ESTs library from embryonic stages reveals tubulin and reflectin diversity in Sepia officinalis (Mollusca — Cephalopoda)

New molecular resources regarding the so-called “non-standard models” in biology extend the present knowledge and are essential for molecular evolution and diversity studies (especially during the development) and evolutionary inferences about these zoological groups, or more practically for their fruitful management. Sepia officinalis, an economically important cephalopod species, is emerging as a new lophotrochozoan developmental model. We developed a large set of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from embryonic stages of S. officinalis, yielding 19,780 non-redundant sequences (NRS). Around 75% of these sequences have no homologs in existing available databases. This set is the first developmental ESTs library in cephalopods. By exploring these NRS for tubulin, a generic protein family, and reflectin, a cephalopod specific protein family,we point out for both families a striking molecular diversity in S. officinalis.     

Lack of molecular relationships between lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial DNA single strand breaks in isolated rat hepatocytes and mitochondria

We investigated the molecular relationships between lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single strand breaks (ssb) in isolated rat hepatocytes and mitochondria exposed to tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBH). Our results show that mtDNA ssb induced by TBH are independent of lipid peroxidation and dependent on the presence of iron and of hydroxyl free radicals. These data contribute to the definition of the mechanisms whereby mtDNA ssb are induced and provide possible molecular targets for the prevention of this kind of damage in vivo.     

Distinct expression patterns of different subunit isoforms of the V-ATPase in the rat epididymis

In the epididymis and vas deferens, the vacuolar H(+)ATPase (V-ATPase), located in the apical pole of narrow and clear cells, is required to establish an acidic luminal pH. Low pH is important for the maturation of sperm and their storage in a quiescent state. The V-ATPase also participates in the acidification of intracellular organelles. The V-ATPase contains many subunits, and several of these subunits have multiple isoforms. So far, only subunits ATP6V1B1, ATP6V1B2, and ATP6V1E2, previously identified as B1, B2, and E subunits, have been described in the rat epididymis. Here, we report the localization of V-ATPase subunit isoforms ATP6V1A, ATP6V1C1, ATP6V1C2, ATP6V1G1, ATP6V1G3, ATP6V0A1, ATP6V0A2, ATP6V0A4, ATP6V0D1, and ATP6V0D2, previously labeled A, C1, C2, G1, G3, a1, a2, a4, d1, and d2, in epithelial cells of the rat epididymis and vas deferens. Narrow and clear cells showed a strong apical staining for all subunits, except the ATP6V0A2 isoform. Subunits ATP6V0A2 and ATP6V1A were detected in intracellular structures closely associated but not identical to the TGN of principal cells and narrow/clear cells, and subunit ATP6V0D1 was strongly expressed in the apical membrane of principal cells in the apparent absence of other V-ATPase subunits. In conclusion, more than one isoform of subunits ATP6V1C, ATP6V1G, ATP6V0A, and ATP6V0D of the V-ATPase are present in the epididymal and vas deferens epithelium. Our results confirm that narrow and clear cells are well fit for active proton secretion. In addition, the diverse functions of the V-ATPase may be established through the utilization of specific subunit isoforms. In principal cells, the ATP6V0D1 isoform may have a physiological function that is distinct from its role in proton transport via the V-ATPase complex.     

铁线蕨中间纤维的研究及某些植物类角蛋白的比较分析

应用整装电镜制样技术,结合选择性抽提方法在铁线蕨（ＡｄｉａｎｔｕｍｐｈｉｌｉｐｐｅｎｓｅＬ．）叶细胞中观察到直径１０ｎｍ的纤维网络结构。免疫印迹结果显示：经选择性抽提得到的纤维蛋白与动物角蛋白抗体有免疫交叉反应,间接免疫荧光标记也得到类似结果,而且此类蛋白能在体外自组装为１０ｎｍ或更粗的纤维。说明蕨类植物细胞中存在类角蛋白中间纤维网络。免疫印迹结果表明,螺旋藻（ＳｐｉｒｕｌｉｎａｓｕｂｔｉｌｌｉｓｉｎａＫｕｔｚ．）细胞,地钱（ＭａｒｃｈａｎｔｉａｐｏｌｙｍｏｒｐｈａＬ．）叶状体,铁线蕨（Ａ．ｐｈｉｌｉｐｐｅｎｓｅＬ．）、银杏（ＧｉｎｋｇｏｂｉｌｏｂａＬ．）、白菜（ＢｒａｓｉｃａｐｅｋｉｎｅｎｓｉｓＲｕｐｒ．）的叶组织经选择性抽提后得到的蛋白均与动物角蛋白抗体有免疫交叉反应。其中,螺旋藻仅含有两种类酸性角蛋白,而其余４种植物材料均含有３种类酸性角蛋白及３种类碱性角蛋白。结合以往实验结果,我们认为类角蛋白在植物细胞中是普遍存在的。     

IGFBP‐4 enhances VEGF‐induced angiogenesis in a mouse model of myocardial infarction

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well‐known angiogenic factor, however its ability in promoting therapeutic angiogenesis following myocardial infarction (MI) is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate whether dual treatment with insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐4 (IGFBP‐4), an agent that protects against early oxidative damage, can be effective in enhancing the therapeutic effect of VEGF following MI. Combined treatment with IGFBP‐4 enhanced VEGF‐induced angiogenesis and prevented cell damage via enhancing the expression of a key angiogenic factor angiopoietin‐1. Dual treatment with the two agents synergistically decreased cardiac fibrosis markers collagen‐I and collagen‐III following MI. Importantly, while the protective action of IGFBP‐4 occurs at an early stage of ischemic injury, the action of VEGF occurs at a later stage, at the onset angiogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that VEGF treatment alone is often not enough to protect against oxidative stress and promote post‐ischemic angiogenesis, whereas the combined treatment with IGFBP4 and VEGF can utilize the dual roles of these agents to effectively protect against ischemic and oxidative injury, and promote angiogenesis. These findings provide important insights into the roles of these agents in the clinical setting, and suggest new strategies in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.     

乳铁蛋白肽(Lactoferricin)作用机制研究进展

近年来抗菌肽由于自身的优点成为抗生素的替代品 ,并已成为研究与开发的热点 ,其中乳铁蛋白肽因其强大的生物学功能而备受关注。就其结构、功能进行了综述 ,并根据其结构和生物学活性的关系探讨该肽的作用机制 ,同时也提出了乳铁蛋白肽研究中存在的一些问题及相应对策。     

利用FRET技术在活细胞内研究红景天甙对Aβ25-35诱导PCI2细胞凋亡的抑制作用

为研究红景天甙（salidroside）对β淀粉样肽25-35（β amyloid peptide25-35,Aβ25-35）诱导PC12细胞凋亡的抑制作用,采用Cell Counting Kit-8（CCK-8）分析细胞的存活率,通过光镜检测细胞形态并配以Hoechst染色检测细胞核固缩,利用荧光共振能量转移（fluorescence resonance energy transfer,FRET）技术在单个活细胞中检测caspase-3和caspase-8活性的动态变化。结果表明,红景天甙可剂量依赖性抑制Aβ25-35引起的细胞凋亡,提高细胞的存活率;红景天甙对caspase-3的活性有明显的抑制作用,而且Aβ25-35诱导细胞凋亡不依赖于caspase-8的激活。这些结果提示抑制caspase-3的活性是红景天甙抑制Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡的机制之一。