Reevaluation of the changes in polygalacturonases in tomatoes during ripening

A procedure was developed for the differential extraction of polygalacturonases (PG) I and II from tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Extraction of pericarp tissue from ripe fruit at conventional conditions of 1.0 M NaCl and pH 6.0 yielded nearly equal amounts of the two enzymes. However, most of the PG activity could be extracted also with water at pH 1.6, and the water extract contained only PG II. Subsequent extraction of the pellet with 1.0 M NaCl at pH 6.0 and 10.0 yielded some PG I and high levels of PG converter, the protein in tomatoes that reacts with PG II to form PG I. Application of this procedure to tomatoes at different stages of ripening showed that PG II appeared as ripening began and then increased during ripening. Much lower levels of PG I than of PG II were extracted at all stages of ripeness. The PG converter was present in unripe fruit and increased during ripening. The results demonstrate that PG I is formed when PG II and PG converter are solubilized simultaneously and that PG II is the only endogenous PG in tomatoes.Abbreviation PG polygalacturonase     

Differential regulation of polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase gene expression during and after heat stress in ripening tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits

The effects of extended heat stress on polygalacturonase (PG; EC 3.2.1.15) and pectin methylesterase (PME; EC 3.1.1.11) gene expression at mRNA, protein and activity levels in ripening tomato fruits were investigated. Steady state levels of PG mRNA declined at temperatures of 27°C and above, and a marked reduction in PG protein and activity was observed at temperatures of 32°C and above. Exogenous ethylene treatment did not reverse heat stress-induced inhibition of PG gene expression. Transfer of heat-stressed fruits to 20°C partly restored PG mRNA accumulation, but the rate of PG mRNA accumulation declined exponentially with duration of heat stress. Heat stress-induced inhibition of PME mRNA accumulation was recoverable even after 14 days of heat stress. In fruits held at 34°C, both PG and PME protein and activity continued to accumulate for about 4 days, but thereafter PG protein and activity declined while little change was observed in PME protein and activity. In spite of increases in mRNA levels of both PG and PME during the recovery of heat-stressed fruit at 20°C, levels of PG protein and activity declined in fruits heat-stressed for four or more days while PME protein and activity levels remained unchanged. Collectively, these data suggest that PG gene expression is being gradually and irreversibly shut off during heat stress, while PME gene expression is much less sensitive to heat stress.     

慢性胃病患者胃蛋白酶原I、II水平与幽门螺旋杆菌感染的关系研究

目的:探讨慢性胃病患者胃蛋白酶原(PG)Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平与幽门螺旋杆菌(HP)感染的关系。方法:选取2012年12月-2016年12月期间我院收治的慢性胃病患者64例作为研究对象,根据疾病类型分为慢性胃炎组23例、胃溃疡组22例以及胃癌组19例。另取同期于我院接受体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组,应用免疫比浊法测定各组血清PG Ⅰ与PG Ⅱ水平,采用快速尿激酶法测定各组HP感染情况,分别对比各组研究对象HP感染发生情况,血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平,HP感染情况与血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平关系。结果:慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组以及胃癌组患者HP阳性率分别为60.87%、63.64%、78.95%,均明显高于对照组的13.33%(P0.05)。慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组以及胃癌组患者血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平均低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组与胃溃疡组(P0.05),慢性胃炎组和胃溃疡组血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),各组血清PG Ⅱ比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。各组研究对象HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平均低于HP阴性(P0.05),而PG Ⅱ水平比较无统计学差异(P0.05),慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组、胃癌组HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ水平低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组、胃溃疡组(P0.05),胃溃疡组、胃癌组HP阳性血清PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平低于对照组,且胃癌组低于慢性胃炎组(P0.05)。结论:慢性胃病患者PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平异常降低,HP阳性患者PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅱ水平降低更为明显,随病变的程度增加,血清PG Ⅰ、PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ水平也呈现出下降的趋势。     

The Desmosomal Armadillo Protein Plakoglobin Regulates Prostate Cancer Cell Adhesion and Motility through Vitronectin-Dependent Src Signaling

Plakoglobin (PG) is an armadillo protein that associates with both classic and desmosomal cadherins, but is primarily concentrated in mature desmosomes in epithelia. While reduced levels of PG have been reported in localized and hormone refractory prostate tumors, the functional significance of these changes is unknown. Here we report that PG expression is reduced in samples of a prostate tumor tissue array and inversely correlated with advancing tumor potential in 7 PCa cell lines. Ectopically expressed PG enhanced intercellular adhesive strength, and attenuated the motility and invasion of aggressive cell lines, whereas silencing PG in less tumorigenic cells had the opposite effect. PG also regulated cell-substrate adhesion and motility through extracellular matrix (ECM)-dependent inhibition of Src kinase, suggesting that PG's effects were not due solely to increased intercellular adhesion. PG silencing resulted in elevated levels of the ECM protein vitronectin (VN), and exposing PG-expressing cells to VN induced Src activity. Furthermore, increased VN levels and Src activation correlated with diminished expression of PG in patient tissues. Thus, PG may inhibit Src by keeping VN low. Our results suggest that loss of intercellular adhesion due to reduced PG expression might be exacerbated by activation of Src through a PG-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, PG down-regulation during PCa progression could contribute to the known VN-dependent promotion of PCa invasion and metastasis, demonstrating a novel functional interaction between desmosomal cell-cell adhesion and cell-substrate adhesion signaling axes in prostate cancer.     

Profile of prostaglandin levels in the rat hippocampus in pilocarpine model of epilepsy

Pilocarpine (PILO) administered to rats acutely induces status epilepticus (acute period), which is followed by a transient seizure-free period (silent period), and finally by a chronic phase of spontaneous recurrent seizures (chronic period, SRS) that lasts for the rest of animal's life. Hippocampal neurochemical changes following PILO administration include alteration in monoamines and amino acids content during all phases of this epilepsy model. The present work was delineated to study the content of prostaglandins (PG) levels in hippocampus during the three phases of this model. The levels of PG E₂, PG F₂ alpha and PG D₂ were measured by radioimmunoassay 1 h after PILO, 5 h after PILO, during the silent period, and interictally into the chronic period. The results show, in hippocampus of rats, increase of PG F₂ alpha and PG D₂ during status epilepticus, increase of PG D₂ during the silent period and increase of PG E₂ and PG D₂ during the chronic phase, when compared with control group. These changes match previously reported alteration in monoamines and amino acid levels, showing that altered neurotransmission is accompanied by changes in second messengers and enzyme activity related to PG production during all phases of this epilepsy model.     

Reduction of tomato polygalacturonase beta subunit expression affects pectin solubilization and degradation during fruit ripening.

The developmental changes that accompany tomato fruit ripening include increased solubilization and depolymerization of pectins due to the action of polygalacturonase (PG). Two PG isoenzymes can be extracted from ripe fruit: PG2, which is a single catalytic PG polypeptide, and PG1, which is composed of PG2 tightly associated with a second noncatalytic protein, the beta subunit. Previous studies have correlated ripening-associated increases in pectin solubilization and depolymerization with the presence of extractable PG1 activity, prior to the appearance of PG2, suggesting a functional role for the beta subunit and PG1 in pectin metabolism. To assess the function of the beta subunit, we produced and characterized transgenic tomatoes constitutively expressing a beta subunit antisense gene. Fruit from antisense lines had greatly reduced levels of beta subunit mRNA and protein and accumulated < 1% of their total extractable PG activity in ripe fruit as PG1, as compared with 25% for wild type. Inhibition of beta subunit expression resulted in significantly elevated levels of EDTA-soluble polyuronides at all stages of fruit ripening and a significantly higher degree of depolymerization at later ripening stages. Decreased beta subunit protein and extractable PG1 enzyme activity and increased pectin solubility and depolymerization all cosegregated with the beta subunit antisense transgene in T2 progeny. These results indicate (1) that PG2 is responsible for pectin solubilization and depolymerization in vivo and (2) that the beta subunit protein is not required for PG2 activity in vivo but (3) does play a significant role in regulating pectin metabolism in wild-type fruit by limiting the extent of pectin solubilization and depolymerization that can occur during ripening. Whether this occurs by direct interaction of the beta subunit with PG2 or indirectly by interaction of the beta subunit with the pectic substrate remains to be determined.     

缺磷胁迫下烟草叶片磷脂酰甘油(PG)含量降低的分子机理

缺磷胁迫下,PLDα和PLDβ在烟草成熟叶片中的转录活性升高,幼叶中却明显降低;幼叶和成熟叶片中PG水解酶的活性变化与PLDα和PLDβ mRNA表达量成正相关。与对照相比,缺磷幼叶与成熟叶片中的PG含量有不同程度的下降,成熟叶片中下降幅度较大。磷脂酸（PA）是叶片酶粗提液水解外源PG后的重要产物,n-丁醇的加入显著抑制PA的生成。上述结果表明,PG水解酶活性的增强是缺磷胁迫导致烟草成熟叶片中PG含量降低的重要原因,而PG水解酶活性的变化是由于受到了转录水平上的调控造成的。     

Reduced prostaglandin levels in the semen of men with very high sperm concentrations.

The prostaglandin levels have been measured in a group of men with sperm concentrations greater than 300 X 10(6)/ml and compared with the levels in men with sperm concentrations of 50 to 150 X 10(6)/ml. The distribution of the PG levels in all groups was highly skewed but the data could be transformed to a normal distribution by taking logarithms. Comparison of the PG levels showed a highly significant lowering of the PG levels in the polyzoospermic group when compared wieth either of the groups with normal sperm concentrations.     

Regulation of Tomato Fruit Polygalacturonase mRNA Accumulation by Ethylene: A Re-Examination

Polygalacturonase (PG) is the major enzyme responsible for pectin disassembly in ripening fruit. Despite extensive research on the factors regulating PG gene expression in fruit, there is conflicting evidence regarding the role of ethylene in mediating its expression. Transgenic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits in which endogenous ethylene production was suppressed by the expression of an antisense 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase gene were used to re-examine the role of ethylene in regulating the accumulation of PG mRNA, enzyme activity, and protein during fruit ripening. Treatment of transgenic antisense ACC synthase mature green fruit with ethylene at concentrations as low as 0.1 to 1 μL/L for 24 h induced PG mRNA accumulation, and this accumulation was higher at concentrations of ethylene up to 100 μL/L. Neither PG enzyme activity nor PG protein accumulated during this 24-h period of ethylene treatment, indicating that translation lags at least 24 h behind the accumulation of PG mRNA, even at high ethylene concentrations. When examined at concentrations of 10 μL/L, PG mRNA accumulated within 6 h of ethylene treatment, indicating that the PG gene responds rapidly to ethylene. Treatment of transgenic tomato fruit with a low level of ethylene (0.1 μL/L) for up to 6 d induced levels of PG mRNA, enzyme activity, and protein after 6 d, which were comparable to levels observed in ripening wild-type fruit. A similar level of internal ethylene (0.15 μL/L) was measured in transgenic antisense ACC synthase fruit that were held for 28 d after harvest. In these fruit PG mRNA, enzyme activity, and protein were detected. Collectively, these results suggest that PG mRNA accumulation is ethylene regulated, and that the low threshold levels of ethylene required to promote PG mRNA accumulation may be exceeded, even in transgenic antisense ACC synthase tomato fruit.     

Precursor peptide progastrin(1-80) reduces apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and upregulates cytochrome c oxidase Vb levels and synthesis of ATP

We recently reported that downregulation of gastrin gene expression in colon cancer cells significantly suppresses relative levels of mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt c) oxidase Vb (Cox Vb) RNA and protein. These unexpected findings suggested the possibility that gastrin gene products [mainly progastrin (PG)] may be directly or indirectly mediating the observed effects in colon cancer cells. Because colon cancer cells do not respond to exogenous PG, we examined the possibility of whether PG regulates Cox Vb expression in gastrin-responsive intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in vitro. Levels of Cox Vb RNA and protein were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to PG. Mitochondrial synthesis of ATP was also increased by approximately three- to fivefold in response to optimal concentrations (0.1-1.0 nm) of PG. Possible antiapoptotic effects of PG were additionally examined, because activation of caspases 9 and 3 had been noted in colon cancer cells downregulated for gastrin gene expression. We measured a significant loss in the levels of cyt c in the cytosol of PG-treated vs. control IEC cells, which correlated with a significant loss in the activation of caspases 9 and 3, resulting in a significant loss in DNA fragmentation on PG treatment of the cells. Our results thus suggest the novel possibility that the precursor PG peptide exerts direct antiapoptotic effects on IECs, which may contribute to the observed growth effects of PG on these cells. Additionally, Cox Vb gene appears to be an important intracellular target of PG, resulting in an increase in ATP levels, which may also contribute to the observed increase in the growth of target cells in response to PG.     

磷缺失引起小麦叶片中脂含量的变化与脂的合成和磷脂酰甘油的降解有关

对生长在不同磷营养水平条件下小麦(Triticum aestivum var.Zhongyou 9507)叶片中光合膜脂含量变化的原因进行了研究.通过对生长在不同磷营养水平条件下9 d龄和16 d龄小麦叶片中光合膜脂含量的分析,发现在磷缺失培养条件下,小麦光合膜脂的相对含量发生了很大变化,这种变化与小麦叶龄密切相关.在16d龄小麦植株中,第一片叶为老叶,第二片叶为较老叶,而第三片叶为新叶,PG和MGDG在叶片中的相对含量从新叶到老叶逐渐下降,而DGDG和SQDG含量逐渐上升;在磷缺失条件下,16 d龄小麦第一叶片中PG的含量(2.5%)远远低于其在9 d龄第一叶片中的含量(5.5%).以上结果说明,磷缺失引起小麦叶片中脂含量的变化不仅与脂合成有关,而且与PG的降解有关;新生叶片中PG含量减少的主要原因是由于磷供应不足,从而影响了PG的合成;而PG的降解则是老叶中PG含量下降的主要原因.     

健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗慢性萎缩性胃炎的临床疗效及对血清G-17、ET-1、胃蛋白酶原、EGF及NO水平的影响

目的:探讨健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗慢性萎缩性胃炎(chronic atrophic gastritis,CAG)的临床疗效及对血清胃泌素-17(G-17)、内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)、胃蛋白酶原、表皮生长因子(EGF)及一氧化氮(NO)水平的影响。方法:选择2015年6月到2017年3月我院收治的100例CAG患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各50例。对照组患者给予雷贝拉唑治疗,治疗组患者在对照组治疗的基础上联合健胃消痞汤治疗,两组患者均治疗8周。评价并比较两组患者的临床疗效、治疗前后血清G-17、ET-1、胃蛋白酶原I(PG I)、胃蛋白酶原II(PG II)、EGF及NO水平的变化及治疗期间不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,治疗组患者的总有效率为94.00%,明显高于对照组(78.00%)(P=0.021);两组患者血清G-17、PG I、PG II及NO水平均较治疗前明显升高,血清ET-1和EGF水平均明显下降,且治疗组以上指标的改善情况均显著优于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗期间不良反应的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.461)。结论:健胃消痞汤联合雷贝拉唑治疗CAG的临床疗效显著,且安全性较高,可能与其明显改善患者血清G-17、ET-1、PG I、PG II、EGF及NO水平有关。     

Three phosphatidylglycerol-phosphate phosphatases in the inner membrane of Escherichia coli

The phospholipids of Escherichia coli consist mainly of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cardiolipin. PG makes up ～25% of the cellular phospholipid and is essential for growth in wild-type cells. PG is synthesized on the inner surface of the inner membrane from cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol and glycerol 3-phosphate, generating the precursor phosphatidylglycerol-phosphate (PGP). This compound is present at low levels (～0.1% of the total lipid). Dephosphorylation of PGP to PG is catalyzed by several PGP-phosphatases. The pgpA and pgpB genes, which encode structurally distinct PGP-phosphatases, were identified previously. Double deletion mutants lacking pgpA and pgpB are viable and still make PG, suggesting the presence of additional phosphatase(s). We have identified a third PGP-phosphatase gene (previously annotated as yfhB but renamed pgpC) using an expression cloning strategy. A mutant with deletions in all three phosphatase genes is not viable unless covered by a plasmid expressing either pgpA, pgpB, or pgpC. When the triple mutant is covered with the temperature-sensitive plasmid pMAK705 expressing any one of the three pgp genes, the cells grow at 30 but not 42 °C. As growth slows at 42 °C, PGP accumulates to high levels, and the PG content declines. PgpC orthologs are present in many other bacteria.     

Prostaglandin levels in preovulatory follicles from rabbit ovaries perfused

Prostaglandin (PG) levels in follicular fluid from preovulatory follicles of rabbit ovaries perfused were measured in order to compare PG changes in this model system with those that occur and in isolated, LH-treated follicles . One ovary from each rabbit was perfused without further treatment (control). The other ovary was exposed to LH (0.1 or 1 ug/ml) beginning 1 hour (h) after initiation of perfusion. Samples of perfusion medium were taken at frequent intervals for measurement of PGE, PGF, progesterone and estradiol 17β. The perfusions were terminated when the first ovulation occurred or appeared imminent as judged by changes in the size and shape of the follicles. Follicular fluid was then rapidly aspirated from all large follicles on both ovaries for PGE and PGF measurement.Ovulations occurred only in the LH-treated ovaries. Progesterone and estradiol levels were significantly elevated in the perfusion medium within 1 h of LH treatment in comparison to controls. PG levels in perfusion medium from the control and LH-treated ovaries were not different throughout perfusion and increased in both groups. In contrast, PG levels measured in follicular fluid from LH-treated ovaries were 4- to 5-fold greater than in fluid from control ovaries. It is concluded that ovulation induced by LH in this experimental model is accompanied by an increase in follicular PG levels similar to that seen in other and models. This difference in follicular PG levels between the LH-treated and control ovaries is, however, not reflected in the perfusion medium.     

The role of serum pepsinogen and gastrin test for the detection of gastric cancer in Korea

Background and Aim: This study was performed to determine whether serum pepsinogen (PG) and gastrin testing can be used to detect gastric cancer in Korea. Methods: Serum levels of PG I (sPGI) and sPGII, PG I/II ratios, and gastrin levels were measured in 1006 patients with gastroduodenal diseases including cancer. Follow‐up tests were performed 1 year after Helicobacter pylori eradication. Results: sPGI and sPGII levels increased and PG I/II ratios decreased in line with the severity of activity, chronic inflammation, and the presence of H. pylori (p < .01). In contrast, sPGI levels and PG I/II ratios decreased in proportion with the severity of atrophic gastritis (AG)/intestinal metaplasia (p < .01). Gastrin levels were found to be correlated with chronic inflammation negatively in the antrum but positively in the corpus. H. pylori eradication reduced sPGI, sPGII, and gastrin levels, and increased PG I/II ratios to the levels of H. pylori‐negative patients, and was found to be correlated with reductions in activity and chronic inflammation of gastritis. The sensitivity and specificity of a PG I/II ratio of ≤ 3.0 for the detection of dysplasia or cancer were 55.8–62.3% and 61%, respectively. In addition, sPGI and sPGII levels of intestinal‐type cancer were significantly lower than those of the diffuse type, respectively (p = .008 and p = .05, respectively). Gastric cancer risk was highest in the H. pylori‐positive, low PGI/II ratio (≤ 3.0) group with an odds ratio of 5.52 (confidence interval: 2.83–10.77). Conclusion: PG I/II ratio (≤ 3.0) was found to be a reliable marker for the detection of dysplasia or gastric cancer, especially of the intestinal type. This detection power of PG I/II ratio (≤ 3.0) significantly increased in the presence of H. pylori, and thus, provides a means of selecting those at high risk of developing gastric cancer in Korea.