Hepatitis B virus X protein modulates the apoptosis of hepatoma cell line induced by TRAIL

TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is one member of TNF superfamily[1]. It is unique, for it could specifically induce the apoptosis of tumor cells or virus-infected cells but have no cytotoxic effects onnormal cells[1,2]. Owing to this characteristic, it has become a promising candidate molecule for biological therapy for tumor. Many factors could affect the sensitivity towardsTRAIL-induced apoptosis, including cytokines, virus infection, drugs, radials, etc. Studies show tha…     

A legend of the SNARE complex and synaptotagmin—the insight into synaptic transmission

The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine honors three scientists,James Rothman,Randy Schekman and Thomas Südhof,whose work revealed the mystery of the vesicle trafficking,i.e.,how cells,from yeast to mammals,organize their transport systems.In a neuroscience perspective,this decades-long story might be described as a legend     

Fish genome manipulation and directional breeding

Aquaculture is one of the fastest developing agricultural industries worldwide.One of the most important factors for sustainable aquaculture is the development of high performing culture strains.Genome manipulation offers a powerful method to achieve rapid and directional breeding in fish.We review the history of fish breeding methods based on classical genome manipulation,including polyploidy breeding and nuclear transfer.Then,we discuss the advances and applications of fish directional breeding based on transgenic technology and recently developed genome editing technologies.These methods offer increased efficiency,precision and predictability in genetic improvement over traditional methods.     

NeocorticalExpansion and Neurodevelopmental Disease

Changes of cerebral cortex size and brain volume have experienced evolutionary expansion across mammals, which is the cellular base of neuronal network complexity. The existence of cortex folding, allowing huge area of cortex to fit into a relatively small cranial space, is one of important evolutionary features in primate. The adult human CNS contains approximately 86.1 billion neurons and equal number of glial cells. Among which, human cerebral cortex consists of roughly 16.34 billion neurons. Based on algorithm analysis, approximately 3.86 million projection (excitatory/pyramidal) neurons are generated per hour during prenatal cortical neurogenesis in human. Such an incredible fast speed of neurogenesis suggests that human neocortex development requires strictly organized molecular regulations and cellular processes. Here we discuss the molecular and cellular characteristics of mammalian cerebral cortex expansion and the related disease.     

Maize grain concentrations and above-ground shoot acquisition of micronutrients as affected by intercropping with turnip, faba bean, chickpea, and soybean

Most research on micronutrients in maize has focused on maize grown as a monocrop. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intercropping on the concentrations of micronutrients in maize grain and their acquisition via the shoot. We conducted field experiments to investigate the effects of intercropping with turnip (Brassica campestris L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and soybean (Glycine max L.) on the iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in the grain and their acquisition via the above-ground shoots of maize (Zea mays L.). Compared with monocropped maize grain, the grain of maize intercropped with legumes showed lower concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn and lower values of their corresponding harvest indexes. The micronutrient concentrations and harvest indexes in grain of maize intercropped with turnip were the same as those in monocropped maize grain. Intercropping stimulated the above-ground maize shoot acquisition of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn, when averaged over different phosphorus (P) application rates. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of intercropping on micronutrient concentrations in maize grain and on micronutrients acquisition via maize shoots (straw+grain). The maize grain Fe and Cu concentrations, but not Mn and Zn concentrations, were negatively correlated with maize grain yields. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in maize grain were positively correlated with their corresponding harvest indexes. The decreased Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations in grain of maize intercropped with legumes were attributed to reduced translocation of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn from vegetative tissues to grains. This may also be related to the delayed senescence of maize plants intercropped with legumes. We conclude that turnip/maize intercropping is beneficial to obtain high maize grain yield without decreased concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in the grain. Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms underlying the changes in micronutrient concentrations in grain of intercropped maize.     

二种抗有丝分裂化合物诱发小鼠联会复合体损伤的研究

以抗有丝分裂化合物秋水仙素和对苯二酚处理雄性小鼠,分析了减数分裂前期细胞联会复合体出现的各类损伤。二种化合物在减数分裂前期都诱发各种特殊倾向性的联会复合体损伤(如联会复合体断裂、联会异常等现象)。联会复合体分析,可以作为监测减数分裂过程中源染色体联会异常所引起的染色体异常分离和染色体结构损伤的手段。 Abstract:Two anti-mitotic chemicals(colchicines and hydroquinone)were assayed for their effects on synaptonemal complex(SC)damage in male mice.The tested chemicals significantly induced SC anomalies including SC breakage,asynapsis and non-homologous.It is concluded that SC analysis could be used to pre-screen aneugenes and clastogenes in mammalian germinal cells.     

The herbal compound geniposide rescues formaldehyde-induced apoptosis in N2a neuroblastoma cells

The herbal medicine Tong Luo Jiu Nao(TLJN)contains geniposide(GP)and ginsenoside Rg1 at a molar ratio of 10:1.Rg1 is the major component of another herbal medicine,panax notoginseng saponin(PNS).TLJN has been shown to strengthen brain function in humans,and in animals it improves learning and memory.We have previously shown that TLJN reduces amyloidogenic processing in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)mouse models.Together this suggests TLJN may be a potential treatment for patients with dementia.Because chronic damage of the central nervous system by formaldehyde(FA)has been presented as a risk factor for age-associated cognitive dysfunction,in the present study we investigated the protective effect of both TLJN and GP in neuron-like cells exposed to FA.FA-exposed murine N2a neuroblastoma cells were incubated with TLJN,its main ingredient GP,as well as PNS,to measure cell viability and morphology,the rate of apoptosis and expression of genes encoding Akt,FOXO3,Bcl2 and p53.The CCK-8 assay,cytoskeletal staining and flow cytometry were used to test cell viability,morphology and apoptosis,respectively.Fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to monitor changes in gene expression,and HPLC to determine the rate of FA clearance.Treatment of N2a cells with 0.09 mmol L?1 FA for 24 h significantly reduced cell viability,changed cell morphology and promoted apoptosis.Both TLJN and GP conferred neuroprotection to FA-treated N2a cells,whereas PNS,which had to be used at lower concentrations because of its toxicity,did not.Our data demonstrate that TLJN can rescue neuronal damage caused by FA and that its main ingredient,GP,has a major role in this efficacy.This presents purified GP as a drug or lead compound for the treatment of AD.