一株耐受酒精解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CGMCC 6262)的研究

从酱香型酒醅中分离鉴定得到一株解淀粉芽孢杆菌(B.amyloliquefaciens CGMCC 6262)。该菌具有良好的耐受乙醇特性,能够耐受12%(v/v)的乙醇,且4%以下乙醇对其生长具有促进作用。研究该菌耐受乙醇机制,发现发酵过程中乙醇的浓度下降,且4%乙醇显著促进该菌产生有机酸,并诱导该菌产生酯酶,最高酶活达到8.01 U/mL,在酯酶作用下,该菌能够代谢产生丙酸乙酯、丁酸乙酯、庚酸乙酯和苯乙酸乙酯等酯类物质。     

拮抗多种植物病原真菌Streptomyces triostinicus C2的分离与鉴定北大核心CSCD

旨在分离筛选获得对植物病原真菌具有抑制作用的拮抗菌。以水稻纹枯病菌为指示菌,采用平板对峙培养法进行拮抗菌的分离筛选;根据菌体形态学观察、生理生化特征以及16S r DNA序列分析,对拮抗菌进行菌种鉴定。结果显示,从采集自云南、广东、安徽、湖北、江西等地的18个土样中分离筛选到一株对水稻纹枯病菌具有良好抑制效果的菌株C2,该菌株初步鉴定为Streptomyces triostinicus,并暂命名为链霉菌C2;进一步测定链霉菌C2的抗菌谱发现,它对水稻纹枯病菌、水稻稻瘟病菌、葡萄炭疽病菌、西瓜枯萎病菌和橘青霉等多种植物病原真菌均具有良好的抑制作用,其抑菌率分别为49.78%、56.62%、80.96%、18.59%和94.10%。链霉菌C2是一株植物病原真菌广谱拮抗菌。     

拮抗多种植物病原真菌Streptomyces triostinicus C2的分离与鉴定

旨在分离筛选获得对植物病原真菌具有抑制作用的拮抗菌。以水稻纹枯病菌为指示菌,采用平板对峙培养法进行拮抗菌的分离筛选;根据菌体形态学观察、生理生化特征以及16S r DNA序列分析,对拮抗菌进行菌种鉴定。结果显示,从采集自云南、广东、安徽、湖北、江西等地的18个土样中分离筛选到一株对水稻纹枯病菌具有良好抑制效果的菌株C2,该菌株初步鉴定为Streptomyces triostinicus,并暂命名为链霉菌C2;进一步测定链霉菌C2的抗菌谱发现,它对水稻纹枯病菌、水稻稻瘟病菌、葡萄炭疽病菌、西瓜枯萎病菌和橘青霉等多种植物病原真菌均具有良好的抑制作用,其抑菌率分别为49.78%、56.62%、80.96%、18.59%和94.10%。链霉菌C2是一株植物病原真菌广谱拮抗菌。     

内生黑曲霉JS-1对稻瘟病的拮抗作用研究

利用平板对峙法和牛津杯法,从疏花水柏枝、金银花、秋华柳的内生菌中,筛选出1株对稻瘟病菌具有很强抑制作用的菌株JS-1。经生理生化实验和18S rDNAITS序列分析,确定该菌株为黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)。实验结果表明,JS-1发酵液作用稻瘟病菌后,稻瘟病菌的菌丝变细,分支减少,菌丝基质颜色变浅,作用72 h后干重显著降低。进一步实验表明,该菌产生的活性物质位于其发酵液的乙酸乙酯酯相部位,对稻瘟病病菌抑制率高达96.1%。大田实验数据（天然接种圃）显示,添加该物质后,丰两优4号（中感）和广陆矮4号（易感）叶瘟病情指数分别只有16.25%和32.48%,对稻瘟病的防治取得了很好的效果,说明该菌株具有开发成高效生物农药的巨大潜能。     

嗜线虫致病杆菌的抑菌物质及抑菌活性

嗜线虫致病杆菌北京变种(Xenorhabdus nematophilavar.pekingense)是从北京地区采集的小卷蛾斯氏线虫(Steinernema carpocapsae)肠道内分离的共生细菌,具有自主知识产权,分离纯化出其发酵代谢物中的抗菌物质,进行抗菌活性测定,对研究该菌的抑菌机理以及开发利用具有重要意义。本文从该菌株代谢物中分离获得的抗菌物质经紫外光谱、红外光谱、核磁共振、高分辨质谱以及理化性质分析,鉴定为Xenocoumacin 1。用平板含毒培养基法测定了该物质对12种植物病原真菌的抑菌活性,研究表明,分离的活性物质具有较强的抑制活性,浓度在10μg/mL时,对黄瓜疫霉病菌、苎麻疫霉病菌、辣椒疫霉病菌,西葫芦灰霉病菌,苹果斑点落叶病菌的菌丝抑制率为100%。对草莓疫病病菌、苹果腐烂病菌、苹果褐斑病菌、蕃茄灰霉病菌、苹果轮纹病菌抑制率分别为86.8%、79.4%、79.5%、62.6%、53.6%;对其中6种真菌的EC50为0.25~4.17μg/mL,该物质对疫霉属真菌抑制作用最强,并能引起番茄晚疫病菌的菌丝生长畸形,原生质外溢。本文对开发新型生物杀菌剂的研究奠定了基础。     

反硝化除磷菌筛选及其特性研究

【目的】研究反硝化除磷菌特性。【方法】通过微生物筛选和生物学特性研究方法,从对虾养殖池塘中筛选出多株可在有氧条件下同时具有反硝化除磷功能的菌种。【结果】菌株LY-1可在18 h内将初始量为10 mg/L的亚硝酸盐氮降低至0.04 mg/L,PO43?-P降低至0.05 mg/L。在DO浓度为5.0?5.9 mg/L时,该菌反硝化除磷率近100%。试验选取具有反硝化除磷功能的枯草芽孢杆菌为阳性对照菌,大肠杆菌为阴性对照菌,比较研究了菌株LY-1在不同pH、温度、盐度、PO43?-P浓度、亚硝酸盐浓度时反硝化除磷的强弱,在pH为5?9范围时,该菌亚硝酸盐氮去除率近99%,PO43?-P去除率86%;温度为30°C时,该菌反硝化除磷率近100%;盐度为5‰?15‰、PO43?-P浓度为10 mg/L、亚硝酸盐氮浓度为20 mg/L时,该菌亚硝酸盐氮和PO43?-P去除率均可达99%。【结论】菌株LY-1反硝化除磷性能显著高于对照菌(P<0.05)。通过菌株LY-1形态学观察、生理生化及16S rRNA基因序列分析,初步鉴定为蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)。     

好氧甲烷氧化耦合反硝化极限脱氮系统的效能及应用

【目的】探究甲烷浓度、温度和氮浓度对好氧甲烷氧化耦合反硝化(AME-D)极限脱氮系统的影响,分析该系统微生物群落结构,并对贵阳某污水处理厂尾水进行应用研究。【方法】采用阶段性实验研究甲烷浓度、温度和氮浓度对系统脱氮效能的影响,通过16SrRNA基因测序技术分析系统中微生物群落结构,利用共焦显微拉曼光谱仪分析实际废水水质变化特征。【结果】甲烷进气比为3%、温度为30°C、氮浓度为20 mg/L时脱氮效果最好,系统的总氮、氨氮和硝酸盐氮平均去除率分别为93.66%、96.13%和92.25%;系统中的主要甲烷氧化菌分别为Methylosarcina(1.84%)、Methylovulum(0.01%)和Crenothrix(0.14%),以及兼性甲烷氧化菌属Methylocystis(1.9%),主要的亚硝化菌为Nitrosomonas(0.008%),硝化菌为Nitrospira (0.42%),反硝化菌为Hyphomicrobium (1.19%)和Pseudomonas (0.61%);采用该系统处理贵阳某污水处理厂尾水时,出水总氮平均浓度达到0.96mg/L,能达到极限脱氮的目的,拉曼光谱分析显示系统对硝酸盐氮和亚硝酸盐氮有较高的去除,甲烷被氧化形成的中间产物可能为醇类或醛类物质,为反硝化菌提供所需碳源。【结论】AME-D极限脱氮由多种微生物协同实现,其功能微生物为甲烷氧化菌、亚硝化菌、硝化菌和反硝化菌,应用研究显示该系统在城镇污水处理系统中具有较大的应用潜力。     

柴油降解菌Acinetobacter sp.AK5的筛选及其降解性能研究

从污水处理厂的活性污泥中分离到一株柴油降解菌,通过生理生化鉴定和16S rDNA序列分析,鉴定该菌为不动杆菌Acinetobacter sp.AK5。检测了不同pH值、NaCl浓度、培养时间和各种柴油浓度下Acinertobacter sp.AK5的柴油降解情况。结果表明,该菌的最适生长初始pH值为5-9,适合NaCl浓度为3%-4%,柴油浓度为5 g/L时,该菌7 d柴油降解率可达99%,柴油浓度为20 g/L时,7 d柴油降解率也可达67%。AK5在人工海水培养基中及无机盐培养基中生长状态良好,在海水和淡水石油污染的生物修复中具有很好的应用前景。     

秸秆降解放线菌GC的筛选及其应用基础研究

运用循环流化技术,从土壤样品中筛选出1株具有单独降解秸秆能力的菌株GC,考察了该菌的生长特性及产纤维素酶和木质素酶能力,验证了该菌对小麦秸秆的处理效果。结果表明,该菌为放线菌的左式链霉菌(Streptomyces drozdowiczii);可在LB等基础培养基中快速繁殖;纤维素内切酶活和滤纸酶活分别可达67.57 U/mL和19.69 U/mL,并且具备木质素降解能力;该菌单独处理小麦秸秆20 d的秸秆失重率为11.52%;处理产物含多种石油烃、有机醇和植物甾醇等,表明该菌在秸秆等农业面源污染物的资源化利用方面具有良好的开发应用前景。     

植物乳杆菌发酵、冻干工艺及其益生特性的研究

目的以Lactobacillus plantarum SQ-2506为目标,研究该菌株的发酵、冻干工艺及其益生特性。方法通过对培养基中C源、N源和刺激因子的浓度改变考察对活菌数的影响,从而确定培养基的最佳配方;在确定最佳培养基后做出该菌的生长曲线以确定最佳发酵时间点;同时考察冻干保护剂的配方和预冷时间对菌粉活菌数的影响;此外,对植物乳杆菌进行产酸、产H_2O_2、生物膜形成能力、抑菌特性以及抗氧化能力的检测。结果最佳MRS培养基中葡萄糖浓度为0.8%、酪蛋白胨为0.4%、牛肉粉为0.6%、吐温为0.06%;植物乳杆菌的生长曲线在5h时达到稳定期,此时发酵液活菌数为3.16×10~9 CFU/mL,发酵液的pH为4.45。最佳冻干保护剂的配方:脱脂乳100g/L,蔗糖120g/L,抗坏血酸20g/L,谷氨酸钠30g/L;冻干前对上机液预冻时间为2h,此时菌粉冻干存活率为70.21%。该菌株具有产酸、产H_2O_2能力,并对大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和白色假丝酵母均有一定的抑制作用,形成膜能力较强,且具有一定的抗氧化能力。结论通过培养基成分、发酵条件和冻干工艺的优化以及对其益生特性的研究,为下一步新药开发和规模化生产奠定基础。     

SEMA3B基因在鼻咽癌组织中的表达、杂合性丢失和甲基化分析

SEMA3B基因定位于鼻咽癌高频缺失区域3p21.3上,最近被证明具有抑瘤基因的功能.分析了鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因的表达、杂合性丢失(LOH)和甲基化情况.首先应用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法检测了33例鼻咽癌组织和15例慢性鼻咽炎组织中SEMA3B基因的表达,结果显示75.8%(25/33)鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因表达缺失或下调,显著低于慢性鼻咽炎组织中的表达(P=0.001).进一步选取3个微卫星位点D3S1568、D3S1621和D3S4597分析了20例鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因LOH的情况,结果表明3个位点的丢失率分别为10%、20%和15%,总的丢失率为45%,统计分析发现LOH与基因表达之间存在明显相关(P=0.023).最后,采用甲基化特异性PCR方法分析了SEMA3B基因启动子区甲基化,结果发现在100%的鼻咽癌组织和73.3%的慢性鼻咽炎组织中检测到SEMA3B基因启动子区高甲基化.由此得出结论,SEMA3B基因在鼻咽癌组织中表达缺失或下调,LOH是引起其表达异常的原因之一.     

共刺激因子B7-H1和B7-H3蛋白表达与胆囊癌病例特征相关

本研究选取2015年3月至2017年5月在我院保存的胆囊癌标本55例,同选取癌旁正常组织(距癌边缘>5 cm)作为对照,采用免疫组化染色检测B7-H1和B7-H3蛋白表达,分析B7-H1和B7-H3表达与胆囊癌临床病理特征和预后的关系,探讨共刺激因子B7-H1和B7-H3蛋白在胆囊癌中的表达及意义。研究结果表明:胆囊癌组织B7-H1和B7-H3蛋白阳性表达率分别为76.36%和63.63%,明显高于癌旁组织(p<0.05);B7-H1蛋白表达与胆囊癌TNM分期、淋巴结转移和侵袭深度有关(p<0.05);B7-H3蛋白表达与胆囊癌TNM分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移和侵袭深度有关(p<0.05);胆囊癌组织中B7-H1与B7-H3蛋白表达呈正相关(rs=0.516, p<0.05);B7-H1和B7-H3表达双阳性者和B7-H1或B7-H3单一表达阳性者中位总生存时间分别为20个月和21个月,明显低于B7-H1和B7-H3表达双阴性者组,差异比较有统计学意义(p<0.05)。本研究结论认为:B7-H1和B7-H3蛋白表达与胆囊癌病理特征有关系,两者间有一定相关性,且与患者预后有关。     

间作药材与接种内生真菌对连作花生土壤微生物区系及产量的影响

利用盆栽试验研究了药用植物间作及接种内生菌拟茎点霉B3的菌丝对连作花生(Archis hypogaea)红壤微生物区系及花生产量的影响,以探索花生连作障碍的生物防治措施。结果表明,药材间作和接种B3能够显著减少土壤霉菌数量、增加土壤细菌数量和土壤蔗糖酶活性,增加花生超氧化物歧化酶(SOD酶)活性和花生产量。与花生单作相比,茅苍术(Atractylodes lancea)/京大戟(Euphorbia pekinensis)间作花生产量增加9%-22%,接种B3处理花生产量增加24%。茅苍术/京大戟和花生间作处理配合接种B3后,花生产量分别较未接种B3处理增加30%和4%。其中茅苍术花生间作配合接种B3处理的花生产量最高,比对照(P)花生产量高59%,比单独接种B3处理(PB3)的花生产量高28%;京大戟花生间作配合接种B3处理(PEB3)的花生产量比对照增加13%,但不及单独接种B3处理(PB3)。这表明茅苍术间作和接种B3具有协同提高花生产量的作用,而京大戟或许对B3的功能发挥有一定抑制作用。     

Catalytic key amino acids and UDP-sugar donor specificity of a plant glucuronosyltransferase, UGT94B1: molecular modeling substantiated by site-specific mutagenesis and biochemical analyses

The plant UDP-dependent glucosyltransferase (UGT) BpUGT94B1 catalyzes the synthesis of a glucuronosylated cyanidin-derived flavonoid in red daisy (Bellis perennis). The functional properties of BpUGT94B1 were investigated using protein modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and analysis of the substrate specificity of isolated wild-type and mutated forms of BpUGT94B1. A single unique arginine residue (R25) positioned outside the conserved plant secondary product glycosyltransferase region was identified as crucial for the activity with UDP-glucuronic acid. The mutants R25S, R25G, and R25K all exhibited only 0.5% to 2.5% of wild-type activity with UDP-glucuronic acid, but showed a 3-fold increase in activity with UDP-glucose. The model of BpUGT94B1 also enabled identification of key residues in the acceptor pocket. The mutations N123A and D152A decreased the activity with cyanidin 3-O-glucoside to less than 15% of wild type. The wild-type enzyme activity toward delphinidin-3-O-glucoside was only 5% to 10% of the activity with cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Independent point mutations of three residues positioned near the acceptor B ring were introduced to increase the activity toward delphinidin-3-O-glucoside. In all three mutant enzymes, the enzymatic activity toward both acceptors was reduced to less than 15% of wild type. The model of BpUGT94B1 allowed for correct identification of catalytically important residues, within as well as outside the plant secondary product glycosyltransferase motif, determining sugar donor and acceptor specificity.     

Coronary stent implantation throughout technical evolution: immediate and follow-up results

Coronary stenting (stent implantation) has evolved over the last 5 years with changes in stent design, stent material and the implantation technique. The use of high-pressure balloon inflation (HP), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and appropriate antiplatelet therapy have contributed to the abolishment of the need for subsequent anticoagulation, allowing extended stent applications. We compared results in three groups of patients having stent implantation throughout the period of evolution: group A: no IVUS, no HP, with subsequent anticoagulation treatment (n 3 434); group B: no IVUS, yes HP, without subsequent anticoagulation treatment (n 3 192); and group C: yes IVUS, yes HP, without subsequent anticoagulation treatment (n 3 588). The primary success rates were comparable in all groups. There was a clear change in indications for stenting in groups B and C compared with group A (elective stenting: group A 3 32%; group B 3 66%; group C 3 69%; P < 0.0001), in reference vessel size (group A 3 3.22 3 0.37 mm; group B 3 2.92 3 0.56 mm; group C 3 2.98 3 0.57 mm; P < 0.0001), and for presence of type B2 and C lesions (group A 3 57%; group B 3 72%; group C 3 74%; P < 0.001). The complication rate significantly decreased in group C (group A 3 3.6%; group B 3 4.1%; group C 3 1.2%; P < 0.001) and the mean patient hospital stay decreased to 2 days in groups B and C due to the abolition of the need for anticoagulant treatment. The angiographic restenosis rate increased in groups B and C (group A 3 20%; group B 3 34%; group C 3 32%; P < 0.001). The need for a repeat procedure increased as stenting of more complex lesions and smaller vessels was attempted: target lesion revascularization (TLR) was performed in 16% of patients in group A (73/434), in 18% of group B (35/192) and in 22% of group C (129/588) (P 3 0.04 for A versus C). Major cardiac events (MACE) occurred in 142 patients in group A (33%), 60 patients in group B (31%) and in 181 patients in group C (30%). The evolving technique of coronary stenting has expanded the spectrum of indications and range of coronary vessels attempted, and decreased the complication rates and hospital stay. However, in less-favorable subsets, additional improvements are needed to affect the long-term outcome.     

B7-H3 is expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma and is associated with tumor aggressiveness and postoperative recurrence

B7-H3, a novel B7 family member, positively or negatively regulates T-cell responses. We investigated the clinical relevance and prognostic significance of B7-H3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Western blotting showed B7-H3 upregulation in 17 of 24 (70.8 %) HCC tissues compared with nontumor liver tissues (p = 0.028). B7-H3 immunostaining on tissue microarrays containing 240 HCC patient samples indicated that 225 (93.8 %) tumors had aberrant B7-H3 expression, with strong intensity in 79 (32.9 %) cases, whereas B7-H3 expression in peritumor liver cells was weak in most cases (226; 94.2 %). Notably, patients with high/moderate tumor cell B7-H3 expression showed significantly poorer survival (p = 0.009) and increased recurrence (p = 0.002). After multivariable adjustment, high/moderate B7-H3 expression remained significant for an increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio = 1.79; 95 % confidence interval = 1.19–2.70; p = 0.005). B7-H3 expression correlated with invasive phenotypes like vascular invasion and advanced tumor stage, and the metastatic potential of HCC cell lines. Flow cytometry showed that B7-H3 expression is inversely correlated with proliferation and interferon-γ production by infiltrating T cells. Interferon-γ stimulation significantly upregulated B7-H3 expression in HCC cells in vitro, implicating B7-H3 expression as a feedback mechanism to evade anti-tumor immunity. Importantly, the prognostic value of B7-H3 expression was validated in an independent cohort of 206 HCC patients. Collectively, our data suggest that B7-H3 was abundantly expressed in HCC and was associated with adverse clinicopathologic features and poor outcome. Thus, B7-H3 represents an attractive target for diagnostic and therapeutic manipulation in human HCC.     

Hand grip strength and associated factors in non-institutionalised men and women 50 years and older in South Africa

Background

Previous studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in IL28B and IL10R are associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegilated interferon plus ribavirin (P/R). The present study extends our earlier investigations on a large East-Central European cohort. The allele frequencies of IL28B and IL10R in genotype 1 HCV infection were compared with that of healthy controls for the purpose of examining the relationship between the polymorphisms and the SVR to P/R treatment.

Methods

A total of 748 chronic HCV1 infected patients (365 male, 383 female; 18–82 years) and 105 voluntary blood donors as controls were enrolled. Four hundred and twenty HCV patients were treated with P/R for 24–72 weeks, out of them 195 (46.4%) achieved SVR. The IL28 rs12979860 SNP was determined using Custom Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. The IL10R ?1087 (also known as IL10R ?1082 (rs1800896) promoter region SNP was determined by RT-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results

The IL28B CC genotype occurred with lower frequency in HCV patients than in controls (26.1% vs 51.4%, p<0.001). P/R treated patients with the IL28B CC genotype achieved higher SVR rate, as compared to patients with CT (58.6% vs 40.8%, p=0.002). The prevalence of IL10R ?1087 GG genotype was lower in patients than in controls (31.8 % vs 52.2%, p<0.001). Among patients achieving SVR, the IL10R ?1087 GG genotype occurred with higher frequency than the AA (32.0% vs 17.4%, p=0.013). The IL28B T allele plus IL10R A allele combination was found with higher prevalence in patients than in controls (52% vs 20.7%, p<0.001). The IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combination occurred with higher frequency among patients with SVR than in non-responders (21.3% vs 12.8%, p=0.026). Both the IL28B CC plus IL10R GG and the IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combinations occurred with lower frequency in patients than in controls.

Conclusions

In our HCV1 patients, both the IL28B CC and IL10R GG genotypes are associated with clearance of HCV. Moreover, distinct IL28B and IL10R allele combinations appear to be protective against chronic HCV1 infection and predictors of response to P/R therapy.     

Expression Profile of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 Enzymes in Colon and Bladder Tumors

Background

The cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes are involved in carcinogenesis via activation of pro-carcinogenic compounds to carcinogenic metabolites. CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 have shown elevated levels in human tumors as determined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies. However studies that have examined CYP1 expression by enzyme activity assays are limited.

Results

In the current study the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 was investigated in a panel of human tumors of bladder and colorectal origin by qRT-PCR and enzyme activity assays. The results demonstrated that 35% (7/20) of bladder tumors and 35% (7/20) of colon tumors overexpressed active CYP1 enzymes. CYP1B1 mRNA was overexpressed in 65% and 60% of bladder and colon tumors respectively, whereas CYP1A1 was overexpressed in 65% and 80% of bladder and colon tumors. Mean mRNA levels of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 along with mean CYP1 activity were higher in bladder and colon tumors compared to normal tissues (p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed CYP1 expression levels to be independent of TNM status. Moreover, incubation of tumor microsomal protein in 4 bladder and 3 colon samples with a CYP1B1 specific antibody revealed a large reduction (72.5 ± 5.5 % for bladder and 71.8 ± 7.2% for colon) in catalytic activity, indicating that the activity was mainly attributed to CYP1B1 expression.

Conclusions

The study reveals active CYP1 overexpression in human tumors and uncovers the potential use of CYP1 enzymes and mainly CYP1B1 as targets for cancer therapy.     

Novel methylation and expression markers associated with breast cancer

We have developed a modification of methylation sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR, one of the methods of differentially methylated CpG islands in cancer cells genomes screening. Seven genes undergoing abnormal epigenetic regulation in breast cancer, SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4 and PSMF1, have been identified by this method. Methylation and loss of expression frequencies were evaluated for each of the identified genes on 100 paired (cancer/morphologically intact control) breast tissue samples. Significant frequencies of abnormal methylation were detected for SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3 (38%, 18%, and 8% correspondingly). Methylation of the above genes was not characteristic for morphologically intact breast tissues. Downregulation of SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4 and PSMF1 in breast cancer was as frequent as 44-94% by real-time PCR expression assay. The most pronounced functional alterations were demonstrated for SEMA6B and LAMC3 genes, which allows recommending their inclusion into the panels of carcinogenesis diagnostic panels. Fine methylation mapping was performed for the genes most frequently methylated in breast cancer (SEMA6B, BIN1, LAMC3), providing a fundamental basis for the development of effective methylation tests for these genes.     

Mutational analysis of the three conserved valine residues of insulin and a proposal of "isosteric residue"

To further understand the role of the three conserved Val residues in insulin, B12Val, B18Val, and A3Val, five insulin mutants-[A3Ser]insulin, [B12Thr]insulin, (desB30)[B12Ser]insulin, [B18Thr] insulin, and [B18Leu]insulin--were obtained by means of site-directed mutagenesis and their receptor-binding activities as well as in vivo biological potencies were measured. The two B18 mutants, [B18Thr]insulin and [B18Leu]insulin, both retained relatively high receptor-binding activities (70% and 30% of native porcine insulin, respectively) as well as relatively high in vivo biological potencies. The receptor-binding activities of [B12Thr]insulin and (desB30)[B12Ser]insulin were 5.1% and 0.2%, respectively. However the in vivo biological potency of [B12Thr]insulin was still about 50% of native insulin, whereas that of (desB30)[B12Ser]insulin decreased drastically. The [A3Ser]insulin retained 1.4% of the receptor-binding activity and low in vivo biological potency. These results, together with previous reports showed that when the three conserved Val residues were replaced by residues containing a beta-branched side-chain, such as Thr or Ile, the insulin mutants retained higher biological activities than those mutants replaced by other residues. Here we propose that Val, Thr, and Ile are "isosteric residues' because they all contain a beta-branched side-chain. This proposal may have perhaps general significance in protein design and protein engineering.