HOG1 MAPK参与调控亚砷酸钠诱导的酵母细胞凋亡

【目的】本研究探讨了HOG1 MAPK在亚砷酸钠诱导酵母细胞凋亡中的作用。【方法】以酵母野生株BY4741及其HOG1突变株(ΔHOG1)为材料,研究了亚砷酸钠对酵母细胞生长、相对存活率和氧化损伤的影响,并采用流式细胞术检测了亚砷酸钠胁迫下酵母细胞凋亡率、ROS水平和线粒体膜电位的变化。【结果】亚砷酸钠可抑制酵母细胞生长,诱导细胞凋亡。在相同处理组中,ΔHOG1对亚砷酸钠更为敏感,表现为细胞存活率降低,凋亡率升高。在亚砷酸钠胁迫过程中,ΔHOG1胞内ROS水平和MDA含量显著高于野生株BY4741,而线粒体膜电位显著低于野生株。【结论】HOG1 MAPK可能通过影响胞内ROS水平和线粒体膜电位的变化调控亚砷酸钠诱导的酵母细胞凋亡。     

喜树碱诱导甜菜夜蛾细胞凋亡线粒体途径的MPTP依赖性

【目的】线粒体通透性转换孔(MPTP)的开放可以导致线粒体膜通透性改变,与细胞凋亡关系密切。本研究旨在探索MPTP在喜树碱诱导的昆虫细胞凋亡中的作用,以进一步揭示喜树碱(CPT)诱导昆虫细胞凋亡的机制。【方法】环孢菌素A(CsA)为MPTP开放抑制剂,通过预加入20μmol/L CsA,应用流式细胞仪测定其对CPT和羟基喜树碱(HCPT)诱导的甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua细胞(IOZCAS-SPEX-Ⅱ)凋亡作用的影响,包括细胞内Ca~(2+)浓度变化,线粒体膜电位变化以及活性氧簇(ROS)变化,从而分析MPTP在CPT和HCPT诱导细胞凋亡的作用。【结果】结果显示,10μmol/LCPT和HCPT处理IOZCAS-SPEX-Ⅱ细胞6 h和12 h时,与0.1%DMSO对照组相比,甜菜夜蛾细胞发生凋亡,胞质Ca~(2+)浓度增大,线粒体膜电位降低或丧失,ROS增加,即CPT和HCPT诱导甜菜夜蛾细胞发生凋亡,为线粒体内途径。但经过20μmol/L CsA预处理2 h后再加入CPT和HCPT处理6 h,与0.1%DMSO组相比,细胞凋亡率、胞质Ca~(2+)浓度、线粒体膜电位及ROS产生均无显著差异(P0.05),即CsA抑制了MPTP的开放,从而抑制了CPT和HCPT诱导的甜菜夜蛾细胞凋亡;而加入CPT和HCPT处理12 h时,CsA对MPTP开放的抑制作用显著降低,与单CPT和HCPT处理组相比,细胞凋亡率、胞质Ca~(2+)浓度、线粒体膜电位及ROS差异不显著,即CPT和HCPT诱导的细胞凋亡如常发生。【结论】本研究证实喜树碱和羟基喜树碱诱导甜菜夜蛾细胞凋亡线粒体途径具有MPTP开放依赖性,且首次明确这种依赖性具有时间性。     

西藏来源的植物内生酵母Wickerhamomyces rabaulensis生产γ-氨基丁酸北大核心

【目的】对西藏地区分离的一株植物内生维克汉姆酵母Wickerhamomyces rabaulensis JT229生产γ-氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)的条件进行研究,并考察胁迫处理对生产的影响。【方法】利用26S rDNA序列进行菌株鉴定,考察葡萄糖和木糖对W.rabaulensis JT229生产GABA的影响,并利用添加乙酸、乙醇和高温等胁迫条件提升其发酵生产GABA的能力。【结果】W.rabaulensis JT229可以利用葡萄糖和木糖生产GABA,并且在适当的高温、乙酸和乙醇的胁迫诱导下胞外GABA浓度明显提升,产量分别为80.07、67.02、104.15 mg/L,分别是对照条件下的2.15、1.85和2.87倍,且胞内也检测到存在一定浓度的GABA。在添加5g/L乙酸和37℃高温胁迫的条件下,胞内ROS水平和细胞膜透性均有明显提高;添加3 g/L乙酸的条件与对照组相比,胞内ROS水平有所下降,但是细胞膜透性有明显提升;在37℃的胁迫条件下胞内GABA含量明显下降。胞外的GABA产量提升推测是由于胁迫导致胞内GABA外排增多导致的。【结论】本研究首次在国内外分离鉴定了内生酵母W.rabaulensis,并发现菌株W.rabaulensis JT229具有生产GABA的潜力,此外,利用胁迫处理促进了该菌株的GABA胞外生产,为进一步开发利用酵母资源生产GABA及富含GABA的产品提供了基础。     

蝎毒多肽Ctry2459抗白色念珠菌机制研究

【目的】探究蝎毒多肽Ctry2459抗白色念珠菌的作用机制。【方法】采用肉汤稀释法并结合平板计数法测定蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌的最小抑菌浓度和最小杀真菌浓度;通过平板计数法绘制蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌的时间-杀菌动力学曲线;通过PI吸收实验检测蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌细胞膜完整性的影响;通过核酸阻滞实验检测蝎毒多肽Ctry2459与核酸间是否具有结合作用;通过流式细胞技术检测蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌活性氧、线粒体膜电位以及凋亡/坏死的影响。【结果】蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌的最小抑菌浓度和最小杀真菌浓度分别为25μg/mL和50μg/mL。蝎毒多肽Ctry2459对白色念珠菌的杀菌作用具有时间和浓度依赖性,并可通过直接破坏细胞膜的完整性以及通过ROS介导的线粒体失能导致细胞坏死的方式杀灭白色念珠菌细胞。【结论】蝎毒多肽Ctry2459可以作为抗白色念珠菌药物研发的候选分子或者分子模板。     

米根霉在氮源限制下的木糖代谢和关键酶特性北大核心CSCD

【目的】解析氮源浓度对米根霉木糖代谢途径及产物的影响,提高木糖利用率。【方法】以木糖为碳源,考察不同氮源浓度下米根霉的生物量、有机酸积累量、木糖代谢关键酶(木糖还原酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶)活力以及胞内还原力(NADH/NAD+、NADPH/NADP+)的差异。【结果】富氮条件下(2.4 g/L尿素),木糖代谢速率达2.03 g/(L·h),木糖还原酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的活力以及胞内还原力较高,生物量达18.01g/L,几乎不积累有机酸;限氮条件下(0.15 g/L尿素),木糖还原酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的活力以及胞内还原力水平降低,生物量仅4.02 g/L,富马酸积累量为6.55 g/L,残余木糖量较高;氮源浓度为0.6 g/L时,木糖还原酶和葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶的活力以及NADPH/NADP+处于前二者之间,此时生物量9.11 g/L,有机酸积累量较大,其中富马酸为12.28 g/L。【结论】充足的氮源可使米根霉通过木糖代谢关键酶与胞内还原力的协同效应强化木糖代谢活力,通过优化氮源浓度后,米根霉可积累更多有机酸。     

香芹酚联合头孢曲松对耐药性沙门氏菌的体外抗菌作

【背景】由于抗生素的滥用,使得细菌耐药性问题严峻,寻找解决耐药性细菌感染的治疗策略迫在眉睫。临床上,中药与抗菌药物联用在抗耐药性细菌感染方面效果显著。【目的】研究香芹酚联合头孢曲松对耐药性沙门氏菌(SJ2)的协同效应及机制。【方法】通过二倍肉汤稀释法测定香芹酚和头孢曲松对SJ2的最小抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC);通过棋盘法和生长曲线测定探究香芹酚和头孢曲松联合抗SJ2活性;通过膜电位检测、胞外碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase, AKP)含量测定、菌体内抗生素蓄积分析、细菌生存活力测定及扫描电镜研究香芹酚联合头孢曲松对SJ2细胞壁、细胞膜的影响。【结果】香芹酚和头孢曲松对SJ2的MIC分别为256μg/mL和2 048μg/mL;香芹酚联合头孢曲松对SJ2具有协同作用,其分级抑制浓度指数(fractional inhibitory concentration index, FICI)为0.375;香芹酚可协同头孢曲松使SJ2细胞膜出现去极化,显著增加AKP泄漏至胞外的量(P<0.05),显著增加菌体胞内抗...     

一株林可霉素降解菌的筛选鉴定及其降解机制

【背景】抗生素污染越来越引起人们的关注。利用微生物处理抗生素污染被认为是一种环境友好型的方法。【目的】筛选林可霉素高效降解菌并研究其降解机制。【方法】经形态学观察、生理生化鉴定和16S rRNA基因测序分析进行鉴定;通过PCR技术和质谱分析技术对该菌抗性基因和降解产物等进行分析。【结果】从林可霉素菌渣堆肥样本中获得一株高效降解林可霉素的假单胞菌(Pseudomonas RST-1),该菌在林可霉素浓度为3.0 g/L的牛肉膏蛋白胨培养基上培养40 h后,林可霉素降解率高达57.3%。该菌含有intI1、sul1、sul2等抗性基因,降解产物为去甲基林可霉素和2-丙基-N-甲基脯氨酸。【结论】菌株RST-1具有高效降解林可霉素的能力,推测可能的降解机制为去甲基化和酰胺键水解作用,该菌株降解特性及降解机制研究为林可霉素降解工程菌及其高效降解菌剂的研制奠定了基础。     

光滑球拟酵母线粒体抵御乙偶姻胁迫的生理机制解析

以光滑球拟酵母为出发菌株,利用生化和分子生物学实验研究微生物抵御有机溶剂胁迫的生理机制。首先,添加柠檬酸盐考察能量供给对细胞抵御乙偶姻胁迫的影响。与对照条件(0 mmol/L柠檬酸盐)相比,50 mmol/L柠檬酸盐可使细胞生物量在不同乙偶姻质量浓度(6、10、12和15 g/L)胁迫下分别提高了13.2%、14.2%、17.8%和25.2%。同时,通过表达线粒体融合分裂调控基因fzo1和dnm1,以细胞活力、胞内活性氧(ROS)和三磷酸腺苷(ATP)为研究指标考察调控线粒体融合分裂对乙偶姻胁迫的影响。结果表明:与对照菌株相比,在不同乙偶姻质量浓度胁迫下(12和18 g/L),增强线粒体融合可抑制胞内ROS的产生,使其水平分别降低了9.3%和16.2%;却使胞内ATP水平分别提高了9.7%和36.1%,从而延缓乙偶姻胁迫对细胞活力的影响,使细胞生物量相应地提高了9.1%和29.7%。因此,通过添加柠檬酸或改善线粒体生理功能以提高胞内能量供给,可有效提高微生物细胞抵御乙偶姻等环境胁迫的能力。     

光滑球拟酵母生产2,3-丁二酮的系统代谢工程策略

【目的】调控丙酮酸工业生产菌株光滑球拟酵母(Torulopsis glabrata)CCTCC M202019碳代谢流分布促进2,3-丁二酮积累。【方法】过量表达来源于枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)的乙酰乳酸合成酶(ALS);在此基础上,借助T.glabrata全基因组规模代谢网络模型(GSMM)iNX804解析敲除基因ILV5的必要性;敲除基因BDH以阻断2,3-丁二酮的降解。【结果】过量表达ALS将ALS活性提高了4.6倍,发酵液中2,3-丁二酮浓度从0.01 g/L提高至0.57 g/L。敲除基因ILV5使2,3-丁二酮浓度提高28.1%。敲除基因BDH导致丁二酮还原酶和丁二醇脱氢酶活性分别降低74.4%、76.1%,同时2,3-丁二酮进一步代谢产物3-羟基丁酮和2,3-丁二醇浓度则分别降低52.2%和71.4%,2,3-丁二酮浓度为0.95 g/L。【结论】基于GSMM的系统代谢工程策略能够将碳代谢流从丙酮酸节点导向2,3-丁二酮,实现2,3-丁二酮的有效积累。     

核糖体蛋白SA介导猪链球菌2型毒力因子烯醇化酶损伤宿主细胞线粒体

【背景】正常生理状况下核糖体蛋白SA (ribosomal protein SA, RPSA)主要在细胞内表达,参与多种细胞功能。在发生感染性疾病时,RPSA往往会异位于胞膜,介导微生物的感染。【目的】全面揭示RPSA在猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis serotype 2, SS2)感染宿主过程中的作用。【方法】首先利用本课题组已有的脑脊液和血清蛋白组学数据库(SS2脑膜炎感染模型的仔猪和健康仔猪),借助生物信息学手段分别筛选脑脊液和血清中的差异表达蛋白(differentially expressed proteins, DEPs),并对其涉及的信号通路进行分析。通过体外烯醇化酶(enolase, ENO)刺激宿主细胞,检测宿主细胞线粒体膜电位、钙离子含量和活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)等指标变化,揭示RPSA介导SS2-ENO对宿主细胞主要能量细胞器——线粒体功能的影响。【结果】生物信息学揭示SS2感染宿主后,RPSA和相关蛋白显著富集在代谢和糖酵解/糖异生等能量有关通路。SS2-ENO刺激导致宿主细胞线粒体膜电位下降、钙离子和ROS水平升高。封闭RPSA后缓解了ENO对线粒体膜电位、细胞活性氧和细胞内钙离子含量的影响。【结论】RPSA介导SS2毒力因子ENO损伤宿主细胞线粒体功能。本研究丰富了SS2感染时RPSA的作用机制,为SS2脑膜炎疾病的防治提供了理论基础。     

Glutathione and thioredoxin peroxidases mediate susceptibility of yeast mitochondria to Ca(2+)-induced damage

The effect of thioredoxin peroxidases on the protection of Ca(2+)-induced inner mitochondrial membrane permeabilization was studied in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using null mutants for these genes. Since deletion of a gene can promote several other effects besides the absence of the respective protein, characterizations of the redox state of the mutant strains were performed. Whole cellular extracts from all the mutants presented lower capacity to decompose H(2)O(2) and lower GSH/GSSG ratios, as expected for strains deficient for peroxide-removing enzymes. Interestingly, when glutathione contents in mitochondrial pools were analyzed, all mutants presented lower GSH/GSSG ratios than wild-type cells, with the exception of DeltacTPxI strain (cells in which cytosolic thioredoxin peroxidase I gene was disrupted) that presented higher GSH/GSSG ratio. Low GSH/GSSG ratios in mitochondria increased the susceptibility of yeast to damage induced by Ca(2+) as determined by membrane potential and oxygen consumption experiments. However, H(2)O(2) removal activity appears also to be important for mitochondria protection against permeabilization because exogenously added catalase strongly inhibited loss of mitochondrial potential. Moreover, exogenously added recombinant peroxiredoxins prevented inner mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. GSH/GSSG ratios decreased after Ca(2+) addition, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) probably mediate this process. Taken together our results indicate that both mitochondrial glutathione pools and peroxide-removing enzymes are key components for the protection of yeast mitochondria against Ca(2+)-induced damage.     

Extractive bioconversion of 2-phenylethanol from L-phenylalanine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The bioconversion of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to 2-phenylethanol (PEA) by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is limited by the toxicity of the product. PEA extraction by a separate organic phase in the fermenter is the ideal in situ product recovery (ISPR) technique to enhance productivity. Oleic acid was chosen as organic phase for two-phase fed-batch cultures, although it interfered to some extent with yeast viability. There was a synergistic inhibitory impact toward S. cerevisiae in the presence of PEA, and therefore a maximal PEA concentration in the aqueous phase of only 2.1 g/L was achieved, compared to 3.8 g/L for a normal fed-batch culture. However, the overall PEA concentration in the fermenter was increased to 12.6 g/L, because the PEA concentration in the oleic phase attained a value of 24 g/L. Thus, an average volumetric PEA production rate of 0.26 g L(-1) h(-1) and a maximal volumetric PEA production rate of 0.47 g L(-1) h(-1) were achieved in the two-phase fed-batch culture. As ethanol inhibition had to be avoided, the production rates were limited by the intrinsic oxidative capacity of S. cerevisiae. In addition, the high viscosity of the two-phase system lowered the k(l)a, and therefore also the productivity. Thus, if a specific ISPR technique is planned, it consequently has to be remembered that the productivity of this bioconversion process is also quickly limited by the k(l)a of the fermenter at high cell densities.     

Catalases and thioredoxin peroxidase protect Saccharomyces cerevisiae against Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and cell death

The involvement of reactive oxygen species in Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and cell viability was studied using yeast cells in which the thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) gene was disrupted and/or catalase was inhibited by 3-amino-1,2, 4-triazole (ATZ) treatment. Wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were very resistant to Ca(2+) and inorganic phosphate or t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, but suffered an immediate decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential when treated with Ca(2+) and the dithiol binding reagent phenylarsine oxide. In contrast, S. cerevisiae spheroblasts lacking the TPx gene and/or treated with ATZ suffered a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, generated higher amounts of hydrogen peroxide and had decreased viability under these conditions. In all cases, the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential could be inhibited by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N, N',N'-tetraacetic acid, dithiothreitol or ADP, but not by cyclosporin A. We conclude that TPx and catalase act together, maintaining cell viability and protecting S. cerevisiae mitochondria against Ca(2+)-promoted membrane permeabilization, which presents similar characteristics to mammalian permeability transition.     

Oxidative stress is involved in the permeabilization of the inner membrane of brain mitochondria exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation and low micromolar Ca2+

From in vivo models of stroke it is known that ischemia/reperfusion induces oxidative stress that is accompanied by deterioration of brain mitochondria. Previously, we reported that the increase in Ca2+ induces functional breakdown and morphological disintegration in brain mitochondria subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Protection by ADP indicated the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the mechanism of membrane permeabilization. Until now it has been unclear how reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to this process. We now report that brain mitochondria which had been subjected to H/R in the presence of low micromolar Ca2+ display low state 3 respiration (20% of control), loss of cytochrome c, and reduced glutathione levels (75% of control). During reoxygenation, significant mitochondrial generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was detected. The addition of the membrane permeant superoxide anion scavenger TEMPOL (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) suppressed the production of H2O2 by brain mitochondria metabolizing glutamate plus malate by 80% under normoxic conditions. TEMPOL partially protected brain mitochondria exposed to H/R and low micromolar Ca2+ from decrease in state 3 respiration (from 25% of control to 60% of control with TEMPOL) and permeabilization of the inner membrane. Membrane permeabilization was obvious, because state 3 respiration could be stimulated by extramitochondrial NADH. Our data suggest that ROS and Ca2+ synergistically induce permeabilization of the inner membrane of brain mitochondria exposed to H/R. However, permeabilization can only partially be prevented by suppressing mitochondrial generation of ROS. We conclude that transient deprivation of oxygen and glucose during temporary ischemia coupled with elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration triggers ROS generation and mitochondrial permeabilization, resulting in neural cell death.     

Photodynamic therapy-induced apoptosis in epidermoid carcinoma cells. Reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a novel and promising cancer treatment that employs a combination of a photosensitizing chemical and visible light, induces apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. However, the precise mechanism of PDT-induced apoptosis is not well characterized. To dissect the pathways of PDT-induced apoptosis, we investigated the involvement of mitochondrial damage by examining a second generation photosensitizer, the silicon phthalocyanine 4 (Pc 4). By using laser-scanning confocal microscopy, we found that Pc 4 localized to cytosolic membranes primarily, but not exclusively, in mitochondria. Formation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected within minutes when cells were exposed to Pc 4 and 670-675 nm light. This was followed by mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization, depolarization and swelling, cytochrome c release, and apoptotic death. Desferrioxamine prevented mitochondrial ROS production and the events thereafter. Cyclosporin A plus trifluoperazine, blockers of the mitochondrial permeability transition, inhibited mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization and depolarization without affecting mitochondrial ROS generation. These data indicate that the mitochondrial ROS are critical in initiating mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization, which leads to mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release to the cytosol, and apoptotic death during PDT with Pc 4.     

Novel type of in situ extraction: Use of solvent containing microcapsules for the bioconversion of 2-phenylethanol from L-phenylalanine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A novel in situ product removal (ISPR) method that uses microcapsules to extract inhibitory products from the reaction suspension is introduced into fermentation technology. More specifically, L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) was transformed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to 2-phenylethanol (PEA), which is inhibitory toward the yeast. In order to continuously remove PEA from the vicinity of the cells, the reaction suspension was brought into contact with capsules of 2.2-mm diameter that had a hydrophobic core of dibutyl sebacate and an alginate-based wall. This novel process combines the advantages of a normal in situ extraction process (fast mass transfer and simple process set-up) with the benefits of a membrane-based process (reduction of the solvent toxicity and avoidance of stable emulsions). In particular, the microbial cells are shielded from the phase toxicity of the organic solvent by a hydrogel layer surrounding the organic core. By placing the microcapsules into the fermenter, the final overall concentration of PEA in a fed-batch culture was increased from 3.8 to 5.6 g/L because a part of the inhibitory product dissolved in the dibutyl sebacate core. In another fermentation experiment, the capsules were placed in a fluidized bed that was connected via a loop to the fermenter. In addition, the fluidized bed was connected via a second loop to a back-extractor to regenerate the capsules. By alternating the extraction and back-extraction cycles, it was possible to limit the PEA concentration of the fed-batch culture in the fermenter to 2.4 g/L while producing important quantities of PEA that accumulated in an external reservoir.     

RAD21L, a novel cohesin subunit implicated in linking homologous chromosomes in mammalian meiosis

Mammalian Bcl-x(L) protein localizes to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it inhibits apoptosis by binding Bax and inhibiting Bax-induced outer membrane permeabilization. Contrary to expectation, we found by electron microscopy and biochemical approaches that endogenous Bcl-x(L) also localized to inner mitochondrial cristae. Two-photon microscopy of cultured neurons revealed large fluctuations in inner mitochondrial membrane potential when Bcl-x(L) was genetically deleted or pharmacologically inhibited, indicating increased total ion flux into and out of mitochondria. Computational, biochemical, and genetic evidence indicated that Bcl-x(L) reduces futile ion flux across the inner mitochondrial membrane to prevent a wasteful drain on cellular resources, thereby preventing an energetic crisis during stress. Given that F(1)F(O)-ATP synthase directly affects mitochondrial membrane potential and having identified the mitochondrial ATP synthase β subunit in a screen for Bcl-x(L)-binding partners, we tested and found that Bcl-x(L) failed to protect β subunit-deficient yeast. Thus, by bolstering mitochondrial energetic capacity, Bcl-x(L) may contribute importantly to cell survival independently of other Bcl-2 family proteins.     

A high-throughput assay for mitochondrial membrane potential in permeabilized yeast cells

A fluorometric assay for mitochondrial membrane potential in permeabilized yeast cells has been developed. This method involves permeabilizing the plasma membrane and measuring the distribution of a mitochondrial membrane potential sensitive probe 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC(3)(5); DiSC(3)). In permeabilized cells, DiSC(3) fluorescence decreased when introduced into energized mitochondria and increased three- to sixfold when the mitochondrial membrane potential was dissipated by the chemical uncoupler carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. Plasma membrane potential was abolished by permeabilization, as shown by a lack of polarization of the plasma membrane induced by K(+) and glucose. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a mitochondrial H(+) transporter, was used as a model for method validation. The fluorescence intensity responded vigorously to specific modulators in UCP1-expressing cells. This method has been adapted as a high-throughput assay to screen for modulators of mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Calcium-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in brain mitochondria is mediated by permeability transition

Mitochondrial uptake of calcium in excitotoxicity is associated with subsequent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and delayed cellular calcium deregulation in ischemic and neurodegenerative insults. The mechanisms linking mitochondrial calcium uptake and ROS production remain unknown but activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) may be one such mechanism. In the present study, calcium increased ROS generation in isolated rodent brain and human liver mitochondria undergoing mPT despite an associated loss of membrane potential, NADH and respiration. Unspecific permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane by alamethicin likewise increased ROS independently of calcium, and the ROS increase was further potentiated if NAD(H) was added to the system. Importantly, calcium per se did not induce a ROS increase unless mPT was triggered. Twenty-one cyclosporin A analogs were evaluated for inhibition of calcium-induced ROS and their efficacy clearly paralleled their potency of inhibiting mPT-mediated mitochondrial swelling. We conclude that while intact respiring mitochondria possess powerful antioxidant capability, mPT induces a dysregulated oxidative state with loss of GSH- and NADPH-dependent ROS detoxification. We propose that mPT is a significant cause of pathological ROS generation in excitotoxic cell death.     

四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株高效制备四氢嘧啶

【目的】为进一步提高四氢嘧啶(1,4,5,6-四氢-2-甲基-4-嘧啶羧酸;1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid;ectoine)合成效率,【方法】利用步移PCR方法克隆了Halomonas salina DSM 5928T四氢嘧啶特异性转运蛋白(ectoine-specific transporter;TeaABC)编码基因teaABC,Red重组技术构建了四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-)。【结果】H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-)10 L发酵罐的四氢嘧啶发酵,四氢嘧啶总浓度9.10(±0.08)g/L,合成效率为9.93(±0.09)g/L.d。【结论】四氢嘧啶吸收缺陷突变株H.salina DSM 5928T(teaABC-),解除了四氢嘧啶吸收对其合成的负反馈调节,从而显著提高了四氢嘧啶合成效率。