Solid-phase synthesis of [AsnA16]-, [AsnA22]-, [GlnA25]-, and [AsnA26]monellin, analogues of the sweet protein monellin.

In an attempt to delineate the binding site(s) of monellin to the receptor by means of a structure-taste relationship, we synthesized four monellin analogues, [AsnA16]-, [AsnA22]-, [GlnA25]-, and [AsnA26]-monellin, which were 7500, 750, 2500, and 5500 times as sweet as sucrose on a weight basis, respectively. Among them, [AsnA22]monellin and [GlnA25]monellin were less sweet than monellin, and were susceptible to the HPLC conditions used. It can be concluded that Asp16, Asp22, Glu25, and Asp26 residues of the A chain did not participate in binding with the receptor, since the sweet taste was not removed by replacing the amino acid residues with Asn or Gln. It can also be concluded that Asp22 and Glu25 of the A chain may have participated in intramolecular binding, as was pointed out by Kim et al., since exchanging Asp22 and Glu25 of the A chain with Asn and Gln significantly decreased the stability in solution.     

Clinical, morphological, biochemical, and neuroradiological features of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. Presentation of 19 patients

Nineteen patients (9 females, 10 males) with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies (ME) were studied. The diagnosis was established according to clinical and histopathological criteria. Leading clinical features were chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) and muscle weakness in 95% of the patients. Pigmentary retinopathy was seen in 63%, and was always associated with CPEO. Hypacusis was present in 47% and cerebellar ataxia in 63% of patients. Clinical or electrophysiological signs of involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) were found in 21% of the patients. In muscle biopsy ragged red fibers were the predominant histopathological findings (100% of the patients), while COX-negative fibers were seen in 74%, deletions of the mitochondrial DNA in 42%, and defects of the respiratory chain in 32% of the patients. Increased blood lactate levels were found in 79% of the patients. Needle electromyography revealed myopathic features in 74%, features of denervation in 16%, and w as normal in the remainder. Imaging studies showed cerebral atrophy in 58%, cerebellar atrophy in 16%, and hyperintense lesions of the white matter, pyramidal tract or extrapyramidal system in 16% of the cases. It is concluded that the clinical manifestations of ME can be very variable. Diagnosis of ME should be always considered in young patients presenting with CPEO and muscle weakness. In most cases, diagnosis can be made by a few selected investigations, while detection of genetic abnormalities may lead to the diagnosis in the remaining cases. (Mol Cell Biochem 174: 297–303, 1997)     

G-banding in the barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus, Linnaeus, 1758) of Morocco

G-banding was performed on the lymphocytes of six barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Four chromosomes appear to have polymorphic variants: number 1, number 4, number 16, and the “marker” chromosome, number 9. These polymorphic forms differe from the G-banding reported for Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, and Macaca arctoides. It may be that evolutionary relationships among various macaque species can be ascertained by using such chromosomal polymorphisms.     

广西岭鳅属鱼类一新种——罗城岭鳅(鲤形目:爬鳅科)

2008年9月,在广西壮族自治区罗城县天河镇附近一洞穴采集到一批条鳅亚科鱼类标本。经鉴定,为岭鳅属(Oreonectes)一新种。新种与岭鳅属的其他已知种类在以下组合特征上有区别:背鳍条3,7;臀鳍条2,5;胸鳍条1,11～12;腹鳍条1,7;尾鳍分枝鳍条为14～16。头平扁;眼正常;下唇表面具浅皱。腹鳍起点位于背鳍起点垂线下方之前,尾柄上、下缘无明显鳍褶;尾鳍后缘平截。体侧具不明显的细小鳞片,或鳞片隐于皮下。头部无侧线感觉系统管孔。成体粉红色,无色素,各鳍透明;浸泡标本体呈乳黄色,不透明,通体无色斑。     

Discovery,Primary, and Crystal Structures and Capacitation-related Properties of a Prostate-derived Heparin-binding Protein WGA16 from Boar Sperm

Mammalian sperm acquire fertility through a functional maturation process called capacitation, where sperm membrane molecules are drastically remodeled. In this study, we found that a wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-reactive protein on lipid rafts, named WGA16, is removed from the sperm surface on capacitation. WGA16 is a prostate-derived seminal plasma protein that has never been reported and is deposited on the sperm surface in the male reproductive tract. Based on protein and cDNA sequences for purified WGA16, it is a homologue of human zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16) belonging to the Jacalin-related lectin (JRL) family in crystal and primary structures. A glycan array shows that WGA16 binds heparin through a basic patch containing Lys-53/Lys-73 residues but not the conventional lectin domain of the JRL family. WGA16 is glycosylated, contrary to other ZG16 members, and comparative mass spectrometry clearly shows its unique N-glycosylation profile among seminal plasma proteins. It has exposed GlcNAc and GalNAc residues without additional Gal residues. The GlcNAc/GalNAc residues can work as binding ligands for a sperm surface galactosyltransferase, which actually galactosylates WGA16 in situ in the presence of UDP-Gal. Interestingly, surface removal of WGA16 is experimentally induced by either UDP-Gal or heparin. In the crystal structure, N-glycosylated sites and a potential heparin-binding site face opposite sides. This geography of two functional sites suggest that WGA16 is deposited on the sperm surface through interaction between its N-glycans and the surface galactosyltransferase, whereas its heparin-binding domain may be involved in binding to sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the female tract, enabling removal of WGA16 from the sperm surface.     

N-terminal prolactin-derived fragments, vasoinhibins, are proapoptoptic and antiproliferative in the anterior pituitary

The anterior pituitary is under a constant cell turnover modulated by gonadal steroids. In the rat, an increase in the rate of apoptosis occurs at proestrus whereas a peak of proliferation takes place at estrus. At proestrus, concomitant with the maximum rate of apoptosis, a peak in circulating levels of prolactin is observed. Prolactin can be cleaved to different N-terminal fragments, vasoinhibins, which are proapoptotic and antiproliferative factors for endothelial cells. It was reported that a 16 kDa vasoinhibin is produced in the rat anterior pituitary by cathepsin D. In the present study we investigated the anterior pituitary production of N-terminal prolactin-derived fragments along the estrous cycle and the involvement of estrogens in this process. In addition, we studied the effects of a recombinant vasoinhibin, 16 kDa prolactin, on anterior pituitary apoptosis and proliferation. We observed by Western Blot that N-terminal prolactin-derived fragments production in the anterior pituitary was higher at proestrus with respect to diestrus and that the content and release of these prolactin forms from anterior pituitary cells in culture were increased by estradiol. A recombinant preparation of 16 kDa prolactin induced apoptosis (determined by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry) of cultured anterior pituitary cells and lactotropes from ovariectomized rats only in the presence of estradiol, as previously reported for other proapoptotic factors in the anterior pituitary. In addition, 16 kDa prolactin decreased forskolin-induced proliferation (evaluated by BrdU incorporation) of rat total anterior pituitary cells and lactotropes in culture and decreased the proportion of cells in S-phase of the cell cycle (determined by flow cytometry). In conclusion, our study indicates that the anterior pituitary production of 16 kDa prolactin is variable along the estrous cycle and increased by estrogens. The antiproliferative and estradiol-dependent proapoptotic actions of this vasoinhibin may be involved in the control of anterior pituitary cell renewal.     

我国内蒙古发现白鹤夏季群体

白鹤 (Grusleucogeranus)又名西伯利亚鹤、黑袖鹤。体长 1 3 5cm ,站高 1 40cm。体羽除初级飞羽外 ,皆为白色。全世界野生白鹤数量不足 40 0 0只 ,已经被IUCN红皮书列为全球濒危种类 ,CITES列入附录Ⅰ ,我国也将白鹤列为国家一级重点保护鸟类。据文献记载及现有资料证明 ,白鹤在我国为旅鸟和冬候鸟。 2 0 0 2～ 2 0 0 4年夏季在内蒙古图牧吉国家级自然保护区均记录到白鹤夏季种群 ,数量为 8只、7只和1 6只。这是我国首次记录到白鹤夏季集群。笔者对白鹤夏季行为及食性进行了初步观察。     

Effects of radiation damage with 400-kV electrons on frozen, hydrated actin bundles.

Electron images can be used to provide amplitudes and phases for the structural determination of biological specimens. Radiation damage limits the amount of structural information retrievable by computer processing. A 400-kV electron microscope was used to investigate radiation damage effects on frozen, hydrated actin bundles kept at -168 degrees C. The quality of phases within and among images in a damage series was evaluated quantitatively out to 16 A resolution. It was found that the phases of structure factors with good signal-to-noise ratio (IQ less than or equal to 4) can be reliably retrieved from images taken at a cumulative dose of at least 25 electrons/A2.     

Genetic mapping of Prm-1, Igl-1, Smst, Mtv-6, Sod-1, and Ets-2 and localization of the Down syndrome region on mouse chromosome 16

Molecular probes were used as markers in the backcross (Czech II X BALB/cPt) X Czech II to determine the positions of six genes on mouse chromosome 16 (MMU 16). The order of the genes mapped is (centromere), protamine-1 (Prm-1), immunoglobulin lambda 1 light chain (Igl-1), preprosomatostatin (Smst), an endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus locus (Mtv-6), and two more distal sequences, superoxide dismutase, cytoplasmic form (Sod-1), and the proto-oncogene sequence Ets-2. The largest recombination frequency between any two adjacent markers is 24 cM, and thus the position of any marker on MMU 16 that is polymorphic between these two strains can be readily determined in this backcross. A region of MMU 16 which corresponds to the Down syndrome region of human chromosome 21 is located near the distal end of the chromosome.     

Conversion of 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one to delta 16-C19 steroids by the reconstituted delta 16-C19-steroid synthetase system

The substrate specificity of the reconstituted delta 16-C19-steroid synthetase system, which catalyzes the formation of 5,16-androstadien-3 beta-ol or 4,16-androstadien-3-one from pregnenolone or progesterone, respectively, was studied. The reconstituted system consisted of a partially purified cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, cytochrome b5 and NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase all from pig testicular microsomes. It was found that 5 alpha-reduced C21 steroids such as 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one can be substrates for the enzyme system, resulting in the formation of 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3-one, 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 alpha-ol and 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 beta-ol, respectively. The results suggest that 5 alpha-reduced delta 16-C19 steroids might be synthesized from pregnenolone and progesterone via 5 alpha-reduced C21 steroids as intermediates. The pathways would bypass 5,16-androstadien-3 beta-ol and 4,16-androstadien-3-one which have been assumed as obligatory intermediates in the formation of 5 alpha-reduced delta 16-C19 steroids from pregnenolone and progesterone.     

基于16S rRNA基因序列对织纹螺属的分子系统学分析

研究利用线粒体16S rRNA基因序列片段,对织纹螺属6亚属11种动物进行分子系统学分析。结果显示,种内遗传距离(0～0.007)与种间遗传距离(0.019～0.088)无重叠,这表明线粒体16S rRNA基因能较好地反映织纹螺种间的亲缘关系; 而亚属内遗传距离(0.018～0.031)与亚属间遗传距离(0.028～0.083)存在重叠,表明线粒体16S rRNA基因不能对一些贝壳形态相似的亚属进行区分。同时,确定了疑难种灰白织纹螺Nassarius(Zeuxis)canaliculatum的分类地位,并与相似种西格织纹螺N.(Z.)siquijorensis进行了对比; 确认了秀丽织纹螺Nassarius(Hima)festivus应属于Hima亚属;建议保留单型亚属Varicinassa的有效性。     

Biodegradable amphiphilic copolymer containing nucleobase: synthesis, self-assembly in aqueous solutions, and potential use in controlled drug delivery

Biodegradable nucleobase-grafted amphiphilic copolymer, the methoxyl poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly (L-lactide-co-2-methyl-2(3-(2,3-dihydroxylpropylthio) propyloxycarbonyl)-propylene carbonate/1-carboxymethylthymine) (mPEG-b- P(LA-co-MPT)), was synthesized. (1)H NMR titration and FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that the hydrogen-bonding could be formed between mPEG-b-P(LA-co-MPT) and 9-hexadecyladenine (A-C16). The hydrophobic microenvironment of the amphiphilic copolymer can protect the complementary multiple hydrogen bonds between mPEG-b-P(LA-co-MPT) and A-C16 from water effectively. The addition of A-C16 not only lowered the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of mPEG-b-P(LA-co-MPT)/A-C16 nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solution but also induced different morphologies, which can be observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Meanwhile, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and turbidometry was utilized to evaluate the effect of temperature and pH change on the stability of mPEG-b-P(LA-co-MPT)/A-C16 NPs. Cytotoxicity evaluation showed good biocompatibility of the mPEG-b-P(LA-co-MPT)/A-C16 NPs. The in vitro drug release profile showed that with the increase of A-C16 content, the doxorubiucin (DOX) release at pH 7.4 decreased, while the faster release rate was observed with the addition of A-C16 with a pH of 5.0. Importantly, DOX-loaded NPs exerted comparable cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells. This work provided a new method to stabilize NP structure using hydrogen-bonds and would have the potential to be applied in controlled drug delivery.     

apg15-1, a UGA mutant allele in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae APG16 gene, and its suppression by a cytoplasmic factor

Autophagy is a complex cellular process by which starving cells utilize cytoplasmic macromolecules as nutritional resources. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more than 15 genes are involved in this process and most of them have been cloned and characterized by now. But there remains a complementation group represented by a single mutation, apg15-1, unclear as to its molecular nature. We obtained DNA fragments that functionally complemented apg15-1 and found that the responsible ORF, YMR159C, was already assigned as APG16. It was further found that apg15-1 was a UGA allele in which the 243rd base of the 450 bp coding region of APG16 was converted from C to T, and that the previously observed complementation between apg15-1 and apg16D was attributable to the action of a cytoplasmic omnipotent suppressor. This suppressor was readily cured by guanidine-HCl and also by overexpression or disruption of HSP104, indicating its close similarity to the PSI prion-like factor. Since apg15-1 is a mutation highly sensitive to termination suppression, it can be used as a tool to detect weak termination suppressors.     

Cytogenetics and karyosystematics of South American oryzomyine rodents (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae). IV. Karyotypes of Venezuelan, Trinidadian, and Argentinian water rats of the genus Nectomys.

Bone marrow chromosomes were studied in South American water rats of the genus Nectomys from Venezuela, Trinidad, and Argentina. Specimens of N. squamipes from western and southern Venezuela showed a 2n = 52-53 karyotype, whereas a 2n = 56-57 karyotype was found in specimens from northeastern Argentina. In both cases, odd karyotypes can be explained by the presence of a supernumerary chromosome. In contrast, water rats from northeastern Venezuela and Trinidad showed a strikingly reduced 2n = 16-17 polymorphic chromosome complement. Six different karyomorphs were found among the latter, which may have resulted from a combination of pericentric inversions in two pairs of autosomes and a centromeric fusion in another autosomal pair. It is proposed that the new 2n = 16-17 cytotypes belong to a species of its own, for which the name N. palmipes is suggested.     

麻蝇幼虫肠道类胰蛋白酶的分离纯化及性质(英文)

麻蝇幼虫肠液经硫铵沉淀, ＤＥＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ Ａ－２５离子交换层析, ＳＢＢＩ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ４Ｂ亲和层析,分离纯化出一种分子量为 １６ｋＤ的蛋白酶。底物及抑制剂的特异性表明,该酶为类胰蛋白酶。其能够强烈地降解蛋白酶非专一底物酪蛋白和 Ｈｉｄｅ ｐｏｗｄｅｒ ａｚｕｒｅ,以及类胰蛋白酶专一底物 Ｂｚ－Ｐｈｅ－Ｖａｌ－Ａｒｇ ＮＡ, Ｂｚ－Ｐｒｏ－Ｐｈｅ－Ａｒｇ ＮＡ和Ｂｚ－Ｖａｌ－Ｇｌｙ－Ａｒｇ ＮＡ．该酶又能被丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂ＰＭＳＦ,类胰蛋白酶抑制剂 ＳＢ－ＢＩ和Ｌｅｕｐｅｐｔｉｎ强烈地抑制。蛋白酶在酸性环境下极不稳定,在弱碱环境（ｐＨ８．５－９．５）中活性最高。     

Preparation,In Vivo Administration,Dose-Limiting Toxicities,and Antineoplastic Activity of Cytochalasin B

An effective and inexpensive protocol for producing cytochalasins A and B is being disclosed to propose a viable method by which to examine the in vivo antineoplastic activity of these congeners in preclinical tumor-bearing mammalian models. In addition, we determine the maximum tolerated doses of cytochalasin B using multiple routes and formulations, characterize the tissue distribution of intravenous bolus cytochalasin B, and assess the in vivo antineoplastic activity of cytochalasin B in comparison in doxorubicin in Balb/c mice challenged intradermally with M109 murine lung carcinoma. We also examine the effects of cytochalasin B against several other murine neoplastic cell lines (Lewis lung, LA4, B16F10, and M5076). Finally, we examine a potential mechanism of the antimetastatic activity of cytochalasin B by observing the effects of the agent on the secretion of N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNACase) by B16BL6 and B16F10 murine melanomas in vitro. The results of the study can be summarized as follows: 1) Cytochalasin B can be safely administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, and subcutaneously in murine models, with the maximum tolerated dose of all routes of administration being increased by liposome encapsulation. 2) Cytochalasin B can significantly inhibit the growth of tumors in mice challenged with M109, Lewis lung, LA4, B16F10, or M5076, producing long-term survival against lung carcinomas and adenocarcinomas (M109, Lewis lung, and LA4) and B16F10 melanoma, but not M5076 sarcoma. These effects were comparable to intraperitoneally administered doxorubicin. 4) Low concentrations of cytochalasin B inhibit the secretion of GlcNACase, indicating that cytochalasin B may inhibit metastatic progression by mechanisms not directly associated with its influence on cell adhesion and motility.     

Species pattern of phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, CDP-diacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol synthesized de novo in rat liver mitochondria

Rat liver mitochondria were incubated with [3H]glycerol 3-phosphate, ATP, CTP and coenzyme A allowing acylatin of glycerophosphate with endogenous fatty acids and the further conversion of labelled phosphatidic acid (PA) to diacylglycerol (DG), CDP-diacylglycerol (CDP-DG) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). In these glycerolipids, the distribution of label among the individual molecular species was found to be similar, with 16:0-18:1, 16:0-18:2 and 18:0-18:2/16:0-16:0 being the main species. It was concluded that mitochondrial enzymes involved in the de novo synthesis of these glycerolipids exhibited no acyl selectivity for their substrates. The pattern of molecular species of mitochondrial PA, DG and CDP-DG closely approached that of the same glycerolipids synthesized de novo in isolated rat liver microsomes.     

Some effects of allatectomy in the female tsetse,Glossina austeni

The effects of juvenile hormone on the milk gland, ovaries, and fat body of adult female G. austeni were studied by allatectomy and hormone replacement therapy. In the absence of juvenile hormone, milk synthesis is slow, leading to the production, in a few cases, of small larvae over a prolonged inter-larval period. In most cases, no viable larva is produced and the fat body hypertrophies. Replacement of the corpus allatum with C₁₆JH leads to a rapid synthesis of milk, production of normal-sized larvae and a reversal of the effect on the fat body. It is therefore suggested that the milk gland activity is directly influenced by JH. Allatectomy in most cases also results in only one egg being matured. The others do not enter vitellogenesis. Similarly, this effect on the ovaries can be reversed by topical application of C₁₆JH.     

Nasal epithelium integrity, environmental stressors, and allergic sensitization: a biomarker study in adolescents

Changes in the airways epithelium caused by environmental insults might play a role in the development of allergic rhinitis. We measured albumin and Clara cell protein (CC16) in the nasal lavage fluid (NALF) from 474 adolescents (263 girls and 211 boys). The NALF CC16/albumin ratio, integrating the permeability and cellular integrity of the nasal epithelium, decreased mostly with time spent in chlorinated pools. In boys, a lower CC16/albumin ratio in NALF was associated with an increased risk of house dust mite sensitization. The results suggest that the CC16/albumin ratio in NALF can be used to detect nasal epithelium alterations linked to allergic sensitization.