). These three enzymes reach their maxima at this stage of growth in the other series as well. Ribonuclease activity increased in the stationary phase cells (13 and 19 days) with NAA but with the other treatments the level of this activity was relatively stable. Peroxidase and phosphatase did not show any characteristic maxima, glutamate: pyruvate transaminase activity was low and no amylase activity could be demonstrated. The results indicate that synthetic plant growth substances can regulate the physiological state of a tissue by causing alterations in enzyme activities, but their action is clearly specific.     

The Activity of α-Amylase in the Shoot and its Relation to Gibberellin-induced Elongation

The activity of α-analyses in various plant organs was examined and the relation- ship between the enzyme activity and the leaf sheath elongation of dwarf mutants of maize was investigated. It has been shown that α-amylase exists in various plant organs. Especially high activity was detected in the bean hypocotyl. The regional activity of a-amylase in the epicotyl of the pea and the hypocotyl of the morning glory was examined. Higher activity was observed in the regions closer to the cotyledons. In the first leaf sheath of d₅ mutants of maize, GA₃-treatment resulted in the promotion of α-amylase activity, and there was a parallelism between GA₃-induced elongation and α-amylase activity. Removal of the endosperm from seedlings did not influence the GA₃-indnced elongation of the leaf sheath or the promotion of α-amylase activity. From these results it is concluded that at least some of the α-amylase is actually formed in the leaf sheath, and that there exists a distinct parallelism between the GA₃-induced promotion of enzyme activity and leaf sheath elongation.     

Antioxidant Activity of Inulin and Its Role in the Prevention of Human Colonic Muscle Cell Impairment Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Mucosal Exposure

Background

Fructans, such as inulin, are dietary fibers which stimulate gastro-intestinal (GI) function acting as prebiotics. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impairs GI motility, through production of reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant activity of various fructans was tested and the protective effect of inulin on colonic smooth muscle cell (SMC) impairment, induced by exposure of human mucosa to LPS, was assessed in an ex vivo experimental model.

Methods

The antioxidant capacity of fructans was measured in an in vitro system that simulates cooking and digestion processes. Human colonic mucosa and submucosa, obtained from disease-free margins of resected segments for cancer, were sealed between two chambers, with the mucosal side facing upwards with Krebs solution with or without purified LPS from a pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli (O111:B4) and inulin (Frutafit IQ), and the submucosal side facing downwards into Krebs solution. The solutions on the submucosal side were collected following mucosal exposure to Krebs in the absence (N-undernatant) or presence of LPS (LPS-undernatant) or LPS+inulin (LPS+INU-undernatant). Undernatants were tested for their antioxidant activity and the effects on SMCs contractility. Inulin protective effects on mucosa and submucosa layers were assessed measuring the protein oxidation level in the experimental conditions analyzed.

Results

Antioxidant activity of inulin, which was significantly higher compared to simple sugars, remained unaltered despite cooking and digestion processes. Inulin protected the mucosal and submucosal layers against protein oxidation. Following exposure to LPS-undernatant, a significant decrease in maximal acetylcholine (Ach)-induced contraction was observed when compared to the contraction induced in cells incubated with the N-undernatant (4±1% vs 25±5% respectively, P<0.005) and this effect was completely prevented by pre-incubation of LPS with Inulin (35±5%).

Conclusions

Inulin protects the human colon mucosa from LPS-induced damage and this effect appears to be related to the protective effect of inulin against LPS-induced oxidative stress.     

α, βI, βII, δ, and ε Protein Kinase C Isoforms and Compound Activity in the Sciatic Nerve of Normal and Diabetic Rats

Abstract: Defective protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in impaired Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, α, βI, βII, γ, δ, and ε isoform-specific antibodies were used in parallel to the measurement of compound PKC activity for the characterization of PKC distribution and isoform expression in sciatic nerves of normal and diabetic rats. To distinguish isoform expression between the axonal and glial compartments, PKC isoforms were evaluated in nerves subjected to Wallerian degeneration and in a pure primary Schwann cell culture. α, βI, βII, δ, and ε but no γ isoforms were detected in sciatic nerve. Similar immunoreactivity was observed in degenerated nerves 3–4 days after transection except for diminished βI and ε species; in Schwann cell cultures, only α, βII, δ, and ε were detected. In normal nerves, two-thirds of PKC compound activity was found in the cytosol and 50% of total enzyme activity translocated to the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase-enriched membrane fraction with phorbol myristate acetate. Similar redistribution patterns were observed for the immunoreactivity of all isoforms with the exception of δ, which did not translocate to the membrane with phorbol myristate acetate. No abnormality in compound PKC activity, in the immunoreactive intensity, or in the distribution of PKC isoforms could be detected in rat sciatic nerve after 6–12 weeks of diabetes. Thus, defective activation rather than decreased intrinsic PKC activity may occur in diabetic neuropathy.     

Role of the conserved carboxy-terminal α-helix of Rad6p in ubiquitination and DNA repair

RAD6 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme essential for DNA repair as well as for a number of other biological processes. It is believed that the functions of Rad6p require the ubiquitination of target proteins, but its substrates as well as other interacting proteins are largely unknown. Rad6p homologues of higher eukaryotes have a number of amino acid residues in the C-terminal α-helix, which are conserved from yeast to man but are absent from most other yeast ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (Ubcs). This specific conservation suggests that the C-terminal a-helix is important for the unique activities of the Rad6p family of Ubcs. We have investigated the effects of mutating this highly conserved region on the ubiquitination of model substrates in vitro and on error-free DNA repair in vivo. C-terminal point and deletion mutants of Rad6p differentially affected its in vitro activity on various substrates, raising the possibility that Rad6p interacts with its substrates in vivo by similar mechanisms. The distal part of the C-terminal u-helix is also essential for error-free DNA repair in vivo. Overexpression of Rad18p, a single-stranded DNA-binding protein that also interacts with Rad6p, alleviates the DNA repair defects of the C-terminal α-helix mutants to different degrees. This indicates that the C-terminal α-helix of Rad6p mediates its interaction with Rad18p, an essential step in DNA repair. Models of Rad6p action propose that its ubiquitination function is followed by proteolysis of unknown ubiquitinated targets. Mutants affecting several functions of the 26S proteasome retain wild-type capacity for error-free DNA repair. This raises the possibility that ubiquitination by Rad6p in DNA repair does not target proteins for proteasomal degradation.     

The γ-Aminobutyrate Content of Nerve Endings (Synaptosomes) in Mice After the Intramuscular Injection of γ-Aminobutyrate-Elevating Agents: A Possible Role in Anticonvulsant Activity

Abstract: The intramuscular administration of L-cycloserine, gabaculine, and aminooxyacetic acid caused significant, time-dependent increases in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content of both whole brain and synaptosomalenriched preparations obtained from the tissue, a linear relationship being observed between the two parameters. In contrast, the administration of hydrazine resulted in a large increase in whole brain GABA level, with little change in the synaptosomal GABA content. The key factor in these different responses appeared to be the degree of inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase by the drugs. Pretreatment of mice with the GABA-elevating agents resulted in a delay in the onset of seizures, which was related directly to the increase in synaptosomal GABA content. Although the seizures were delayed, they occurred while the GABA content of nerve endings (synaptosomes) was above that in preparations from untreated animals. The decrease in GABA content at the onset of seizures, expressed as a percentage of the level at the time of injection of the convulsant agent, was, however, reasonably constant. A hypothesis to explain these results is proposed.     

Shigella flexneri 3a Outer Membrane Protein C Epitope Is Recognized by Human Umbilical Cord Sera and Associated with Protective Activity

Shigella flexneri 3a is one of the five major strains of the Shigella genus responsible for dysentery, especially among children, in regions of high poverty and poor sanitation. The outer membrane proteins (OMP) of this bacterium elicit immunological responses and are considered a prime target for vaccine development. When injected into mice they elicit a protective immunological response against a lethal dose of the pathogen. The OMPs from S. flexneri 3a were isolated and resolved by two-dimension-SDS-PAGE. Two 38-kDa spots were of particular interest since in our earlier studies OMPs of such molecular mass were found to interact with umbilical cord sera. These two spots were identified as OmpC by ESI-MS/MS spectrometry. By DNA sequencing, the ompC gene from S. flexneri 3a was identical to ompC from S. flexneri 2a [Gene Bank: 24113600]. A 3D model of OmpC was built and used to predict B-cell type (discontinuous) antigenic epitopes. Six epitopes bearing the highest score were selected and the corresponding peptides were synthesized. Only the peptides representing loop V of OmpC reacted strongly with the umbilical cord serum immunoglobulins. To determine which amino acids are essential for the antigenic activity of the epitope, the loop V was scanned with a series of dodecapeptides. The peptide RYDERY was identified as a minimal sequence for the loop V epitope. Truncation at either the C- or N-terminus rendered this peptide inactive. Apart from C-terminal tyrosine, substitution of each of the remaining five amino acids with glycine, led to a precipitous loss of immunological activity. This peptide may serve as a ligand in affinity chromatography of OmpC-specific antibodies and as a component of a vaccine designed to boost human immune defenses against enterobacterial infections.     

基于PCR检测探究人乳头状瘤病毒在NIP发病中的作用及其与预后关系

基于PCR检测法探究人乳头状瘤病毒在鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤（NIP）发病中的作用及其与预后关系。选取2010年9月至2016年9月期间本院病理科存档的110例石蜡包埋块NIP病理标本作为NIP标本组,临床分期分为T1期4例,T2期12例,T3期38例,T4期56例,病理分化分为低分化20例,中分化56例,高分化34例。选取30例健康志愿者粘膜组织作为对照组,观察NIP和对照组标本的HPV感染率、HPV分型、不同临床分期和病理分化下NIP中的HPV感染率、影响NIP复发的影响因素以及NIP复发情况与HPV阳性、临床分期及病理分化程度的相关性。NIP标本中总检出阳性率为70.91%,对照组标本检测阳性率为0.00%(P<0.05);高危亚型有62.82%(49/78)例,低危亚型有44.87%(35/78)例,高危型例数显著高于低危型（P<0.05）;对不同临床分期和病例分化与HPV阳性进行卡方线性趋势检验,结果显示：不同临床分期和病理分化与HPV阳性有相关性（P<0.05）,进一步分解出线性回归分量有统计学意义（P<0.05）;Logistic单因素分析3年内NI...