The SRM12/ADA1 gene acts as a cis-active factor when inserted into recombinant plasmids and makes them more stable in Saccharomyces

A DNA fragment containing the SRM12/ADA1 gene sequence inserted into a recombinant circular plasmid improves its maintenance in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells. Plasmid stabilization caused by the integrated SRM12 sequence does not require the SRM12 function complementing the srm12 mutation and depends on the orientation of the inserted fragment in the vector. This stabilization is mainly due to a decrease in spontaneous plasmid underreplication/copy loss rather than an increase in the fidelity of mitotic plasmid segregation.     

The Rsr1/Bud1 GTPase Interacts with Itself and the Cdc42 GTPase during Bud-Site Selection and Polarity Establishment in Budding Yeast

Cell polarization occurs along a single axis that is generally determined in response to spatial cues. In budding yeast, the Rsr1 GTPase and its regulators direct the establishment of cell polarity at the proper cortical location in response to cell type–specific cues. Here we use a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches to understand how Rsr1 polarization is established. We find that Rsr1 associates with itself in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. The homotypic interaction and localization of Rsr1 to the mother-bud neck and to the subsequent division site are dependent on its GDP-GTP exchange factor Bud5. Analyses of rsr1 mutants suggest that Bud5 recruits Rsr1 to these sites and promotes the homodimer formation. Rsr1 also exhibits heterotypic interaction with the Cdc42 GTPase in vivo. We show that the polybasic region of Rsr1 is necessary for the efficient homotypic and heterotypic interactions, selection of a proper growth site, and polarity establishment. Our findings thus suggest that dimerization of GTPases may be an efficient mechanism to set up cellular asymmetry.     

PC12细胞APE/ref-1cDNA的克隆和表达

APE Ref 1是双功能核蛋白 ,它既能在碱基切除修复过程中切除脱嘌呤 脱嘌啶位点 ,又能促进包括AP 1、Myb和NF κB等受氧化还原调节的转录因子对DNA的结合 .从PC12细胞中抽提总RNA ,经逆转录PCR(RT PCR)扩增出APE ref 1cDNA并克隆到pQE3 1表达质粒上的BamHⅠ和PstⅠ位点间 .经测序表明 ,PC12细胞的APE ref 1cDNA以正确的阅读框架重组进入表达质粒 ,表达重组质粒pQE3 1 APE在宿主菌BL2 1中得到稳定表达 .SDS PAGE鉴定表明 ,带 6个组氨酸的融合蛋白分子量为 3 8kD ,并经Ni NTA琼脂糖亲和纯化得到电泳纯融合蛋白 .Western印迹证明重组蛋白为APE ref 1融合蛋白 .     

Introduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tau</Emphasis> Mutation into Cultured Rat1-R12 Cells by Gene Targeting,Using Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vector

We aim to develop a cultured cell model, to serve as a system with which the altered circadian phenotypes produced by the clock gene variations could be studied in vitro. Tau mutation, which shortens the circadian period of hamsters and mice, was introduced into the CK1ε locus of cultured Rat1-R12 cells by gene targeting mediated by a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector. After transduction of Rat1-R12 cells with rAAV, about 0.14% of the drug-resistant cells underwent gene targeting at CK1ε locus. Of the three clones isolated, only one carried the targeted allele of tau mutation and two carried the targeted wild-type allele. The clone with the targeted tau mutant allele exhibited a significantly shorter circadian period compared to the clone with targeted wild-type allele. rAAV-mediated gene targeting in cultured somatic cells is a convenient and powerful tool for analyzing the phenotypic outcome of clock gene variations, and for elucidating the pathogenesis of the disorders associated with abnormal circadian rhythmicity.     

The Prp1(+) Gene Required for Pre-mRNA Splicing in Schizosaccharomyces Pombe Encodes a Protein That Contains Tpr Motifs and Is Similar to Prp6p of Budding Yeast

The prp (pre-mRNA processing) mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have a defect in pre-mRNA splicing and accumulate mRNA precursors at a restrictive temperature. One of the prp mutants, prp1-4, also has a defect in poly(A)(+) RNA transport. The prp1(+) gene encodes a protein of 906 amino acid residues that contains 19 repeats of 34 amino acids termed tetratrico peptide repeat (TPR) motifs, which were proposed to mediate protein-protein interactions. The amino acid sequence of Prp1p shares 29.6% identity and 50.6% similarity with that of the PRP6 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a component of the U4/U6 snRNP required for spliceosome assembly. No functional complementation was observed between S. pombe prp1(+) and S. cerevisiae PRP6. We examined synthetic lethality of prp1-4 with the other known prp mutations in S. pombe. The results suggest that Prp1p interacts either physically or functionally with Prp4p, Prp6p and Prp13p. Interestingly, the prp1(+) gene was found to be identical with the zer1(+) gene that functions in cell cycle control. These results suggest that Prp1p/Zer1p is either directly or indirectly involved in cell cycle progression and/or poly(A)(+) RNA nuclear export, in addition to pre-mRNA splicing.     

腺病毒载体介导PDX-1在骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

为研究PDX-1基因在骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达情况及生物学功能的发挥,构建了含PDX-1基因的重组腺病毒载体. 酶切PDX-1基因并连入穿梭质粒pAdTrack-CMV.用电穿孔法使穿梭质粒pAdTrack-CMV-PDX-1与病毒骨架质粒pAdEasy-1在大肠杆菌BJ5183中同源重组.利用脂质体介导重组腺病毒载体转染293细胞,包装出完整的腺病毒.分离、培养、扩增骨髓间充质干细胞.用重组腺病毒感染间充质干细胞.用荧光显微镜、RT-PCR、免疫荧光染色等方法检测PDX-1、胰岛素基因及蛋白质的表达,用放射免疫分析法检测转基因细胞分泌胰岛素情况.结果表明:通过测序、PCR、酶切等鉴定PDX-1基因已正确插入穿梭质粒中,并与病毒骨架质粒重组.重组腺病毒滴度为6.3×10⁷ PFU/ml.通过荧光显微镜观察证实重组腺病毒可高效感染骨髓间充质干细胞,经RT-PCR、免疫荧光染色证实转染pAd-PDX-1后培养7天的细胞中有PDX-1及胰岛素基因的表达.这些转基因的细胞向胞外分泌的胰岛素量为(15.21±3.50) mIU/L.     

SDF-1/CXCR4在BMP9介导C2C12细胞成骨分化过程中的作用研究

为了观察SDF-1/CXCR4信号轴在BMP9促C2C12细胞成骨分化过程中的作用,通过重组腺病毒过表达BMP9,检测对C2C12细胞中SDF-1及受体CXCR4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平的影响;同时利用重组腺病毒或中和抗体干扰SDF-1/CXCR4,与BMP9先后作用于C2C12细胞,通过定量测定碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、染色测定ALP表达、免疫细胞化学测定骨钙蛋白(OCN)表达、茜素红S染色测定钙盐沉积、Real-time PCR检测成骨相关转录因子Runx2和Osx的表达、Western blot检测成骨分化信号通路MAPK和Smad的变化。结果显示,BMP9能明显抑制C2C12细胞中SDF-1、CXCR4的表达(P<0.01),且具有剂量和时间依赖性;预先干扰SDF-1/CXCR4能明显影响由BMP9介导的早、中期成骨标志物ALP、OCN及早期转录因子Runx2、Osx的表达(P<0.01)和MAPK、Smad信号通路相关蛋白的变化(P<0.05);外源性SDF-1并不能影响晚期成骨标志物钙盐沉积。提示SDF-1/CXCR4信号轴在由BMP9介导的C2C12细胞成骨分化早、中期过程中发挥重要作用。     

The Neuroprotective Effect of GM-1 Ganglioside on the Amyloid-Beta-Induced Oxidative Stress in PC-12 Cells Mediated by Nrf-2/ARE Signaling Pathway

Neurochemical Research - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, tau tangles, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and progressive...     

毒力岛基因ibeT有助于大肠杆菌抵抗人脑微血管内皮细胞溶酶体的降解

大肠杆菌是导致新生儿细菌性脑膜炎最常见的革兰氏阴性致病菌．为探讨毒力岛基因ibeT在大肠杆菌K1株致病过程中的作用,构建了ibeT基因缺失的大肠杆菌K1株,细菌在细胞内存活试验结果显示,ibeT基因缺失抑制了大肠杆菌K1株在人脑微血管内皮细胞中的生长．利用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察到,在细菌侵袭进入人脑微血管内皮细胞后,与野生型相比,ibeT基因缺失突变株较多地滞留在溶酶体内;透射电镜结果进一步显示,ibeT基因缺失使大肠杆菌K1株逃逸ECV(含有大肠杆菌的囊泡)的能力发生了下降,继而使其在细胞浆内的复制减少．利用体外模拟的弱酸性环境,检测大肠杆菌菌体胞内的缓冲容量,发现ibeT基因缺失突变株菌体胞内的缓冲能力较野生型低．这些结果提示,在大肠杆菌K1株侵袭进入人脑微血管内皮细胞后,ibeT基因有利于大肠杆菌降解ECV膜,避免与溶酶体融合,进而促使大肠杆菌逃逸进入细胞浆并进行复制．     

The Protein Arginine Methylase 5(PRMT5/SKB1) Gene Is Required for the Maintenance of Root Stem Cells in Response to DNA Damage

Plant root stem cells and their surrounding microenvironment,namely the stem cell niche,are hypersensitive to DNA damage.However,the molecular mechanisms that help maintain the genome stability of root stem cells remain elusive.Here we show that the root stem cells in the skbl(Shk1 kinase binding protein 1) mutant undergoes DNA damage-induced cell death,which is enhanced when combined with a lesion of the Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated(ATM) or the ATM/RAD3-related(ATR) genes,suggesting that the SKBI plays a synergistically effect with ATM and ATR in DNA damage pathway.We also provide evidence that SKBI is required for the maintenance of quiescent center(QC),a root stem cell niche,under DNA damage treatments.Furthermore,we report decreased and ectopic expression of SHORTROOT(SHR) in response to DNA damage in the skbl root tips,while the expression of SCARECROW(SCR) remains unaffected.Our results uncover a new mechanism of plant root stem cell maintenance under DNA damage conditions that requires SKB1.     

Characterisation of Recombinant Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptors Expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells: The Agonist [3H]Lisuride Labels Free Receptor and Receptor Coupled to G Protein

Abstract: Cholinesterases form a family of serine esterases that arise in animals from at least two distinct genes. Multiple forms of these enzymes can be precisely localized and regulated by alternative mRNA splicing and by co- or posttranslational modifications. The high catalytic efficiency of the cholinesterases is quelled by certain very selective reversible and irreversible inhibitors. Owing largely to the important role of acetylcholine hydrolysis in neurotransmission, cholinesterase and its inhibitors have been studied extensively in vivo. In parallel, there has emerged an equally impressive enzyme chemistry literature. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used widely as pesticides; in this regard the compounds are beneficial with concomitant health risk. Poisoning by such compounds can result in an acute but usually manageable medical crisis and may damage the CNS and the PNS, as well as cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. Some inhibitors have been useful for the treatment of glaucoma and myasthenia gravis, and others are in clinical trials as therapy for Alzheimer's dementia. Concurrently, the most potent inhibitors have been developed as highly toxic chemical warfare agents. We review treatments and sequelae of exposure to selected anticholinesterases, especially organophosphorus compounds and carbamates, as they relate to recent progress in enzyme chemistry.     

Changes in PTGS1 and ALOX12 Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Are Associated with Changes in Arachidonic Acid,Oxylipins, and Oxylipin/Fatty Acid Ratios in Response to Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation

Introduction

There is a high degree of inter-individual variability among people in response to intervention with omega-3 fatty acids (FA), which may partly explain conflicting results on the effectiveness of omega-3 FA for the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study we sought to evaluate whether part of this inter-individual variability in response is related to the regulation of key oxylipin metabolic genes in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Methods

Plasma FA and oxylipin profiles from 12 healthy individuals were compared to PBMC gene expression profiles following six weeks of supplementation with fish oil, which delivered 1.9 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1.5 g/d docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fold changes in gene expression were measured by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

Healthy individuals supplemented with omega-3 FA had differential responses in prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene expression in isolated PBMCs. In those individuals for whom plasma arachidonic acid (ARA) in the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipid class decreased in response to omega-3 intervention, there was a corresponding decrease in gene expression for PTGS1 and ALOX12. Several oxylipin product/FA precursor ratios (e.g. prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)/ARA for PTGS1 and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE)/ARA for ALOX12) were also associated with fold change in gene expression, suggesting an association between enzyme activity and gene expression. The fold-change in PTGS1 gene expression was highly positively correlated with ALOX12 gene expression but not with PTGS2, whereas IL-8 and PTGS2 were positively correlated.

Conclusions

The regulation of important oxylipin metabolic genes in PBMCs varied with the extent of change in ARA concentrations in the case of PTGS1 and ALOX12 regulation. PBMC gene expression changes in response to omega-3 supplementation varied among healthy individuals, and were associated with changes in plasma FA and oxylipin composition to different degrees in different individuals.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01838239","term_id":"NCT01838239"}}NCT01838239     

The Protein Kinase TPL2 Is Essential for ERK1/ERK2 Activation and Cytokine Gene Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells Exposed to Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs)

The epithelium forms a physical barrier important to the detection of pathogens. P. aeruginosa infections are frequently encountered in Cystic Fibrosis lungs, lead to ERK1/ERK2 activation and contribute to tissue destruction. We report here that in bronchial airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), diffusible material from P. aeruginosa and TLR2, TLR3 and TLR5 ligands activates ERK1/ERK2 via the protein kinase TPL2 and not the growth factor receptor EGFR. Activation of TPL2 by these agonists in airway epithelial cells requires the protein kinases TAK1 and IKKβ in accordance with the previously reported model of activation of TPL2 in macrophages. Inhibition of TPL2 activity with a pharmacological inhibitor (Compound 1) not only prevented ERK1/ERK2 activation but also decreased cytokine synthesis in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These results suggest that inhibition of the protein kinase TPL2 is an attractive strategy to decrease inflammation in the lungs when it is not warranted.