Binding of the Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) to the Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 2 (EBNA2) Enhances Viral LMP2A Expression

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) -encoded EBNA2 protein, which is essential for the in vitro transformation of B-lymphocytes, interferes with cellular processes by binding to proteins via conserved sequence motifs. Its Arginine-Glycine (RG) repeat element contains either symmetrically or asymmetrically di-methylated arginine residues (SDMA and ADMA, respectively). EBNA2 binds via its SDMA-modified RG-repeat to the survival motor neurons protein (SMN) and via the ADMA-RG-repeat to the NP9 protein of the human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K (HML-2) Type 1). The hypothesis of this work was that the methylated RG-repeat mimics an epitope shared with cellular proteins that is used for interaction with target structures. With monoclonal antibodies against the modified RG-repeat, we indeed identified cellular homologues that apparently have the same surface structure as methylated EBNA2. With the SDMA-specific antibodies, we precipitated the Sm protein D3 (SmD3) which, like EBNA2, binds via its SDMA-modified RG-repeat to SMN. With the ADMA-specific antibodies, we precipitated the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K). Specific binding of the ADMA- antibody to hnRNP K was demonstrated using E. coli expressed/ADMA-methylated hnRNP K. In addition, we show that EBNA2 and hnRNP K form a complex in EBV- infected B-cells. Finally, hnRNP K, when co-expressed with EBNA2, strongly enhances viral latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) expression by an unknown mechanism as we did not detect a direct association of hnRNP K with DNA-bound EBNA2 in gel shift experiments. Our data support the notion that the methylated surface of EBNA2 mimics the surface structure of cellular proteins to interfere with or co-opt their functional properties.     

鲁北沿海蝗区蝗虫天敌蜘蛛类群发生规律初探

笔者于1992～2003 a对鲁北沿海蝗区的蝗虫天敌-蜘蛛类群,进行了大田调查与定点系统调查.鲁北沿海蝗区蜘蛛隶属6科9属14种.明确了蜘蛛类群的消长动态,并对优势种星豹蛛Pardosa astrigera 进行了系统观察,明确了其生活史和习性.并提出了保护利用措施.     

CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway is crucial for TLR9 agonist enhanced metastasis of human lung cancer cell

Accumulating data suggested that CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway may play an important role in the metastasis of tumor. We previously demonstrated that CpG ODN could enhance the metastasis of human lung cancer cell via TLR9. Here we further evaluated the possible role of CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway in the enhanced metastasis of human lung cancer 95D cells induced by CpG ODN. Our data showed down-regulation of CXCR4 expression using siRNA against CXCR4 could significantly reduce the enhanced metastasis of 95D cells induced by CpG ODN both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested that TLR9 agonist might promote the metastasis of human lung cancer cells via CXCR4/SDF-1 pathway.     

Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 gene, a switch from latency to lytic infection, is expressed as an immediate-early gene after primary infection of B lymphocytes

We demonstrate here that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BZLF1 gene, a switch from latent infection to lytic infection, is expressed as early as 1.5 h after EBV infection in Burkitt's lymphoma-derived, EBV-negative Akata and Daudi cells and primary B lymphocytes. Since BZLF1 mRNA is expressed even when the cells are infected with EBV in the presence of anisomycin, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, its expression does not require prerequisite protein synthesis, indicating that BZLF1 is expressed as an immediate-early gene following primary EBV infection of B lymphocytes.     

Medium‐Chain Oil Reduces Fat Mass and Down‐regulates Expression of Adipogenic Genes in Rats

Objective: To test the hypothesis that adipose tissue could be one of the primary targets through which medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) exert their metabolic influence. Research Methods and Procedures: Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a control high‐fat diet compared with an isocaloric diet rich in medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs). We determined the effects of MCTs on body fat mass, plasma leptin and lipid levels, acyl chain composition of adipose triglycerides and phospholipids, adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity, and the expression of key adipogenic genes. Tissue triglyceride content was measured in heart and gastrocnemius muscle, and whole body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were also measured. The effects of MCFAs on lipoprotein lipase activity and adipogenic gene expression were also assessed in vitro using cultured adipose tissue explants or 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Results: MCT‐fed animals had smaller fat pads, and they contained a considerable amount of MCFAs in both triglycerides and phospholipids. A number of key adipogenic genes were down‐regulated, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α and their downstream metabolic target genes. We also found reduced adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in MCT‐fed animals. Analogous effects of MCFAs on adipogenic genes were found in cultured rat adipose tissue explants and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Discussion: These results suggest that direct inhibitory effects of MCFAs on adiposity may play an important role in the regulation of body fat development.     

猪链球菌2型菌毛骨架蛋白编码基因SSU2101敲除突变株的构建及其生物学功能

利用同源重组基因敲除方法构建猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis serotype2,S.suis2)中国强毒株05ZYH33菌毛骨架蛋白(Backbone protein,BP)编码基因SSU2101敲除突变株。采用引物特异性PCR分析、Southern杂交及RT-PCR等方法鉴定,证实成功构建了BP基因缺失突变株。生物学特性显示,突变株的菌落形态、溶血活性以及染色特性方面与野生株之间均无明显差异。小鼠致病性试验结果显示,突变株的毒力比野生株显著减弱。研究结果提示菌毛在S.suis2感染致病过程中起重要作用,为系统研究S.suis2菌毛分子装配机制及其生物学功能奠定了基础。     

The structure-anticoagulant activity relationships of sulfated lacquer polysaccharide: effect of carboxyl group and position of sulfation

Regiospecific oxidation of the primary hydroxyl groups in lacquer polysaccharide (LPL, Mw 6.85 x 10(4)) and its NaIO4 oxidation derivatives (LPLde) to C-6 carboxy groups was achieved with NaOCl in the presence of Tempo and NaBr. Sulfate groups were incorporated into the oxidated polysaccharides using Py.SO3 complex as a reagent. Reactivity of polysaccharide hydroxyl group was C-6 > C-2 > C-4. Sulfate groups were mainly linked to the second hydroxy at C-2 in the products. The results of APTT assay showed after incorporation of carboxyl groups into lacquer polysaccharides, the intrinsic coagulation pathway was promoted, and all sulfated polysaccharides had very weak anticoagulant activity within the scope of studied DS (0.39-1.11). These indicated that carboxyl groups and sulfate groups had the synergistic action. At the same time, the anticoagulant activity increased very slowly with the DS in the second hydroxy. This indicated that 6-O-SO3- in the side chains took an important role in the anticoagulant activity.     

心率变异性评估运输应激对Beagle犬自主神经功能的影响

目的 基于心率变异性(heart rate variability,HRV)分析评估运输应激对Beagle犬自主神经功能的影响,并界定其恢复期.方法 16只Beagle犬随机分成两组(每组8只),即对照组和运输应激组,利用大动物无创生理信号遥测技术,分别监测清醒自由活动状态下对照组和运输应激组应激4 h后、恢复1、2、...     

可溶性淀粉合成酶SSⅢ基因对马铃薯的遗传转化

马铃薯是淀粉生产中重要的农作物之一,而可溶性淀粉合成酶SSⅢ是可溶性淀粉合成酶的主要活性成分,通过基因工程的手段来研究SSⅢ基因在淀粉合成中的功能可以用于改良马铃薯淀粉的品质.本研究采用根癌农杆菌介导法将强组成型表达启动子CaMV 35S驱动的可溶性淀粉合成酶SSⅢ基因的RNA干扰表达载体导入马铃薯栽培品种克新1号和克新4号中,获得了65株卡那霉素抗性植株.对抗性植株PCR检测结果表明,SSⅢ基因的干扰片段已整合到马铃薯基因组中,RT-PCR检测表明SSⅢ基因在转录水平上受到了明显抑制.该研究为马铃薯淀粉品质的改良奠定了基础.