人类新基因WDR24的研究初报

WD40家族是一类结构保守、功能复杂的蛋白.目前很多研究显示该家族成员通过参与MAPK信号途径调控细胞内信号转导而影响细胞的基本生命活动.为了鉴定参与细胞生命活动的新基因,运用同源基因克隆法,通过PCR技术扩增获得一个新的人类基因WDR24, 其cDNA全长3 302 bp,2 373 bp长的开放阅读框编码由790个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白质.生物信息学分析表明,WDR24蛋白在进化上高度保守,与其他脊椎动物中的同源蛋白组成了一个功能未知的亚家族.蛋白序列分析显示其中有6个WD40重复序列和1个ERK的停泊位点D-domain.RT-PCR分析表明,该基因在所有被检测的人类胚胎组织中表达.     

FRIL蛋白体外维持脐血造血干/祖细胞的作用及细胞周期调控基因的表达

为探讨新的豆类凝集素(Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin,FRIL)体外维持脐血CD34^ 细胞的作用以及维持过程中细胞周期调控基因HTm4及HTm4S mRNA的表达及意义,我们利用FRIL维持培养脐血CD34^ 细胞,对其增殖曲线、细胞周期及集落形成能力进行常规分析,并用半定量RT—PCR法分别测定FRIL体外维持不同时间后脐血CD34^ 细胞中周期调控基因HTm4及HTm4S mRNA的表达变化。结果显示,FRIL培养的CD34^ 造血干／祖细胞的增殖趋势平缓,整个培养期间细胞增殖倍数不超过起始的3倍：14d之前,FRIL培养细胞的高增殖潜能集落形成细胞(HPP—CFC)形成集落数与FL组无差别,其后则维持高于FL的情况。细胞周期分析则显示,在28d的培养过程内,利用FRIL培养的细胞始终有80％以上维持在G0期;而周期调控基因HTm4及HTm4S在刚分离的脐血CD34^ 细胞中的表达水平较高;但培养1d后,几乎检测不到HTm4基因的表达;培养3～14d,该基因的表达回升并持续维持在高水平。而HTm4S基因的表达在第7d达最高水平,其余时间基本呈稳定表达。转染HTm4和HTm4S,亚细胞定位结果显示HTm4主要定位于核周围,而HTm4S则定位于整个胞浆,由此可能导致它们功能的区别。以上结果提示,长期培养体现出FRIL在维持造血干／祖细胞多能性上的优势;细胞周期调控基因HTm4及其新剪接子参与了FRIL体外长期维持脐血造血干／祖细胞处于静息状态的过程。     

Diallyl trisulfide induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality all over the world. In recent years, pulmonary adenocarcinoma has surpassed squamous cell carcinoma in frequency and is the predominant form of lung cancer in many countries. Epidemiological investigations have shown an inverse relationship between garlic (Allium sativum) consumption and death rate from many cancers. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is one of the garlic-derived compounds (also known as: organosulfer compounds, OSC). DATS can induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of many cancer cell lines. Our study demonstrated that the apoptotic incidents induced by DATS were a mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade through a significant decrease of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 that resulted in up-regulation of the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the activity of caspase-3, -8, and -9. Eventually, DATS induced the apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, by establishing an animal model of female BALB/c nude mice with A549 xenografts, we found that oral gavage of DATS significantly retarded growth of A549 xenografts in nude mice without causing weight loss or any other side effects compared with the control group. All the evidence both in vitro and in vivo suggested that DATS could be an ideal anti-cancer drug.     

Nicotiana chloroplast genome

Summary Using the existing restriction map and probes from wheat and pea ct-DNA, seven protein genes have been localized in the chloroplast genome of N. tabacum. On the clock-like map, the location of each gene is indicated by its time zone: the 15.2 kD polypeptide of the cytochrome b/f complex at 315, cytochrome f at 430, LS of RuBPCase at 450, both and subunits of ATP synthase at or near 500, proton-translocating subunit of ATP synthase at 820, subunit of ATP synthase at 840 and the 32 kD protein at 930. The genome organization of Nicotiana chloroplast DNA is similar to spinach.     

Morusin induces apoptosis and suppresses NF-kappaB activity in human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells

Morusin is a pure compound isolated from root bark of Morusaustralis (Moraceae). In this study, we demonstrated that morusin significantly inhibited the growth and clonogenicity of human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells. Apoptosis induced by morusin was characterized by accumulation of cells at the sub-G₁ phase, fragmentation of DNA, and condensation of chromatin. Morusin also inhibited the phosphorylation of IKK-α, IKK-β and IκB-α, increased expression of IκB-α, and suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-κB and its DNA binding activity. Dephosphorylation of NF-κB upstream regulators PI3K, Akt and PDK1 was also displayed. In addition, activation of caspase-8, change of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO, and activation of caspase-9 and -3 were observed at the early time point. Downregulation in the expression of Ku70 and XIAP was exhibited afterward. Caspase-8 or wide-ranging caspase inhibitor suppressed morusin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, the antitumor mechanism of morusin in HT-29 cells may be via activation of caspases and inhibition of NF-κB.     

Combination of bone tissue engineering and BMP-2 gene transfection promotes bone healing in osteoporotic rats

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a feasible approach to promote bone healing in osteoporotic rats using autogenous bone tissue-engineering and gene transfection of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP-2). METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from the left tibia of osteoporotic rats were transfected with the hBMP-2 gene in vitro which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and Western blotting. Autogenous transfected or untransfected BMSCs were seeded on macroporous coral hydroxyapatite (CHA) scaffolds. Each cell-scaffold construct was implanted into a defect site which was created in the ramus of the mandible of osteoporotic rats. Four or eight weeks after implantation in situ hybridization was performed in BMSCs transfected with hBMP-2, X-ray examinations, histological and histomorphological analyses were used to evaluate the effect of tissue-engineered bone on osseous defect repair. RESULTS: Newly formed bone was observed at the margin of the defect 4 weeks after implantation with BMSCs transfected with BMP-2. Mature bone was observed 8 weeks after treatment. In the control group there was considerably less new bone and some adipose tissue was observed at the defect margins 8 weeks after implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous cells transfected with hBMP-2 promote bone formation in osteoporotic rats. BMSC-mediated BMP-2 gene therapy used in conjunction with bone tissue engineering may be used to successfully treat bone defects in osteoporotic rats. This method provides a powerful tool for bone regeneration and other tissue engineering.     

异育银鲫体内盐酸双氟沙星血浆蛋白结合率的变化与其药代动力学研究

为了研究盐酸双氟沙星(difloxacin, DIF)在异育银鲫体内血浆蛋白结合率的变化及其与药代动力学之间的关系, 实验采用超滤法测定了DIF在异育银鲫体内血浆蛋白结合率, 运用HPLC测定其对应时间点药物浓度, 并分析了血浆蛋白结合率变化对DIF体内处置的影响。实验以感染嗜水气单胞菌的异育银鲫为感染组, 健康异育银鲫为对照组。结果显示: 感染组各时间点DIF血浆蛋白结合率均高于对照组, 感染组与对照组DIF血浆蛋白结合率与总药物浓度呈对数关系: y=-9.01ln x+74.34和y=-4.81ln x+65.15, DIF血浆蛋白结合率与游离药物浓度的对数关系式分别为: y=-6.36ln x+64.91和y=-4.36ln x+ 60.63; 感染组和对照组血浆药时曲线均可使用开放性二室模型描述; 感染组DIF的吸收和消除慢于对照组, 其表观分布容积和曲线下面积大于对照组。结果显示异育银鲫体内感染嗜水气单胞菌促使DIF血浆蛋白结合率升高; 血浆蛋白结合率升高导致药物以结合药物的形式储存于血液中可能是导致药物组织分布受限、消除缓慢、长时间滞留于血液原因之一。     

产乙醇酸氧化酶的重组毕赤酵母的构建及催化合成乙醛酸的研究

乙醇酸氧化酶（Go）是植物光呼吸途径中的一种关键酶,可以催化乙醇酸生产乙醛酸。从新鲜菠菜叶中提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR技术获得编码GO基因的cDNA片断。通过基因重组将GO基因克隆到载体pA0815中,构建了胞内表达载体pA0815／GO,重组质粒经电转整合至甲醇营养酵母GS115染色体。在混合碳源为10g/L山梨醇和0．5g/L甲醇的培养条件下,细胞的GO酶活达到474IU／g（DCW）。利用该重组毕赤酵母作为催化剂生产乙醛酸,结果表明：在乙醇酸浓度为0．25mol／L,重组酵母湿菌体为10dL,黄素单核苷酸（FMN）浓度为0．01mmol／L,pH8．0,20℃,反应18h后乙醛酸的产率达到51．8％。