The structure-function relationships of insulin-like growth factor 1 Ec in C2C12 cells

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a crucial growth factor, that regulates skeletal muscles development during cell growth and repair. Recently, its alternative splicing variant, named IGF1Ec, also named mechano-growth factor (MGF), has gained attentions as a new damage repair factor. However, the structure-function relationships of IGF1Ec have not been fully clarified due to contradictory reports. In this study, we systematically investigated physiologic responses of C2C12 muscle cells to IGF1Ec, IGF1 and MGF E peptide. Our data indicate that while the N-terminal sequence of IGF1Ec, which is homolog in part with IGF1, promotes proliferation; the C-terminal sequence of IGF1Ec, which is identical to MGF E, promotes differentiation and migration of C2C12 cells. Our results suggest that MGF E cannot completely replace all the functions of IGF1Ec on muscle repair and regeneration, and elucidate the relationships between structure and function of IGF1Ec.     

Oral administration of probiotic bacteria (E. coli nissle,E. coli O83,Lactobacillus casei) influences the severity of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in BALB/c mice

Our study examined whether repeated preventive oral administration of live probiotic bacterial strains Escherichia coli O83:K24:H31 (Ec O83), Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 O6:K5:H1 (Ec Nis) and Lactobacillus casei DN 114001 (Lc) can protect mice against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. A significant decrease in average symptom score was observed in Ec O83-, Ec Nis- and Lc-pretreated group (p < 0.05). Significant differences in body mass loss between Lc pretreated mice with DSS-induced colitis were found when compared with nontreated mice (p < 0.05). PBS pretreated mice had a significantly shorter colon than Ec O83-, Ec Nis- and Lc-pretreated mice (p < 0.05). Administration of Lc significantly decreased the severity of DSS induced histological marks of inflammation (p < 0.05). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also found in specific IgA level against given probiotic in enteral fluid between colitic mice and healthy mice pretreated with Ec 083 and Ec Nis.     

Hybrids of two closely related tropical sea urchins (genus Echinometra): evidence against postzygotic isolating mechanisms

A series of cross-fertilization experiments were conducted with two unnamed, sympatric species of sea urchins in the Echinometra mathaei species complex, Echinometra sp. A (Ea) and Echinometra sp. C (Ec). Heterogametic fertilization success was high when eggs of Ec and sperm of Ea were involved, and low with eggs of Ea and sperm of Ec. Hybrids produced from crosses in either direction developed normally to sexually mature adults; Ea x Ea were largest in test size, followed by Ec (ova) x Ea (sperm), Ea (ova) x Ec (sperm), and Ec x Ec, respectively. Color patterns of the hybrids were closer to the maternal coloration, whereas other characters such as relative test dimensions and spine lengths, morphology of tubefoot and gonad spicules, and gamete sizes were intermediate. Fertilization rates in F1 backcrosses were high, minimizing the possibility that hybrid infertility is a postzygotic mechanism of reproductive isolation. On the other hand, intensive surveys failed to find individuals with hybrid characteristics in the field, suggesting that natural hybridization between the two species is rare. Prezygotic isolating mechanisms, such as microhabitat separation and gamete incompatibility, at least between Ea eggs and Ec sperm, most likely maintain the genetic integrity of these two closely related species.     

泡桐网蝽的发生规律及防治

泡桐网蝽Eteoneus anuglatus Darkeet Maa在湖南宁远、冷水滩等县区1年发生5～6代,以成虫在树枝缝隙及枯草丛、土缝等处群集越冬。8～9月高温干燥时发生严重。人工饲养及田间观察,该虫仅在毛泡桐(Paulownia tomentosa(Thunb) Steud)、泡桐(Paulownia fortunei(Seem) Hems)及榆树(Ulmus pumila L.)上取食为害,以3～7年树龄泡桐受害最重。在成虫和若虫高峰期用40%氧化乐果,50%敌敌畏乳油1200～1500倍或2.5%溴氰菊脂乳油2500倍稀释液喷洒叶面,可控制该虫为害。     

Simvastatin inhibits the development of radioresistant esophageal cancer cells by increasing the radiosensitivity and reversing EMT process via the PTEN-PI3K/AKT pathway

Acquired radioresistance compromises the efficacy of radiotherapy for carcinomas including esophageal cancer (EC), thus resulting in recurrence and poor survival. Recent research corroborated radiosensitive function of simvastatin in stem-like breast cancer cells. However, its role in EC radioresistance remains poorly elucidated. Here, we developed a radioresistant EC cell line Ec9706-R with higher resistance to irradiation relative to control Ec9706 cells. Intriguingly, Ec9706-R cells exhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics with high invasion and migration ability. Simvastatin sensitized radioresistance of Ec9706-R cells and suppressed cell proliferation, but aggravated radiation-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, simvastatin reversed EMT and inhibited cell invasion and migration of Ec9706-R cells. Mechanism assay confirmed the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway after radiation, which was inhibited by simvastatin. After restoring this pathway by its activator, IGF-1, simvastatin-mediated radiosensitivity and EMT reversion were abrogated. Further assay substantiated the PTEN suppression after irradiation, which was elevated following simvastatin pre-treatment. Moreover, PTEN cessation attenuated the inhibitory effect of simvastatin on PI3K/AKT activation, and subsequently antagonized simvastatin-induced radiosensitivity and EMT reversion. Additionally, simvastatin aggravated radiation-mediated Ec9706-R tumor growth inhibition. Together, simvastatin inhibits the development of Ec9706-R cells by increasing radiosensitivity and reversing EMT via PTEN-PI3K/AKT pathway, implying a promising strategy against EC radioresistance.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel gene cry9Ec1 encoding lepidopteran-specific parasporal inclusion protein from a Bacillus thuringiensis serovar galleriae strain

A novel delta-endotoxin gene from a lepidopteran-specific Bacillus thuringiensis serovar galleriae strain was cloned, and the full sequence of the cry gene was determined. The cloned 6.5-kb DNA fragment included the full sequence of the cry gene and three open reading frames located upstream of the cry gene. The gene, designated cry9Ec1, encodes a polypeptide of 1154 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 130 237. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Cry9Ec1 protein had the highest homology (77.7%) with the Cry9Ea1 protein when compared with existing Cry proteins. The expression, in an acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain, of the cry9Ec1 gene was high when controlled by the cyt1A2 promoter, leading to the formation of large spherical inclusions. The purified crystals from the recombinant strain were toxic when tested against two lepidopteran species, Bombyx mori and Plutella xylostella. However, the Cry9Ec1 protein gave no toxicity against Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera exigua, Plodia interpunctella, Helicoverpa zea, and Culex pipiens molestus.     

Impact of separating amino acids between plasma, extracellular and intracellular compartments on estimating protein synthesis in rodents

Summary. Three models representing different separations of amino acid sources were used to simulate experimental specific radioactivity data and to predict protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR). Data were from a pulse dose of ¹⁴C-U Leu given to a non-growing 20 g mouse and a flooding dose of ³H Phe given to a non-growing 200 g rat. Protein synthesis rates estimated using the combined extracellular and intracellular (Ec + Ic) source pool and extracellular and plasma (Ec + Pls) source pool mouse models were 78 and 120% d⁻¹ in liver, 14 and 16% d⁻¹ in brain and 15 and 14% d⁻¹ in muscle. Predicted protein synthesis rates using the Ec + Ic, Ec + Ic + Tr (combined extracellular, intracellular and aminoacyl tRNA source pool) and Ec + Pls rat models were 57, 3.4 and 57% d⁻¹ in gastrocnemius, 58, 71 and 62% d⁻¹ in gut, 8.3, 8.4 and 7.9% d⁻¹ in heart, 32, 23 and 25% d⁻¹ in kidney, 160, 90 and 80% d⁻¹ in liver, 57, 5.5 and 57% d⁻¹ in soleus and 56, 3.4 and 57% d⁻¹ in tibialis. The Ec + Ic + Tr model underestimated protein synthesis rates in mouse tissues (5.0, 27 and 2.5% d⁻¹ for brain, liver and muscle) and rat muscles (3.4, 5.5 and 3.4% d⁻¹ for gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis). The Ec + Pls model predicted the mouse pulse dose data best and the Ec + Ic model predicted the rat flooding dose data best. Model predictions of FSR imply that identification and separation of the source specific radioactivity is critical to accurately estimate FSR. Received June 11, 2000 Accepted September 26, 2000     

Multicopy single-stranded DNAs with mismatched base pairs are mutagenic in Escherichia coli

Retrons are genetic elements that encode multicopy single-stranded DNAs called msONAs. They are clonally distributed in Escherichia coli and retrons in different clones produce DNAs with different nucleotide sequences. msDNAs consist of an RNA molecule covalently linked to a single-stranded DNA molecule. The latter contains an inverted repeat, resulting in a stem-loop structure. In two retrons, Ec83 and Ec78, the DNA is cleaved off from the RNA. All known retrons except Ec78, have one or more mismatched base pairs in the stem-loop structure. We found that two retrons, Ec86 and Ec83, when present in high copy numbers are mutagenic. The ratios of mutation frequencies observed in Lac indicator strains were similar to the ratios observed for a mutant defective in mismatch repair. It is known that some proteins required for mismatch repair bind to mismatched base pairs prior to carrying out repair. The similarity in the mutation frequency ratios suggested that the mutagenesis caused by msDNAs of retrons Ec86 and Ec83 might be due to seqestration of a mismatch repair protein by msDNA. Strong support for this interpretation was obtained from the finding that the msDNA produced by retron Ec78 is not mutagenic.     

Activity of some hydrolytic enzymes in tissue homogenates and haemolymph of fresh water snails, intermediate hosts in schistosomiasis.

The activities of 5-nucleotidase (Ec.3.1.3.5), alkaline phosphatase (Ec.3.1.3.1), glucose-6-phosphatase (Ec.3.1.3.9), and ribonuclease (Ec.3.1.13) had been measured in tissue homogenate and in haemolymph of Biomphalaria alexandrina, the specific intermediate host for the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, induced by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni.     

Unusual cyanide bindings to a heme-regulated phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli: effect of Met95 mutations

In order to understand heme environment of a heme-regulated phosphodiesterase (Ec DOS), the binding behavior of cyanide to the Fe (III) complex was examined. Interestingly, the rate of cyanide binding to full-length Ec DOS was unusually slow with k(on)=0.0022mM(-1)s(-1), while the rate for the isolated heme domain of Ec DOS (0.045mM(-1)s(-1)) was 20-fold higher. Ala and Leu mutations at Met95, which has been suggested to be a heme axial ligand, increased the k(on) rate 11- and 8-fold, respectively, and dramatically decreased the cyanide dissociation rate from the isolated heme domain. His mutation at Met95, on the other hand, caused a 17-fold decrease in the k(on) value. We discuss the unusual cyanide binding behavior and the role of Met95 in controlling cyanide binding.     

Investigation of the relationship between protein-protein interaction and catalytic activity of a heme-regulated phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli (Ec DOS) by protein microarray

Ec DOS, a heme-regulated phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli, is composed of an N-terminal heme-bound PAS domain and a C-terminal phosphodiesterase domain. The heme redox state in the PAS domain regulates Ec DOS phosphodiesterase activity. Interestingly, the isolated heme-bound PAS fragment enhances phosphodiesterase activity of full-length Ec DOS. The enhancement is also regulated by the heme redox state of the isolated PAS domain. In the present study, we used a newly developed protein microarray system to examine the relationship between catalytic activity and the interaction of full-length Ec DOS and the isolated PAS fragment. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), a substrate of the Ec DOS phosphodiesterase, was found to be indispensable for the interaction between Ec DOS and the PAS fragment, and two phosphodiesterase inhibitors, 3-isobutyl-methyl-xanthine and etazolate hydrochloride, hindered the interaction. In addition, an enzyme with a mutation in the putative cAMP-binding sites (H590 and H594) was unable to interact with Ec DOS and lacked enzymatic activity. These results strongly suggest a close relationship between Ec DOS phosphodiesterase activity and interaction with the isolated PAS fragment. Therefore, this study provides insights into the mechanism of how the isolated PAS domain activates Ec DOS, which has important implications for the general role of the isolated PAS domain in cells. Moreover, we found that multiple microscale analyses using the protein microarray system had several advantages over conventional affinity column methods, including the quantity of protein needed, the sensitivity, the variability of immobilized protein, and the time required for the experiment.     

Characterization of a direct oxygen sensor heme protein from Escherichia coli. Effects of the heme redox states and mutations at the heme-binding site on catalysis and structure

A protein containing a heme-binding PAS (PAS is from the protein names in which imperfect repeat sequences were first recognized: PER, ARNT, and SIM) domain from Escherichia coli has been implied a direct oxygen sensor (Ec DOS) enzyme. In the present study, we isolated cDNA for the Ec DOS full-length protein, expressed it in E. coli, and examined its structure-function relationships for the first time. Ec DOS was found to be tetrameric and was obtained as a 6-coordinate low spin ferric heme complex. Its alpha-helix content was calculated as 53% by CD spectroscopy. The redox potential of the heme was found to be +67 mV versus SHE. Mutation of His-77 of the isolated PAS domain abolished heme binding, whereas mutation of His-83 did not, suggesting that His-77 is one of the heme axial ligands. Ferrous, but not ferric, Ec DOS had phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity of nearly 0.15 min(-1) with cAMP, which was optimal at pH 8.5 in the presence of Mg(2+) and was strongly inhibited by CO, NO, and etazolate, a selective cAMP PDE inhibitor. Absorption spectral changes indicated tight CO and NO bindings to the ferrous heme. Therefore, the present study unequivocally indicates for the first time that Ec DOS exhibits PDE activity with cAMP and that this is regulated by the heme redox state.     

ATP synthesis and hydrolysis by a hybrid system reconstituted from the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase and beta-less chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum

Photophosphorylation and ATPase activities were restored to beta-less Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores by their reconstitution with purified beta-subunits of either R. rubrum F1-ATPase (Rr beta) or Escherichia coli F1-ATPase (Ec beta). In the homologous reconstituted system both activities were restored to the same extent, whereas in the hybrid system ATP synthesis was restored to about 10% when the hydrolysis was restored to 200%. This difference in rates of synthesis and hydrolysis was not due to any general uncoupling effect of Ec beta leading to an increased membrane permeability to protons, because with both hybrid and homologous systems an identical light-induced quenching of quinacrine fluorescence was observed. They differed, however, in ATP-driven quenching of quinacrine fluorescence, which was much lower in the hybrid system. These results suggest that the hybrid has a decreased capacity for proton-translocation through the membrane-bound Fo channel during ATP hydrolysis, and probably also during ATP synthesis. The very high ATPase activity of the hybrid system indicates that it might enable the released protons to leak to the outside medium rather than to move inside through the Fo channel. The activities restored by Rr beta and Ec beta exhibit a similar sensitivity to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, but different sensitivities to oligomycin and to an anti-E. coli F1 (EcF1) antibody. Oligomycin inhibited only the homologous R. rubrum system whereas anti-EcF1 was a much more effective inhibitor of the hybrid system. It is therefore concluded that Rr beta plays a role, that the Ec beta cannot fulfill, in conferring oligomycin sensitivity to the RrFo X F1-ATP synthase-ATPase complex.     

An error-correcting map for quartets can improve the signals for phylogenetic trees

From the DNA sequences for N taxa, the (generally unknown) phylogenetic tree T that gave rise to them is to be reconstructed. Various methods give rise, for each quartet J consisting of exactly four taxa, to a predicted tree L(J) based only on the sequences in J, and these are then used to reconstruct T. The author defines an "error-correcting map" (Ec), which replaces each L(J) with a new tree, Ec(L)(J), which has been corrected using other trees, L(K), in the list L. The "quartet distance" between two trees is defined as the number of quartets J on which the two trees differ, and two distinct trees are shown to always have quartet distance of at least N - 3. If L has quartet distance at most (N - 4)/2 from T, then Ec(L) will coincide with the correct list for T; and this result cannot be improved. In general, Ec can correct many more errors in L. Iteration of the map Ec may produce still more accurate lists. Simulations are reported which often show improvement even when the quartet distance considerably exceeds (N - 4)/2. Moreover, the Buneman tree for Ec(L) is shown to refine the Buneman tree for L, so that strongly supported edges for L remain strongly supported for Ec(L). Simulations show that if methods such as the C-tree or hypercleaning are applied to Ec(L), the resulting trees often have more resolution than when the methods are applied only to L.     

Complete inhibition of Streptococcus pneumoniae RecA protein-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis by single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB protein): implications for the mechanism of SSB protein-stimulated DNA strand exchange

The ATP-dependent three-strand exchange activity of the Streptococcus pneumoniae RecA protein (RecA(Sp)), like that of the Escherichia coli RecA protein (RecA(Ec)), is strongly stimulated by the single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) from either E. coli (SSB(Ec)) or S. pneumoniae (SSB(Sp)). The RecA(Sp) protein differs from the RecA(Ec) protein, however, in that its ssDNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis activity is completely inhibited by SSB(Ec) or SSB(Sp) protein, apparently because these proteins displace RecA(Sp) protein from ssDNA. These results indicate that in contrast to the mechanism that has been established for the RecA(Ec) protein, SSB protein does not stimulate the RecA(Sp) protein-promoted strand exchange reaction by facilitating the formation of a presynaptic complex between the RecA(Sp) protein and the ssDNA substrate. In addition to acting presynaptically, however, it has been proposed that SSB(Ec) protein also stimulates the RecA(Ec) protein strand exchange reaction postsynaptically, by binding to the displaced single strand that is generated when the ssDNA substrate invades the homologous linear dsDNA. In the RecA(Sp) protein-promoted reaction, the stimulatory effect of SSB protein may be due entirely to this postsynaptic mechanism. The competing displacement of RecA(Sp) protein from the ssDNA substrate by SSB protein, however, appears to limit the efficiency of the strand exchange reaction (especially at high SSB protein concentrations or when SSB protein is added to the ssDNA before RecA(Sp) protein) relative to that observed under the same conditions with the RecA(Ec) protein.     

The reaction of the endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract in response to exposure to 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid

Silver-impregnated argentaffin cells both Ec, D1, G, P, S and K enteroendocrine cell types of rat gastrointestinal mucosa were investigated under light and electron microscopy after single oral administration of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid. As a result, in pyloric-duodenal region Ec cells after a period of 1 hour had intensively secreted hormones. Ultrastructurally their cytoplasm and secretory granules were covered by expressed vacuolization. These data hypothetically elucidate the role of the endocrine regulations in developing barrier function of the gastrointestinal epithelium.     

Membrane-disruptive properties of the bioinsecticide Jaburetox-2Ec: Implications to the mechanism of the action of insecticidal peptides derived from ureases

Jaburetox-2Ec, a recombinant peptide derived from an urease isoform (JBURE-II), displays high insecticidal activity against important pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda and Dysdercus peruvianus. Although the molecular mechanism of action of ureases-derived peptides remains unclear, previous ab initio data suggest the presence of structural motifs in Jaburetox-2Ec with characteristics similar to those found in a class of pore-forming peptides. Here, we investigated the molecular aspects of the interaction between Jaburetox-2Ec and large unilamellar vesicles. Jaburetox-2Ec displays membrane-disruptive ability on acidic lipid bilayers and this effect is greatly influenced by peptide aggregation. Corroborating with this finding, molecular modeling studies revealed that Jaburetox-2Ec might adopt a well-defined β-hairpin conformation similar to those found in antimicrobial peptides with membrane disruption properties. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the protein is able to anchor at a polar/non-polar interface. In the light of these findings, for the first time it was possible to point out some evidence that the peptide Jaburetox-2Ec interacting with lipid vesicles promotes membrane permeabilization.     

Sustained ER Ca2+ depletion suppresses protein synthesis and induces activation-enhanced cell death in mast cells

Depletion of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induces large increases in cytoplasmic Ca(2+), mitochondrial Ca(2+) loading, protein synthesis inhibition, and cell death. To clarify the connections among these events, we have evaluated the effect of Ca(2+) mobilizing agents thapsigargin (Tg), econazole (Ec), and the growth factor Steel Factor (SLF) on bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). BMMC Ca(2+) stores were found to consist of a Tg-sensitive ER compartment, the Tg-insensitive SIC store, and mitochondrial stores. Low levels of Ec interfered with Tg-stimulated mitochondrial loading while promoting progressive leakage of Ca(2+) from the ER. Low levels of Ec completely reversed Tg toxicity while higher levels blocked store-operated influx and induced cell death in a SLF-enhanced manner. Both Ec and Tg inhibited protein synthesis, however, only SLF plus Tg or very high levels of Ec were able to significantly stimulate EIF-2alpha phosphorylation. Cycloheximide only partially protected BMMCs from Tg toxicity yet strongly synergized with Ec to induce cell death. These results therefore indicate that although both Tg and Ec deplete ER Ca(2+) levels, Ec-induced cell death results from sustained protein synthesis inhibition while Tg toxicity results primarily from mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload and secondarily from ER stress associated with Ca(2+) depletion.