极耐热性乳酸脱氢酶高效表达、纯化及酶学性质

从海栖热袍菌扩增出编码乳酸脱氢酶的基因并将其插入热激载体pHsh构建表达质粒,在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中进行表达产生极耐热性乳酸脱氢酶Tm-LDH。基因表达产物通过热处理,可以一步获得接近电泳纯的重组酶。酶学性质研究表明,Tm-LDH的最适反应温度为95℃,最适pH 7.0;纯酶在90℃的半衰期为2 h,在pH 5.5–8.0之间最稳定;SDS-PAGE结果显示分子量为33 kDa,与理论推算值相吻合。以丙酮酸和NADH为底物时,相对于丙酮酸的Km值1.7 mmol/L,Vmax为3.8×104 U/mg;相对于NADH的Km值7.2 mmol/L,Vmax值为1.1×105 U/mg。Tm-LDH基因在T7载体中未能实现高效表达,但是在热激载体pHsh中得到了可溶性超量表达,表达水平达到340 mg/L。该酶在65℃反应条件下,活性达到最高活性的50%,并能保持活性不变,这使该酶能够与常温酶匹配,在辅酶NAD再生体系的建立中具有广泛的用途。     

稻瘟病菌重复顺序PoR6和稻瘟病菌的分型

POR6是一具有高度多态性的稻瘟病菌(Pyricularia oryzae)重复顺序。利用脉冲电泳技术和Southern分析,表明它是非均匀地散布于基因组中的。经测定POR6的拷贝数约为30—40,序列测定未发现在内部有更小的重复单位。用POR6作探针对44株稻瘟病菌进行DNA指纹分析,分析的中国北方地区的22个菌株可根据相似率归并成8个谱系。对一些转管培养中致病型发生变化的菌株用POR6进行指纹分析,发现这些菌株在转管过程中基因组DNA是有变化的。     

Synaptojanin is recruited by endophilin to promote synaptic vesicle uncoating

We describe the isolation and characterization of Drosophila synaptojanin (synj) mutants. synj encodes a phosphatidylinositol phosphatase involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We show that Synj is specifically localized to presynaptic terminals and is associated with synaptic vesicles. The electrophysiological and ultrastructural defects observed in synj mutants are strikingly similar to those found in endophilin mutants, and Synj and Endo colocalize and interact biochemically. Moreover, synj; endo double mutant synaptic terminals exhibit properties that are very similar to terminals of each single mutant, and overexpression of Endophilin can partially rescue the functional defects in partial loss-of-function synj mutants. Interestingly, Synj is mislocalized and destabilized at synapses devoid of Endophilin, suggesting that Endophilin recruits and stabilizes Synj on newly formed vesicles to promote vesicle uncoating. Our data also provide further evidence that kiss-and-run is able to maintain neurotransmitter release when synapses are not extensively challenged.     

Quercetin protected against isoniazide‐induced HepG2 cell apoptosis by activating the SIRT1/ERK pathway

Isoniazid (INH) is one of the most commonly used antituberculosis drugs, but its clinical applications have been limited by severe hepatic toxicity. Quercetin (Que), a natural flavonoid, has been proved to have many medicinal properties. This study aimed to clarify the possible protective effects of Que against INH‐induced hepatotoxicity using HepG2 cells. Our results indicated that Que significantly increased cell viability, superoxide dismutase, and GSH levels, while decreased alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels. Besides, Que significantly abrogated INH‐induced cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression levels of Bcl‐2 and decreasing the levels of Bax, cleaved caspase‐3, and cleaved caspase‐9. Furthermore, Que obviously reversed the inhibition of INH on Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Next, the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 blocked the enhancement of Que upon ERK phosphorylation. Notably, EX527 partially abolished the beneficial effects of Que. In brief, our results provided the first evidence that Que protected against INH‐induced HepG2 cells by regulating the SIRT1/ERK pathway.     

Blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by a novel cyclic peptide inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy

The interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 allows tumor cells to escape from immune surveillance. Clinical success of the antibody drugs has proven that blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we developed a cyclic peptide C8 by using Ph.D.-C7 C phage display technology. C8 showed high binding affinity with h PD-1 and could effectively interfere the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1. Furthermore, C8 could stimulate CD8+T cell activation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs). We also observed that C8 could suppress tumor growth in CT26 and B16-OVA, as well as anti-PD-1 antibody resistant B16 mouse model. CD8+T cells infiltration significantly increased in tumor microenvironment, and IFN-γ secretion by CD8+T cells in draining lymph nodes also increased. Simultaneously, we exploited T cells depletion models and confirmed that C8 exerted anti-tumor effects via activating CD8+T cells dependent manner. The interaction model of C8 with h PD-1 was simulated and confirmed by alanine scanning. In conclusion, C8 shows anti-tumor capability by blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, and C8 may provide an alternative candidate for cancer immunotherapy.     

Estimates and Predictions of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Cases among Redeployed Coal Workers of the Fuxin Mining Industry Group in China: A Historical Cohort Study

This research was aimed at estimating possible Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) cases as of 2012, and predicting future CWP cases among redeployed coal workers from the Fuxin Mining Industry Group. This study provided the scientific basis for regulations on CWP screening and diagnosis and labor insurance policies for redeployed coal workers of resource-exhausted mines. The study cohort included 19,116 coal workers. The cumulative incidence of CWP was calculated by the life-table method. Possible CWP cases by occupational category were estimated through the average annual incidence rate of CWP and males’ life expectancy. It was estimated that 141 redeployed coal workers might have suffered from CWP as of 2012, and 221 redeployed coal workers could suffer from CWP in the future. It is crucial to establish a set of feasible and affordable regulations on CWP screening and diagnosis as well as labor insurance policies for redeployed coal workers of resource-exhausted coal mines in China.