日本血吸虫中国大陆株TPI基因的克隆及其表达产物特性

磷酸丙糖异构酶（ＴＰＩ）是血吸虫病疫苗重要的候选抗原基因之一。参考日本血吸虫已发表的ＴＰＩｃＤＮＡ序列,以日本血吸虫中国大陆株成虫ｍＲＮＡ为模板,用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ法快速克隆出一大小约８００ｂｐ的ＤＮＡ片段。ＤＮＡ序列分析证实,所扩增到的ＤＮＡ片段即为日本血吸虫中国大陆株磷酸丙糖异构酶（ＳｊＴＰＩｃ）基因。将该基因重组到表达型质粒ｐＧＥＸ－４Ｔ中,表达的ＧＳＴ融合蛋白分子量约５４ｋＤ。用谷胱甘肽琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析柱纯化的重组蛋白不仅纯度好,而且得率高,纯化产量可达３０ｍｇ／Ｌ培养物。免疫试验结果表明该重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性,是一种较为理想的抗原分子。     

N-acetylcysteine reduces inflammation in the small intestine by regulating redox, EGF and TLR4 signaling

This study determined whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could affect intestinal redox status, proinflammatory cytokines, epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), and aquaporin-8 in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglet model. Eighteen piglets (35-day-old) were randomly allocated into one of the three treatments (control, LPS and NAC). The control and LPS groups were fed a basal diet, and the NAC group received the basal diet +500 mg/kg NAC. On days 10, 13, and 20 of the trial, the LPS- and NAC-treated piglets received intraperitoneal administration of LPS (100 μg/kg BW), whereas the control group received the same volume of saline. On days 10 and 20, venous blood samples were obtained at 3 h post LPS or saline injection. On day 21 of the trial, piglets were killed to obtain the intestinal mucosa for analysis. Compared with the control group, LPS challenge reduced (P < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in jejunal mucosae, while increasing (P < 0.05) the concentrations of malondialdehyde, H₂O₂, O₂ ^·? and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione in jejunal mucosae, and concentrations of TNF-α, cortisol, interleukin-6, and prostaglandin E₂ in both plasma and intestinal mucosae. These adverse effects of LPS were attenuated (P < 0.05) by NAC supplementation. Moreover, NAC prevented LPS-induced increases in abundances of intestinal HSP70 and NF-κB p65 proteins and TLR4 mRNA. NAC supplementation enhanced plasma EGF concentration and intestinal EGFR mRNA levels. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary NAC supplementation alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammation via regulating redox, EGF, and TLR4 signaling.     

The identification and characterisation of a new deltamethrin resistance-associated gene, UBL40, in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Differential expression of ubiquitin was previously reported between Plutella xylostella strains that are resistant or susceptible to the pesticide deltamethrin (DM). This finding hinted at the potential involvement of ubiquitin in deltamethrin resistance, a theory that demanded further testing. Real-time PCR analyses revealed that one of the ubiquitin genes, UBL40, was overexpressed in the deltamethrin-resistant strain during the fourth instar. To investigate the functional relationship between this gene and deltamethrin resistance, RNA interference (RNAi) and cell transfection were utilised. UBL40 knockdown was observed to significantly reduce the level of resistance in RNAi-treated larvae after 48 h. Conversely, overexpression of UBL40 in Drosophila Kc cells conferred a degree of protection against deltamethrin. These results represent the first evidence that UBL40 plays a role in the regulation of deltamethrin resistance in P. xylostella.     

杜氏盐藻细胞质膜氧化还原系统与K^＋吸收

杜氏盐藻（Ｄｕｎａｌｉｅｌｌａ ｓａｌｉｎａ）细胞表面存在氧化ＮＡＤＨ 与还原Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６ 的氧化还原系统（ｒｅｄｏｘｓｙｓｔｅｍ ）。该系统在氧化ＮＡＤＨ 时,抑制Ｋ＋ 的吸收,在还原Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６ 时, 促进Ｋ＋ 的吸收,当ＮＡＤＨ 同时存在时, 促进效应最显著, 高达７３５％ 。外源ＮＡＤＨ 促进藻细胞的氧吸收达１６５％ ,而使胞质ｐＨ 下降; 当ＮＡＤＨ 存在时, Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６ 被快速地还原, 同时藻细胞膜外酸化程度增加。质膜Ｈ＋ －ＡＴＰａｓｅ和氧化还原系统的典型抑制剂都不同程度地抑制Ｋ＋ 吸收; 并且钒酸盐对Ｋ＋ 吸收的抑制可以被加入ＮＡＤＨ 和Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６ 而部分恢复, 表明质膜Ｈ＋ －ＡＴＰａｓｅ和氧化还原系统共同参与了细胞Ｋ＋ 的吸收过程     

CIGAR‐seq,a CRISPR/Cas‐based method for unbiased screening of novel mRNA modification regulators

Cellular RNA is decorated with over 170 types of chemical modifications. Many modifications in mRNA, including m⁶A and m⁵C, have been associated with critical cellular functions under physiological and/or pathological conditions. To understand the biological functions of these modifications, it is vital to identify the regulators that modulate the modification rate. However, a high‐throughput method for unbiased screening of these regulators is so far lacking. Here, we report such a method combining pooled CRISPR screen and reporters with RNA modification readout, termed CRISPR integrated gRNA and reporter sequencing (CIGAR‐seq). Using CIGAR‐seq, we discovered NSUN6 as a novel mRNA m⁵C methyltransferase. Subsequent mRNA bisulfite sequencing in HAP1 cells without or with NSUN6 and/or NSUN2 knockout showed that NSUN6 and NSUN2 worked on non‐overlapping subsets of mRNA m⁵C sites and together contributed to almost all the m⁵C modification in mRNA. Finally, using m¹A as an example, we demonstrated that CIGAR‐seq can be easily adapted for identifying regulators of other mRNA modification.     

Eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones inhibit multiple steps in the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by inflammatory cytokines

Inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), induce the intracellular signaling pathway leading to the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). A series of eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones possessing an α-methylene γ-lactone group and/or an α-bromo ketone group were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the NF-κB-dependent gene expression and signaling pathway. Our present study reveals that eudesmane-type α-methylene γ-lactones and α-bromo ketones inhibit multiple steps in the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by IL-1α and TNF-α.     

Investigation of polyethylenimine‐grafted‐triamcinolone acetonide as nucleus‐targeting gene delivery systems

Background

Nuclear membrane is one of the main barriers in polymer mediated intracellular gene delivery. To improve the transgenic activity and safety of nonviral vector, triamcinolone acetonide (TA) as a nuclear localization signal was conjugated with different molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI).

Methods

Different molecular weight PEI [600, 1800, 25 000 (25k)] was conjugated with TA to synthesize PEI‐TA by two‐step reaction. Their physicochemical characteristics, in vitro cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency were evaluated. To investigate the difference of transfection efficiency of various molecular weight PEI‐TA, their transfection mechanism was further investigated by confocal microscopy and competition assay. Transgenic expression in vivo was evaluated by injection into hepatic portal vein of mice.

Results

All PEI‐TA could form nanosize polyplexes with DNA and their physicochemical properties resemble each other. Their cytotoxicities were negligible compared to PEI 25k. The order of transfection efficiency was PEI 1800‐TA > PEI 600‐TA > PEI 25k‐TA. A transfection mechanism study displayed that TA could inhibit considerably the transgenic activity of PEI 1800‐TA and PEI 600‐TA, but that of PEI 25k‐TA was not inhibited. It was suggested that PEI 1800‐TA and PEI 600‐TA might translocate into the nucleus. Confocal microscopy investigation verified this suggestion. The data strongly suggested that the transfection efficiency of PEI 1800‐TA in vivo was much higher than that of PEI 25k, which was consistent with the results obtained in vitro.

Conclusions

Low molecular weight PEI‐TA could translocate into the nucleus efficiently. PEI 1800‐TA presented higher transgenic activity and it has a great potential for gene therapy as a nonviral carrier. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bcl-2 family interaction with the mitochondrial morphogenesis machinery

The regulation of both mitochondrial dynamics and apoptosis is key for maintaining the health of a cell. Bcl-2 family proteins, central in apoptosis regulation, also have roles in the maintenance of the mitochondrial network. Here we report that Bax and Bak participate in the regulation of mitochondrial fusion in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, primary mouse neurons and human colon carcinoma cells. To assess how Bcl-2 family members may regulate mitochondrial morphogenesis, we determined the binding of a series of chimeras between Bcl-xL and Bax to the mitofusins, mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2). One chimera (containing helix 5 (H5) of Bax replacing H5 of Bcl-xL (Bcl-xL/Bax H5)) co-immunoprecipitated with Mfn1 and Mfn2 significantly better than either wild-type Bax or Bcl-xL. Expression of Bcl-xL/Bax H5 in cells reduced the mobility of Mfn1 and Mfn2 and colocalized with ectopic Mfn1 and Mfn2, as well as endogenous Mfn2 to a greater extent than wild-type Bax. Ultimately, Bcl-xL/Bax H5 induced substantial mitochondrial fragmentation in healthy cells. Therefore, we propose that Bcl-xL/Bax H5 disturbs mitochondrial morphology by binding and inhibiting Mfn1 and Mfn2 activity, supporting the hypothesis that Bcl-2 family members have the capacity to regulate mitochondrial morphology through binding to the mitofusins in healthy cells.