The G0/G1 Switch Gene 2 Is an Important Regulator of Hepatic Triglyceride Metabolism

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Factors that regulate the disposal of hepatic triglycerides contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. G₀/G₁ switch gene 2 (G0S2) is a target of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and plays an important role in regulating lipolysis in adipocytes. Therefore, we investigated whether G0S2 plays a role in hepatic lipid metabolism. Adenovirus-mediated expression of G0S2 (Ad-G0S2) potently induced fatty liver in mice. The liver mass of Ad-G0S2-infected mice was markedly increased with excess triglyceride content compared to the control mice. G0S2 did not change cellular cholesterol levels in hepatocytes. G0S2 was found to be co-localized with adipose triglyceride lipase at the surface of lipid droplets. Hepatic G0S2 overexpression resulted in an increase in plasma Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/Very-Low-density (VLDL) lipoprotein cholesterol level. Plasma High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and ketone body levels were slightly decreased in Ad-G0S2 injected mice. G0S2 also increased the accumulation of neutral lipids in cultured HepG2 and L02 cells. However, G0S2 overexpression in the liver significantly improved glucose tolerance in mice. Livers expressing G0S2 exhibited increased 6-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1-3-diazol-4-yl) amino)-6-deoxyglucose uptake compared with livers transfected with control adenovirus. Taken together, our results provide evidence supporting an important role for G0S2 as a regulator of triglyceride content in the liver and suggest that G0S2 may be a molecular target for the treatment of insulin resistance and other obesity-related metabolic disorders.     

Cancer-initiating cells derived from human rectal adenocarcinoma tissues carry mesenchymal phenotypes and resist drug therapies

Accumulating evidence indicates that cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are responsible for cancer initiation, relapse, and metastasis. Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is typically classified into proximal colon, distal colon, and rectal cancer. The gradual changes in CRC molecular features within the bowel may have considerable implications in colon and rectal CICs. Unfortunately, limited information is available on CICs derived from rectal cancer, although colon CICs have been described. Here we identified rectal CICs (R-CICs) that possess differentiation potential in tumors derived from patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. The R-CICs carried both CD44 and CD54 surface markers, while R-CICs and their immediate progenies carried potential epithelial–mesenchymal transition characteristics. These R-CICs generated tumors similar to their tumor of origin when injected into immunodeficient mice, differentiated into rectal epithelial cells in vitro, and were capable of self-renewal both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, subpopulations of R-CICs resisted both 5-fluorouracil/calcium folinate/oxaliplatin (FolFox) and cetuximab treatment, which are the most common therapeutic regimens used for patients with advanced or metastatic rectal cancer. Thus, the identification, expansion, and properties of R-CICs provide an ideal cellular model to further investigate tumor progression and determine therapeutic resistance in these patients.     

Methylated DNA/RNA in Body Fluids as Biomarkers for Lung Cancer

DNA/RNA methylation plays an important role in lung cancer initiation and progression. Liquid biopsy makes use of cells, nucleotides and proteins released from tumor cells into body fluids to help with cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Methylation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has gained increasing attention as biomarkers for lung cancer. Here we briefly introduce the biological basis and detection method of ctDNA methylation, and review various applications of methylated DNA in body fluids in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment prediction. We also discuss the emerging role of RNA methylation as biomarkers for cancer.     

The Effects of Co-transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells and Schwann Cells on Local Inflammation Environment in the Contused Spinal Cord of Rats

Inflammatory response following spinal cord injury (SCI) is important in regulation of the repair process. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and Schwann cells (SCs) are important donor cells for repairing SCI in different animal models. However, synergistic or complementary effects of co-transplantation of both cells for this purpose have not been extensively investigated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of co-transplantation of OECs and SCs on expression of pro- or anti-inflammatory factor and polarization of macrophages in the injured spinal cord of rats. Mixed cell suspensions containing OECs and SCs were transplanted into the injured site at 7 days after contusion at the vertebral T10 level. Compared with the DMEM, SC, or OEC group, the co-transplantation group had a more extensive distribution of the grafted cells and significantly reduced number of astrocytes, microglia/macrophage infiltration, and expression of chemokines (CCL2 and CCL3) at the injured site. The co-transplantation group also significantly increased arginase⁺/CD206⁺ macrophages (IL-4) and decreased iNOS⁺/CD16/32⁺ macrophages (IFN-γ), which was followed by higher IL-10 and IL-13 and lower IL-6 and TNF-α in their expression levels, a smaller cystic cavity area, and improved motor functions. These results indicate that OEC and SC co-transplantation could promote the shift of the macrophage phenotype from M(IFN-γ) to M(IL-4), reduce inflammatory cell infiltration in the injured site, and regulate inflammatory factors and chemokine expression, which provide a better immune environment for SCI repair.     

蔬菜腌制过程中的氨基酸组成变化

在腌制过程中,芥菜的精氨酸和组氨酸等碱性氨基酸含量和氨基酸总量逐渐减少,酸性氨基酸和疏水性氨基酸含量增加。在各种氨基酸中,苏氨酸含量最高,占４４．７４％,其次是谷氨酸和丙氨酸。在腌制后,芥菜的氨基酸组成发生了显著的变化,苏氨酸下降幅度最大,而蛋氨酸、苯丙氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸和赖氨酸等必需氨基酸摩尔组分显著提高。理想氨基酸模式谱的相关系数腌制前为０．０６０１７,腌制２１６小时后增到０．４９９７８,表明腌制加工可显著提高蔬菜蛋白质的营养效价。     

抗BmNPV即刻早期蛋白三联ribozyme在家蚕细胞中的表达

为了阻断家蚕核多角体病毒（BmNPV）的基因表达,以BmNPV的即刻早期蛋白基因(IE)为靶序列,设计了三联ribozyme．体外切割反应表明,该ribozyme能特异地切割靶序列的mRNA;细胞实验表明,细胞中表达的ribozyme也能够特异地切割靶序列,从而使受BmNPV感染的Bm-N细胞中的多角体减少约30％．     

迁人江淮稻区褐稻虱生物型跟踪监测及分析

该文对近年来褐稻虱迁入虫源的性质进行了探讨,结果表明迁入的虫源在鉴别品种Mudgo上的致害力,生存率、取食量和原始的种群生物型I没有明显的差别;两者在酯酶同工酶谱带数目和RF值也没有差异。迁入的虫源在田间抗性品种上明显表现虫量少。因此,迁入江淮稻区虫源仍是种群生物型I。人工在Mudgo上诱导产生的生物型1再回到感性品种上连续饲养8代,其对Mudgo的致害性降为1.O级,表明了褐稻虱生物型的不稳定性。     

Identification of amino acid residues of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin CryIAa associated with membrane binding and toxicity to Bombyx mori.

Alanine substitution (A3) or deletion (D3) of residues 365 to 371 of Bacillus thuringiensis CryIAa insect toxin removed nearly all toxicity for Bombyx mori (> 1,000-fold less active than the wild type). The loss of larvicidal activity in the mutants was not caused by increased sensitivity to larval gut enzymes but could be attributed to significantly reduced binding to B. mori brush border membrane vesicles. Some or all of the affected amino acid residues may interact directly or indirectly with the B. mori membrane receptor(s). Such receptor binding appears to be directly correlated with insect toxicity.     

Plant regeneration via organogenesis from adventitious bud explants of a medicinal herb species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonatum cyrtonema</Emphasis>

Summary Explants derived from adventitious buds, rhizomes, stems, and leaves of a medicinal plant, Polygonatum cyrtonema, were studied for plantlet regeneration, and only adventitious bud explants were able to be regenerated into plantlets. Regeneration was also accompanied by the formation of rhizome-like tissue, the medicinal portion of the plant. The optimum hormone combination for plantlet regenertion was 4.44 μM benzyladenine plus 2.26 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, at which new adventitious buds were obtained from 96.6% of the adventitious bud explants, with an average of 5.2 buds per explant. The best medium for root induction was half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with 4.57 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid, as 92% of regenerated buds rooted. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to a greenhouse with 86% survival. Histological observation indicated that new adventitious buds originated from the superficial meristematic cell cluster of the granular callus induced from adventitious bud explants via organogenesis.     

作物数量遗传学基础 二、遗传力及其估算

两栖类染色体的研究,过去多使用以生殖 细胞和端蚌尾部上皮细胞为材料的水低渗压片 法^[6]。然而,生殖细胞和峪蚌组织受季节的限 制颇大,所得的中期分裂相亦不甚多。随着 低等脊稚动物组织培养技术^[1,2]与血液培养技 术^[3]的发展,近年来已更多的使用离体培养的 细胞来进行研究。