Investigation on the interaction of letrozole with herring sperm DNA through spectroscopic and modeling methods

The interaction of letrozole, an efficient and safe aromatase inhibitor, with herring sperm DNA (hsDNA) was investigated in vitro through spectroscopy analysis and molecular modeling to elucidate the binding mechanism of anticancer drugs and DNA. The binding constant and the number of binding sites were 2.13 × 10⁴ M^?1 and 1.09, respectively, at 298 K. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) exhibited negative values, which indicated that binding was spontaneous and Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond were the main interaction forces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and other spectroscopy analysis methods illustrated that letrozole could intercalate into the phosphate backbone of hsDNA and interact with the nitrogenous bases. Consistent with the experimental findings, molecular modeling results demonstrated that the interaction was dominated by intercalation and hydrogen bonding. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Establishment and characterization of a novel ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell line,TU-OC-2, with loss of ARID1A expression

A new cell line of human ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC), TU-OC-2, was established and characterized. The cells were polygonal in shape, grew in monolayers without contact inhibition and were arranged in islands like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The chromosome numbers ranged from 41 to 96. A low rate of proliferation was observed and the doubling time was 37.5 h. The IC₅₀ values of cisplatin, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38), which is an active metabolite of camptothecin, and paclitaxel were 7.7 μM, 17.7 nM and 301 nM, respectively. The drug sensitivity assay indicated that TU-OC-2 was sensitive to SN38, but resistant to cisplatin and paclitaxel. Mutational analysis revealed that TU-OC-2 cells have no mutations of PIK3CA in exons 9 and 20 and of TP53 in exons 4–9. We observed the loss of ARID1A protein expression in TU-OC-2 cells by western blot analysis and in the original tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry. This cell line may be useful for studying the chemoresistant mechanisms of CCC and exploring novel therapeutic targets such as the ARID1A-related signaling pathway.     

Microalgal industry in China: challenges and prospects

Over the past 15 years, China has become the major producer of microalgal biomass in the world. Spirulina (Arthrospira) is the largest microalgal product by tonnage and value, followed by Chlorella, Dunaliella, and Haematococcus, the four main microalgae grown commercially. China’s production is estimated at about two-thirds of global microalgae biomass of which roughly 90 % is sold for human consumption as human nutritional products (‘nutraceuticals’), with smaller markets in animal feeds mainly for marine aquaculture. Research is also ongoing in China, as in the rest of the world, for other high-value as well as commodity microalgal products, from pharmaceuticals to biofuels and CO₂ capture and utilization. This paper briefly reviews the main challenges and potential solutions for expanding commercial microalgae production in China and the markets for microalgae products. The Chinese Microalgae Industry Alliance (CMIA), a network founded by Chinese microalgae researchers and commercial enterprises, supports this industry by promoting improved safety and quality standards, and advancement of technologies that can innovate and increase the markets for microalgal products. Microalgae are a growing source of human nutritional products and could become a future source of sustainable commodities, from foods and feeds, to, possibly, fuels and fertilizers.     

大豆SbPRP3基因表达及转基因烟草非生物胁迫鉴定

为研究大豆(Glycine max L.)细胞壁脯氨酸富集蛋白基因(SbPRP3)在逆境胁迫中的作用,利用实时荧光定量PCR,对SbPRP3在高盐、干旱和低温处理下的表达情况进行检测。结果显示,SbPRP3在高盐处理下表达量升高,在干旱和低温处理下表达量先升高后降低。将SbPRP3构建到植物表达载体pRI101-AN上并转化烟草,获得阳性转基因烟草3株。对转基因烟草植株进行高盐、干旱和低温胁迫处理。结果表明,与对照相比,高盐和低温处理下转基因烟草脯氨酸积累量增加,而丙二醛产生量降低。但干旱处理后转基因烟草脯氨酸和丙二醛的含量与对照相比没有显著差异。由此推测SbPRP3可以提高转基因烟草的耐盐性和耐寒性。     

西藏维管植物新记录

本研究首次发现西藏新记录属云实属(Caesalpinia Linn.)植物——见血飞(Caesalpinia cucullata Roxb.),另外报道了11个新记录种和2个变种:瓶尔小草科(Ophioglossaceae)薄叶阴地蕨(Botrychium daucifolium Wall.),凤尾蕨科(Pteridaceae)华中凤尾蕨(Pteris kiuschiuensis var.centrochinensis ChingS.H.Wu),毛茛科(Ranunculaceae)尾叶铁线莲(Clematis urophylla Franch.),椴树科(Tiliaceae)刺蒴麻(Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.),锦葵科(Malvaceae)拔毒散(Sida szechuensis Matsuda),中华地桃花[Urena lobata var.chinensis(Osbeck)S.Y.Hu],柳叶菜科(Onagraceae)草龙[Ludwigia hyssopifolia(G.Don)Exell]、卵叶丁香蓼(Ludwigia ovalis Miq.),唇形科(Lamiaceae)小鱼仙草[Mosla dianthera(Buch.-Ham.)Maxim.],玄参科(Scrophulariaceae)石龙尾[Limnophila sessiliflora(Vahl)Bl.],爵床科(Acanthaceae)白接骨[Asystasia neesiana(Wall.)Nees],桔梗科(Campanulaceae)卵叶半边莲(Lobelia zeylanica Linn.),天南星科(Araceae)百足藤[Pothos repens(Loureiro)Druce]。研究结果进一步丰富了西藏的植物区系,并为研究与相邻地区植物区系的联系增加了新内容。     

The F‐box protein HAWAIIAN SKIRT is required for mimicry target‐induced microRNA degradation in Arabidopsis

Mimicry target-directed micro RNA degradation is widespread and highly conserved among eukaryotes. However, little is known about its mechanism of action. In this letter, by using STTM160(target mimic of mi R160) as a reporter, we show that dysfunction of HAWAIIAN SKIRT(HWS) suppresses the pleiotropic phenotype of STTM160. Small RNA sequencing and Northern blot analyses suggested that HWS only affects a subset of micro RNAs. Intriguingly,we identified a stable coexistence of mi R160/mi R399 and their mimicry targets within the AGO1 complex when HWS is compromised, pointing to a possible role of HWS in the clearance of RNA-induced silencing complexes associated with mimicry target.