G1 cell cycle progression and the expression of G1 cyclins are regulated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling in human ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Recent studies demonstrated that the gene encoding the p110alpha catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer cells. PI3K is involved in multiple cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, antiapoptosis, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of PI3K activity by LY-294002 inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced G(1) cell cycle arrest. This effect was accompanied by the decreased expression of G(1)-associated proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation at Ser(780), Ser(795), and Ser(807/811). Expression of CDK6 and beta-actin was not affected by LY-294002. Expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p16(INK4a) was induced by the PI3K inhibitor, whereas steady-state levels of p21(CIP1/WAF1) were decreased in the same experiment. The inhibition of PI3K activity also inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and p70S6K1, but not extracellular regulated kinase 1/2. The G(1) cell cycle arrest induced by LY-294002 was restored by the expression of active forms of AKT and p70S6K1 in the cells. Our study shows that PI3K transmits a mitogenic signal through AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to p70S6K1. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had similar inhibitory effects on G(1) cell cycle progression and on the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation. These results indicate that PI3K mediates G(1) progression and cyclin expression through activation of an AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling pathway in the ovarian cancer cells.     

Infraciliature and myoneme system of Campanella umbellaria (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Peritrichida)

The infraciliature and myoneme system of Campanella umbellaria were revealed using the protargol impregnation technique. The main characteristics of the infraciliature are the peristomial ciliary rows (haplokinety and polykineties), which make four and a half turns around the peristomial disc before plunging into the infundibulum, and the aboral infraciliature, which is made up of the aboral ciliary wreath (trochal band) and the scopula. The myoneme system is composed of: 1) longitudinal fibers, which include 60-84 (mean 72.3) short longitudinal fibers, 40-56 (mean 45.8) medium-length longitudinal fibers, and numerous long longitudinal fibers; and 2) circular fibers, which include 8-12 (mean 9.3) peristomial ring fibers, linking fibers, support fibers, and peristomial disc fibers. The various fibers in C. umbellaria are interconnected to form a single myoneme system that may act as a cell skeleton as well as providing the mechanism by which the zooid contracts and relaxes.     

Signaling from Nucleotide Receptors to Protein Kinase Cascades in Astrocytes

In the CNS, extracellular ATP can function as an excitatory neurotransmitter as well as a trophic factor. These short-term and long-term actions are mediated by nucleotide receptors. Extracellular ATP can also act as a co-mitogen in conjunction with polypeptide growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Cellular proliferation, differentiation and survival are regulated by signaling cascades composed of protein kinases, including extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (also called Akt). Here we summarize recent studies on nucleotide receptor signaling to ERK and Akt in astrocytes and the role of protein kinase cascades in mediating the trophic actions of extracellular ATP, alone or together with FGF2. Because extracellular ATP and FGF2 contribute to the hyperplastic and hypertrophic response of astrocytes to CNS injuries, an understanding of their protein kinase signaling mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for neurological conditions that involve gliosis and the generation of reactive astrocytes, such as trauma, stroke, seizure and neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders.Special issue dedicated to Lawrence F. Eng.     

肾动脉内注射腺苷兴奋肾神经传入纤维的自发活动

应用记录肾神经传入纤维多单位和单位放电的方法,观察肾动脉内注射腺苷对麻醉家兔肾神经传入纤维自发放电活动的影响。结果表明：(1)肾动脉内注射50,100和200nmol／kg腺苷可呈剂量依赖性地兴奋肾神经传入纤维的活动,而动脉血压不变。(2)肾动脉内预先应用选择性腺苷A1受体阻断剂DPCPX(160nmol/kg),可部分阻断腺苷对肾神经传入纤维的兴奋作用。(3)静脉应用一氧化氮合酶抑制剂L-NAME(0．1mmol／kg)预处理,延长并增强了肾神经传入纤维对腺苷的反应。以上结果提示,肾动脉内应用腺苷可兴奋肾传入纤维的自发放电活动,一氧化氮作为抑制性因素参与腺苷诱导的肾神经传入纤维兴奋。     

一氧化氮对家兔房室结细胞自发活动的电生理效应

应用经典玻璃微电极技术,观察一氧化氮(NO)对家兔房室结细胞自发活动的电生理效应及其作用机制。结果显示：(1)NO供体硝普(SNP,1-1000μmol／L)及SIN-1(100,1000μmol／L)剂量依赖性地抑制房室结细胞的动作电位幅值(APA)、零相最大人士升速度(Vmax)、4期自动除极速度(VDD)及自发放电频率(RSF);(2)应用L型钙通道开放剂Bay K8644(0．25μmol／L),可拮抗SNP对房室结细胞的电生理效应;(3)提高灌流液中钙离子浓度(5mmol／L)也可逆转SNP对起搏细胞的抑制效应;(4)用无钙K-H液灌流房室结,可完全阻断SNP对房事结细胞的抑制效应。(5)应用鸟苷酸环化酶阻断剂甲基美蓝(50μmol／L)对SNP的上述电生理效应无影响。以上结果提示,NO可能是通过cGMP非依赖性途径减弱钙离子内流,进而抑制了家兔房室结细胞的自发电活动。     

Mathematical modeling for prediction of endo-xylanase activity and arabinoxylans concentration during mashing of barley malts for brewing

A mathematical model describing the degradation of arabinoxylans by endo-xylanase during mashing process was developed. Endo-xylanase activities and arabinoxylans concentrations in laboratory scale mashing process at different temperature profiles were measured and then used for identifying the model parameters for Harrington barley malt. The modeling errors range for the final concentration of arabinoxylans in wort was -4% to +11.9%. The model developed was also used for predicting the other three different malts mashing processes in laboratory scale, and the prediction errors ranged from -9.5% to +13.6%. The model prediction accuracy for industrial scale mashing process was lower than that in laboratory scale. The simulation results showed that, a lower concentration of arabinoxylans could be achieved when maintaining the mashing-in at 45 degrees C and prolonging the mashing-in time.     

Dot-blot hybridization and RT-PCR detection of extra small virus (XSV) associated with white tail disease of prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The availability of specific and reliable detection methods is essential for monitoring the health status of farmed species, particularly for viral diseases. Extra small virus (XSV), a virus-like particle, is associated with Macrobrachium rosenbergii Noda virus (MrNV) in white tail disease (WTD) of M. rosenbergii. We developed 2 genome-based detection methods for the identification of XSV, namely dot-blot hybridization and a single-step RT-PCR. Detection limits were established and are ca. 2.5 pg and 5 fg of viral RNA for dot-blot hybridization and RT-PCR, respectively. Application of the methods to field samples indicated that some animals positively diagnosed with MrNV did not contain XSV, at least within the detection limit of the methodology. This raises the question of the actual role of XSV and its interactions with MrNV in WTD of M. rosenbergii.     

Establishment of a continuous embryonic cell line from Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus for virus isolation

A continuous cell line, the flounder embryonic cell line (FEC), was established from gastrula-stage embryos of a marine cultured fish, the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and cultured for more than 200 d with more than 60 passages. FEC cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with antibiotics, fetal bovine serum (FBS), sea perch serum (SPS), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The cells were small and round, and grew actively and stably in culture. The effect of temperature, FBS concentration and bFGF on FEC cell growth was examined. Cells grew well between 24 and 30 degrees C, but had a reduced growth rate below 18 degrees C. The growth rate of FEC cells in medium containing 15% FBS was higher than that in medium containing 7.5% FBS. Addition of bFGF to the medium also significantly increased the growth rate. Chromosome analysis revealed that FEC cells have a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 48. High survival rate was obtained after cryopreservation of cell cultures. The susceptibility of the cell line to piscine viruses was examined. Two viruses tested were shown to induce CPE (cytopathic effect) on FEC cells. FEC cell culture infected with fish iridovirus was further elucidated by electron microscopy. Many virus particles were found in the cytoplasm of the virus-infected FEC cells. These results indicated that the FEC cell line could be potentially used to isolate and study fish viruses.     

Assembly of a Ca2+-dependent BK channel signaling complex by binding to beta2 adrenergic receptor

Large-conductance voltage and Ca²⁺-activated potassium channels (BKCa) play a critical role in modulating contractile tone of smooth muscle, and neuronal processes. In most mammalian tissues, activation of β-adrenergic receptors and protein kinase A (PKA_c) increases BKCa channel activity, contributing to sympathetic nervous system/hormonal regulation of membrane excitability. Here we report the requirement of an association of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) with the pore forming α subunit of BKCa and an A-kinase-anchoring protein (AKAP79/150) for β2 agonist regulation. β2AR can simultaneously interact with both BKCa and L-type Ca²⁺ channels (Ca_v1.2) in vivo, which enables the assembly of a unique, highly localized signal transduction complex to mediate Ca²⁺- and phosphorylation-dependent modulation of BKCa current. Our findings reveal a novel function for G protein-coupled receptors as a scaffold to couple two families of ion channels into a physical and functional signaling complex to modulate β-adrenergic regulation of membrane excitability.