分离自苏云金芽胞杆菌的首例细菌乌头酸异构酶TbrA的酶学性质研究(英文)

【目的】乌头酸异构酶(aconitate isomerase,AI)可介导具有多重生物学活性及应用潜力的小分子物质反式乌头酸(trans-aconiticacid,TAA)的合成。本文通过表征来自苏云金芽胞杆菌的生物体首条AI基因(tbrA)的产物——TbrA蛋白的催化性质,填补人们对于AI酶学特性的认识。【方法】我们利用大肠杆菌Rosetta菌株和Ni²⁺柱亲和纯化获得了His6-TbrA蛋白,并在体外通过HPLC检测了产物生成及对应酶活。【结果】TbrA蛋白的最适pH、温度与离子强度分别为8.0,37°C和25 mmol/L。TbrA在10°C时仍保留约60%的活性,展现了较好的耐低温特性。金属离子Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺与还原剂DTT可显著增强TbrA活性,而Fe²⁺、Cu²⁺、Zn²⁺、Mn²⁺则强烈抑制TbrA活性。TbrA将顺式乌头酸(cis-aconitic acid,CAA)异构为TAA的正反应K_m、V...     

On computation of semiparametric maximum likelihood estimators with shape constraints

Large sample theory of semiparametric models based on maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) with shape constraint on the nonparametric component is well studied. Relatively less attention has been paid to the computational aspect of semiparametric MLE. The computation of semiparametric MLE based on existing approaches such as the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm can be computationally prohibitive when the missing rate is high. In this paper, we propose a computational framework for semiparametric MLE based on an inexact block coordinate ascent (BCA) algorithm. We show theoretically that the proposed algorithm converges. This computational framework can be applied to a wide range of data with different structures, such as panel count data, interval‐censored data, and degradation data, among others. Simulation studies demonstrate favorable performance compared with existing algorithms in terms of accuracy and speed. Two data sets are used to illustrate the proposed computational method. We further implement the proposed computational method in R package BCA1SG , available at CRAN.     

Establishment of a Successive Markerless Mutation System in Haemophilus parasuis through Natural Transformation

Haemophilus parasuis, belonging to the family Pasteurellaceae, is the causative agent of Glässer’s disease leading to serious economic losses. In this study, a successive markerless mutation system for H. parasuis using two sequential steps of natural transformation was developed. By the first homologous recombination, the target genes were replaced by a cassette carrying kanamycin resistance gene and sacB (which confers sensitivity to sucrose) gene using kanamycin selection, followed by the second reconstruction to remove the selection cassette, with application of sucrose to further screen unmarked mutants. To improve DNA transformation frequency, several parameters have been analyzed further in this work. With this method, two unmarked deletions in one strain have been generated successfully. It is demonstrated that this system can be employed to construct multi-gene scarless deletions, which is of great help for developing live attenuated vaccines for H. parasuis.     

Hepatic overexpression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A reduces atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), a specific enzyme that converts methionine-S-sulfoxide to methionine, plays an important role in the regulation of protein function and the maintenance of redox homeostasis. In this study, we examined the impact of hepatic MsrA overexpression on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient (apoE^−/−) mice. In vitro study showed that in HepG2 cells, lentivirus-mediated human MsrA (hMsrA) overexpression upregulated the expression levels of several key lipoprotein-metabolism-related genes such as liver X receptor α, scavenger receptor class B type I, and ABCA1. ApoE^−/− mice were intravenously injected with lentivirus to achieve high-level hMsrA expression predominantly in the liver. We found that hepatic hMsrA expression significantly reduced plasma VLDL/LDL levels, improved plasma superoxide dismutase, and paraoxonase-1 activities, and decreased plasma serum amyloid A level in apoE^−/− mice fed a Western diet, by significantly altering the expression of several genes in the liver involving cholesterol selective uptake, conversion and excretion into bile, TG biosynthesis, and inflammation. Moreover, overexpression of hMsrA resulted in reduced hepatic steatosis and aortic atherosclerosis. These results suggest that hepatic MsrA may be an effective therapeutic target for ameliorating dyslipidemia and reducing atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases.     

Activation of NFKB-JMJD3 signaling promotes bladder fibrosis via boosting bladder smooth muscle cell proliferation and collagen accumulation

Chronic cystitis is characterized by the hyperplasia and fibrosis of the bladder wall as well as attenuated compliance of the bladder. To further unravel its underlying molecular mechanism, the role of NFκB-JMJD3 signaling pathway in cystitis induced bladder fibrosis was investigated. Jmjd3 and Col1/3 expression was detected in a cystitis mouse model that was developed by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP). Human bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs) were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the cell proliferation and collagen accumulation were detected using EdU, CCK8, flow cytometry, qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. Furthermore, the effects of NFκB and JMJD3 on cell proliferation and collagen accumulation were investigated using its selective antagonists, JSH23 and GSK-J4, respectively. CYP induced cystitis significantly increased Jmjd3, Col1 and Col3 expression in the bladder muscle cells. Furthermore, LPS stimulation markedly activated NFκB signaling and elevated JMJD3 expression in hBSMCs, and the activation of NFκB-JMJD3 signaling significantly promoted cell proliferation and collagen accumulation by upregulating CCND1 and COL1/3 expression, respectively. Our study reveals the critical role of NFκB-JMJD3 signaling in cystitis induced bladder reconstruction by regulating hBSMC proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and these findings provide an avenue for effective treatment of patients with cystitis.     

长白山地表藓类分布格局与环境因子的关系

对长白山自然保护区41个样地中的42种主要地表藓类分布与6种重要环境因子间的关系进行了定量研究。应用双向指标种分析法（TWINSPAN）发现调查的41个样地可分成4个样地组,42种地面藓 类可分成4种藓类群,应用除趋势典范对应分析（DCCA）的研究结果表明,海拨高度、土壤含砂量、土壤酸度、林冠层郁闭度、土壤含水量是5个影响42种地表藓类分布格局的主要环境因子,在DCCA排序图上,显示出藓类群与样地类型良好的对应性,藓类群1－4分别在落叶松（Larix olgensis）沼泽地、高山苔原、暗针叶林、亚高山岳松（Betula ernanni）林和岳松－落叶松林中占优势。     

Catesbeianin-1, a novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lithobates catesbeianus</Emphasis> (American bullfrog)

Objectives

To identify and characterize a novel antimicrobial peptide, catesbeianin-1.

Results

Catesbeianin-1 is 25 amino acids long and is α-helical, cationic and amphipathic. It had antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It was resistant against trypsin and pepsin. Catesbeianin-1 exhibited moderate hemolytic activity (approx 8%) at 100 μg/ml, and its HC₅₀ (50% hemolytic concentration) was 300 μg/ml. Its cytotoxicity was approx 10–20% at 100 μg/ml, and its CC₅₀ (50% cytotoxic concentration) was >100 μg/ml. The LD₅₀ of catesbeianin-1 in mice was 80 mg/kg. At 3.1 µg/ml, catesbeianin-1 significantly inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions

A new antimicrobial peptide from the skin of Lithobates catesbeianus (American bullfrog) may represent a template for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.