层出镰刀菌乌头酸酶家族的功能研究

【目的】层出镰刀菌是引起苜蓿根腐病的主要病原菌之一,探究层出镰刀菌中乌头酸酶家族蛋白的功能特性,为深入认识层出镰刀菌基础生理代谢的分子机制提供依据。【方法】利用hmmsearch工具,对真菌中含有乌头酸酶结构域的蛋白进行检索,并进行系统进化分析;通过实时荧光定量PCR及SWISS MODEL建模技术分别分析FpACO基因的表达模式与蛋白结构;利用同源重组双交换方法构建层出镰刀菌乌头酸酶基因敲除突变体;分析ΔFpACO3、ΔFpACO4-1、ΔFpACO4-2敲除突变体的生长、产孢、孢子形态、环境胁迫响应及致病力等表型变化;进一步测定敲除突变体中线粒体代谢相关生理生化指标的变化情况。【结果】FpACO4-1与FpACO4-2在产孢及孢子形态发生中发挥作用;FpACO3、FpACO4-1、FpACO4-2参与调控层出镰刀菌对细胞壁胁迫及金属离子胁迫的敏感性;FpACO3、FpACO4-1、FpACO4-2影响线粒体代谢,包括总乌头酸酶活性、ATP含量、过氧化氢含量及三羧酸循环关键基因表达等。【结论】乌头酸酶家族参与调控层出镰刀菌产孢、孢子形态分化、细胞壁胁迫及金属离子胁迫响应和线粒体代谢等过程。     

临床常见镰刀菌的鉴别

目的从分子生物学角度寻找一种快速准确鉴定临床常见镰刀菌的方法。方法将受试镰刀菌接种于PDA培养基,观察其菌落及镜下形态,在此基础上PCR扩增受试镰刀菌的rDNA ITS并测其序列,在GenBank核酸序列数据库进行同源序列搜索及分析。选择限制性内切酶Dra Ⅱ和Cfr13 Ⅰ进行RFLP。设计了茄病镰刀菌的种特异性引物Sol1、Sol2,初步验证其特异性。结果形态学鉴定结果显示,茄病镰刀菌所占比例最高,除2株串珠镰刀菌外,其余镰刀菌ITS序列分析的结果与形态学鉴定结果一致。茄病、层生和串珠镰刀菌的Dra Ⅱ、Cfr13 I酶切带形互不相同。用Sol1、Sol2扩增受试菌的rDNA ITS,只有茄病镰刀菌为阳性。结论rDNA ITS序列测定及其PCR-RFLP可用于初步鉴别几种临床常见镰刀菌,合适的种特异性引物可以初步快速鉴定茄病镰刀菌。     

串珠镰刀菌和尖孢镰刀菌对玉蜀黍苗期侵染的接种试验

以土壤接种的方法测定了串珠镰刀菌(Fusarium moniliforme Sheld.) 3个菌株和尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum Schl．)9个菌株对玉蜀黍幼苗的侵染力。结果表明在试验菌株中存在强、中等、不稳定、弱至无四种致病力类型。串珠镰刀菌中的NF2109(分离白玉蜀黍杆腐病株)和哈医143(分离自玉蜀黍种粒),尖孢镰刀菌中的NF1800(分离自香蕉果柄)和NF109(分离自松林土壤)属于强致病力类型。尖孢镰刀菌中的NF033(分离自玉蜀黍种粒)、NF245(分离自苹果烂根)、哈医142(分离自玉蜀黍种粒)属于中等强度类型。其余5个试验菌株有2个不稳定,3个呈弱或无致病力类世。叙述了这些菌引起的玉米苗枯的症状,并认为对玉蜀黍苗期的侵染,串珠镰刀菌的危在较之尖孢镰刀菌为大,并就试验菌林的致病力讨论了有关尖孢镰刀菌号化型问题。     

淡紫紫孢菌PLF-1对感染尖刀镰孢菌百合种球的促生作用及其相关防御酶活性变化

为了探究淡紫紫孢菌(Purpureocillium lilacinum)PLF-1对百合种球的促生作用及对百合尖刀镰孢菌的防治效果,采用平板对峙法评估淡紫紫孢菌对尖孢镰刀菌的拮抗效果,以及淡紫紫孢菌对百合抗尖孢镰刀菌的抗性作用。同时监测百合种球中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性变化情况。研究结果表明：浓度为4.34×10⁴ CFU/mL和4.34×10⁵ CFU/mL的淡紫紫孢菌孢子悬浮液对百合种球表现为促进作用,浓度为4.34×10⁴ CFU/mL时最高茎长达11 cm。平板拮抗实验中该淡紫紫孢菌菌株能有效抑制尖孢镰刀菌生长,抑制率高达72%。接种淡紫紫孢菌和病原菌的百合种球茎长会增长37.6%,根长会增长33%。该菌株能提高感染尖刀镰孢菌百合种球中的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性,有效抑制尖刀镰孢菌的毒害作用,促进植株健康生长。     

贝莱斯芽孢杆菌BG-2对厚皮甜瓜贮藏品质及防御酶活性的影响

【背景】厚皮甜瓜白霉病主要由尖孢镰刀菌引起,严重影响厚皮甜瓜品质,从而造成经济损失。【目的】研究贝莱斯芽孢杆菌BG-2对尖孢镰刀菌的抑制作用,以及对采后厚皮甜瓜贮藏品质的影响。【方法】以贝莱斯芽孢杆菌为供试菌株,研究其对2种不同贮藏温度（25℃和4℃）下厚皮甜瓜果实腐烂率、失重率、果肉硬度、可滴定酸、可溶性固形物含量和维生素C含量的影响,同时测定过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）、过氧化物酶（peroxidase,POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）防御酶活性,进而探究Bacillus velezensis BG-2对尖孢镰刀菌的抑制作用及对厚皮甜瓜贮藏品质的影响。【结果】贝莱斯芽孢杆菌BG-2菌悬液能有效抑制尖孢镰刀菌的生长,菌悬液浓度为1×10⁷ CFU/mL时抑菌圈直径为（20.45±0.39） mm,抑菌效价为144.48 mm/mL;同时,B. velezensis BG-2能有效减缓果肉硬度、维生素C含量、可溶性固形物含量和可滴定酸的下降,抑制果实失重和腐烂,能较好地保持果实的品质,抑制防御酶活性的下降。【结论】B. velezensis BG-2能显著抑制尖孢镰刀菌的生长,延缓厚皮甜瓜的后熟,维持采后甜瓜果实较高的品质和防御酶活性,对甜瓜腐烂有较好的防治效果。     

镰刀菌Q7-31T内切葡聚糖酶Egn20的分离纯化鉴定及酶学特性

摘要:【目的】从镰刀菌Q7-31T燕麦秸秆诱导发酵的粗酶液中分离、纯化并鉴定内切葡聚糖酶,研究其酶学特性。为丰富和完善镰刀菌的酶系信息提供理论支持。【方法】以燕麦秸秆为碳源诱导发酵培养菌株,采用Sephacry S-100凝胶柱层析和DEAE琼脂糖弱阴离子交换柱层析对粗酶液进行分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,随后对其进行了酶学性质分析和串联质谱鉴定。【结果】分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,其分子量为55.37 kDa,等电点为7.44;酶学特性结果表明:Egn20对羧甲基纤维素的最适反应温度为40 ℃,最适pH为6.0,该酶在45 ℃和弱酸性环境下较稳定,Fe2+对其有激活作用,Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Zn2+和K+抑制该酶活性,Hg2+使该酶失活;酶学特性和串联质谱鉴定的结果表明Egn20属于GH7家族。【结论】从镰刀菌Q7-31T粗酶液中分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,并对其进行了酶学性质的研究和串联质谱鉴定,结果表明Egn20为GH7家族内切葡聚糖酶。本研究为丰富和完善镰刀菌的酶系信息提供了理论和数据支持。     

月腺大戟根总黄酮对尖孢镰刀菌抑制作用的研究

采用生长速率法和孢子萌发法分别测定月腺大戟根总黄酮对尖孢镰刀菌菌丝生长和分生孢子萌发的抑制率,显微观察总黄酮处理尖孢镰刀菌后菌丝体形态结构的变化,并测定菌丝体相对电导率,菌丝体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性。结果表明:月腺大戟根总黄酮对尖孢镰刀菌菌丝生长和分生孢子萌发均有显著的抑制作用,抑制率随总黄酮浓度增加而增高,20 mg/L时抑制率达100%。总黄酮处理后的尖孢镰刀菌菌丝较细,分支减少,透明度差,液泡数量增多且形成较大的液泡;菌丝体细胞膜透性增加,SOD、CAT活性呈先上升后下降的趋势。以上实验结果可为植物病害生物防治及开发植物源农药方面提供理论依据和实验技术。     

镰刀菌分子鉴定与重要应用的研究进展

镰刀菌(Fusarium sp.)在土壤及动植物体内广泛分布。由于其形态变异大,有关镰刀菌的分类一直是一个难题。随着PCR技术发展,镰刀菌的分子标记和rDNA分析等鉴定方法的建立,提高了镰刀菌形态学鉴定的准确性,为镰刀菌进一步研究和应用奠定了基础。镰刀菌能产生多种重要的酶类,包括纤维酶、果胶酶和木聚糖水解酶等。通过生物转化可获得重要药物或药物中间体,因此具有潜在商业价值。镰刀菌能降解多种环境污染物,在环境保护中具有重要潜力。特别是能通过生物转化生产生物乙醇,解决能源危机问题。本文较详细地介绍了镰刀菌的鉴定和产酶情况,对镰刀菌产生的主要酶的性质、作用以及在生产生物乙醇方面的应用进行了详细综述。     

尖孢镰刀菌致病机理和化感作用研究进展

尖孢镰刀菌引起的枯萎病在生产中的防控相当困难。通过总结国内外相关文献,综述近年来有关尖孢镰刀菌致病机理和化感作用的研究进展。尖孢镰刀菌通过分泌毒素和细胞壁降解酶共同致病,谱系特异性区域的存在是其致病性强和宿主范围广的主要原因;在尖孢镰刀菌各专化型中已分离出大量致病相关基因;其他植物和拮抗微生物(木霉菌、丛枝菌根真菌、非致病性尖孢镰刀菌以及植物生长促生菌)可以分泌化感物质,作用于宿主植物和尖孢镰刀菌,直接抑制尖孢镰刀菌的生长或激活宿主植物的防御反应。未来有关尖孢镰刀菌致病机理研究应该在基因组测序基础上构建精细的遗传图谱;对化感作用的研究应当深入探讨分子机理,利用高通量测序等技术在转录组或蛋白组水平上明确宿主植物抗枯萎病相关基因,同时利用分子标记辅助育种来筛选新的抗枯萎病品种。     

用EDTA法研究镰刀菌胞内、胞外Pb2+的分布特征

【目的】建立一种方便、快捷、相对准确、能够定量地测定镰刀菌细胞内、外Pb2+分布的技术手段。【方法】用EDTA溶液浸泡镰刀菌细胞,使其胞外(表面)Pb2+被螯合、洗脱并测定,之后将被浸泡、清洗过的细胞消解、测铅。【结果】EDTA可以将镰刀菌表面的Pb2+螯合,且在99 min内不损伤镰刀菌细胞;以EDTA为反应介质和滴定剂,XO为指示剂,测定镰刀菌胞内、胞外Pb2+分布是可行的。依据此实验方法,测定了镰刀菌在Pb2+浓度为500 mg/L的培养基中的生长曲线、培养基中Pb2+浓度和细胞内、外Pb2+的含量。【结论】镰刀菌固定Pb2+的过程是先将Pb2+吸附在菌体胞外,之后转运至细胞内部,菌体胞外Pb2+的容纳量是有限的,每克菌体胞外Pb2+饱和吸附量约1.37 mg,通过计算可得,每克菌体用于吸附Pb2+的胞外活性位点约3.97×1018个。     

纳米二氧化铈对神经细胞PC12及SH-SY5Y活力的影响

目的:探究纳米二氧化铈(CeO₂)对神经细胞PC12与SH-SY5Y活力的影响。方法:合成纳米CeO₂材料,并对其结构进行表征,性能进行评估。用不同终浓度(1、2.5、5、10、25、50、75、100、150 μg/ml)的纳米CeO₂分别处理PC12细胞与SH-SY5Y细胞24 h,使用MTT法检测其细胞活力。然后使用活性氧清除剂NAC与纳米CeO₂共孵育处理PC12细胞与SH-SY5Y细胞,并用DCFH-DA探针染色,在荧光倒置显微镜下观察各组细胞的数量及其荧光强度。对实验数据采用单因素方差(one-way ANOVA)分析。结果:纳米CeO₂处理后,PC12细胞(P＜0.01)与SH-SY5Y细胞(P＜0.01)的活力都明显下降,与对照组差异明显。DCFH-DA探针染色后,发现纳米CeO₂的浓度越高,荧光强度越强,表明有活性氧(ROS)的产生。活性氧清除剂NAC与纳米CeO₂(100 μg/ml)共同处理PC12后,荧光强度明显减弱。与25 μg/ml (P＜0.01)、50 μg/ml(P＜0.01)、75 μg/ml(P＜0.01)、100 μg/ml(P＜0.01)纳米CeO₂处理组相比,共同处理组细胞活力明显增加。结论:纳米CeO₂对神经细胞PC12与SH-SY5Y的活力有明显的抑制作用,其机制可能与ROS有关。     

木霉菌合成银纳米粒子条件的优化及其对甜瓜尖孢镰刀菌抑制作用

随着绿色环保观念的普及,生物合成金属纳米粒子的方法备受青睐。纳米银(Silver nanoparticles,AgNPs)由于其抗菌活性强且不易产生抗药性等特点在农业病害防治中越来越受到关注。文中利用橘绿木霉Trichoderma citrinoviride和毛簇木霉Trichoderma velutinous研究了AgNPs的最适合成条件和AgNPs对尖孢镰刀菌抑菌活性。结果表明,所有合成的AgNPs均在400–500 nm处有吸收峰,两种木霉生物合成AgNPs的最适合成条件为CL法(菌丝滤液)静置光照培养,底物AgNO₃浓度为2.0mmol/L,pH值为7,反应温度为45℃。橘绿木霉和毛簇木霉合成的AgNPs均对尖孢镰刀菌有抑制作用,抑菌效果随浓度的增加而增大,AgNPs在浓度为200 mg/L时,抑菌率分别达到33.745%和36.083%。     

Helium‐based cold atmospheric plasma‐induced reactive oxygen species‐mediated apoptotic pathway attenuated by platinum nanoparticles

Plasma is generated by ionizing gas molecules. Helium (He)‐based cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) was generated using a high‐voltage power supply with low‐frequency excitation (60 Hz at 7 kV) and He flow at 2 l/min. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt‐NPs) are potent antioxidants due to their unique ability to scavenge superoxides and peroxides. These features make them useful for the protection against oxidative stress‐associated pathologies. Here, the effects of Pt‐NPs on He‐CAP‐induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanism were examined in human lymphoma U937 cells. Apoptosis was measured after cells were exposed to He‐CAP in the presence or absence of Pt‐NPs. The effects of combined treatment were determined by observing the changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and both mitochondrial and Fas dependent pathway. The results indicate that Pt‐NPs substantially scavenge He‐CAP‐induced superoxides and peroxides and inhibit all the pathways involved in apoptosis execution. This might be because of the SOD/catalase mimetic effects of Pt‐NPs. These results showed that the Pt‐NPs can induce He‐CAP desensitization in human lymphoma U937 cells.     

Quantitative relationship between inhibition of respiratory complexes and formation of reactive oxygen species in isolated nerve terminals

In this study reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the respiratory chain were measured and the quantitative relationship between inhibition of the respiratory chain complexes and ROS formation was investigated in isolated nerve terminals. We addressed to what extent complex I, III and IV,respectively, should be inhibited to cause ROS generation. For inhibition of complex I, III and IV, rotenone, antimycin and cyanide were used, respectively, and ROS formation was followed by measuring the activity of aconitase enzyme. ROS formation was not detected until complex III was inhibited by up to 71 +/- 4%, above that threshold inhibition, decrease in aconitase activity indicated an enhanced ROS generation. Similarly, threshold inhibition of complex IV caused an accelerated ROS production. By contrast, inactivation of complex I to a small extent (16 +/- 2%) resulted in a significant increase in ROS formation, and no clear threshold inhibition could be determined. However, the magnitude of ROS generated at complex I when it is completely inhibited is smaller than that observed when complex III or complex IV was fully inactivated. Our findings may add a novel aspect to the pathology of Parkinson's disease, showing that a moderate level of complex I inhibition characteristic in Parkinson's disease leads to significant ROS formation. The amount of ROS generated by complex I inhibition is sufficient to inhibit in situ the activity of endogenous aconitase.     

Antibacterial activity of colloidal copper nanoparticles against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris) bacteria

Antibacterial activities of as-synthesized nanoparticles have gained attention in past few years due to rapid phylogenesis of pathogens developing multi-drug resistance (MDR). Antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on surrogate pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (MTCC no. 739) and Proteus vulgaris (MTCC no. 426) was evaluated under culture conditions. Three sets of colloidal CuNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction method with per batch yield of 0·2, 0·3 and 0·4 g. As-synthesized CuNPs possess identical plasmonic properties and have similar hydrodynamic particle sizes (11–14 nm). Antibacterial activities of CuNPs were evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests, cytoplasmic leakage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. MIC and MBC tests revealed dose dependence bactericidal action. Growth curves of E. coli show faster growth inhibition along with higher cytoplasmic leakage than that of P. vulgaris. This might be because of increased membrane permeability of E. coli. CuNP–microorganism interaction induces oxidative stress generated by ROS. Leakage of cytoplasmic components, loss of membrane permeability and ROS generation are the primary causes of CuNP-induced bacterial cell death. As-synthesized CuNPs exhibiting promising antibacterial activities and could be a promising candidate for novel antibacterial agents.     

Evaluation of anticancer effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on mouse fibrosarcoma cell line

Cerium oxide nanoparticles are associated with anticancer effects. While protecting normal cells, these nanoparticles exert their anticancer effects via oxidative stress and apoptosis in the cancer cells. In this study, the anticancer properties of nanoceria on fibrosarcoma cell line are evaluated. Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and their anticancer effects on mouse fibrosarcoma tumor cells (WEHI164) were investigated. Viability assay was evaluated by MTT, and the DC-FDA assay performed for the detection of reactive oxygen species. For apoptosis assay, the annexin V/PI test was done as well as measuring the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and Bcl2 by real-time PCR and western blot method, respectively. Characterization of nanoceria reveals that synthesized nanoceria has cubic floruit structure with a size of about 30 nm. Toxicity assessment results show that nanoceria increases ROS levels and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in cancer cells (WEHI164), whereas low levels of toxicity were observed in normal cells (L929), even at the concentrations above 250 µg/ml in MTT assay. Real-time PCR and western blot assays showed that nanoceria could significantly increase the Bax expression in cancer cells. The results showed that nanoceria could act as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of fibrosarcoma.     

Inducible expression of 15-lipoxygenase-2 and 8-lipoxygenase inhibits cell growth via common signaling pathways

Human 15-lipoxygenase (LOX)-2 and mouse 8-LOX represent orthologous members of the LOX family but display different positional specificities and tissue distribution. To study the functional role of 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX in keratinocytes, an inducible Tet-On gene expression system was established in the premalignant mouse keratinocyte cell line 308. Doxycycline (dox)-induced expression of enzymatically active 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX led to an inhibition of cell growth that was associated with an inhibition of DNA synthesis, as shown by a 15-46% reduction of 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation. The inhibitory effects were increased in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid. In contrast, addition of linoleic acid or the LOX inhibitor baicalein reversed the growth-inhibitory effects. Treatment of the cells with 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) or 8-HETE resulted in a similar inhibition of BrdU incorporation, whereas 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) and 9-HODE, in contrast, had no effects. Dox-induced keratinocytes showed increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine and a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated kinases, completely abolished the LOX-induced growth inhibition, indicating a critical role of ROS and p38. Our data suggest that 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX, although displaying different positional specificity, may use common signaling pathways to induce growth inhibition in premalignant epithelial cells.     

拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体的筛选与特性分析

采用 EMS化学诱变方法与 H2 O2 氧化胁迫选择 ,以根在重力作用下的弯曲生长为指标 ,筛选得到拟南芥活性氧不敏感型突变体。对突变体杂交后代遗传分析表明 ,突变株对活性氧不敏感性状为隐性单基因突变所致 ;生理生化分析表明突变体对 H2 O2 有很强的抗性 ,表现为气孔开度对 H2 O2 不敏感和 H2 O2 胁迫时较低的膜脂过氧化水平。运用 L SCM技术并结合 H2 O2 荧光探针 H2 DCFDA检测外源 ABA诱导保卫细胞内产生 H2 O2 的情况 ,结果显示突变体体内荧光强度比对照低 ,暗示了突变体体内消除 H2 O2 的能力可能有所提高 ,增强了植株对氧化胁迫的抗性。拟南芥活性氧不敏感突变体的筛选 ,不仅为人们深入研究活性氧在细胞内的作用提供良好的实验材料 ,而且还将大大加深人们对信号转导途径的再认识     

Anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant behaviour of bucillamine.

Bucillamine (BUC) is used clinically for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the pharmacological action of BUC has been reported as being dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this paper the reactivity of BUC with superoxide anion radical (O(2) (*-)) generated from potassium superoxide/18-crown-6 ether dissolved in DMSO, hydroxyl radical (HO(*)) produced in the Cu(2+)-H(2)O(2) reaction, peroxyl radical (ROO(*)) from 2,2'-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dichloride decomposition, and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) from a mixture of alkaline aqueous H(2)O(2) and acetonitrile, have been investigated. Chemiluminescence, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-trapping techniques and the deoxyribose and oxygen radical absorbance capacity towards ROO(*) (ORAC(ROO)) assays were used to elucidate the anti- and pro-oxidative behaviours of BUC towards ROS. The results indicated that BUC efficiently inhibited chemiluminescence from the O(2) (*-)-generating system at relatively high concentrations (0.5-2 mmol/L); however, at lower concentrations (<0.5 mmol/L) the drug enhanced light emission. The behaviour of BUC was correlated with a capacity to decrease the chemiluminescence signal from the Cu(2+)-H(2)O(2) system; scavenging HO(*) was effective only at high concentrations (1-2 mmol/L) of the drug. Bucillamine also prevented deoxyribose degradation induced by HO(*) in a dose-dependent manner, reaching maximal inhibition (24.5%) at a relative high concentration (1.54 mmol/L). Moreover, BUC reacts with ROO(*); the relative ORAC(ROO) was found to be 0.34 micromol/L Trolox equivalents/micromol sample. The drug showed quenching of (1)O(2)-dependent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxide radical formation from 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine (e.g. 90% inhibition was found at 1 mmol/L concentration). The results showed that BUC may directly scavenge ROS or inhibit reactions generating them. However, the drug may have pro-oxidant activity under some reaction conditions.     

Cooperation between p21 and Akt is required for p53‐dependent cellular senescence

Cellular senescence has been implicated in normal aging, tissue homeostasis, and tumor suppression. Although p53 has been shown to be a central mediator of cellular senescence, the signaling pathway by which it induces senescence remains incompletely understood. In this study, we have shown that both Akt and p21 are required to induce cellular senescence in response to p53 expression. In a p53‐induced senescence model, we found that Akt activation was essential for inducing a cellular senescence phenotype. Surprisingly, Akt inhibition did not abolish p53‐induced cell cycle arrest, but it suppressed the increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The results of the cell cycle and morphological analysis suggest that p53 induced quiescence, not senescence, following Akt inhibition. Conversely, the inhibition of p21 induction abolished cell cycle arrest but did not affect the p53‐induced increase in ROS levels. Additionally, p21 and Akt separately controlled cell cycle arrest and ROS levels, respectively, during H‐Ras‐induced senescence in human normal fibroblasts. The mechanistic analysis revealed that Akt increased ROS levels through NOX4 induction, and increased Akt‐dependent NF‐κB binding to the NOX4 promoter is responsible for NOX4 induction upon p53 expression. We further showed that Akt activation upon p53 expression is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2. In addition, p53‐mediated IL6 and IL8 induction was abrogated by Akt inhibition, suggesting that Akt activation is also required for the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype. Collectively, these results suggest that p53 simultaneously controls multiple pathways to induce cellular senescence through p21 and Akt.