The roles of moonlight ribosomal proteins in the development of human cancers

“Moonlighting protein” is a term used to define a single protein with multiple functions and different activities that are not derived from gene fusions, multiple RNA splicing, or the proteolytic activity of promiscuous enzymes. Different proteinous constituents of ribosomes have been shown to have important moonlighting extra-ribosomal functions. In this review, we introduce the impact of key moonlight ribosomal proteins and dependent signal transduction in the initiation and progression of various cancers. As a future perspective, the potential role of these moonlight ribosomal proteins in the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of novel strategies to improve the efficacy of therapies for human cancers has been suggested.     

Dynamic microRNAome profiles in the developing porcine liver

Increasing evidence suggests that micro (mi)RNAs play important roles in various biological process. To evaluate the roles of miRNA in the porcine liver, we investigated the dynamic profiles of microRNAomes using liver tissue from pigs during the embryonic period (embryonic day 90), weaning stage (postnatal day 30), and adult stage (7 years old). A total of 186 unique miRNAs were differentially expressed during liver development. We also identified that 17, 13, and 6 miRNAs were specifically abundant at embryonic day 90, postnatal day 30, and at 7 years, respectively. Besides regulating basic cellular roles in development, miRNAs expressed at the three developmental stages also participated in regulating “embryonic liver development,” “early hepatic growth and generating a functioning liver,” and “energy metabolic processes,” respectively. Our study indicates that miRNAs are extensively involved in liver development, and provides a valuable resource for the further elucidation of miRNA regulatory roles during liver development.     

Antitumor effects of fusions composed of dendritic cells and fibroblasts transfected with genomic DNA from tumor cells

Based on several previous studies indicating that transfection of genomic DNA can stably alter the character of the cells that take up the exogenous DNA, we investigated antitumor immunity conferred by fusions of syngeneic dendritic cells (DCs) and allogeneic fibroblasts (NIH3T3) transfected with genomic DNA from B16 tumor cells. Fusion cells (FCs) composed of dendritic and genetically engineered NIH3T3 cells were prepared with polyethylene glycol, and fusion efficiency was 30.3%. Prior immunization with FCs prevented tumor formation upon challenge with B16 tumor cells. Efficacy was reduced when studies were performed in mice depleted of NK cells. Vaccination with FCs containing DCs and fibroblasts transfected with denatured DNA did not inhibit tumor growth. Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) activity of spleen cells from immunized mice against both Yac-1 and tumor cells was also stimulated by administration of FCs compared with the activity observed for cells obtained from naïve mice. These data demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of fusion cell–based vaccine therapy using syngeneic DCs and allogeneic fibroblasts transfected with tumor-derived genomic DNA.     

Effect of maternal zinc deficiency on offspring health: The epigenetic impact

BackgroundZinc deficiency is associated with adverse effects on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. These consequences have been reported over the years from zinc supplementation trials and observational studies whereby outcomes of maternal, foetal and infant health were measured. Owing to the importance of zinc in the functions of epigenetic enzymes, pre-clinical studies have shown that its deficiency could disrupt biological activities that involve epigenetic mechanisms in offspring. Thus, this review assessed the link between epigenetics and the effects of maternal zinc deficiency on the offspring’s health in animal studies.MethodsResearch articles were retrieved without date restriction from PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, as well as reference lists of relevant articles. The search terms used were “zinc deficiency”, “maternal zinc deficiency”, “epigenetics”, and “offspring.” Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed.ResultsAll the eligible studies reported maternal zinc deficiency and observed changes in epigenetic markers on the progeny during prenatal and postnatal stages of development. The main epigenetic markers reported were global and gene specific methylation and/ or acetylation. The epigenetic changes led to mortality, disruption in development, and risk of later life diseases.ConclusionMaternal zinc deficiency is associated with epigenetic modifications in offspring, which induce pathologies and increase the risk of later life diseases. More research and insight into the epigenetic mechanisms could spring up new approaches to combat the associated disease conditions.     

REDUCED GENE FLOW AT PERICENTROMERIC LOCI IN A HYBRID ZONE INVOLVING CHROMOSOMAL RACES OF THE HOUSE MOUSE MUS MUSCULUS DOMESTICUS

The West European house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, is a particularly suitable model to investigate the role of chromosomal rearrangements in reproductive isolation. In fact, it exhibits a broad range of chromosomal polymorphism due to Robertsonian (Rb) fusions leading to various types of contact zones between different chromosomal races. In the present study, we analyzed a parapatric contact in central Italy between the Cittaducale chromosomal race (CD: 2n= 22) and the surrounding populations with standard karyotype (2n= 40) to understand if Rb fusions play a causative role in speciation. One hundred forty‐seven mice from 17 localities were genotyped by means of 12 microsatellite loci. A telomeric and a pericentromeric locus situated on six chromosome arms (four Rbs and one telocentric) were selected to detect differences in the amount of gene flow for each locus in different chromosomal positions. The analyses performed on the two subsets of loci show differences in the level of gene flow, which is more restricted near the centromeres of Rb chromosomes. This effect is less pronounced in the homozygotes populations settled at the border of the hybrid zone. We discuss the possible cause of the differential porosity of gene flow in Rbs considering “hybrid dysfunctions” and “suppressed recombination” models.     

Morphological diversity in the postnatal skull development in representatives of two families of rodents (Spalacidae,Castoridae, Rodentia)

This is the first study to describe the results of measurement of three information parameters of morphological diversity (entropy, the measure of organization, and the Kullback-Leibler divergence) in the course of postnatal development of the skull in the populations of two rodent species (greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus Guld.) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber (L.)). The terms “morphosystem” and “morphological space” and its structure are introduced. Within the framework of the developed approach, “morphological diversity” is considered as a variable associated with the morphological space structure. Testing the hypothesis of the dominance of self-organization processes and an increase in the organization of the morphological diversity of the skull in the course of ontogeny showed its inconsistency. The morphosystem of the skull of the studied species undergoes transitions between more organized and less organized states, periodically approaching and departing from the “steady state.” Such dynamics characterizes the morphosystem of the skull as a dynamic and nonlinear system.     

The anthropological genetics of the Black Caribs “Garifuna” of Central America and the Caribbean

The Black Caribs “Garifuna” originated on St. Vincent Island, in the West Indies, as a cultural and biological amalgam between Amerindians “Arawak and Island Caribs” and West Africans. A total of 2,026 of the Black Caribs were deported by the British in 1797 to the Bay Islands, from which they further emigrated to Honduras, Central America. The Garifuna provide an example of evolutionary success by a colonizing population with one of the highest observed fertility levels “a mean of 10.9 children per woman 45 years of age or older” in the world. The Central American Black Carib population has increased from fewer than 2,000 persons in 1800 to approximately 70,000 at present. It has been estimated that an additional 20,000 Black Caribs have immigrated to England, the United States, and other parts of the world. This review focuses upon the observed genetic variation and population structure of the Black Caribs. The population structure is characterized by a series of fissions and fusions of the gene pool. Fusion and genetic hybridization play a major role in the early development of this society. Subdivision of the hybrid gene pool occurs as the Black Caribs colonize the coast of Central America, rapidly expanding their domain to an area over 1,000 kilometers of the coast. Blood genetic analyses reveal that the St. Vincent Black Caribs' gene pool contains the highest proportion of Amerindian genes “approximately 50%”, while the coastal communities exhibit a more African ancestry “up to 80%”. This apparent discrepancy can be explained in one of three ways: “1” the original Black Caribs of St. Vincent had a higher proportion of Amerindian genes. However, gene flow and incorporation of African populations residing along the coast into the Black Carib gene pool resulted in more African coastal groups; “2” those Black Caribs displaying African phenotypes were selectively deported; “3” that natural selection, in a malarial environment, operated in favor of those individuals with the more African phenotypes and resistance to Plasmodium falciparum.     

The FQPA 10X Safety Factor: How Much is Science? How Much is Sociology?

On August 3, 1996, the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) was signed into law. The FQPA instructed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in making its “reasonable certainty of no harm” finding, that in “the case of threshold effects,…an additional tenfold margin of safety…shall be applied for infants and children to take into account potential pre- and postnatal toxicity and completeness of data with respect to exposure and toxicity to infants and children.” The law further states that “the Administrator may use a different margin of safety……only if, on the basis of reliable data, such margin will be safe for infants and children.” This paper describes how the Office of Pesticide Programs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes to implement this legislative mandate in its 1999 draft.     

Two-enzyme active transport in vitro with ph induced asymmetrical functional structures.: III. Discussions based on numerical treatments of the time-dependent evolutions

Three complementary models have been considered in which pH gradients (step function. linear pH or linear H^?) impose asymmetry on a two-enzyme mixture. If the “combined pH dependences” of enzymes is pro-asymmetrical, the pH gradient induces an asymmetrical distribution of potential activities (“latent” asymmetry of functional structure). When substrate is added, “developed” asymmetry of effective activities appears which results in “substrate space wave” and pumping when the catalysed reaction couple is “inversible”. It is shown that only one steady state exists for a given boundary condition and is attained when the “combined effective activity” of enzymes is nil: the stationary flux with symmetrical boundaries or the stationary load with moving boundaries is proportional to “effective global activities” of enzymes. “Equivalent square models” could be proposed that would be able to describe “functional” or “permanent” structure pumps as well. These models belong to the thermodynamic branch and the asymmetrical “space wave” substrate concentration profiles obtained must be distinguished from dissipative structures. It appears that such primary active transport pumps are chemical equivalents of heat pumps.     

On the controversy over "fast" and "slow" helix-coil transition rates in polypeptides

The controversy over “fast” and “slow” helix-coil transition rates in polypeptides is discussed. The “slow” results are derived from the assumption that multiple NMR spectra of α-CH and NH groups arise from chemical exchange. In this paper it is shown that such spectra may be obtained without invoking chemical exchange. The multiplicity arises from the difference in helicity of amino acid residues near the ends of the chain by comparison with amino acid residues nearer the middle, and from a polydispersity in molecular weight. As a consequence of this analysis, support is given to the “fast” transition rates.     

Systematic implications of the peroxidase isoenzymes in the Xanthium strumarium complexes

Starch-slab gel electrophoresis showed two patterns of peroxidase isoenzymes in the polymorphic taxon. Xanthium strumarium L. The “strumarium” morphological complex (X. strumarium, in the sense of Millspaugh and Sherff), the putative indigenous plants of the Old World, contained a different pattern from that shown by putative introductions from the New World. Experimental F₁ hybrids between “strumarium” and other complexes, “italicum-pennsylvanicum”, “chinense”, “oviforme” and “cavanillesii”, had the peroxidase pattern of the American plants. These peroxidase isoenzyme patterns were not influenced by the environmental growing conditions, but, along with partial genetic incompatibility, support the taxonomic separation of X. strumarium from other taxa of section Euxanthium.     

Fusion Experiments of Isolated Generative Cells in Several Angiosperm Species

The generative cells used for fusion experiments were isolated from pollen grains of Zephyranthes candida and Lycoris radiata by “2-step osmotic shock” and from those of Hippeastrum vittata, Hemerocallis minor and Iris tectorum by “weak enzyme treatment” as reported previously. Using PEG method, fusions have been successfully induced between generative cells of the same species mentioned above, between generative cells of Z. candida and L. radiata, between generative cells and petal protoplasts in L. radiata, and between generative cells of L. radiata and hypocotyl protoplasts of Brassica napus. In all cases either homokaryons or heterokaryons could be obtained. Fusion of nuclei was observed sometimes in homokaryons of generative cells in L. radiata. The generative nuclei in fusion products could be well identified by labelling the generative cells before fusion with DAPI. FDA test demonstrated that most of the fusion products were viable. Factors affecting fusion efficiency including cell density, PEG concentration, duration of PEG treatment and effect of calcium ions were studied in fusion of generative cells in Z. candida. Our experiments indicate that isolated generative cells are likely to be deprived of cell wails and may be regarded as a special kind of protoplasts for direct fusion experiments.     

The Karyotypes of Angelica dahurica and Their Taxonomical Significance (Umbelliferae)

The present paper deals mainly with the karyotype analysis of five materials in Angelica dahurica collected in Yanbian of Jilin, Anguo of Hebei, Yuxian of Henan, Hangzhou of Zhejiang and Suining of Sichuan. They are under the names “Dongbeidahuo”, “Qibaizhi”, “Yubaizhi”, ”Hangbaizhi” and “Chuanbaizhi” respectively. Among then “Dongbeidahuo” is a wild plant, which occurs in northeastern China, and the others are cultivated as important crude drugs in some provinces. “Qi-Baizhi” and “Yubaizhi” have been identified as conspecific with the wild Baizhi-“Do-Ngbeidahuo” (A. dahurica) according to the external morphological features, whereas the other cultivated ones, “Hangbaizhi” and “Chuanbaizhi”, treated as a variety (A. dahurica var. formosana). The results of karyotype analysis are shown in Plate 1, 2, with the formula 2n=22 =12 m+2 m^SAT+4sm+4st. The karyotypes described here are constantly characterized by satellites attached to the fourth pair of metacentric chromosomes and differ from the published reports on the other species of the genus. It is reasonable to say that the five materials collectively named “Baizhi” are taxonomically closely related to each other and could be regarded as conspecific. Since the second chromosome pair is submetacentric in “Dongbeidahuo”, it may be justifiable to separate the wild plant from the cultivated ones and treat them as two separate varieties.     

“Induced-fit”-type complex formation of the model enzyme α-cyclodextrin

On the basis of X-ray and neutron data for several α-cyclodextrin·substrate complexes it is shown that basically two different structures for α-cyclodextrin exist, one “tense”, the other “relaxed”. An “induced-fit”-like mechanism for α-cyclodextrin complex formation is proposed.     

Lifetime low behavioural plasticity of personality traits in the common vole (Microtus arvalis) under laboratory conditions

Individual differences in behaviour, referred to as animal personality, are consistent across time and contexts. Nevertheless, personality traits show behavioural plasticity, much like many other phenotypic traits. In the present study, we examined the relationship between personality traits and behavioural plasticity in the common vole (Microtus arvalis) under stable, long-lasting laboratory conditions. A total of 94 voles were tested in the classic open field test, designed to measure seven behavioural parameters (distance moved, grooming, immobility, rearing, running, scanning and walking duration) during a three-minute test. A total of 60 voles formed the experimental group and were tested at four different time points over their lifetime (1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th month); 34 voles formed the control group and were tested only once at the 7th month. All voles were of the same age. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), two ordination axes were determined: “exploration” and “activity.” For further analyses, “distance moved” and “scanning duration” were selected from the first axis and “walking duration” from the second. Using linear mixed-effect models (LMMs), we found highly significant random intercepts (i.e. personality traits) in all three behavioural parameters. However, evidence for behavioural plasticity was only found in the distance moved parameter, as determined from the random slope, and correlations between personality trait (intercept) and plasticity (slope) were not significant for any trait. During the experiment, variances of random effects were high and remained essentially the same, whilst the rank order of many individuals changed. Based on fixed effect slopes and a comparison with the control group, habituation was only significant for “walking duration.” The observed low behavioural plasticity could mirror stable (laboratory) conditions that result in the manifestation of original trait settings (genetic, early postnatal) or their gradual overcoming. These findings provide a starting point for further tests on free-living voles.     

A Stochastic Model for Estimating Adolescent Sterility Among Married Women

In this paper a stochastic model is presented for the time to the first conception of a cohort of married women. By identifying three states “adolescent sterility”, “ovulation” and “conceived”, into which the women can be placed, the model incorporates individual differences for the women in the “adolescent sterility” state which allow for the individual characteristics to affect the conversion of these women into the “ovulation” state. Using straightforward probabilistic arguments it is shown that the model provides a close fit to recently published data, compares favorably with previously published models on the same subject and it is useful for planning purposes in predicting future developments.     

A study of apo- and holo-forms of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase in solution by diffuse x-ray scattering

Apo- and holo-forms of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) in solution were studied by diffuse x-ray scattering. Experimental scattering curves for apo- and holo-forms coincide both with the curves calculated from the crystal structures of apo- and holo-enzymes, and with each other. Thus the “sliding” of catalytical domains in LADH upon substrate binding, which has been shown by x-ray analysis, cannot be detected by diffuse x-ray scattering. Sensitivity of the scattering curves to the domain displacements of sliding and “locking” types has been investigated. It has been shown that the scattering curves of LADH are rather sensitive to the domain “unlocking.” However, these curves change only slightly upon sliding of domains, including the sliding of domains observed in LADH by x-ray analysis.