Uncialamycin as a novel payload for antibody drug conjugate (ADC) based targeted cancer therapy

Uncialamycin analogs were evaluated as potential cytotoxic agents in an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approach to treating human cancer. These analogs were synthesized using Hauser annulations of substituted phthalides as a key step. A highly potent uncialamycin analog 3c with a valine-citrulline dipeptide linker was conjugated to an anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody (mAb) through lysines to generate a meso-13 conjugate. This conjugate demonstrated subnanomolar potency (IC50?=?0.88?nM, H226 cell line) in in vitro cytotoxicity experiments with good immunological specificity to mesothelin-positive lung cancer cell lines. The potency and mechanism of action of this uncialamycin class of enediyne antitumor antibiotics make them attractive payloads in ADC-based cancer therapy.     

ELK-1/JNK/c-Fos对左归降糖解郁方(ZGJTJYF)体外培养的模拟糖尿病并发抑郁症(DD)大鼠海马神经元凋亡中的作用

目的:研究信号通路ELK-1/JNK/c-Fos在左归降糖解郁方(ZGJTJYF)对模拟糖尿病并发抑郁症(DD)环境下抗海马神经元凋亡中的作用。方法:原代培养海马神经元,加入高糖(150 mmol/L)+皮质酮(200μmol/L),构建DD体外细胞模型;将培养的海马神经元细胞随机分为5组:空白血清组、正常组、左归降糖解郁方含药血清组、阳性药(二甲双胍+氟西汀)含药血清组和模型组(每组3个复孔)。模型组和正常组给予等量培养液,其余组加入相应体积分数10%的相应血清,均干预18 h。分别采用Hoechst染色、高内涵细胞成像分析技术和RT-PCR技术分别检测海马神经元凋亡情况及检测凋亡相关ELK-1、JNK和c-Fos蛋白和基因的表达。结果:与空白组比较,模型组细胞凋亡明显,其海马神经元凋亡数量明显增多,ELK-1、JNK和c-Fos的mRNA及蛋白表达水平均显著升高(P<0.05);与模型组比较,左归降糖解郁方含药血清组和阳性药含药血清组大鼠海马神经元可见局部亮点明显减少,凋亡细胞数显著减少,ELK-1、JNK和c-Fos蛋白及mRNA表达均明显下调(P<0.05),且神经网络及树突连接情况得到明显改善。结论:左归降糖解郁方可以减低DD环境下海马神经元中Elk-1、JNK、c-fos表达而起到抗凋亡的效果。     

Up-regulation of Cavβ3 subunit in primary sensory neurons increases voltage-activated Ca2+ channel activity and nociceptive input in neuropathic pain

High voltage-activated calcium channels (HVACCs) are essential for synaptic and nociceptive transmission. Although blocking HVACCs can effectively reduce pain, this treatment strategy is associated with intolerable adverse effects. Neuronal HVACCs are typically composed of α(1), β (Cavβ), and α(2)δ subunits. The Cavβ subunit plays a crucial role in the membrane expression and gating properties of the pore-forming α(1) subunit. However, little is known about how nerve injury affects the expression and function of Cavβ subunits in primary sensory neurons. In this study, we found that Cavβ(3) and Cavβ(4) are the most prominent subtypes expressed in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord. Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in rats significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of the Cavβ(3), but not Cavβ(4), subunit in the DRG. SNL also significantly increased HVACC currents in small DRG neurons and monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents of spinal dorsal horn neurons evoked from the dorsal root. Intrathecal injection of Cavβ(3)-specific siRNA significantly reduced HVACC currents in small DRG neurons and the amplitude of monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents of dorsal horn neurons in SNL rats. Furthermore, intrathecal treatment with Cavβ(3)-specific siRNA normalized mechanical hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia caused by SNL but had no significant effect on the normal nociceptive threshold. Our findings provide novel evidence that increased expression of the Cavβ(3) subunit augments HVACC activity in primary sensory neurons and nociceptive input to dorsal horn neurons in neuropathic pain. Targeting the Cavβ(3) subunit at the spinal level represents an effective strategy for treating neuropathic pain.     

陆生生境中喜旱莲子草的生长模式

喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)原产南美洲, 后被引入到北美洲、大洋洲、东南亚和中国等地, 成为一个世界性的外来入侵种。对喜旱莲子草陆生种群的有效控制一直是一个难题。本文中通过种植实验建立了陆生生境中喜旱莲子草主枝长、生物量、叶面积和斑块面积等的生长模型。结果表明: (1)喜旱莲子草的主枝长、生物量、叶面积和斑块面积等均表现为指数式生长, 其日增长率(%)分别为4.28、11.27、11.59和8.67。(2)喜旱莲子草的地上重(x)－地下根茎重(y)的异速生长指数b约为3/4(01), 即总重和叶面积相对于主枝长呈二次幂增长, 由此可进一步推出总重和叶面积与斑块面积成正比; 生物量－叶面积的异速生长指数b约为1, 为等速生长(b＝1), 即单位生物量所支持的叶面积不随植株大小的变化而变化(冠层恒定性)。其叶面积比为88.24 cm²/g, 比叶面积为287.97 cm²/g。通过本研究期望对喜旱莲子草陆生局域斑块的生长进行预测, 同时为进一步建立其控制模型提供基础数据, 为制定经济有效的控制对策提供科学依据。     

禽病原性大肠杆菌iro和tsh基因缺失株的构建

通过SSH和SCOTS研究, 铁系统(Iro)和温度敏感性血凝素(Tsh)在禽病原性大肠杆菌(APEC)的感染中可能发挥重要作用。基因检测发现, 在243个禽源大肠杆菌分离株中, 有205株为iro+菌株, 其中高、中度和低致病株分别为89.8%(184/205)、8.8%(18/205)和1.5%(3/205); 有167株为tsh+菌株, 高、中度、低致病株分别为87.4%(146/167)、12.6%(21/167)和0%(0/167), 结果显示iro+或tsh+株大多数为高致病株。为了确定iro和tsh基因在APEC致病力中的作用, 以APEC E037株为基础, 通过自杀性载体分别构建了iro和tsh基因缺失突变株E037(Δiro)、E037(Δtsh)和E037(ΔiroΔtsh)。动物感染性试验表明, 突变株在鸡体内的繁殖能力和致病性均明显下降, 但两个基因的协同致病作用不显著。进一步证实Iro和Tsh为APEC重要的致病因子。     

鱼类肠道微生物与宿主免疫系统相互作用研究进展

鱼类肠道中存在大量微生物,对于维持宿主健康具有重要作用。鱼类免疫系统能够监视并调控肠道微生物组成,维持肠道菌群稳态。同时,鱼类肠道共生微生物调节鱼类免疫系统,抑制病原微生物的过度增殖,保证宿主的健康。本文回顾了鱼类肠道微生物与宿主免疫系统相互作用的研究进展,重点介绍了宿主免疫系统识别肠道微生物、塑造肠道菌群以及益生菌对宿主免疫和肠道菌群的调控等,提出了理想的益生菌应该来自动物自身胃肠道,生产中应谨慎选用非宿主来源的益生菌,以期为推动鱼类肠道功能微生物开发和应用提供理论支撑。     

Comparative analysis of vertebrate <Emphasis Type="Italic">PEPT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PEPT2</Emphasis> genes

The plasma membrane transport proteins belong to SoLute Carrier 15 (SLC15) family and two members of this family have been characterized extensively in higher vertebrates, namely PEPT1 and PEPT2. Despite many efforts have made to define a pharmacophore model for efficient binding and transporting of substrates, there is not a comprehensive study performed to elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms among the SLC15 family members and to statistically evaluate sequence conservation and functional divergence between members. In this study, we compared and contrasted the rates and patterns of molecular evolution of 2 PEPT genes. Phylogenetic tree assembly with all available vertebrate PEPTs suggests that the PEPTs originated by duplications and diverged from a common protein at the base of the eukaryotic tree. Topological structure demonstrates both members share the similar hydrophobic domains (TMDs), which have been constrained by purifying selection. Although both genes show qualitatively similar patterns, their rates of evolution differ significantly due to an increased rate of synonymous substitutions in the structural domains in one copy, suggesting substantial differences in functional constraint on each gene. Site-specific profiles were established by posterior probability analysis revealing significantly divergent regions mainly locate at the hydrophobic region between predicted transmembrane domains 9 and 10 of the proteins. Thus, these results provide the evidence that several amino acid residues with reduced selective constraints are largely responsible for functional divergence between the paralogous PEPTs. These findings may provide a starting point for further experimental verifications.     

环状RNA在胃癌中的研究现状与策略

环状RNA (circRNA)是一种共价闭合的非编码RNA,可以调节真核生物中的基因表达.最近应用高通量RNA测序和生物信息学方法揭示人类细胞中存在大量circRNA.许多circRNA具有一定的组织和时序特异性,且与生理发育和各种肿瘤等疾病密切相关. circRNA被证明在细胞质中富集和稳定,表明其具有作为肿瘤生物标志物的潜力.胃癌(gastric carcinoma,GC)是一种常见的恶性肿瘤,在全球癌症相关死亡原因中排第3位.尽管该疾病在诊断和治疗方面取得了许多进展,但GC患者的预后仍然很差,大多数国家的5年总生存率低于30%.因此,寻找能调节GC发生发展和评估预后的新分子机制和治疗靶标至关重要.近年来circRNA在胃癌中的研究不断增多,其在胃癌的发生发展、诊断、治疗及预后过程中扮演重要角色.本文就circRNA产生机制及一般特征、生物学功能、在胃癌中的研究进展及研究中存在的问题作一综述.     

整合素BmIntegrin β2的结构分析及其对家蚕血细胞的调控作用

整合素是一类广泛分布于细胞表面的黏附分子受体,是由α和β两个亚基组成的异源二聚体跨膜蛋白,其是细胞内外信号转导的中间桥梁。在鳞翅目昆虫细胞内,整合素主要表达于血细胞,参与昆虫细胞免疫反应进程。文中首先通过RACE技术等,克隆获得BmIntegrin β2基因cDNA全长序列2 434 bp;并对其蛋白结构域进行了预测,主要包括信号肽、一段较大的胞外域,单次跨膜结构和较短的胞内域;利用qRT-PCR技术检测了家蚕4龄3天和5龄3天的BmIntegrin β2各组织表达图谱,结果显示其主要在血细胞和造血器官中高表达;然后再经原核诱导表达、蛋白纯化及免疫动物后获得BmIntegrin β2抗体。通过对BmIntegrin β2蛋白功能作用的研究发现,BmIntegrin β2抗体可显著地减少浆细胞的数量,这从侧面说明BmIntegrin β2抗体可能抑制了浆细胞的延伸性和粘附能力。该结果不仅为BmIntegrin β2参与家蚕细胞的免疫反应奠定了基础,还提供了一个新的研究视野。     

C-terminal region amino acid substitutions contribute to catalytic differences between murine class alpha glutathione transferases mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 toward anti-diol epoxide isomers of benzo[c]phenanthrene

The molecular basis for catalytic differences between structurally closely related murine class alpha glutathione (GSH) transferases mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 in the GSH conjugation of anti-diol epoxide isomers of benzo[c]phenanthrene (anti-B[c]PDE) was investigated. GSH conjugation of both (-)- and (+)-enantiomers of anti-B[c]PDE was observed in the presence of mGSTA1-1 (60 and 40% GSH conjugation, respectively), whereas mGSTA2-2 exhibited a preference for the (-)-anti-isomer (>97%). In addition, the specific activity of mGSTA2-2 toward the (-)-anti-B[c]PDE isomer was relatively higher than that of mGSTA1-1. The amino acid sequences of mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 differ at 10 positions that are distributed in three sections. Section I contains amino acid residues in positions 65 and 95; section II contains residues in positions 157, 162, and 169, and section III contains residues in positions 207, 213, 218, 221, and 222. Enzyme activity measurements with chimeras of mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 revealed that amino acid substitutions in section III account for their differential enantioselectivity and catalytic activity toward anti-B[c]PDE. Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acid residues in section III of mGSTA2-2 with corresponding residues of mGSTA1-1 followed by activity measurements of the wild type and mutated enzymes indicates that leucine 207 and phenylalanine 221 may be critical for the high catalytic activity of mGSTA2-2 toward (-)-anti-B[c]PDE. Molecular modeling studies demonstrated that the active site of mGSTA1-1 accommodates both enantiomers of anti-B[c]PDE, whereas the (-)-anti-isomer interacts more favorably with active site residues in mGSTA2-2. The results of this study clearly indicate that amino acid substitutions in the C-terminal region contribute to catalytic differences between mGSTA1-1 and mGSTA2-2 with respect to anti-B[c]PDE.