The twins K and Na in plants

In the earth's crust and in seawater, K⁺ and Na⁺ are by far the most available monovalent inorganic cations. Physico-chemically, K⁺ and Na⁺ are very similar, but K⁺ is widely used by plants whereas Na⁺ can easily reach toxic levels. Indeed, salinity is one of the major and growing threats to agricultural production. In this article, we outline the fundamental bases for the differences between Na⁺ and K⁺. We present the foundation of transporter selectivity and summarize findings on transporters of the HKT type, which are reported to transport Na⁺ and/or Na⁺ and K⁺, and may play a central role in Na⁺ utilization and detoxification in plants. Based on the structural differences in the hydration shells of K⁺ and Na⁺, and by comparison with sodium channels, we present an ad hoc mechanistic model that can account for ion permeation through HKTs.     

Establishment of vascular endothelial cell lines in a serum-free culture and the discovery of endothelin and a Vasoactive Intestinal Contractor (VIC)

Immortal vascular endothelial cell lines were established and utilized for the production of an endothelium-derived contraction factor (EDCF) in a serum-free medium. After the discovery of Endothelin (21 amino acid peptide, ET) as an EDCF, a prepro ET cDNA isolated from human tissue was used to examine the expression of ET and its regulation in human endothelial cells. A gene family of ET was shown in mouse by using prepro ET cDNA as a probe. Thus, a novel peptide, Vasoactive Intestinal Contractor (VIC) homologous to ET was deduced from the sequence of one of these genes. VIC was confirmed to induce vasocontraction as well as intestinal contraction. Northern blot analysis indicated that this gene was expressed in the intestine but not in endothelial cells. A cloning and sequencing of prepro VIC cDNA from mouse intestine suggest that a VIC-like peptide, as well as VIC, are co-synthesized by cleavage from prepro VIC with 160 amino acids.     

IL-6 and lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] concentrations are related only in patients with high APO(a) isoforms in monoclonal gammopathy

We have investigated the influence of apo(a) genetics on the relationship between interleukin (IL)-6, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in 154 patients with monoclonal gammopathy and 189 healthy subjects. No significant differences in Lp(a) levels and distribution of subjects with different sizes of apo(a) isoforms were found between patients and healthy controls. Relationship between IL-6 and Lp(a) levels was strongly dependent on the size of apo(a) isoforms. In patients with high-size apo(a) isoforms Lp(a) levels positively correlated (r=0.475, P=0.0007) to IL-6 concentrations, whereas no correlation was found in patients with low apo(a) isoforms. Our present finding may provide a plausible explanation for the contradictory findings about the acute phase protein nature of Lp(a).     

One family in two countries: mothers in Korean transnational families

This qualitative study explores Korean transnational families, known as gireogi gah-jok. In this type of family, the mother and her children move to an English-speaking country for the children's education while the father stays and supports his family financially from the country of origin. We conducted interviews with thirteen mothers who resided with at least one adolescent child in the northwest area of the USA. Guided by symbolic interactionism, we examined how women perceived the gireogi family situation separated in the two countries and how their perception influenced their maternal roles as gireogi mothers. Findings indicate that these women reshaped their maternal self and renegotiated gendered roles in response to their residence in the foreign country and physical separation from their husbands. The findings also suggest that participants made an effort to maintain family cohesion by frequent communication using technology and sporadic reunions.     

miR-92a家族与肿瘤关系的研究进展

miR-92a家族基因是由miR-25、miR-92a~1、miR-92a~2和miR-363等序列相似、结构相仿、种子区序列相同的微小RNA(microRNAs)组成,它们分别来自在进化过程中高度保守并互为旁系同源序列的miR-106b~25、miR-17~92和miR-106a~363基因簇。目前研究认为,miR-92a家族基因是一组与血管内皮细胞形成有关的miRNAs,其表达紊乱与肿瘤的发生发展密切相关。就miR-92a家族基因及其靶基因与肿瘤关系的研究进展进行综述。     

人血浆载脂蛋白（a）的分离及纯化

本文报道从人血浆脂蛋白Ｌｐ（ａ）中,分离纯化载脂蛋白（ａ）。收集富含Ｌｐ（ａ）的混合血浆,超离心,获密度１．０５ｇ／ｍｌ至１．０８ｇ／ｍｌ的粗制Ｌｐ（ａ）,经过Ｂｉｏ－Ｇｅｌ Ａ５ｍ层析后,证明纯化后的Ｌｐ（ａ）仅与ａｐｏ（ａ）抗血清反应,经ＤＴＴ处理过的Ｌｐ（ａ）,在琼脂糖电泳中的泳动率由胶β位移到β位,在印迹免疫反应中,对ａｐｏ（ａ）的抗血清反应依然显示在前β位,ＳＤＳ聚丙烯凝胶电脉的迁移率慢     

miR146a通过Smad4参与多柔比星的心肌细胞毒性作用

目的:探讨miR146a参与多柔比星心肌细胞毒性作用的可能机制。方法:用多柔比星处理大鼠心肌细胞,用CCK-8方法检测细胞活力,用荧光定量PCR检测miR146a的变化,用Western blot检测切割的Caspase 3的蛋白变化。使用常间回文重复序列丛集(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats,CRISPR)的方法,设计针对miR146a的向导RNA,敲除miR146a的表达。用CCK-8方法和Western blot分别检测敲除细胞的活力和Caspase 3蛋白变化。用软件预测miR146a的靶基因,利用荧光素酶系统进行验证。用Western blot检测多柔比星处理后靶基因的变化,以及用Western blot检测敲除miR146a对靶基因变化的影响。结果:多柔比星处理导致大鼠心肌细胞活力降低,切割的Caspase 3水平升高,同时发现miR146a表达升高(3.6倍)。使用CRISPR可有效敲除miR146a的表达,敲除效果显著高于microRNA decoy的效果(88.6%vs 57.6%)。敲除miR146a的细胞用多柔比星处理,miR146a增加不明显(1.08倍),并且敲除miR146a抑制了多柔比星导致的细胞活力降低和Caspase 3升高。经生物信息学及荧光素酶检测证实在大鼠心肌细胞内Smad family member 4(Smad4)是miR146a的靶基因,用多柔比星处理心肌细胞后,Smad4的表达降低。而敲除miR146a后,Smad4的表达升高,用多柔比星处理敲除miR146a的细胞,Smad4的表达变化不明显。结论:大鼠心肌细胞中,miR146a通过调节Smad4的表达参与了多柔比星对细胞的毒性作用。     

脂蛋白（a）的研究进展──生物化学与分子生物学方面

脂蛋白（ａ）［Ｌｐ（ａ）］是一种与低密度脂蛋白类似的脂蛋白,其特殊处在于多含一种具明显多态性的糖蛋白──载脂蛋白（ａ）［Ａｐｏ（ａ）］。Ａｐｏ（ａ）与血浆纤溶酶原有很大同源性。Ｌｐ（ａ）由肝合成,其分解可能主要经非特异途径。Ａｐｏ（ａ）大小及血浆Ｌｐ（ａ）浓度主要由Ａｐｏ（ａ）基因决定。Ｌｐ（ａ）易沉积于血管壁,并可促进平滑肌细胞生长及抑制纤维蛋白溶解,这可能是其促动脉粥样硬化和血栓形成的机理所在。Ｌｐ（ａ）的生理功能尚不清楚。     

Simple and rapid procedure for the purification of lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density lipoprotein-like particle displaying strong athero-thrombotic properties. Highly purified Lp(a) is increasingly requested for standardization of Lp(a) measurements and for biological studies. Several procedures have been described for Lp(a) separation and purification but none of them appear completely suitable. We present here a procedure for Lp(a) purification based on sequential elutions after lysine-Sepharose affinity chromatography. We were able to identify four distinct subspecies of Lp(a) showing different affinity to ε-amino groups of lysine-Sepharose, simply by modifying molarity and pH of the eluents; the fraction obtained in highly purified state represented the major form and could be eluted with 0.5 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 4.4). Advantages of this procedure are represented by simplicity, rapidity and final yield.     

一种降刺猬内源性脂蛋白(a)反义靶向连接物

通过酶联免疫法测定了刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的含量,从中选出一些脂蛋白（ａ）水平较高的刺猬,研究脱唾液酸糖蛋白－多聚赖氨酸－反义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ连接物对刺猬内源性脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用．结果表明,该连接物可明显降低刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的水平,而脱唾液酸糖蛋白－多聚赖氨酸－正义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ连接物对刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）无降低作用,无脱唾液酸糖蛋白靶向的反义载脂蛋白（ａ）ＲＮＡ寡核苷酸对刺猬体内脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用明显低于有脱唾液酸糖蛋白靶向的连接物．连接物几乎不影响刺猬体内的纤维蛋白溶酶原的活性,连接物对刺猬脂蛋白（ａ）的降低作用至少可持续１６ｈ．     

Population genetics theory of concerted evolution and its application to the immunoglobulin V gene tree

Summary The previous simple model for treating concerted evolution of multigene families has been revised to be compatible with various new observations on the immunoglobulin variable region family and other families. In the previous model, gene conversion and unequal crossing-over were considered, and it was assumed that genes are randomly arranged on the chromosome; neither subdivision nor correlation of gene identity and chromosomal distance were considered. Although this model satisfactorily explains the observed amino acid diversity within and between species, it fails to predict the very ancient branching of the mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V-gene family. By incorporating subdivided structure and genetic correlation with chromosomal distance into the simple model, the data of divergence may be satisfactorily explained, as well as the rate of nucleotide substitution and the amino acid diversity. The rate at which a V-gene is duplicated or deleted by conversion or by unequal crossing-over is estimated by the new model to be on the order of 10^–6 per year. The model may be applicable to other multigene families, such as those coding for silkmoth chorion or mammalian kallikrein.Contribution no. 1560 from the National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, 411 Japan     

Clec14a is specifically expressed in endothelial cells and mediates cell to cell adhesion

Clec14a is a member of the thrombomodulin (TM) family, but its function has not yet been determined. Here, we report that Clec14a is a plasma membrane protein of endothelial cells (ECs) expressed specifically in the vasculature of mice. Deletion mutant analysis revealed that Clec14a mediates cell–cell adhesion through its C-type lectin-like domain. Knockdown of Clec14a in ECs suppressed cell migratory activity and filopodial protrusion, and delayed formation of tube-like structures. These findings demonstrate that Clec14a is a novel EC-specific protein that appears to play a role in cell–cell adhesion and angiogenesis.     

Characterization of Annexin gene family and functional analysis of RsANN1a involved in heat tolerance in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Plant annexins are a kind of conserved Ca²⁺-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins which are involved in plant growth, development and stress tolerance. Radish is an economically important annual or biennial root vegetable crop worldwide. However, the genome-wide characterization of annexin (RsANN) gene family remain largely unexplored in radish. In this study, a comprehensive identification of annexin gene family was performed at the whole genome level in radish. In total, ten RsANN genes were identified, and these putative RsANN proteins shared typical characteristics of the annexin family proteins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the RsANNs together with annexin from Arabidopsis and rice were clustered into five groups with shared similar motif patterns. Chromosomal localization showed that these ten RsANN genes were distributed on six chromosomes (R3-R8) of radish. Several cis-elements involved in abiotic stress response were identified in the promoter regions of RsANN genes. Expression profile analysis indicated that the RsANN genes exhibited tissue-specific patterns at different growth stages and tissues. The Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that the expression of most RsANN genes was induced under various abiotic stresses including heat, drought, salinity, oxidization and ABA stress. In addition, stress assays showed that overexpression of RsANN1a improved plant’s growth and heat tolerance, while artificial microRNAs (amiRNA)-mediated knockdown of RsANN1a caused dramatically decreased survival ratio of Arabidopsis plants. These findings not only demonstrate that RsANN1a might play a critical role in the heat stress response of radish, but also facilitate clarifying the molecular mechanism of RsANN genes in regulating the biological process governing plant growth and development.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01056-5.     

Evaluation of a new apolipoprotein(a) isoform-independent assay for serum Lipoprotein(a)

The risk factor, Lipoprotein(a), [(Lp(a)], has been measured in numerous clinical studies by a variety of immunochemical assay methods. It is becoming apparent that for many of these assays antibody specificity towards the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] repetitive component [the kringle 4 - type 2 repeats] and apo(a) size heterogeneity can significantly affect the accuracy of serum Lp(a) measurements. To address this issue, we investigated whether our current in house Lp(a) [Mercodia] assay showed such bias compared to a recently available assay [Apo-Tek], claiming to possess superior capability for isoform-independent measurement of Lp(a). Levels of Lipoprotein(a) by both Apo-Tek and Mercodia assays correlated inversely with apo(a) isoform sizes. No significant differences were observed between assays in ranges of Lp(a) concentration within each isoform group. The Mercodia assay exhibited similar isoform-independent behaviour to that of Apo-Tek for e quantitation of serum Lipoprotein(a). Essentially identical results were obtained by the two methods, suggesting that Mercodia assay's capture monoclonal antibody also (as is the case for Apo-Tek) does not recognize the kringle 4-type 2 repetitive domain of apo(a). Correlation of Lp(a) concentrations in patient specimens between Apo-Tek and Mercodia assays showed good agreement, although an overall higher degree of imprecision and non-linearity was noted for the Apo-Tek procedure. A change-over to the Apo-Tek assay would therefore not improve on our current assessment of risk contribution from Lp(a) for atherosclerotic vascular disease in individuals with measurable levels of circulating Lipoprotein(a).