大鼠脑线粒体体外蛋白翻译体系的建立及蛋白产物的鉴定

目的 :建立大鼠脑组织线粒体的体外蛋白合成体系并对其合成产物进行电泳分离和分子量鉴定。方法 :分离大鼠脑组织线粒体 ,用3 H 亮氨酸掺入法探索线粒体体外翻译的最佳条件 ,3 5S 蛋氨酸掺入并对翻译后产物经SDS 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和放射自显影进行分子量鉴定。结果 :分离的线粒体氧化磷酸化偶联程度高 ,呼吸控制率(RCR)在 3.5～ 5 .5之间 ;体外3 H 亮氨酸的掺入活性在 6 0min内近似线性增长 ,而后维持在一相对稳定水平 ;3 H 亮氨酸的掺入活性随线粒体蛋白浓度而增加 ,而单位线粒体蛋白的掺入活性在 1mg/ml时最高 ;3 5S 蛋氨酸掺入SDS 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳后可观察到清晰的 8条自显影带 ,分子量分别为 (单位Kda) 86、6 6、5 6、43、33、2 9、2 5、18。结论 :用此方法建立的脑线粒体离体翻译反应体系具有高活性和翻译忠实性等特点 ,是研究脑mtDNA在翻译水平的表达及调控的有效方法     

艾灸对缺氧缺血性脑损伤新生小鼠的治疗作用*

目的: 探讨艾灸对缺氧缺血性脑损伤新生小鼠行为学表现、脑组织形态结构的影响及作用机制。方法: 将106只出生7 d小鼠随机分为三组:假手术组(23只)、模型组(46只)和艾灸组(37只)。采用左侧颈总动脉结扎后再置于37℃密闭舱内进行低氧处理(氧气浓度为8%,100 min),制备新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病动物模型。艾灸组同模型组,并于造模后2 h开始艾灸“大椎”进行治疗,以后每日1次,每次35 min,连续治疗4 d。采用行为学测试评价小鼠的行为学表现;HE染色观察小鼠脑组织形态结构;Western blot技术检测小鼠脑组织超氧化物歧化酶2(SOD2)蛋白表达;比色法测定小鼠脑组织丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果: 假手术组小鼠行为表现正常,脑组织细胞排列致密整齐,脑组织SOD2蛋白表达量和MDA含量正常。与假手术组相比,模型组小鼠翻正反射、趋地反射、悬崖躲避试验时间延长(P＜0.05),抓力试验时间缩短(P＜0.05);脑组织细胞大量坏死脱落;脑组织SOD2蛋白表达量明显减少(P＜0.05)、MDA含量增加。与模型组相比,艾灸组小鼠翻正反射、趋地反射、悬崖躲避试验时间缩短(P＜0.05),抓力试验时间增长(P＜0.05);脑组织细胞排列较致密、整齐;脑组织SOD2蛋白表达量增多(P＜0.05)、MDA含量降低(P＜0.05)。结论: 艾灸能减轻缺氧缺血性脑病新生小鼠脑损伤、改善行为学表现,这可能与其增加脑组织SOD2蛋白的表达、降低MDA含量,从而提高抗氧化应激能力有关。     

Isolation of γ-glutamylaspartic acid and α-aspartylalanine from pig brain

The isolation of two acidic dipeptides, γ-glutamylaspartic acid and α-aspartylalanine, from pig brain is described. The identification of these dipeptides was based on comparison with the authentic compounds.     

Analysis of polyadenylated RNA from brain synaptosomes and mitochondria

We have isolated RNA from sheep brain synaptosomes and mitochondria separated by an aqueous two-phase system composed of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol). RNA was fractionated through oligo(dT)-cellulose columns and analyzed by electrophoresis through agarose slab gels containing methylmercuric hydroxide and stained with ethidium bromide. The electrophoretic patterns of the poly(A)-containing RNA fraction from synaptosomes and mitochondria are very similar although some high molecular weight RNA species, clearly visible in the synaptosomal fraction, are scarcely detected in the mitochondrial preparations. The electrophoretic analysis of a cleaner RNA preparation from digitonin-treated free mitochondria (mitoplasts) showed that all the poly (A)-RNA species of the synaptosomal preparation are also present in mitoplast. These results strongly suggest that all the discrete poly(A)-RNA species identified in brain synaptosomes are of mitochondrial origin.     

新生大鼠低氧缺血性脑损伤对脑组织病理形态和神经营养因子的影响

目的改进新生大鼠低氧缺血性脑损伤（HIBI）模型的制作方法,观察低氧缺血对脑组织病理形态和神经营养因子的影响。方法大鼠随机分为空白对照组（n=5）、假手术组（n=8）和HIBI模型组（n=19）,HIBI模型制作中省去了经典Rice法中的麻醉步骤和动物手术后休息时间,观察HIBI后大鼠体重增长情况,行为能力表现以及脑组织病理形态学改变;比较HIBI制模后3 d假手术组及HIBI组鼠脑匀浆beta-NGF和human-NT3的变化。结果 （1）HIBI模型组体重增长明显落后于空白对照组和假手术组（P〈0.01）;（2）HIBI组全部出现不同程度的行为异常：84%翻身不能,63%肌肉颤动和/或头颤,抽搐者占42%,死亡率为21%。制模后3 d HIBI模型组大鼠的行为障碍和异常运动的发生率均明显低于制模当日（P〈0.01）;（3）HE染色可见HIBI模型组大鼠左侧大脑半球神经元损伤及神经胶质细胞增生;（4）制模后3 d鼠脑匀浆human-NT3含量较假手术组增加（P〈0.05）;β-NGF含量无明显变化。结论制作的新生大鼠HIBI模型更符合临床新生儿HIBI的自然病程。HIBI早期神经营养因子表达增加在神经保护机制中发挥重要作用。     

线粒体ATP敏感钾通道与钙激活钾通道激活对正常与缺血脑线粒体通透性转变的影响

目的：明确线粒体ATP敏感钾通道与钙激活钾通道对正常和缺血脑线粒体渗透性转变的作用。方法：实验采用分光光度法,在分离的线粒体上分别观察两种线粒体钾通道激动剂对正常与缺血脑线粒体肿胀的影响。结果：在正常脑线粒体,diazoxide与NSl619能有效抑制由钙诱导的线粒体氏20下降,但其效应可被atractyloside所阻断。与正常相比,缺血损伤后的脑线粒体在钙离子诱导下线粒体A520下降较快,diazoxide与NS1619仍可抑制由钙诱导的线粒体A520下降,其作用同样为atractykxside所阻断。结论：线粒体ATP敏感钾通道与钙激活钾通道激活在离体条件均具有保护脑线粒体的作用,其作用可能是通过影响线粒体通透性转变而实现。     

Prevention of neonatal oxygen-induced brain damage by reduction of intrinsic apoptosis

Within the last decade, it became clear that oxygen contributes to the pathogenesis of neonatal brain damage, leading to neurocognitive impairment of prematurely born infants in later life. Recently, we have identified a critical role for receptor-mediated neuronal apoptosis in the immature rodent brain. However, the contribution of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway accompanied by activation of caspase-2 under hyperoxic conditions in the neonatal brain still remains elusive. Inhibition of caspases appears a promising strategy for neuroprotection. In order to assess the influence of specific caspases on the developing brain, we applied a recently developed pentapeptide-based group II caspase inhibitor (5-(2,6-difluoro-phenoxy)-3(R,S)-(2(S)-(2(S)-(3-methoxycarbonyl-2(S)-(3-methyl-2(S)-((quinoline-2-carbonyl)-amino)-butyrylamino)propionylamino)3-methylbutyrylamino)propionylamino)-4-oxo-pentanoic acid methyl ester; TRP601). Here, we report that elevated oxygen (hyperoxia) triggers a marked increase in active caspase-2 expression, resulting in an initiation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway with upregulation of key proteins, namely, cytochrome c, apoptosis protease-activating factor-1, and the caspase-independent protein apoptosis-inducing factor, whereas BH3-interacting domain death agonist and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 are downregulated. These results coincide with an upregulation of caspase-3 activity and marked neurodegeneration. However, single treatment with TRP601 at the beginning of hyperoxia reversed the detrimental effects in this model. Hyperoxia-mediated neurodegeneration is supported by intrinsic apoptosis, suggesting that the development of highly selective caspase inhibitors will represent a potential useful therapeutic strategy in prematurely born infants.     

PARP-1 gene disruption in mice preferentially protects males from perinatal brain injury

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 is over-activated in the adult brain in response to ischemia and contributes to neuronal death, but its role in perinatal brain injury remains uncertain. To address this issue, 7-day-old wild-type (wt) and PARP-1 gene deficient (parp+/- and parp-/-) Sv129/CD-1 hybrid mice were subjected to unilateral hypoxia-ischemia and histologic damage was assessed 10 days later by two evaluators. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 knockout produced moderate but significant (p < 0.05) protection in the total group of animals, but analysis by sex revealed that males were strongly protected (p < 0.05) in contrast to females in which there was no significant effect. Separate experiments demonstrated that PARP-1 was activated over 1-24 h in both females and males after the insult in neonatal wt mice and rats using immnocytochemistry and western blotting for poly(ADP-ribose). Brain levels of NAD+ were also significantly reduced, but the decrease of NAD+ during the early post-hypoxia-ischemia (HI) phase was only seen in males. The results indicate that hypoxia-ischemia activates Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in the neonatal brain and that the sex of the animal strongly influences its role in the pathogenesis of brain injury.     

Metabolism of deoxypyrimidines and deoxypyrimidine antiviral analogs in isolated brain mitochondria

The goal of this project was to characterize deoxypyrimidine salvage pathways used to maintain deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools in isolated brain mitochondria and to determine the extent that antiviral pyrimidine analogs utilize or affect these pathways. Mitochondria from rat brains were incubated in media with labeled and unlabeled deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleoside analogs. Products were analyzed by HPLC coupled to an inline UV monitor and liquid scintillation counter. Isolated mitochondria transported thymidine and deoxycytidine into the matrix, and readily phosphorylated both of these to mono-, di-, and tri-phosphate nucleotides. Rates of phosphorylation were much higher than rates observed in mitochondria from heart and liver. Deoxyuridine was phosphorylated much more slowly than thymidine and only to dUMP. 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, zidovudine (AZT), an antiviral thymidine analog, was phosphorylated to AZT-MP as readily as thymidine was phosphorylated to TMP, but little if any AZT-DP or AZT-TP was observed. AZT at 5.5 ± 1.7 μM was shown to inhibit thymidine phosphorylation by 50%, but was not observed to inhibit deoxycytidine phosphorylation except at levels > 100 μM. Stavudine and lamivudine were inert when incubated with isolated brain mitochondria. The kinetics of phosphorylation of thymidine, dC, and AZT were significantly different in brain mitochondria compared to mitochondria from liver and heart.     

Isolation of mitochondria from ascites tumor cells permeabilized with digitonin

A new, improved procedure for isolating mitochondria from ascites tumor cells is described. The unique feature of this technique is the use of digitonin to make the cells susceptible to disruption by Teflon pestle/glass vessel homogenization. The yield and respiratory control ratios of mitochondria isolated by this method from murine Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and rat AS30-D ascites hepatoma cells are significantly better than those obtained for mitochondria isolated by the commonly employed Nagarse method, which involves the use of proteolytic enzymes. Moreover, mitochondria isolated by this new procedure from three different lines of tumors exhibit respiratory control ratios with both adenosine diphosphate and a respiratory uncoupler comparable to those obtained with mitochondria present in situ within digitonin-permeabilized tumor cells.     

Genetic variability for regional brain gangliosides in five strains of young mice

The quantitative and qualitative distributions of gangliosides were determined in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem of five inbred strains (C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, LG/J, C3H/HeJ, BALB/cJ) of mice at 21 days of age. Genetic differences were found among the strains for wet weight, absolute amount of gangliosides per region, and concentration of ganglioside (expressed on both a wet and a dry weight basis) in all three regions of the brain. The water content of the various brain regions showed the least amount of genetic variability. Coefficients of genetic determination were used to estimate the magnitude of genetic influence on these traits in each brain region. Significant differences were also found among the five strains for the distribution of certain gangliosides. The DBA strain, which is susceptible to audiogenic seizure at this age, had the highest level of the myelin-enriched ganglioside G_M1 in all brain regions. Most of the genetic variation that influences the content and distribution of gangliosides among neurologically normal mice can be considered polygenic. Several possible sources of this genetic variation that may contribute to the differences observed among the strains are discussed.This work was supported by USPHS Grant NS 11853 and by a grant from the Swebilius Fund. T. N. S. is the recipient of a USPHS postdoctoral fellowship (1F32NS0443).     

A Method for Isolation of Chloroplast DNA and Mitochondrial DNA from Sunflower

We present a method for isolation of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA from sunflower seedlings. The protocol includes: organelle isolation, deoxyribonuclease treatment, lysis, deproteinisation and a final DNA purification with sodium dodecyl sulphate and potassium acetate. The organelle DNA yield is 5–10 micrograms per gram of tissue and the DNA is fully restrictable. The technique is inexpensive and appropriate for the isolation of multiple samples of organelle DNA from a small amount of tissue.     

Changes in brain metallothionein and Zinc during development in transgenic mice

The developmental alterations in metallothionein (MT) proteins and zinc (Zn) were investigated in brains of two transgenic strains of mice. MT protein was measured by a cadmium binding assay and Zn by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. MT proteins were expressed at birth (day 1) both in MT-I overexpressing transgenic mouse (MT-I*) and MT-null (expressing only brain specific isoform, MT-III) transgenic mouse. MT proteins level (mainly MT-I) in MT-I* was 16.1 Μ-g/g at birth, and thereafter increased with age to a maximal adult level of 55.3 Μg/g (day 60). Zn level in MT-I* also increased from 8.43 Μg/g (day 1) to 20.7 Μg/g (day 60) with age. MT protein (MT-III) in MT-null mouse was 9.71 Μg/g at birth and remained relatively unchanged during development. Zn level in MT-null mouse at birth was 9.46 Μg/g and also remained unchanged during development. The similar alterations in MT isoforms and Zn in brain during development suggest that MT isoforms may act as a Zn binding protein.     

High-affinity [3H]inositol uptake by dissociated brain cells and cultured fibroblasts from fetal mice

The accumulation of [³H]inositol by mechanically dissociated brain cells and cultured skin fibroblasts from fetal mice was examined. Uptake by both tissues was strongly dependent on temperature and the presence of sodium ions. Brain and fibroblast uptake also responded similarly to inhibition by inositol isomers and phloridzin. At lower concentrations of inositol, both tissues exhibited high-affinity uptake kinetics with apparent K_m values near 30 M, similar to values observed previously in human fibroblasts and other cultured cells. The activity of brain high-affinity uptake was nearly an order of magnitude lower than that of fibroblasts, however, and was in part confounded by the presence of a low-affinity or simple diffusion system operating at inositol concentrations above 100M. Brain preparation from adult mice also showed evidence of high-affinity, Na⁺ dependent uptake, but its activity was significantly diminished relative to that of fetal brain preparations. Our results demonstrate that a high-affinity inositol transport system closely resembling that found in cultured cells is expressed in the developing mouse brain.     

Isolation and gene flow: inferring the speciation history of European house mice

Inferring the history of isolation and gene flow during species differentiation can inform us on the processes underlying their formation. Following their recent expansion in Europe, two subspecies of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus and Mus musculus musculus) have formed a hybrid zone maintained by hybrid incompatibilities and possibly behavioural reinforcement, offering a good model of incipient speciation. We reconstruct the history of their divergence using an approximate Bayesian computation framework and sequence variation at 57 autosomal loci. We find support for a long isolation period preceding the advent of gene flow around 200,000 generations ago, much before the formation of the European hybrid zone a few thousand years ago. The duration of the allopatric episode appears long enough (74% of divergence time) to explain the accumulation of many post-zygotic incompatibilities expressed in the present hybrid zone. The ancient contact inferred could have played a role in mating behaviour divergence and laid the ground for further reinforcement. We suggest that both subspecies originally colonized the Middle East from the northern Indian subcontinent, domesticus settling on the shores of the Persian Gulf and musculus on those of the Caspian Sea. Range expansions during interglacials would have induced secondary contacts, presumably in Iran, where they must have also interacted with Mus musculus castaneus. Future studies should incorporate this possibility, and we point to Iran and its surroundings as a hot spot for house mouse diversity and speciation studies.     

低氧预处理对新生大鼠脑低氧缺血时海马区Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响

目的：观察低氧预处理对新生大鼠脑低氧缺血时海马区Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响,探讨低氧预处理对新生大鼠脑低氧缺血损伤的保护机制。方法：7日龄新生SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、假手术组、低氧缺血组（HIBD组）和低氧预处理组（HPC＋HIBD组）。采用免疫组织化学方法,检测各组脑组织海马区Bcl-2和Bax表达的变化。结果：与正常对照组、假手术组相比．HIBD组和HPC＋HIBD组海马区Bcl-2蛋白和Bax蛋白表达明显增多;与HIBD组相比,HPC＋HIBD组海马区Bcl-2蛋白表达明显增多,Bax蛋白表达明显减少。结论：低氧预处理后Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调,可能是其保护随后脑低氧缺血损伤的机制之一。     

清醒小鼠严重颅脑闭合性撞击伤模型的建立

目的-建立一种清醒小鼠严重颅脑闭合性撞击伤模型, 模拟交通事故和战伤中的清醒致伤过程, 为相关研究创造新的动物模型基础。方法-将雄性KM小鼠头戴钢盔后清醒固定, 用BIM III型小型多功能动物撞击机击打, 致伤后2 h、8 h、24 h、48 h、72 h、120 h、1 w、2 w进行神经行为学评分、运动功能评分、死亡小鼠脑组织和肺组织水含量、死亡率、病理切片和电镜观察。结果-致伤后 48 h内致伤组运动功能评分、神经行为学评分明显低于对照组 (P<0 05); 致伤后死亡率高, 各组死亡小鼠脑组织水含量无明显差异, 但致伤组肺组织水含量明显高于对照组 (P <0 05); 病理切片和电镜检查显示, 致伤后脑组织细胞肿胀、坏死。结论-基本成功建立了模拟交通事故和战伤的清醒小鼠严重颅脑闭合性撞击伤模型。     

Highly purified mitochondria from rat brain prepared by phase partition

Mitochondria and synaptosomes from adult rat forebrain can easily be separated by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two phase system composed of Dextran T500 and poly(ethylene glycol) 4000. Both particles may also be separated by a batch procedure in which the same phase system is used. Electron micrographs and enzymatic activities show a high purity of the mitochondria obtained from the dextran-rich lower phase. Electron micrographs and enzymatic activities also show that intact synaptosomes can be obtained from the poly (ethylene glycol)-rich upper phase.The mitochondria purified by this method show good ADP/O ratios, respiratory control ratios, and state 3 rates. Synaptosomes showed a state 2-state 3 transition with no recuperation to state 4.     

一种提取小鼠表皮总RNA的新方法

目的:建立一种从小鼠表皮组织提取高质量RNA的方法。方法:用热击法分离小鼠表皮,用TRIzol法提取RNA,用紫外分光光度计测定RNA的产率和纯度,用琼脂糖电泳和RT-PCR检测RNA的质量和完整性。结果:采用新方法提取的小鼠表皮总RNA,其D260nm/D280nm值为1.8～2.0,大于1.5,且RNA产率高于100μg/g;琼脂糖电泳出现5S、18S和28S等3条清晰的rRNA条带,而且28SrRNA条带的亮度约为18S的2倍;用新方法制备的总RNA可成功地用于RT-PCR实验。结论:采用热击法分离表皮并结合TRIzol法可提取到高质量、完整性好的小鼠表皮总RNA,并能用于相关的分子生物学实验。