核酸(脱)甲基化与内源甲醛及认知损伤

核酸(DNA和RNA)甲基化/脱甲基是表观遗传调控的重要机制.甲醛参与DNA、RNA的甲基化/脱甲基过程,从而影响表观遗传的调节,包括学习记忆等认知功能.然而,甲醛代谢失调将影响核酸的甲基化与脱甲基,使动物的学习记忆能力下降,造成认知损伤.对北京地区604名老人(≥60岁)的调查显示,内源甲醛含量与被试受教育的年限相关,受教育程度越高,内源甲醛含量越低,反之亦然.这些结果表明,内源甲醛在人类学习记忆中扮演重要的角色,"活到老,学到老"可以延缓甲醛代谢失调引起的老年认知损伤.因此,研究内源甲醛代谢与核酸甲基化修饰之间的关系,对探索记忆储存及认知损伤等表观遗传学相关疾病的发生发展机制,具有一定的启示.     

Interrelationships of sodium transport and carbon dioxide production by the toad bladder: response to changes in mucosal sodium concentration, to vasopressin and to availability of metabolic substrate.

Active sodium transport and CO2 production were measured simultaneously in toad bladders mounted in membrane chambers. The rate of sodium transport was varied by changing the concentration of sodium in the mucosal bath (substitution with choline), by adding vasopressin, by adding metabolic substrates and by adding malonate, and the ratio of the change of sodium transport and CO2 production was determined Mean values for deltaNa/deltaCO2 (equiv/mole) were: Na in equilibrium choline 18.3 +/- 1.1; vasopressin 15.5 +/- 2.8; and pyruvate (corrected for the increment in "nontransport" CO2) 15.4 +/- 3.5. Based on previously determined values for the respiratory quotient (R.Q.), calculated mean values for deltaNa/deltaO2 ranged between 15.5 and 18.5 equiv/mole. It appears that basal metabolism does not contribute to metabolism supporting sodium transport when the rate of sodium transport is varied. "Transport" metabolism appears much more responsive to changes in the availability of endogenous and exogenous substrates than does "nontransport" metabolism. We conclude that "transport" and "nontransport" metabolism are functionally separated in the toad bladder.     

PPARα is essential for retinal lipid metabolism and neuronal survival

Background

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) is a ubiquitously expressed nuclear receptor. The role of endogenous PPARα in retinal neuronal homeostasis is unknown. Retinal photoreceptors are the highest energy-consuming cells in the body, requiring abundant energy substrates. PPARα is a known regulator of lipid metabolism, and we hypothesized that it may regulate lipid use for oxidative phosphorylation in energetically demanding retinal neurons.

Results

We found that endogenous PPARα is essential for the maintenance and survival of retinal neurons, with Pparα ^-/- mice developing retinal degeneration first detected at 8 weeks of age. Using extracellular flux analysis, we identified that PPARα mediates retinal utilization of lipids as an energy substrate, and that ablation of PPARα ultimately results in retinal bioenergetic deficiency and neurodegeneration. This may be due to PPARα regulation of lipid transporters, which facilitate the internalization of fatty acids into cell membranes and mitochondria for oxidation and ATP production.

Conclusion

We identify an endogenous role for PPARα in retinal neuronal survival and lipid metabolism, and furthermore underscore the importance of fatty acid oxidation in photoreceptor survival. We also suggest PPARα as a putative therapeutic target for age-related macular degeneration, which may be due in part to decreased mitochondrial efficiency and subsequent energetic deficits.

     

Differential RNA interference: replacement of endogenous with recombinant low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)

The interpretation of experiments involving the overexpression of a recombinant cDNA is often hampered by the interference of mRNA expression from the endogenous gene locus. Unless cell lines from naturally occurring mutations or knockout mice are available, difficult and time-consuming gene targeting techniques are required to inhibit endogenous gene expression. Using a method we refer to as "differential RNA interference" we demonstrate that RNA interference can be used to selectively suppress endogenous gene expression without affecting the expression of a co-transfected recombinant version of the same protein. Functional analyses of recombinant low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) to study its involvement in lipid metabolism have been shown to be extremely difficult due to its large cDNA and the unavailability of suitable LRP-deficient cell lines. We constructed an expression vector containing the full-length coding sequence of human LRP fused to EGFP and a vector expressing small hairpin RNA directed against the 3'-untranslated region of the wild-type human LRP mRNA (LRP-shRNA). When overexpressed, EGFP-tagged LRP colocalizes with endogenous LRP and stimulates the uptake of LRP ligands. Overexpression of LRP-shRNA vectors significantly inhibits LRP expression, as judged by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis, and it dramatically decreases receptor-associated protein (RAP) uptake. Finally, co-transfection of EGFP-LRP and LRP-shRNA vectors demonstrates selective inhibition of endogenous LRP expression without affecting simultaneous expression of recombinant LRP protein. Thus, utilization of "differential RNA interference" provides a new experimental approach to selectively study the function of any recombinant protein in any given cell line without interference of endogenous protein expression.     

SPARC interacts with AMPK and regulates GLUT4 expression

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical regulator of glucose metabolism. To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms by which AMPK regulates glucose and fat metabolism, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify its interacting partners. A yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen a mouse embryo cDNA library for proteins able to bind mouse AMPKα1. We also demonstrated an endogenous interaction between AMPKα1 and its interacting partner by co-immunoprecipitation of the endogenous proteins using specific antibodies in HepG2 cells, and in rat kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, and fat tissue. We show that secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is an AMPK-interacting protein, and the two proteins enhance each other. AMPK activation increases SPARC expression, and knockdown of AMPK to inhibit endogenous AMPK expression reduces SPARC protein levels. On the other hand, SPARC siRNA reduces AICAR-stimulated AMPK phosphorylation. SPARC affects AMPK-mediated glucose metabolism through regulation of Glut4 expression in L6 myocytes. Our findings suggest that SPARC may be involved in regulating glucose metabolism via AMPK activation. These results provide a starting point for efforts to clarify the relationship between AMPK and SPARC, and deepen our understanding of their roles in fat and glucose metabolism.     

The mechanisms of preterm labour; the interaction between amnion cells and leukocytes in the metabolism of arachidonic acid.

Chorioamnionitis is frequently associated with preterm labour. We have used a cell culture model system to examine the effects of leukocytes upon the metabolism of endogenous arachidonic acid from within amnion cells. We have demonstrated that activated leukocytes release substances which increase the overall release and metabolism of endogenous arachidonic acid within amnion cells causing an increase in prostaglandin E2 production as well as a smaller increase in non-cyclo-oxygenase metabolism. When amnion cells and leukocytes are cultured together, in addition to prostaglandin E2 production by amnion cells, arachidonic acid released by the amnion cells appears to be metabolised by leucocytes to prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. Prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha are the principal cyclo-oxygenase products of this interaction. We postulate that chorioamnionitis stimulates preterm labour not only by causing an increase in prostaglandin E2 synthesis by amnion cells but by metabolism of amnion derived arachidonic acid to the powerfully oxytocic prostaglandin F2 alpha by leukocytes.     

Signal role of nitric oxide in plants

Discovery of nitric oxide (NO*) as a key endogenous molecule, which regulates metabolism among very distantly related organisms, stimulated intensive research related to its multiple functions in plants. NO* exerts its cellular effects as toxic agent, metabolism regulator, second messenger during elicitation of different defense responses. It can induce various processes in plants, including programmed cell death, stomatal closure, seed germination and root development. Currently, elucidation of NO* signaling role in regulation of cellular responses is a "hot spot" of modern cell biology.     

Effect of endothelin on Ca2+ influx, intracellular free Ca2+ levels and ligand binding to N and L type Ca2+ channels in rat brain

The actions of endothelin, an endogenous vasoconstrictor compound with potent effects on various parameters of Ca2+ metabolism in peripheral tissue, were studied in several neuronal preparations. Endothelin, by itself, did not alter resting intracellular free Ca2+ levels or Ca2+ influx in either rat or chicken brain preparations; nor did it affect depolarization (K+) induced changes in these parameters. Endothelin also had no effect on the binding of [3H]-nitrendipine or [125I]-omega-conotoxin to "L " or "N" type channels respectively nor did it induce the release of endogenous acetylcholine from brain slices. The results show that, despite the proposed role of endothelin on voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels in peripheral tissue and despite the existence of endothelin binding sites on both smooth muscle and neurons, endothelin has no measurable effects on Ca2+ metabolism in neural tissue of central origin.     

体细胞胚胎发生的分子机制及生理生化研究进展

本文较详细地综述了近年来体细胞胚胎发生的分子机制及生理生化研究进展,这些研究色括:DNA、RNA和蛋白质的合成;特异性胚性蛋白的研究;内源多胺代谢的改变;内源游离氨基酸及还原性小分子物质含量的改变;内源激素的改变以及几种酶的同工酶酶谱的改变;并指出了当前体细胞胚眙发生机理及生理生化研究巾存在的一些问题。     

Transfection of "naked" siRNA results in endosomal uptake and metabolic impairment in cultured neurons

RNA interference is rapidly becoming a powerful tool for gene silencing in mammalian cells. Introduction of siRNA into primary cells, however, remains one of the major difficulties of this novel technique. Using cationic lipid-based transfection reagents satisfactory transfection results are observed in cell lines, but low transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity limit applications in primary cells, especially primary neurons. The application of "naked" siRNA has been previously used successfully in nematodes and mammals in vivo. We therefore evaluated the effects of non-cationic-lipid-based siRNA application to primary hippocampal neuron cultures. "Naked" siRNA was bound to the cell surface and was taken up into endosomes. No significant silencing effect of endogenous or reporter genes was observed, rather application of "naked" siRNA was accompanied by a moderate downregulation of metabolic activity in culture. We postulate that endosomal degradation of "naked" siRNA in neurons prevents the induction of significant RNAi-mediated mRNA-downregulation and is accompanied by a global impairment of the cell metabolism. Transfection methods circumventing the endosomal pathway therefore might prove useful for siRNA transduction of primary neurons.     

体细胞胚胎发生的分子机制及生理生化研究进展

本文较详细地综述了近年来体细胞胚胎发生的分子机制及生理生化研究进展,这些研究包括：DNA、RNA和蛋白质的合成;特异性胚性蛋白的研究;内源多胺代谢的改变;内源游离氨基酸及还原性小分子物质含量的改变;内源激素的改变以及几种酶的同工酶酶谱的改变;并指出了当前体细胞胚胎发生机理及生理生化研究中存在的一些问题。     

Coupling virus-induced gene silencing to exogenous green fluorescence protein expression provides a highly efficient system for functional genomics in Arabidopsis and across all stages of tomato fruit development

Since the advent of the postgenomic era, efforts have focused on the development of rapid strategies for annotating plant genes of unknown function. Given its simplicity and rapidity, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has become one of the preeminent approaches for functional analyses. However, several problems remain intrinsic to the use of such a strategy in the study of both metabolic and developmental processes. The most prominent of these is the commonly observed phenomenon of "sectoring" the tissue regions that are not effectively targeted by VIGS. To better discriminate these sectors, an effective marker system displaying minimal secondary effects is a prerequisite. Utilizing a VIGS system based on the tobacco rattle virus vector, we here studied the effect of silencing the endogenous phytoene desaturase gene (pds) and the expression and subsequent silencing of the exogenous green fluorescence protein (gfp) on the metabolism of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits. In leaves, we observed dramatic effects on primary carbon and pigment metabolism associated with the photobleached phenotype following the silencing of the endogenous pds gene. However, relatively few pleiotropic effects on carbon metabolism were observed in tomato fruits when pds expression was inhibited. VIGS coupled to gfp constitutive expression revealed no significant metabolic alterations after triggering of silencing in Arabidopsis leaves and a mild effect in mature green tomato fruits. By contrast, a wider impact on metabolism was observed in ripe fruits. Silencing experiments with an endogenous target gene of interest clearly demonstrated the feasibility of cosilencing in this system; however, carefully constructed control experiments are a prerequisite to prevent erroneous interpretation.     

Regulation of mitochondrial and cytosolic malic enzymes from cultured rat brain astrocytes

Malate has a number of key roles in the brain, including its function as a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediate, and as a participant in the malate-aspartate shuttle. In addition, malate is converted to pyruvate and CO₂ via malic enzyme and may participate in metabolic trafficking between astrocytes and neurons. We have previously demonstrated that malate is metabolized in at least two compartments of TCA cycle activity in astrocytes. Since malic enzyme contributes to the overall regulation of malate metabolism, we determined the activity and kinetics of the mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of this enzyme from cultured astrocytes. Malic enzyme activity measured at 37°C in the presence of 0.5 mM malate was 4.15±0.47 and 11.61±0.98 nmol/min/mg protein, in mitochondria and cytosol, respectively (mean±SEM, n=18–19). Malic enzyme activity was also measured in the presence of several endogenous compounds, which have been shown to alter intracellular malate metabolism in astrocytes, to determine if these compounds affected malic enzyme activity. Lactate inhibited cytosolic malic enzyme by a noncompetitive mechanism, but had no effect on the mitochondrial enzyme. -Ketoglutarate inhibited both cytosolic and mitochondrial malic enzymes by a partial noncompetitive mechanism. Citrate inhibited cytosolic malic enzyme competitively and inhibited mitochondrial malic enzyme noncompetitively at low concentrations of malate, but competitively at high concentrations of malate. Both glutamate and aspartate decreased the activity of mitochondrial malic enzyme, but also increased the affinity of the enzyme for malate. The results demonstrate that mitochondrial and cytosolic malic enzymes have different kinetic parameters and are regulated differently by endogenous compounds previously shown to alter malate metabolism in astrocytes. We propose that malic enzyme in brain has an important role in the complete oxidation of anaplerotic compounds for energy.These data were presented in part at the meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry in Richmond, Virginia, March 1993     

Engineering of an endogenous hexose transporter into a specific D-xylose transporter facilitates glucose-xylose co-consumption in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Background

Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the simultaneous utilization of hexose and pentose sugars is vital for cost-efficient cellulosic bioethanol production. This yeast lacks specific pentose transporters and depends on endogenous hexose transporters for low affinity pentose uptake. Consequently, engineered xylose-fermenting yeast strains first utilize D-glucose before D-xylose can be transported and metabolized.

Results

We have used an evolutionary engineering approach that depends on a quadruple hexokinase deletion xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae strain to select for growth on D-xylose in the presence of high D-glucose concentrations. This resulted in D-glucose-tolerant growth of the yeast of D-xylose. This could be attributed to mutations at N367 in the endogenous chimeric Hxt36 transporter, causing a defect in D-glucose transport while still allowing specific uptake of D-xylose. The Hxt36-N367A variant transports D-xylose with a high rate and improved affinity, enabling the efficient co-consumption of D-glucose and D-xylose.

Conclusions

Engineering of yeast endogenous hexose transporters provides an effective strategy to construct glucose-insensitive xylose transporters that are well integrated in the carbon metabolism regulatory network, and that can be used for efficient lignocellulosic bioethanol production.

     

Pharmacogenomic profiling of an oxidative stress-mediated spongiform encephalopathy

The majority of cellular superoxide is generated in the mitochondria as a by-product of normal oxidative metabolism. In the mitochondria, superoxide is detoxified by manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2). Mice lacking SOD2 demonstrate a multifaceted neonatal lethal phenotype, including a spongiform encephalopathy that is preventable through antioxidant treatment. The molecular events behind the observed pathology in the cortex of these mice are unknown. We hypothesized that the lack of SOD2 would result in significant changes in cortical gene expression and that therapeutically beneficial antioxidant treatment would normalize the expression of some genes, providing insight into the mechanism by which mitochondrial oxidative stress results in neurodegeneration. We report the identification of gene expression profiles associated with this paradigm, which characterize the degree of response to the pharmacologic intervention. We have identified specific pathways targeted by endogenous oxidative stress, including glutathione metabolism, iron metabolism, and cell-survival pathways centering on the kinase AKT. The normalization of expression of some of these pathways by antioxidant treatment suggests approaches to treating disease in which endogenous oxidative stress plays a role.     

Adenosine triphosphate pool levels and endogenous metabolism in Arthrobacter crystallopoietes during growth and starvation

The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of Arthrobactery crystallopoietes was measured during growth, starvation and recovery from starvation. During exponential growth of the cells as spheres in a glucose salts medium, the level of ATP per cell remained constant at 8.0×10^-10 g/cell. Morphogenesis to rodshaped cells and an increased growth rate following addition of casein hydrolysate was accompanied by an almost two-fold increase in the ATP level. As division of the rod-shaped cells proceeded, the level of ATP declined. After growing as rods for 12–14 h the cells underwent fragmentation to spheres during which time the ATP level again increased to the original value of 8.0×10^-10 g/cell. As the spherical cells resumed growth on the residual glucose, their ATP content declined for a short period and then remained relatively constant. During starvation of sphere or rod-shaped cells for one week, the ATP level declined by approximately 70% during the first 40–50 h and then remained constant. The endogenous metabolism rate of spherical cells declined during the first 10–20 h of starvation and then remained constant at approximately 0.02% of the cell carbon being utilized per h. Addition of glucose to spherical cells which had been starved for one week increased both the ATP content per cell and their rate of endogenous metabolism. The ATP content fluctuated and then remained at a level higher than maintained during starvation while endogenous metabolism quickly declined.Non-Standard Abbreviations ATP adenosine triphosphate - GS glucose mineral salts - HC casein hydrolysate - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - MOPS morpholinopropane sulfonic acid - EDTA ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid     

Growth and Endogenous Cytokinins in Tobacco Callus as Affected by N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea

The effect of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (4PU-30) on the growth and content of endogenous cytokinins of adenine type in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) callus was investigated. Biomass accumulation in calli grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4PU-30 was higher than that on MS medium with kinetin. The obvious presence of isopentenyladenine type cytokinins and traces of zeatin type cytokinins supposes modification in the endogenous cytokinin metabolism of the tobacco callus grown on 4PU-30.     

Self-Enhancement of Hepatitis C Virus Replication by Promotion of Specific Sphingolipid Biosynthesis

Lipids are key components in the viral life cycle that affect host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we investigated the effect of HCV infection on sphingolipid metabolism, especially on endogenous SM levels, and the relationship between HCV replication and endogenous SM molecular species. We demonstrated that HCV induces the expression of the genes (SGMS1 and 2) encoding human SM synthases 1 and 2. We observed associated increases of both total and individual sphingolipid molecular species, as assessed in human hepatocytes and in the detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) fraction in which HCV replicates. SGMS1 expression had a correlation with HCV replication. Inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis with a hepatotropic serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) inhibitor, NA808, suppressed HCV-RNA production while also interfering with sphingolipid metabolism. Further, we identified the SM molecular species that comprise the DRM fraction and demonstrated that these endogenous SM species interacted with HCV nonstructural 5B polymerase to enhance viral replication. Our results reveal that HCV alters sphingolipid metabolism to promote viral replication, providing new insights into the formation of the HCV replication complex and the involvement of host lipids in the HCV life cycle.     

Aerobic performance of wild-derived house mice does not change with cold exposure or intestinal parasite infection

Aerobic performance is affected by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors. We investigated the effects of ambient temperature and parasite infection on resting metabolism and maximal exercise-induced oxygen consumption in wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus). We also collected preliminary data for effects of lactation on these measures of aerobic performance. Mice were experimentally infected with a naturally occurring intestinal nematode (Heligmosomoides polygyrus) and then exposed to cold temperatures for 10 d or allowed to mate and reproduce. Wild-derived house mice did not change their resting metabolism with H. polygyrus infection or cold exposure, which is in stark contrast to similar studies with laboratory mice. Preliminary data also showed no effect of lactation on aerobic performance. Similarly, maximal exercise-induced oxygen consumption and hematocrit and hemoglobin were unaffected by all experimental treatments. We conclude that resting metabolism, maximal oxygen consumption, and hematology of wild-derived house mice are unaffected by exogenous (temperature) and endogenous (H. polygyrus) demands and, therefore, wild-derived mice respond to these demands without incurring potential costs associated with changes in aerobic performance.     

24-Epibrassinolide regulates carbohydrate metabolism and increases polyamine content in cucumber exposed to Ca(NO3)2 stress

Key message

This study focuses on the impact of carbohydrate metabolism and endogenous polyamines levels in leaves of cucumber seedlings under salt stress by exogenous BRs.

Abstract

The effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on carbohydrate metabolism and endogenous content of polyamines were investigated in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinyou No. 4) exposed to salinity stress [80 mM Ca(NO₃)₂]. Spraying of exogenous EBL partially enhanced the enzyme activities of sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase and acid invertase; thus, raising the level of sucrose, fructose and total soluble sugars. The amylase activity was also increased by EBL, companied by the rising of sucrose level. These results indicated that EBL improved the carbohydrate metabolism of cucumber under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress. Moreover, EBL raised the levels of soluble conjugated and insoluble bound polyamines while lowered the free polyamines content, particularly putrescine. Our experiment demonstrated that exogenous EBL elevated stability of cellular membrane and positively improve the carbohydrate metabolism in cucumber growing under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress.