Fasudil Hydrochloride Protects Neurons in Rat Hippocampal CA1 Region through Inhibiting GluR6–MLK3–JNKs Signal Pathway

Fasudil hydrochloride (FH), a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, has been reported to prevent cerebral ischemia in vivo from increasing cerebral blood flow and inhibiting inflammatory responses. However, it is uncertain by what mechanism a ROCK inhibitor can directly protect neurons against ischemic damage. The present study was designed to evaluate whether FH decreased the increased phosphorylation of glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6) and its downstream in GluR6–MLK3–JNKs signal transduction pathway following global transient cerebral ischemia, as a result of protecting against neuronal apoptosis and death. Transient cerebral ischemia was induced by the Pulsinelli–Brierley four-vessel occlusion method. FH (15 mg/kg) was administered to rats by intraperitoneal injection 30 min before ischemia. The phosphorylation and protein expression of GluR6 at 6 h during reperfusion were detected using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analysis. The phosphorylation and protein expression of Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) at ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) 6 h and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) at I/R 3 d were detected using immunoblotting analysis, respectively. The same method was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 at I/R 6 h. Furthermore, we also use TUNEL staining and Cresyl violet staining to examine the survival neurons in rat hippocampal CA1 regions after 3 and 5 d reperfusion, respectively. Our study indicated that FH could inhibit the increased phosphorylation of GluR6 and MLK3 and the expression of caspase-3 at peaked 6 h of reperfusion and the phosphorylation of JNK (3 d) (p < 0.5). The results of TUNEL staining and Cresyl violet showed that the number of surviving pyramidal neurons in rats hippocampal CA1 subfield increased markedly in FH-treated rats compared with ischemic groups after 3 or 5 d of reperfusion following ischemia (p < 0.5). These results suggested that FH, as a ROCK inhibitor, may be partly responsible for its protective effects against such damage by taking part in GluR6-MLK3-JNKs signaling pathway which modulates ischemic damage. Taken together, this is the first study investigating Rho and ROCK as the upstream of GluR6 taking part in GluR6–MLK3–JNKs signal transduction pathway following cerebral ischemia.     

Genetic mapping: Chromosomes 2–5

Summary Genetic maps of chromosomes 2 and 4 constructed from pair-wise lod score data from family studies and regional assignments for markers are presented. Two loci are mapped on chromosome 2 and multiple crossing-over is suggested as an explanation for the poor fit to the data in females. The best map of chromosome 4 gives the genetic locations of five markers with the Stoltzfus (SF) blood group distal to MNS on the long arm and GC close to the centromere on the short arm. This position for GC is outside its provisional regional assignment and possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. The GM-PI linkage group has a score of less than-1.0 with chromosome 4 suggesting that it may be excluded from that chromosome.The regional assignment for markers on chromosome 2–5 are also shown.     

Cerebellar regulation mechanisms learned from studies on GluRδ2

The amino acid sequence suggests that glutamate receptor σ2 (GluRσ2) belongs to an ionotropic GluR (iGluR) subunit family. However, neither the direct binding to glutamate nor the incorporation into any native iGluRs has been demonstrated. One prominent feature of GluRσ2 is its predominant expression at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum. Knockdown or knockout of GluRσ2 impairs synaptic plasticity, stabilization, elimination, motor control, and learning. Therefore, GluRσ2 plays a crucial role in the cerebellar function. Several ataxic spontaneous mutant mice have defects in the GluRσ2 gene. Numerous proteins interacting with GluRσ2 have been identified. Recent in vivo studies on GluRσ2 knockout mice shed light on the mechanism by which GluRσ2 deficiency causes ataxia and unveiled some secondary influence of the GluRσ2 deficiency on the function of the central nervous system. Studies on GluRσ2 might provide unique clues regarding not only the molecular mechanism of synaptic regulations but also the functioning mechanism of the entire cerebellar system     

How fast does the GluR1Qflip channel open?

Opening of a ligand-gated ion channel is the step at which the binding of a neurotransmitter is transduced into the electrical signal by allowing ions to flow through the transmembrane channel, thereby altering the postsynaptic membrane potential. We report the kinetics for the opening of the GluR1Qflip channel, an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit of the ionotropic glutamate receptors. Using a laser-pulse photolysis technique that permits glutamate to be liberated photolytically from gamma-O-(alpha-carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl)glutamate (caged glutamate) with a time constant of approximately 30 micros, we show that, after the binding of glutamate, the channel opened with a rate constant of (2.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) s(-1) and closed with a rate constant of (2.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(3) s(-1). The observed shortest rise time (20-80% of the receptor current response), i.e. the fastest time by which the GluR1Qflip channel can open, was predicted to be 35 micros. This value is three times shorter than those previously reported. The minimal kinetic mechanism for channel opening consists of binding of two glutamate molecules, with the channel-opening probability being 0.93 +/- 0.10. These findings identify GluR1Qflip as one of the temporally efficient receptors that transduce the binding of chemical signals (i.e. glutamate) into an electrical impulse.     

Non-canonical H-bonds in β-lactamases: importance of C–H···π interactions

β-Lactamase production is the common mechanism of resistance of β-lactam antibiotics. Knowledge of inter-residue interactions in protein structures increases our understanding of protein structure and stability. We have systematically analysed the contribution of C–H···π interactions to the stability of β-lactamases. Most of the interactions are long range and most of the interacting residues are evolutionarily conserved. The occurrence of C–H···π interactions in active sites and metal binding sites is very low in β-lactamases. Hence, C–H···π interactions are important determinants of stability in β-lactamases and they may not play a significant role in specificity. The results from this study provide valuable insights for understanding the stability patterns of β-lactamases and their relation to various other environmental preferences.     

New wheat-rye 5DS-4RS·4RL and 4RS-5DS·5DL translocation lines with powdery mildew resistance

Powdery mildew is one of the serious diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6 × = 42, genomes AABBDD). Rye (Secale cereale L., 2n = 2 × = 14, genome RR) offers a rich reservoir of powdery mildew resistant genes for wheat breeding program. However, extensive use of these resistant genes may render them susceptible to new pathogen races because of co-evolution of host and pathogen. Therefore, the continuous exploration of new powdery mildew resistant genes is important to wheat breeding program. In the present study, we identified several wheat-rye addition lines from the progeny of T. aestivum L. Mianyang11 × S. cereale L. Kustro, i.e., monosomic addition lines of the rye chromosomes 4R and 6R; a disomic addition line of 6R; and monotelosomic or ditelosomic addition lines of the long arms of rye chromosomes 4R (4RL) and 6R (6RL). All these lines displayed immunity to powdery mildew. Thus, we concluded that both the 4RL and 6RL arms of Kustro contain powdery mildew resistant genes. It is the first time to discover that 4RL arm carries powdery mildew resistant gene. Additionally, wheat lines containing new wheat-rye translocation chromosomes were also obtained: these lines retained a short arm of wheat chromosome 5D (5DS) on which rye chromosome 4R was fused through the short arm 4RS (designated 5DS-4RS·4RL; 4RL stands for the long arm of rye chromosome 4R); or they had an extra short arm of rye chromosome 4R (4RS) that was attached to the short arm of wheat chromosome 5D (5DS) (designated 4RS-5DS·5DL; 5DL stands for the long arm of wheat chromosome 5D). These two translocation chromosomes could be transmitted to next generation stably, and the wheat lines containing 5DS-4RS·4RL chromosome also displayed immunity to powdery mildew. The materials obtained in this study can be used for wheat powdery mildew resistant breeding program.     

Edited GluR2, a gatekeeper for motor neurone survival?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disorder of motor neurones. Although the genetic basis of familial forms of ALS has been well explored, the molecular basis of sporadic ALS is less well understood. Recent evidence has linked sporadic ALS with the failure to edit key residues in ionotropic glutamate receptors, resulting in excessive influx of calcium ions into motor neurones which in turn triggers cell death. Here we suggest that edited AMPA glutamate (GluR2) receptor subunits serve as gatekeepers for motor neurone survival.     

Notes on some African hepatic genera 1–5

The present study deals with five genera of hepatics in Africa, Isotachis Mitt., Anastrophyllum (Spruce) Steph., Tritomaria Schiffn. ex Loeske, Gymnocoleopsis (Schust.) Schust. and Lophozia (Dum.) Dum. All African populations of the genus Isotachis Mitt. are considered to be one species, I. aubertii (Schwaegr.) Mitt. Four species of Anastrophyllum (Spruce) Steph. (s.l.), A. auritum (Lehm.) Steph., A. piligerum (Nees) Spruce, A. subcomplicatum (Lehm. et Lindenb.) Steph. and A. minutum (Schreb.) Schust., and two species of Tritomaria Schiffn. et Loeske, T. camerunensis S. Arnell and T. exsecta (Schrad.) Schiffn. ex Loeske occur in Africa. Gymmocoleopsis multiflora (Steph.) Schust. represents a genus and species hitherto unreported for the African flora. Finally, five Lophozia (Dum.) Dum. species, L. argentina (Steph.) Schust., L. capensis S. Arnell, L. decolorans (Limpr.) Steph., L. hedbergii S. Arnell and L. tristaniana (S. Arnell) Váňa, are reported from central and southern Africa; two of these (L. argentina (Steph.) Schust. and L. decolorans (Limpr.) Steph.) represent the first reports from Africa.     

Preliminary Structure–Function Relationship Studies on Insulin-Like Peptide 5 (INSL5)

Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a two-chain, three-disulfide bonded member of insulin/relaxin superfamily of peptides that includes insulin, insulin-like growth factor I and II (IGFI and IGFII), insulin-like peptide 3, 4, 5 and 6 (INSL3, 4, 5 and 6), relaxin-1 (H1 relaxin), -2 (H2 relaxin) and -3 (H3 relaxin). Although it is expressed in relatively high levels in the gut, its biological function remains unclear. However, recent reports suggest a significant orexigenic action and a role in the regulation of insulin secretion and β-cell homeostasis, which implies that both agonists and antagonists of the peptide may have significant therapeutic applications. Modern solid phase synthesis techniques together with regioselective disulfide bond formation were employed for a preliminary structure–function relationship study of mouse INSL5. Two point mutated analogues, mouse INSL5 A-B(R24A, W25A) and mouse INSL5 A-B(K6A, R14A, Y18A) were chemically prepared, where the residues in the B-chain that may be involved in receptor activation and affinity binding, were respectively mutated. Synthetic mouse INSL5 A-B(R24A, W25A) analogue was inactive on RXFP4, the native receptor for INSL5, suggesting Arg^B24 and Trp^B25 are probably directly involved in INSL5 receptor activation. Mouse INSL5 A-B(K6A, R14A, Y18A) analogue had both decreased affinity and potency on RXFP4 (pIC₅₀ 7.7 ± 0.2, pEC₅₀ 7.87 ± 0.18) which indicated that one or more of these residues are critical for the binding to the receptor.     

S-nitrosylation of PDE5 increases its ubiquitin–proteasomal degradation

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) expression is upregulated in human failing heart, and overexpression of PDE5 in transgenic mice exacerbates stress-induced left-ventricular dysfunction, suggesting that increased PDE5 expression might contribute to the development of congestive heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms for increased PDE5 expression are not totally understood. In the present study, we found that PDE5 activity and expression were regulated by S-nitrosylation, a covalent modification of cysteine residues by nitric oxide (NO). S-nitrosylation of PDE5 occurs at Cys220, which is located in the GAFA domain. Upon S-nitrosylation, PDE5 exhibits reduced activity and degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. The decrease in PDE5 expression induced by NO could be blunted by mutation of Cys220 or the phosphorylation site of PDE5 (S102), as well as by pretreatment with H₂O₂. Conversely, decreased NO bioavailability by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors or knockout of NOS3 increased PDE5 expression in cardiomyocytes. Collectively, to the best of our knowledge, our data demonstrate for the first time that S-nitrosylation is one of the mechanisms for PDE5 degradation. This novel regulatory mechanism probably accounts for the increase in PDE5 in the failing heart and other diseases in which NO bioavailability is decreased by oxidative stress.     

“82·5”洪水灾害的调查报告

1982年7月,广东省人大常委会办公厅与省水电厅、林业厅、气象局等有关部门组成联合调查组,对我省当年5月12日的洪水灾害的成因、经验教训进行了调查研究。调查组到了清远、英德、阳山、怀集、广宁、四会等6个县,听了当地政府和有关部门的介绍。访问了一些受灾的社队,同各级干部进行了座谈,使我们对这次洪水灾害有了进一步的了解。     

谷氨酸下调培养海马神经元AMPA 受体GluR2亚单位的表达

目的研究在癫痫发病过程中,谷氨酸对AMPA受体Glu R2亚单位表达变化的影响。方法用RT-PCR和Western Blot方法观察谷氨酸诱导培养大鼠海马神经元AMPA受体Glu R2亚单位mRNA和蛋白的表达变化。结果在谷氨酸刺激后2h,8h,12h,培养海马神经元Glu R2mRNA和蛋白表达明显下降,与对照组相比,差异有显著性(P<0.05),而非NMDA受体拮抗剂CNQX能阻断此变化。结论在癫痫等疾病中,谷氨酸能通过激活AMAP/KA受体下调AMPA受体GluR2亚单位的表达,参与发病过程。     

2′5′-Phosphodiesterase Activity Studies with Xyloadenosine Analogs of 2–5A Cores

Abstract

Sequential substitution of xyloadenosine into the trimeric and tetrameric 2–5A cores¹ allows evaluation of the importance of the 3′ hydroxyl groups to 2′5′-phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity.     

大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体的构建

目的构建大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,并检测其在神经元中的表达。方法采用PCR方法获得GluR2基因启动子区目的片段（-298～＋283）,双酶切后插入到pGL3-Basic载体中构成重组表达载体,使萤火虫荧光素酶报告基因的表达受GluR2启动子控制。将构建的重组表达载体或pGL3-Basic载体分别与内参质粒pRL—CMV（表达海肾荧光素酶）共转染原代培养皮质神经元,24h后用双荧光检测试剂盒测定萤火虫荧光素酶及海肾荧光素酶活性。结果重组表达载体经双酶切及测序鉴定证明构建正确,该重组表达载体在神经元中特异性高表达萤火虫荧光素酶。结论成功构建大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,并检测到该载体在神经元中的特异性表达。