One-step on-column affinity refolding purification and functional analysis of recombinant human VDAC1

The outer mitochondrial membrane porin, voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC), is believed to play an important role in mediating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. However, detailed structure-function studies of VDAC have been hindered by the difficulties to obtain a soluble, correctly folded, and fully active form of the recombinant VDAC and its mutant variants due to its transmembrane nature. Here we report a high-throughput one-step chromatographic procedure in purification of recombinant human VDAC1 (rhVDAC1) protein overexpressed in bacteria. The improved methodology could generate a large quantity of rhVDAC1 with correct folding in terms of the secondary structure, with full biological activities in mediating cytochrome c release and in interaction with Bcl-X(L). The method will significantly benefit genetic, biochemical, and structural studies of this critical channel protein.     

The amyloid beta peptide (Abeta(1-40)) is thermodynamically soluble at physiological concentrations

Precipitation of the 39-43-residue amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) is a crucial factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In normal as well as in AD-afflicted brain, the Abeta concentration is estimated to be a few nanomolar. Here we show that Abeta(1-40) precipitates in vitro only if the dissolved concentration is >14 microM. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we further show that the precipitation is complete in 1 day, after which the size distribution of Abeta monomer/oligomers in the solution phase becomes stationary in time and independent of the starting Abeta concentration. Mass spectra confirm that both the solution phase and the coexisting precipitate contain chemically identical Abeta molecules. Incubation at 68 degrees C for 1 h reduces the solubility by <12%. Together, these results show that the thermodynamic saturation concentration (C(sat)) of Abeta(1-40) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 has a well-defined lower limit of 15.5 +/- 1 microM. Divalent metal ions (believed to play a role in AD) at near-saturation concentrations in PBS reduce C(sat) only marginally (2 mM Mg(2+) by 6%, 2.5 microM Ca(2+) by 7%, and 4 microM Zn(2+) by 11%). Given that no precipitation is possible at concentrations below C(sat), we infer that coprecipitant(s), and not properties of Abeta(1-40) alone, are key factors in the in vivo aggregation of Abeta.     

Induction of a senescent-like phenotype does not confer the ability of bovine immortal cells to support the development of nuclear transfer embryos

Previously, we reported that cloned embryos derived from an immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MECL) failed to develop beyond 12- to 16-cell stage. To analyze whether induction of a senescent-like phenotype in MECL can improve their ability to support the development after transfer into enucleated oocytes, we treated MECL with DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (Aza-C), histone deacetylase inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA), sodium butyrate (NaBu), or 5-bromodeoxyuridine and used those cells for nuclear transfer. Primary bovine fetal fibroblasts (BFF) were used as control. All agents were capable to induce features of senescence including reduced cell proliferation, enlarged cell size with a considerable proportion of cells stained positive for acidic senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and G1/S cell cycle boundary arrest in MECL. Aza-C treatment induced genome demethylation. Acetylation of H3 and H4 was increased after TSA treatment in both MECL and BFF, whereas no obvious changes in global H3 or H4 acetylation were detected after NaBu treatment. Nuclear transfer experiments following diverse treatments demonstrated that the induced senescent-like phenotype of MECL did not confer their ability to support embryonic development, although 7.3% of reconstructed embryos derived from NaBu-treated cells developed to morula stage. Intriguingly, a much higher proportion of cloned embryos developed to blastocysts when using NaBu-treated BFF, compared with using untreated BFF (59% versus 26%). Our results suggest that the developmental failure of donor nuclei from bovine immortal cells could not be reversed by induction of senescent-like phenotype. The beneficial effect of NaBu on the developmental potential of cloned embryos reconstructed from BFF merits further studies.     

睫状神经营养因子对大鼠去神经骨骼肌的营养作用

目的：了解睫状神经营养因子（CNTF）对去神经引起的肌肉萎缩的治疗作用。方法：离断SD大鼠一侧坐骨神经,连续给予CNTF20d,观察肌肉湿重、蛋白含量、肌纤维横截面积、收缩性能和残肢程度。结果：①给予0.2mg/kg的CNTF,可使损务侧肌纤维横截面积增加35％,肌肉湿重增加38％,胫前肌总蛋白含量增加24％,腓长肌强直收缩强度提高40％,显著改善肢残程度;②0.2mg/kg的CNTF作用明显强于0.05mg/kg的CNTF;③此目鱼肌（慢肌）比伸趾长肌（快肌）对CNTF更敏感。结论：CNTF能显著改善成年大鼠坐骨神经离断后骨骼肌的萎缩和功能丧失,该效应的强弱与用药剂量和肌肉类型有关。     

Drug delivery systems employing 1,6-elimination: releasable poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates of proteins

Using lysozyme as a representative protein substrate that loses its activity when PEGylation takes place on the epsilon-amino group of lysine residues, various amounts of a novel releasable PEG linker (rPEG) were conjugated to the protein. rPEG-lysozyme conjugates were relatively stable in pH 7.4 buffer for over 24 h. However, regeneration of native protein from the rPEG conjugates occurred in a predictable manner during incubation in high pH buffer or rat plasma, as demonstrated by enzymatic activity and structural characterization. The rates of regeneration were also correlated with PEG number: native lysozyme was released more rapidly from the monosubstituted conjugate than from the disubstituted conjugate, suggesting possible steric hindrance to the approach of cleaving enzymes. Recovery of normal activity and structure for the regenerated native lysozyme was shown by a variety of assays.     

Subunit-specific rules governing AMPA receptor trafficking to synapses in hippocampal pyramidal neurons

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPA-Rs) mediate a majority of excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain. In hippocampus, most AMPA-Rs are hetero-oligomers composed of GluR1/GluR2 or GluR2/GluR3 subunits. Here we show that these AMPA-R forms display different synaptic delivery mechanisms. GluR1/GluR2 receptors are added to synapses during plasticity; this requires interactions between GluR1 and group I PDZ domain proteins. In contrast, GluR2/GluR3 receptors replace existing synaptic receptors continuously; this occurs only at synapses that already have AMPA-Rs and requires interactions by GluR2 with NSF and group II PDZ domain proteins. The combination of regulated addition and continuous replacement of synaptic receptors can stabilize long-term changes in synaptic efficacy and may serve as a general model for how surface receptor number is established and maintained.     

Structural basis of caspase-7 inhibition by XIAP

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins suppress cell death by inhibiting the catalytic activity of caspases. Here we present the crystal structure of caspase-7 in complex with a potent inhibitory fragment from XIAP at 2.45 A resolution. An 18-residue XIAP peptide binds the catalytic groove of caspase-7, making extensive contacts to the residues that are essential for its catalytic activity. Strikingly, despite a reversal of relative orientation, a subset of interactions between caspase-7 and XIAP closely resemble those between caspase-7 and its tetrapeptide inhibitor DEVD-CHO. Our biochemical and structural analyses reveal that the BIR domains are dispensable for the inhibition of caspase-3 and -7. This study provides a structural basis for the design of the next-generation caspase inhibitors.     

Asymmetric synthesis of carbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides via pi-allylpalladium complex

Racemic and enantiomerically pure carbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides were synthesized efficiently by a convergent approach using Trost nucleophilic addition of pi-allylpalladium complexes.     

小鼠2-细胞胚胎单个卵裂球体外培养及其发育形成囊胚的玻璃化冷冻保存技术的研究

单个卵裂球分离和培养是生产同卵双胎或一卵多胎动物的一种有效方法。在羊和牛已经获得了来源于2-细胞和4-细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球的活体后代;在兔也获得来源于4-细胞胚胎的单个卵裂球后代;在猪已获得8-细胞单个卵裂球的后代。但多数的研究者发现,小鼠单个卵裂球培养后的体外发育率、移植妊娠率和产仔率都很低。上述均为新鲜胚移植结果,至于分离后卵裂球发育成的囊胚再进行玻璃化冷冻保存尚未见报道。本实