葛根素对糖尿病大鼠肾组织MMP-2的表达及活性的影响

为探讨葛根素对糖尿病大鼠肾组织基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)及活性表达的影响,采用单侧肾切除大鼠ip链脲佐菌素诱发糖尿病模型的方法,每日ip葛根素注射液,共16周。采用原位杂交法检测肾小球MMP-2、TIMP-2mRNA表达,流式细胞术和免疫组织化学检测肾皮质MMP-2、TIMP-2及Ⅳ型胶原表达;酶谱分析检测肾皮质MMP-2活性变化。结果发现糖尿病组较对照组肾小球MMP-2mRNA及蛋白表达降低而TIMP-2mRNA及蛋白表达升高,Ⅳ型胶原表达亦增加,MMP-2活性降低,肾功能恶化;葛根素用药组较糖尿病组MMP-2mRNA及蛋白表达升高而TIMP-1、Ⅳ型胶原表达减少,MMP-2活性部分恢复,肾功能改善。表明葛根素可能部分是通过调节肾小球MMP-2蛋白表达及活性的改变从而减轻肾小球细胞外基质沉积,保护糖尿病大鼠的肾功能和形态。     

回转对COL1A1-EGFP基因表达的影响

研究微重力对COL1A1(Ⅰ型胶原α1链基因)启动子活性的影响,探讨微重力对成骨细胞相关基因表达影响的作用机制.将长为3.6 kb COL1A1启动子双酶切,获得不同长度的启动子片段,并与报告基因EGFP(增强型绿色荧光蛋白)连接,转染ROS17/2.8细胞,用G418筛选,得到稳定转染COL1A1-EGFP基因的ROS17/2.8细胞株.利用回转器模拟微重力效应,体外培养条件下,观察各细胞株报告基因的表达情况.结果显示细胞在模拟微重力下培养24,48 h后,报告基因EGFP和Ⅰ型胶原的表达升高,表明COL1A1启动子活性增强.说明短期模拟微重力条件下,成骨细胞能通过增强COL1A1启动子活性,代偿性提高Ⅰ型胶原的表达.     

Nupr1调控非小细胞肺癌细胞迁移、凋亡机制的研究

目的:探讨核蛋白1(Nupr1)调控非小细胞肺癌细胞迁移、凋亡机制的研究。方法:肿瘤抑制剂盐酸素(salinomycin)不同时间处理非小细胞肺癌细胞A549后采用Western Blot法检测非小细胞肺癌细胞A549中Cleaved Caspase-3、Nupr1的蛋白表达;Transwell小室检测Nupr1基因沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549细胞体外迁移、侵袭能力的变化;Western Blot法检测Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549 MMP-2、TIMP-1的蛋白表达;流式细胞仪检测Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549的凋亡情况。结果:与未经肿瘤抑制剂salinomycin处理对照组相比较,salinomycin处理后的非小细胞肺癌细胞A549中Nupr1蛋白表达量下降,Cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达量升高,并且随着作用时间呈依赖关系。Nupr1-siRNA转染组的迁移能力相比对照组未转染组下降(64.4±7.2)%,Nupr1-siRNA转染组的侵袭能力相比对照组下降(58.7±7.3)%。与未转染Nupr1-siRNA对照组相比较,转染后TIMP-1的表达明显上调,而MMP-2的表达则明显下调。流式细胞仪检测结果显示Nupr1沉默后非小细胞肺癌细胞A549出现大量凋亡。结论:Nupr1基因沉默后通过上调TIMP-1的表达,下调MMP-2的表达降低肺癌A549细胞的侵袭和迁移能力,进而促进非小细胞肺癌细胞凋亡。     

Smurf1对增生性瘢痕纤维化形成的影响及分子机制

摘要 目的：探究Smurf1对增生性瘢痕形成中纤维化进程的影响及分子机制。方法：收集2021年6月至2022年6月空军军医大学第二附属医院烧伤整形科行增生性瘢痕切除手术患者的瘢痕组织及正常皮肤标本各12例,采用HE和Masson染色进行病理学检查。取增生性瘢痕组织无菌处理后,采取组织块法分离培养获取人增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞（HSF）。将HSF细胞按照实验方案分组,（1）Smurf1过表达分组：对照1组（Con-1组）,空载体组（Vector组）和Smurf1过表达组（OE-Smurf1组）;（2）Smurf1干扰表达分组：对照2组（Con-2组）,阴性组（si-NC组）,Smurf1干扰表达组（si-Smurf1组）。再分别将pcDNA3.1空质粒、pcDNA3.1+Smurf1质粒、si-NC和si-Smurf1转染至Vector组、OE-Smurf1组、si-NC组和si-Smurf1组HSF细胞。通过qRT-PCR检测Smurf1表达水平,Western blot检测蛋白表达水平,CCK-8检测细胞增殖水平,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡水平,Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭水平,细胞划痕实验检测细胞迁移水平。结果：HE染色和Masson染色结果显示,与正常皮肤组织相比,增生性瘢痕组织的真皮层厚度显著增加,真皮层中存在大量被染成蓝色的胶原纤维,排列紊乱且致密。与正常皮肤组织相比,增生性瘢痕组织中TGF-β1、α-SMA、COL1、COL3、TβR-I、p-Smad3和Smad7的蛋白表达水平均升高（P<0.05）,Smurf1表达水平降低（P<0.05）。与Con-1或Vector组比较,OE-Smurf1组HSF细胞中TGF-β1、α-SMA、COL1、COL3、TβR-I、p-Smad3和Smad7蛋白的表达水平均降低（P<0.05）,HSF细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移水平降低（P<0.05）,凋亡水平升高（P<0.05）。与Con-2组或si-NC组比较,si-Smurf1组HSF细胞中TGF-β1、α-SMA、COL1、COL3、TβR-I、p-Smad3和Smad7蛋白的表达水平均升高（P<0.05）,HSF细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移水平升高（P<0.05）,凋亡水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：Smurf1可能通过抑制TGF-β1/Smad通路,进而抑制增生性瘢痕的纤维化进程。     

葛根素对糖尿病大鼠肾功能及肾组织MMP-3、TIMP-1表达的影响

目的 探讨葛根素对糖尿病大鼠肾小球结构、功能及肾组织基质金属蛋白酶3(MMP-3)、组织抑制剂1(TIMP-1)表达的影响。方法 腹腔注射链脲佐菌素诱发大鼠糖尿病模型,每日ip葛根素注射液,共16周。采用原位杂交法检测肾小球TIMP-1 mRNA表达,流式细胞术和免疫组化检测肾皮质MMP-3、TIMP-1及Ⅳ型胶原、层粘连蛋白表达。结果 糖尿病组较对照组肾小球TIMP-l mRNA及蛋白表达增加,MMP-3、TIMP-1及Ⅳ型胶原、层粘连蛋白表达亦增加;葛根素用药组较糖尿病组TIMP-1 mRNA、蛋白及MMP-3、Ⅳ型胶原、层粘连蛋白表达减少。结论 葛根素对糖尿病大鼠肾功能、形态的影响具有保护作用,除降低血糖外,调节肾小球MMP-3、TIMP-1表达式从而减轻肾小球细胞外基质沉积也可能是其作用途径之一。     

Nampt及高糖高胰岛素微环境对人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞株增殖和转移的影响

摘要 目的：探究烟酰胺磷酸核糖转移酶（Nampt）及高糖高胰岛素（HG+HI）微环境对人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞增殖和转移的影响。方法：将人顺铂耐药细胞株A549/DDP分为6组（n=6）：对照组（control）、高糖高胰岛素干预组（HH，使用添加30 mmol/L的葡萄糖和500 mU/L的胰岛素的培养基培养72 h）、分别转染sh-NC和sh-Nampt组（sh-NC和sh-Nampt，使用Lipofectamine 2000将sh-NC和sh-Nampt分别转染到细胞中，转染时间为48 h）、HH干预sh-NC和sh-Nampt组（HH+sh-NC和HH+sh-Nampt）。每组6个重复样本。qRT-PCR检测转染效率，MTT法检测细胞增殖，流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡，Transwell检测细胞迁移和侵袭，qRT-PCR检测Nampt mRNA，Western blot检测Nampt、Bcl-2、Bax、MMP-2、MMP-9、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-AKT和AKT蛋白表达。结果：与对照组和sh-NC组比较，sh-Nampt组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量降低，而细胞凋亡率升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平降低，Bax蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.005）。与对照组和sh-NC组比较，HH组和HH+sh-NC组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平升高，Bax蛋白表达水平降低（P<0.005）。与HH组和HH+sh-NC组比较，HH+sh-Nampt组的Nampt mRNA和蛋白表达水平、相对细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数量降低，细胞凋亡率升高，Bcl-2、MMP-2、MMP-9、Nampt、p-PI3K和p-AKT蛋白表达水平降低，Bax蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.005）。结论：高糖高胰岛素微环境可能通过上调Nampt/PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导人顺铂耐药肺癌细胞的增殖和转移。     

PDGF介导ROCK对血管平滑肌细胞基质金属蛋白酶-2的表达及活性的影响

目的：研究PDGF介导ROCK亚型（ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ）对大鼠胸主动脉平滑肌细胞（A7r5）基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）表达及活性的影响。方法：利用RNA干扰技术使ROCKⅠ,ROCKⅡ基因表达下调,并检测基因下调后蛋白表达水平;使用免疫印迹法（western blot）检测MMP-2蛋白的表达;使用明胶酶谱法检测MMP-2蛋白的活性。结果：通过对A7r5细胞进行ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡsiRNA转染,二者蛋白表达水平分别下调79.8%和70.1%;ROCKⅠ,ROCKⅡ蛋白表达下调抑制了MMP2的表达和活性,但是ROCKⅡ作用更明显。结论：ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ均抑制MMP-2的表达和活性。     

miR-101a在乙型肝炎病毒相关性肝纤维化患者中的表达及对肝星状细胞的影响

摘要 目的：探究miR-101a在乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）相关性肝纤维化患者中的表达及对肝星状细胞（HSC）的影响。方法：根据肝纤维化程度将HBV相关性肝纤维化患者进行分组（S0组、S1组、S2组、S3组和S4组）,健康受试者作为健康对照组。通过RT-PCR检测肺组织中miR-101a的表达,并分析miR-101a与疾病严重程度的关系。使用重组人TGF-β1处理人肝星状细胞系LX-2,并对LX-2细胞转染阴性对照 miRNA模拟物（NC-mimic组）、miR-101a模拟物（miR-101a-mimic组）、阴性对照 miRNA抑制剂（NC-inhibitor组）或miR-101a抑制剂（miR-101a-inhibitor组）,未转染的细胞作为对照组,然后通过RT-PCR或蛋白质印迹检测激活HSC及ECM产生的关键基因（α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2和COL3A1）和蛋白（a-SMA、collagen I和collagen III）的表达水平。将SD大鼠随机分为4组：对照组、CCl4组、Ad-control组和Ad-miR-101a组,对大鼠腹腔注射CCl₄（1 mL/kg体重）诱导肝纤维化模型,每周3次,共4周。然后将5×10⁹感染单位的携带miR-101a的重组腺病毒（Ad-miR-101a）或对照腺病毒（Ad-control）经尾静脉注射到大鼠中。4周后,通过苏木精和伊红（H＆E）和Masson三色染色评估肝脏形态和纤维化,通过免疫组化染色评估肝脏α-SMA、E-cadherin、vimentin、Smad4或p-Smad2/3的表达。结果：与健康受试者相比,HBV相关肝纤维化患者肝组织中miR-101a的表达水平明显降低,并且miR-101a的表达水平随着患者的严重程度升高而降低（P<0.05）。与未处理的细胞相比,miR-101a在TGF-β1处理的LX-2细胞中以浓度和时间依赖性方式显著下降（P<0.05）。与未处理的细胞相比,5 ng/mL TGF-β1处理LX-2细胞中的α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2和COL3A1 mRNA表达水平及a-SMA、collagen I和collagen III 蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,miR-101a-mimic组的α-SMA、COL1A1、COL1A2、COL3A1和TGF-β1 mRNA和a-SMA、collagen I、collagen III、TGF-β1、Smad3和p-Smad3蛋白表达均下调（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,Ad-miR-101a组大鼠肝组织中E-cadherin的表达上调,但α-SMA、vimentin、Smad4和p-Smad2/3的表达下调（P<0.05）;Ad-miR-101a组大鼠的肝组织形态基本恢复正常,肝组织纤维化程度低于CCl₄组。结论：miR-101a水平与乙型肝炎病毒相关性肝纤维化严重程度相关,上调miR-101a可能通过抑制HSC的活化及上皮间质转化发挥抗纤维化作用。     

基于Oncomine数据库探究COL1A1基因在胰腺癌中的表达及意义

[目的]探究COL1A1基因在胰腺癌中的表达及临床意义。[方法]收集Oncomine和NCBI/GEO Profiles数据库中关于COL1A1的信息,对目前数据库中资料再次进行分析,并对其在胰腺癌组织和正常胰腺组织中的表达进行荟萃分析,使用Kaplan-Meier Plotter在线数据库分析该基因是否与胰腺癌患者的预后相关。[结果]Oncomine数据库中共收集了400项不同类型的研究。其中COL1A1高表达有86项研究,低表达有6项研究。共有8项研究涉及COL1A1在胰腺癌组织与正常组织中的表达,包括209例样本,与正常组织相比,COL1A1在胰腺癌组织中高表达(P<0.05)。NCBI/GEO Profiles数据库分析发现TGF-β处理48 h后COL1A1表达升高。Kaplan-Meier Plotter数据库分析表明COL1A1高、低表达组胰腺癌患者的总体生存率(OS)无统计学差异(HR=1.4,95%CI:0.92~2.12,P=0.11),但高表达组胰腺癌患者的无复发生存(RFS)明显差于低表达组(HR=5.05,95%CI:1.48~17.24,P=0.0044)。[结论]COL1A1基因在胰腺癌组织中的表达明显高于正常组织,低表达患者的RFS延长。可见靶向COL1A1的药物有望改善胰腺癌患者的预后。     

不同浓度白花丹素对骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡迁移、基质金属蛋白酶及Bcl-2、Bax、Ezrin蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究不同浓度白花丹素对骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡迁移、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)及Bcl-2、Bax、Ezrin蛋白表达的影响。方法:取对数生长期的骨肉瘤MG-63细胞,传代培养成细胞株后以随机法分成对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组。其中对照组加入到0.1%浓度的DMSO完全培养基中培养,低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组分别加入到浓度为5、10、20μmol/L的白花丹素的有关培养基中培养。培养24 h后,采用Transwell法检测MG-63细胞迁移率、Hoechst33342染色法检测MG-63细胞凋亡率、Western blot法检测四组MG-63细胞的MMP-2、MMP-9、Bcl-2、Bax、Ezrin蛋白表达水平。结果:培养24 h后,低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组的骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡率及Bax蛋白表达水平均较对照组升高(P<0.05),且随白花丹素浓度的增加而升高(P<0.05);骨肉瘤细胞MG-63的细胞迁移率、MMP-2、MMP-9、Bcl-2及Ezrin蛋白表达水平较对照组降低(P<0.05),且随白花丹素浓度的增加而降低(P<0.05)。结论:白花丹素对骨肉瘤细胞MG-63凋亡的促进作用以及迁移的抑制作用明显,其作用机制可能与抑制骨肉瘤细胞MG-63中的MMP-2、MMP-9、Bcl-2、Ezrin蛋白表达及促进Bax蛋白表达有关,且浓度越高,抑制或促进作用越明显。     

LINE-1编码蛋白L1-ORF1的原核表达纯化和多克隆抗体制备

目的: 制备具有肿瘤组织特异性表达的L1-ORF1蛋白多克隆抗体并进行初步应用研究。方法:采取基因工程表达方法制备L1-ORF1蛋白,免疫家兔制备多克隆抗体,间接ELISA检测抗体效价,Western blot和细胞免疫荧光方法检测抗体特异性,免疫检测验证其识别肿瘤细胞内L1-ORF1蛋白的特异性。结果:制备的抗L1-ORF1蛋白多克隆抗体具有很高的敏感性与特异性,免疫学检测表明该抗体不仅能检测出正常细胞中瞬时表达的L1-ORF1蛋白,而且可检测出肿瘤细胞中天然表达的L1-ORF1蛋白。结论:制备的多克隆抗体具有较高的敏感性与特异性,为以后该抗体的进一步应用奠定了基础。     

Role of the ASK1-SEK1-JNK1-HIPK1 signal in Daxx trafficking and ASK1 oligomerization

Overexpression of JNK binding domain inhibited glucose deprivation-induced JNK1 activation, relocalization of Daxx from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) oligomerization in human prostate adenocarcinoma DU-145 cells. However, SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, did not prevent relocalization of Daxx and oligomerization of ASK1 during glucose deprivation. Studies from in vivo labeling and immune complex kinase assay demonstrated that phosphorylation of Daxx occurred during glucose deprivation, and its phosphorylation was mediated through the ASK1-SEK1-JNK1-HIPK1 signal transduction pathway. Data from immunofluorescence staining and protein interaction assay suggest that phosphorylated Daxx may be translocated to the cytoplasm, bind to ASK1, and subsequently lead to ASK1 oligomerization. Mutation of Daxx Ser667 to Ala results in suppression of Daxx relocalization during glucose deprivation, suggesting that Ser667 residue plays an important role in the relocalization of Daxx. Unlike wild-type Daxx, a Daxx deletion mutant (amino acids 501-625) mainly localized to the cytoplasm, where it associated with ASK1, activated JNK1, and induced ASK1 oligomerization without glucose deprivation. Taken together, these results show that glucose deprivation activates the ASK1-SEK1-JNK1-HIPK1 pathway, and the activated HIPK1 is probably involved in the relocalization of Daxx from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The relocalized Daxx may play an important role in glucose deprivation-induced ASK1 oligomerization.     

DEC1 and MIC-1

Comment on: Qian Y, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2012; 109:11300-5.     

Generation of 'humanized' hCYP1A1_1A2_Cyp1a1/1a2(-/-) mouse line

Human/rodent CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 orthologs are well known to exhibit species-specific differences in substrate preferences and rates of metabolism. This lab previously characterized a BAC-transgenic mouse carrying the human CYP1A1_CYP1A2 locus; in this line, human dioxin-inducible CYP1A1 and basal vs dioxin-inducible CYP1A2 have been shown to be expressed normally (with regard to mRNAs, proteins and three enzyme activities) in every one of nine mouse tissues studied. The mouse Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 genes are oriented head-to-head and share a bidirectional promoter region of 13,954 bp. Using Cre recombinase and loxP sites inserted 3' of the stop codons of both genes, we show here a successful interchromosomal excision of 26,173 bp that ablated both genes on the same allele. The Cyp1a1/1a2(-) double-knockout allele was bred with the "humanized" line; the final product is the hCYP1A1_1A2_Cyp1a1/1a2(-/-) line on a theoretically >99.8% C57BL/6J genetic background-having both human genes replacing the mouse orthologs. This line will be valuable for human risk assessment studies involving any environmental toxicant or drug that is a substrate for CYP1A1 or CYP1A2.     

Antagonism between Cry1Ac1 and Cyt1A1 Toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis

Most strains of the insecticidal bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have a combination of different protoxins in their parasporal crystals. Some of the combinations clearly interact synergistically, like the toxins present in B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. In this paper we describe a novel joint activity of toxins from different strains of B. thuringiensis. In vitro bioassays in which we used pure, trypsin-activated Cry1Ac1 proteins from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Cyt1A1 from B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, and Trichoplusia ni BTI-Tn5B1-4 cells revealed contrasting susceptibility characteristics. The 50% lethal concentrations (LC₅₀s) were estimated to be 4,967 of Cry1Ac1 per ml of medium and 11.69 ng of Cyt1A1 per ml of medium. When mixtures of these toxins in different proportions were assayed, eight different LC₅₀s were obtained. All of these LC₅₀s were significantly higher than the expected LC₅₀s of the mixtures. In addition, a series of bioassays were performed with late first-instar larvae of the cabbage looper and pure Cry1Ac1 and Cyt1A1 crystals, as well as two different combinations of the two toxins. The estimated mean LC₅₀ of Cry1Ac1 was 2.46 ng/cm² of diet, while Cyt1A1 crystals exhibited no toxicity, even at very high concentrations. The estimated mean LC₅₀s of Cry1Ac1 crystals were 15.69 and 19.05 ng per cm² of diet when these crystals were mixed with 100 and 1,000 ng of Cyt1A1 crystals per cm² of diet, respectively. These results indicate that there is clear antagonism between the two toxins both in vitro and in vivo. Other joint-action analyses corroborated these results. Although this is the second report of antagonism between B. thuringiensis toxins, our evidence is the first evidence of antagonism between toxins from different subspecies of B. thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis) detected both in vivo and in vitro. Some possible explanations for this relationship are discussed.     

Regulation of PCTAIRE1 protein stability by AKT1, LKB1 and BRCA1

PCTAIRE1, also known as CDK16, is a cyclin-dependent kinase that is regulated by cyclin Y. It is a member of the serine-threonine family of kinases and its functions have primarily been implicated in cellular processes like vesicular transport, neuronal growth and development, myogenesis, spermatogenesis and cell proliferation. However, as extensive studies on PCTAIRE1 have not yet been conducted, the signaling pathways for this kinase involved in governing many cellular processes are yet to be elucidated in detail. Here, we report the association of PCTAIRE1 with important cellular proteins involved in major cell signaling pathways, especially cell proliferation. In particular, here we show that PCTAIRE1 interacts with AKT1, a key player of the PI3K signaling pathway that is responsible for promoting cell survival and proliferation. Our studies show that PCTAIRE1 is a substrate of AKT1 that gets stabilized by it. Further, we show that PCTAIRE1 also interacts with and is degraded by LKB1, a kinase that is known to suppress cellular proliferation and also regulate cellular energy metabolism. Moreover, our results show that PCTAIRE1 is also degraded by BRCA1, a well-known tumor suppressor. Together, our studies highlight the regulation of PCTAIRE1 by key players of the major cell signaling pathways involved in regulating cell proliferation, and therefore, provide crucial links that could be explored further to elucidate the mechanistic role of PCTAIRE1 in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.     

Antagonism between Cry1Ac1 and Cyt1A1 toxins of bacillus thuringiensis

Most strains of the insecticidal bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have a combination of different protoxins in their parasporal crystals. Some of the combinations clearly interact synergistically, like the toxins present in B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. In this paper we describe a novel joint activity of toxins from different strains of B. thuringiensis. In vitro bioassays in which we used pure, trypsin-activated Cry1Ac1 proteins from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Cyt1A1 from B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, and Trichoplusia ni BTI-Tn5B1-4 cells revealed contrasting susceptibility characteristics. The 50% lethal concentrations (LC50s) were estimated to be 4,967 of Cry1Ac1 per ml of medium and 11.69 ng of Cyt1A1 per ml of medium. When mixtures of these toxins in different proportions were assayed, eight different LC50s were obtained. All of these LC50s were significantly higher than the expected LC50s of the mixtures. In addition, a series of bioassays were performed with late first-instar larvae of the cabbage looper and pure Cry1Ac1 and Cyt1A1 crystals, as well as two different combinations of the two toxins. The estimated mean LC50 of Cry1Ac1 was 2.46 ng/cm2 of diet, while Cyt1A1 crystals exhibited no toxicity, even at very high concentrations. The estimated mean LC50s of Cry1Ac1 crystals were 15.69 and 19.05 ng per cm2 of diet when these crystals were mixed with 100 and 1,000 ng of Cyt1A1 crystals per cm2 of diet, respectively. These results indicate that there is clear antagonism between the two toxins both in vitro and in vivo. Other joint-action analyses corroborated these results. Although this is the second report of antagonism between B. thuringiensis toxins, our evidence is the first evidence of antagonism between toxins from different subspecies of B. thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis) detected both in vivo and in vitro. Some possible explanations for this relationship are discussed.     

Isolation and Characterization of Ubiquitin-activating Enzyme E1-domain Containing 1, UBE1DC1

Ubiquitin and other ubiquitin-like proteins play important roles in post-translational modification. They are phylogenetically well-conserved in eukaryotes. Activated by other proteins, ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins can covalently modify target proteins. The enzymes responsible for the activation of this modification have been known to include UBA1, SAE2, UBA3, SAE1 and ULA1. Here we report a new ubiquitin activating enzyme like cDNA, named ubiquitin activating enzyme E1-domain containing 1 (UBE1DC1), whose cDNA is 2654 base pairs in length and contains an open reading frame encoding 404 amino acids. The UBE1DC1 gene consists of 12 exons and is located at human chromosome 3q22. The result of RT-PCR showed that UBE1DC1 is expressed in most of human tissues. These two authors contributed equally to this paper. The nucleotide sequence reported in this paper has been submitted to GenBank under accession number AY253672.