Direct activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1(TRPV1) by Diacylglycerol (DAG)

Voltage-gated sodium channels play important roles in modulating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron hyperexcitability and hyperalgesia after peripheral nerve injury or inflammation. We report that chronic compression of DRG (CCD) produces profound effect on tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) and tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) sodium currents, which are different from that by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in small DRG neurons. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained in vitro from L₄ and/or L₅ dissociated, small DRG neurons following in vivo DRG compression or nerve injury. The small DRG neurons were classified into slow and fast subtype neurons based on expression of the slow-inactivating TTX-R and fast-inactivating TTX-S Na⁺ currents. CCD treatment significantly reduced TTX-R and TTX-S current densities in the slow and fast neurons, but CCI selectively reduced the TTX-R and TTX-S current densities in the slow neurons. Changes in half-maximal potential (V_1/2) and curve slope (k) of steady-state inactivation of Na⁺ currents were different in the slow and fast neurons after CCD and CCI treatment. The window current of TTX-R and TTX-S currents in fast neurons were enlarged by CCD and CCI, while only that of TTX-S currents in slow neurons was increased by CCI. The decay rate of TTX-S and both TTX-R and TTX-S currents in fast neurons were reduced by CCD and CCI, respectively. These findings provide a possible sodium channel mechanism underlying CCD-induced DRG neuron hyperexcitability and hyperalgesia and demonstrate a differential effect in the Na⁺ currents of small DRG neurons after somata compression and peripheral nerve injury. This study also points to a complexity of hyperexcitability mechanisms contributing to CCD and CCI hyperexcitability in small DRG neurons.     

Long non-coding RNA LINC00488 facilitates thyroid cancer cell progression through miR-376a-3p/PON2

Objective: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) recently have been identified as influential indicators in a variety of malignancies. The aim of the present study was to identify a functional lncRNA LINC00488 and its effects on thyroid cancer in the view of cell proliferation and apoptosis.Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of LINC00488 on the cellular process of thyroid cancer, we performed a series of in vitro experiments, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) assay, flow cytometry, transwell chamber assay, Western blot and RT-qPCR. The target gene of LINC00488 was then identified by bioinformatics analysis (DIANA and TargetScan). Finally, a series of rescue experiments was conducted to validate the effect of LINC00488 and its target genes on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of thyroid cancer.Results: Our findings revealed that LINC00488 was highly expressed in thyroid cancer cell lines (BCPAP, BHP5-16, TPC-1 and CGTH-W3) and promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion, while inhibited the apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells (BCPAP and TPC-1). The results of bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that LINC00488 could directly bind to miR-376a-3p and down-regulated the expression level of miR-376a-3p. In addition, Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) was a target gene of miR-376a-3p and negatively regulated by miR-376a-3p. Rescue experiment indicated that LINC00488 might enhance PON2 expression by sponging miR-376a-3p in thyroid cancer.Conclusion: Taken together, our study revealed that lncRNA LINC00488 acted as an oncogenic gene in the progression of thyroid cancer via regulating miR-376a-3p/PON2 axis, which indicated that LINC00488-miR-376a-3p-PON2 axis could serve as novel biomarkers or potential targets for the treatment of thyroid cancer.     

Chemical modifications of tryptophan residues in peptides and proteins

Chemical protein modifications facilitate the investigation of natural posttranslational protein modifications and allow the design of proteins with new functions. Proteins can be modified at a late stage on amino acid side chains by chemical methods. The indole moiety of tryptophan residues is an emerging target of such chemical modification strategies because of its unique reactivity and low abundance. This review provides an overview of the recently developed methods of tryptophan modification at the peptide and protein levels.     

116例小儿肺炎分离菌的耐药性分析

目的 了解小儿肺炎病原菌的构成和耐药性变迁。方法 通过痰培养分离菌株,再用药敏试验筛选抗生素。结果 ①分离菌中革兰阴性杆菌（ＧＮＢ）占首位,为５３．８５％,革兰阳性球菌（ＧＰＣ）占４１．０２％,真菌占５．１３％;②所有检出的革兰阴性杆菌９ＧＮＢ）对多种抗生素耐药,环丙沙星的耐药率较低;③所有检出的革兰阳性球菌（ＧＰＣ）对青霉素均有较高耐药性,对万古霉素、利福平敏感性较高。结论 小儿肺炎病原菌以革兰阴性杆菌（ＧＮＢ）为主,注意合理使用抗生素,控制耐药菌的产生。     

细胞因子对血管平滑肌细胞MMP-2基因表达的诱导及其作用机制研究

为了探讨血管平滑肌细胞 ( VSMC)基质金属蛋白酶 - 2 ( MMP- 2 )基因的表达调控机制 ,利用Northern印迹杂交和 MMP- 2活性酶图分析检查 b FGF、TNF- α和 IL- 1 β对 VSMC MMP- 2基因表达的影响 ,应用电泳迁移率改变实验 ( EMSA)和 CAT分析对其作用机制进行研究 .结果证实 ,3种细胞因子均能显著诱导 MMP- 2基因表达 ,其作用强度依次为 b FGF>TNF-α>IL - 1β.将 MMP-2基因 5′侧翼 - 61 9～ 1 9bp调控序列克隆进携带报告基因的重组质粒 p SV0 - CAT后 ,经转染VSMC及 CAT分析显示 ,在上述 3种细胞因子的作用下 ,该调控序列可激活 cat基因表达 ,三者促进 cat表达的活性与其诱导 VSMC表达 MMP- 2的结果相一致 ;EMSA结果显示 ,被 b FGF和TNF- α刺激的 VSMC中产生与该基因调控区序列特异结合的转录调控因子 .提示细胞因子除可激活 VSMC细胞周期调节基因表达外 ,还可通过诱导 MMP- 2表达而发挥其对细胞外基质代谢的调节作用及参与 VSMC迁移的启动过程 ;细胞因子对 VSMC MMP- 2基因表达的诱导作用是通过促进转录调控因子的合成或活化而实现的 .     

Plasmin-sensitive dibasic sequences in the third fibronectin-like domain of L1-cell adhesion molecule (CAM) facilitate homomultimerization and concomitant integrin recruitment

L1 is a multidomain transmembrane neural recognition molecule essential for neurohistogenesis. While moieties in the immunoglobulin-like domains of L1 have been implicated in both heterophilic and homophilic binding, the function of the fibronectin (FN)-like repeats remains largely unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that the third FN-like repeat of L1 (FN3) spontaneously homomultimerizes to form trimeric and higher order complexes. Remarkably, these complexes support direct RGD-independent interactions with several integrins, including alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(5)beta(1). A pep- tide derived from the putative C-C' loop of FN3 (GSQRKHSKRHIHKDHV(852)) also forms trimeric complexes and supports alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(5)beta(1) binding. Substitution of the dibasic RK(841) and KR(845) sequences within this peptide or the FN3 domain limited multimerization and abrogated integrin binding. Evidence is presented that the multimerization of, and integrin binding to, the FN3 domain is regulated both by conformational constraints imposed by other domains and by plasmin- mediated cleavage within the sequence RK( downward arrow)HSK( downward arrow)RH(846). The integrin alpha(9)beta(1), which also recognizes the FN3 domain, colocalizes with L1 in a manner restricted to sites of cell-cell contact. We propose that distal receptor ligation events at the cell-cell interface may induce a conformational change within the L1 ectodomain that culminates in receptor multimerization and integrin recruitment via interaction with the FN3 domain.     

未绝经宫颈癌患者肿瘤组织中环氧合酶2的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨环氧合酶2(COX-2)在宫颈癌组织中的表达与月经周期的关系及其临床意义。方法选取47例未绝经宫颈癌手术病人,病史结合子宫内膜HE染色观察判断患者所处月经周期时段,采用免疫组织化学SP法检测宫颈癌组织中COX-2及增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达,计算机图像分析COX-2免疫染色密度值及PCNA标记指数(LI)。结果宫颈癌组织中COX-2表达阳性者增生期表达强于分泌期(P<0.05),但阳性率无显著性差异(P>0.05),COX-2阳性癌组织中PCNALI高于阴性者,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。有淋巴结转移者COX-2的表达高于无转移者(P<0.05),宫颈癌组织中COX-2的表达与FIGO临床分期、组织分化程度无显著相关性(P>0.05)。结论未绝经宫颈癌患者肿瘤组织中COX-2的表达在增生期较分泌期明显增加,并参与调节肿瘤的生长、转移。     

独行菜族8属(十字花科)植物果实及种子微形态研究

采用GMA(Glycol methacrylate,乙二醇甲基丙烯酸酯)半薄切片法,利用比较解剖学对独行菜族中代表植物8属25种果实及种子微形态结构进行观察分析。同时,以菥蓂属菥蓂为例详细介绍了假隔膜的形成过程。结果显示独行菜族果实及种子微形态特征明显,果实均为短角果,除厚壁荠属和沙芥属果实为背腹压扁外,其他属种均为两侧压扁;果实边缘有翅为独行菜族的典型特征,可分为周翅、微翅、宽翅及披针形翅;部分果皮细胞有纤维层,偶有木化,除菘蓝属、厚壁荠属、沙芥属无假隔膜结构外,其他属种均具有明显的假隔膜。种子大小为(0.8~10)mm×(0.5~2.8)mm,种皮纹饰丰富,遇水或潮湿环境可形成粘液种子。种皮通常由薄壁细胞构成,偶有木化,具内含物;除高河菜属和菥蓂属子叶与胚根的排列方式为子叶缘倚,其他属种均为子叶背倚。假隔膜为内果皮细胞向内延伸连接而成。本文完善了独行菜族果实及种子微形态结构信息,为分子系统学等其他相关研究提供基础资料。     

Effects of sap velocity on the daytime increase of stem CO2 efflux from stems of Schima superba trees

Stem CO₂ efflux (E _s) has been estimated from a temperature-related equation, but sap flux often affects measurements of E _s, which leads to misunderstanding real stem respiration. In order to observe the relationship between E _s and stem temperature and to analyze the effect of sap velocity on E _s, stem temperature, E _s and sap flux were measured from a subtropical Schima superba plantation in South China on three trees for consecutive 3 days in July and October 2009. Stem temperature, E _s and sap velocity were significantly higher in July than in October. Stem temperature could explain 17–41 and 54–75% variations of E _s in July and October, respectively. A negative relationship between E _s and stem temperature was found during 1800–2300 hours in July. The daytime E _s was 9.2, 4.3 and 2.4% higher than the predicted for three trees in July, and this occurred only on Tree 1 in October. Sap velocity was positively correlated with E _s for three trees in July, and the increase of E _s with the increase of sap velocity was only observed on Tree 1 in October. These results demonstrated that the occurrence of sap flux could account for the increase of daytime E _s, and the effect of sap velocity on E _s varied with the seasons from the S. superba stem.