Two new bacterial DNA primase inhibitors from the plant Polygonum cuspidatum

The 70% aqueous methanolic extract of the Peruvian plant Polygonum cuspidatum sp. was found to contain two novel phenolic saccharides 1 and 2, which were identified as inhibitors of the bacterial DNA primase enzyme. Structures of these two compounds were established based on high resolution NMR studies. Compound 1 and 2 inhibited the primase enzyme with an IC(50) of 4 and 5 microM, respectively.     

Diabetic endothelial dysfunction: the role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation

Diabetic patients frequently suffer from retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and accelerated atherosclerosis. The loss of endothelial function precedes these vascular alterations. Here we report that activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Destruction of islet cells with streptozotocin in mice induced hyperglycemia, intravascular oxidant production, DNA strand breakage, PARP activation and a selective loss of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Treatment with a novel potent PARP inhibitor, starting after the time of islet destruction, maintained normal vascular responsiveness, despite the persistence of severe hyperglycemia. Endothelial cells incubated in high glucose exhibited production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, consequent single-strand DNA breakage, PARP activation and associated metabolic and functional impairment. Basal and high-glucose-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation were suppressed in the PARP-deficient cells. Our results indicate that PARP may be a novel drug target for the therapy of diabetic endothelial dysfunction.     

Early myotome specification regulates PDGFA expression and axial skeleton development

Reciprocal defects in signaling between the myotome and the sclerotome compartments of the somites in PDGFRalpha and Myf5 mutant embryos lead to alterations in the formation of the vertebrae and the ribs. To investigate the significance of these observations, we have examined the role of PDGF signaling in the developing somite. PDGFA ligand expression was not detected in the myotome of Myf5 null mutant embryos and PDGFA promoter activity was regulated by Myf5 in vitro. PDGFA stimulated chondrogenesis in somite micromass cultures as well as in embryos when PDGFA was knocked into the Myf5 locus, resulting in increased vertebral and rib development. PDGFA expression in the myotome was fully restored in embryos in which MyoD has been introduced at the Myf5 locus but to a lesser extent in similar myogenin knock-in embryos. These results underscore the importance of growth factor signaling within the developing somite and suggest an important role for myogenic determination factors in orchestrating normal development of the axial skeleton.     

The structure and oligomerization of the yeast arginine methyltransferase, Hmt1

Protein methylation at arginines is ubiquitous in eukaryotes and affects signal transduction, gene expression and protein sorting. Hmt1/Rmt1, the major arginine methyltransferase in yeast, catalyzes methylation of arginine residues in several mRNA-binding proteins and facilitates their export from the nucleus. We now report the crystal structure of Hmt1 at 2.9 A resolution. Hmt1 forms a hexamer with approximate 32 symmetry. The surface of the oligomer is dominated by large acidic cavities at the dimer interfaces. Mutation of dimer contact sites eliminates activity of Hmt1 both in vivo and in vitro. Mutating residues in the acidic cavity significantly reduces binding and methylation of the substrate Npl3.     

Inosine reduces inflammation and improves survival in a murine model of colitis

Inosine, a naturally occurring purine formed from the breakdown of adenosine, has recently been shown to exert powerful anti-inflammatory effects both in vivo and in vitro. This study evaluated inosine as a potential therapy for colitis. Colitis was induced in mice by the administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Oral treatment with inosine was begun either before the onset of colitis or as a posttreatment once colitis was established. Evaluation of colon damage and inflammation was determined grossly (body wt, rectal bleeding), histologically, and biochemically (colon levels of MPO, MDA, and cytokines). DSS-induced colitis significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltration into the colon. DSS-induced colitis also increased colon levels of lipid peroxidation, cytokines, and chemokines. Inosine protected the colon from DSS-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid peroxidation. Inosine also partially reduced these parameters in an experimental model of established colitis. Thus inosine treatment may be a potential therapy in colitis.     

Differences in cellulose digestive systems among castes in two termite lineages

Abstract.  Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects and express polyphenism. Soldiers have specialized morphology for colony defense, but their feeding activity is dependent on other colony members. To determine differences in cellulose degradation between soldier and worker termites, enzymatic activity and cellulase gene expression, as well digestive tract histology, are examined in two phylogenetically distant species. In Hodotermopsis sjostesti (family Termopsidae) , endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is identified in the salivary glands, whereas β-glucosidase activity is identified in salivary glands and hindgut. The relative expression levels of endo-β-1,4-glucanase genes in soldiers are significantly lower than in workers. Thin sections of salivary gland of workers and soldiers are different in H. sjostedti . In Nasutitermes takasagoensis (family Termitidae), the endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is restricted to the midgut in four tested castes (i.e. three types of workers and soldier). Examination of activity per termite reveals the highest activity in minor workers and the lowest activity in major workers and soldiers. The β-glucosidase activity is also concentrated on the midgut in all four castes. The relative expression level of the endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene does not correspond with its activity in the midgut. In thin sections prepared from N. takasagoensis , the folds and pulvillus in the gizzards, and cuticle structure of soldiers are less developed compared with the other three worker castes. The differences in digestive system among termite castes in terms of caste development in each species are discussed.     

几种脊椎动物宽频带心电图波形与心电向量环特点的比较

对小鼠、家鸽、蟾蜍、鲫鱼4种脊椎动物宽频带心电图Ⅱ导联的波形特点及QRS额面心电向量环的位置、形态特点进行了比较研究。结果发现,(1)宽频带心电图Ⅱ导联QRS波群小鼠、蟾蜍、鲫鱼QRS波群的主波均向上,而家鸽的主波向下;(2)QRS波群时程(ms)小鼠88±09,家鸽365±14,蟾蜍790±110,鲫鱼283±57;(3)QRS心电向量环的位置家鸽的位于-90°～-180°象限内,这是家鸽心电图Ⅱ导联QRS波群主波向下的根本原因;小鼠、蟾蜍、鲫鱼的均位于0°～90°象限内,与它们的QRS波群主波向上相一致;(4)QRS心电向量环的形状;小鼠的QRS向量环较其它3种动物的要大,蟾蜍的最小。鲫鱼的不规则,有的呈三角形,有的呈“8”字形,还有的呈半圆形,这是导致鲫鱼的QRS波群出现较多切迹和扭挫的原因。     

中华鳖对T3菌苗抗原的免疫应答

通过T3菌苗免疫中华鳖后的血清间接凝集抗体效价 (IAT)与免疫保护率 (PRP)的变化探讨了中华鳖的免疫应答规律。中华鳖对T3菌苗能产生较强的应答反应 ,免疫的二龄鳖PRP可达 82 6± 15 2 (19) % ,IAT达 1978 1± 716 4(19)。它对T3菌苗的免疫效应期为 3天 ,第 2 0天时免疫应答处于高峰 ,IAT与PRP分别为 176 8 0± 44 7 6 (4)与 91 7± 14 4(4) % ,持续 10天左右开始下降 ,到第 3个月左右基本上回复到免疫开始时水平。结论为 :中华鳖的免疫应答反应基本介于鱼类与鸟类之间 ,但较偏向于鸟类。     

大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞体外模型的构建

通过优化Percoll密度梯度离心技术,从大黄鱼 (Larmichthys crocea) 头肾组织中分离纯化巨噬细胞,并优化细胞培养条件。对所分离细胞进行形态学分析、普通光镜和电镜超微结构观察以及细胞功能验证实验。实验结果表明:细胞单层置于22℃无CO2恒温培养箱中,于L15培养基中培养5d后仍保持较高的活力。普通光镜和电镜观察到大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞具有伪足发生和较强的吞噬能力、胞浆中富含线粒体以及吞噬小泡。巨噬细胞与不同浓度(0、0.1、1、20 μg/mL)的脂多糖(LPS,Escherichia coli 055:B5)分别孵育3h和24h。施加LPS刺激后,细胞呼吸暴发活性随LPS浓度以及孵育时间变化而变化。孵育3h后,0.1 μg/mL LPS协同PMA可显著诱导巨噬细胞活性氧中间体(ROI)的产生。孵育24h后,所有处理组LPS协同PMA显著抑制细胞ROI的生成(P 0.05)。未添加PMA时, 经1 μg/mL LPS孵育3h和24h后的巨噬细胞细胞ROI的生成量显著降低(P 0.05), 其他LPS处理组间细胞ROI的生成量无显著差异。       

福州市蔬菜农药残留检测与分析

采用农业行业标准NY/T761-2008检测方法,用气相色谱仪对福州市3家超市和3家农贸市场销售的16个蔬菜品种共60份样品进行有机氯及拟除虫菊酯类农药残留的检测,并根据GB2763 - 2005标准判定检出超标情况.结果表明:农药残留检出率为31.67％;农药残留超标率为3.33％.从蔬菜种类上,白菜类、瓜类的检出率...