XPC promotes MDM2-mediated degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor

Although ubiquitin receptor Rad23 has been implicated in bringing ubiquitylated p53 to the proteasome, how Rad23 recognizes p53 remains unclear. We demonstrate that XPC, a Rad23-binding protein, regulates p53 turnover. p53 protein in XPC-deficient cells remains ubiquitylated, but its association with the proteasome is drastically reduced, indicating that XPC regulates a postubiquitylation event. Furthermore, we found that XPC participates in the MDM2-mediated p53 degradation pathway via direct interaction with MDM2. XPC W690S pathogenic mutant is specifically defective for MDM2 binding and p53 degradation. p53 is known to become stabilized following UV irradiation but can be rendered unstable by XPC overexpression, underscoring a critical role of XPC in p53 regulation. Elucidation of the proteolytic role of XPC in cancer cells will help to unravel the detailed mechanisms underlying the coordination of DNA repair and proteolysis.     

皮层抑制对大鼠丘脑底核自发放电的影响

目的:观察皮层抑制对正常及帕金森病(PD)大鼠丘脑底核(STN)神经元自发放电的影响。方法:采用玻璃微电极细胞外记录法,观察正常和PD大鼠STN神经元的放电活动及脑内微量注射KCl后,两组大鼠STN神经元放电频率的变化。结果:对照组和PD组大鼠STN神经元放电频率分别为(9.78±0.71)Hz和(23.81±1.08)Hz,PD组大鼠放电频率显著高于对照组(P<0.01),且呈爆发式放电的神经元比例明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。皮层注射KCl后,经过较长的潜伏期,两组大鼠STN神经元放电频率均明显降低,后缓慢恢复。结论:PD大鼠STN神经元放电频率增高,爆发式放电增多,而抑制皮层可使这种异常放电得到改善,提示皮层兴奋性的改变可能是PD中STN活动增强的另一个诱因。     

Conjugation of chitosan oligosaccharides via a carrier protein markedly improves immunogenicity of porcine circovirus vaccine

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated diseases have led to huge economic losses in pig industry. Our laboratory previously found that conjugation of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) enhanced the immunogenicity of PCV2 vaccine against infectious pathogens. In this study, an effective adjuvant system was developed by covalent conjugation of COS via a carrier protein (Ovalbumin, OVA) to further increase the immunogenicity of vaccine. Its effect on dendritic cells maturation was assessed in vitro and its immunogenicity was investigated in mice. The results indicated that, as compared to the PCV2 and COS-PCV2, COS-OVA-PCV2 stimulated dendritic cells to express higher maturation markers (CD80, CD86, CD40 and MHC class II) and remarkably promoted both humoral and cellular immunity against PCV2 by enhancing the lymphocyte proliferation and inducing a mixed Th1/Th2 response, including the increased production of PCV2-specific antibodies and raised levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it displayed better immune-stimulating effects than the physical mixture of vaccine and ISA206 (a commercialized adjuvant). In conclusion, conjugation of COS via a carrier protein might be a promising strategy to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines.     

A novel n-UV convertible colour-tunable emitting oxynitride phosphor: Realization based on Ce3+-Tb3+ energy transfer

In the present work, a novel n-UV convertible colour-tunable emitting phosphor was obtained based on the efficient Ce³⁺-Tb³⁺ energy transfer in the Y₁₀Al₂Si₃O₁₈N₄ host. By properly controlling the ratio of Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺, the colour hue of the obtained powder covered the blue and green regions, under excitation of 365 nm. The steady-state and dynamic-state luminescence measurement was performed to shed light on the related mechanism, which was justified by the electronic dipole–quadrupole dominating the related energy transfer process. Preliminary studies showed that Y₁₀Al₂Si₃O₁₈N₄:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ can be promising as an inorganic phosphor for white LED applications.     

Preservation of cGMP-induced relaxation of pulmonary veins of fetal lambs exposed to chronic high altitude hypoxia: role of PKG and Rho kinase

The roles of Rho kinase (ROCK) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) in cGMP-mediated relaxation of fetal pulmonary veins exposed to chronic hypoxia (CH) were investigated. Fourth generation pulmonary veins were dissected from near-term fetuses ( approximately 140 days of gestation) delivered from ewes exposed to chronic high altitude hypoxia for approximately 110 days (CH) and from control ewes. After constriction with endothelin-1, 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) caused a similar relaxation of both control and CH vessels. Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS (a PKG inhibitor) inhibited whereas Y-27632 (a ROCK inhibitor) augmented relaxation of control veins to 8-Br-cGMP. These effects were significantly diminished in CH veins. PKG protein expression and activity were greater whereas ROCK protein expression and activity were less in CH vessels compared with controls. Phosphorylation of threonine 696 (ROCK substrate) and serine 695 (PKG substrate) of the regulatory myosin phosphatase targeting subunit MYPT1 of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase was stimulated to a lesser extent in CH than in control veins by endothelin-1 (ROCK stimulant) and 8-Br-cGMP (PKG stimulant), respectively. The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of MLC caused by endothelin-1 and 8-Br-cGMP, respectively, were less in CH veins than in controls. These results suggest that CH in utero upregulates PKG activity but attenuates PKG action in fetal pulmonary veins. These effects are offset by the diminished ROCK action on MYPT1 and MLC and thus lead to an unaltered response to cGMP.     

青鱼生长激素的重组表达及其多克隆抗体的制备

以含有的青鱼生长激素编码区cDNA的重组质粒pbcGHc为模板,高保真PCR扩增青鱼生长激素（GH）成熟肽cDNA序列,定向插入原核表达载体pET-28a,构建青鱼GH原核表达质粒pET-bcGH。将pET-bcGH转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导青鱼GH基因在大肠杆菌中的融合表达,SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳结果显示一条23 kDa的诱导表达重组青鱼GH带。以草鱼GH多克隆抗体为一抗,Western Blot证明,该重组青鱼GH具有免疫学活性。将经过亲和层析、透析纯化后的重组青鱼GH作为抗原,采用改进的方法对家兔进行皮下免疫注射,获得青鱼GH多克隆抗血清。以该多抗为一抗,Western Blot 可以检测出4 ng的抗原量;并且在青鱼垂体组织抽提液中和血清中检测到一种能与该抗血清作用的大小为21 kDa的蛋白质。这些结果表明本研究得到的青鱼GH多克隆抗血清具有较好的免疫特性。     

不同剂量^137Cs-γ辐射对毛竹幼苗叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响

利用不同剂量的137Cs-γ射线对毛竹（Phyllostachys heterocycla ‘Pubescens’）种子进行辐射, 测定实生苗叶片中的光合色素含量和叶绿素荧光参数等指标, 探讨辐射对毛竹幼苗生长的影响, 为筛选有利的突变单株奠定良好基础。结果表明：30或60 Gy的137Cs-γ射线辐射后, 毛竹幼苗的光合色素含量以及最大荧光强度（Fm）、可变荧光强度（Fv）、PSII最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、PSII的潜在活性（Fv/Fo）、PSII实际光化学效率（Yield）和表观光合电子传递速率（ETR）等荧光参数值均高于90 Gy辐射处理, 说明较低剂量辐射后PSII反应中心的能量捕获效率高, 且具有较强的光合能力; 而90 Gy的137Cs-γ射线辐射对毛竹的影响则与之相反。不同处理剂量之间叶片光能耗散程度以及表观光合电子传递速率-光合有效辐射（ETR-PAR）响应曲线的分析结果也进一步证实了以上结论。     

光钳操纵生物活体的动态监测技术的研究

采用摄像、录像和视屏监控系统及显色偏振装置与光钳系统耦合,从空间分辨、色分辨和时间分辨多方面改善系统品质,实现了光钳捕获与操纵生物活体的动态监测、实时记录、资料保存和屏幕再现的功能,并能测量光钳操纵细胞的位移量和由此计算操纵速度,提高了光钳的自我调整和光钳操纵细胞的精细度。本研究为激光光钳技术在细胞工程等方面的应用研究提供了行之有效的技术手段。     

含度量误差的黑龙江省主要树种生物量相容性模型

基于516株样木的生物量数据,采用非线性度量误差模型理论和方法,构建了黑龙江省15个主要树种(组)总生物量与地上、地下、树干、树冠、树枝、树叶6个分项生物量以及分项生物量间的相容性生物量模型,分别选出各树种总生物量和各分项生物量的最优模型,采用比值函数分级联合控制方程组构建了以总生物量为基础的相容性模型,并采用对数变换对总生物量模型消除异方差,采用加权回归对各分项生物量模型消除异方差.结果表明:本文所建的15个树种(组)相容性生物量模型中,总生物量的预估精度最高,达到90％以上;其次是地上部分生物量和树干生物量,预估精度在87.5％以上;地下部分、树冠、树枝和树叶生物量的预估精度相对较低,但绝大多数树种(组)的预估精度在80％以上;所有树种(组)总生物量、地上部分生物量、树干生物量模型的模拟效率(EF)值达0.9以上,绝大多数树种(组)的地下部分、树冠、树枝、树叶生物量模型的EF值在0.8以上.