Intergeneric protoplast fusion between Kluyveromyces and Saccharomyces cerevisiae – to produce sorbitol from Jerusalem artichokes

The construction of inulin-assimilating and sorbitol-producing fusants was achieved by intergeneric protoplast fusion between Kluyveromyces sp. Y-85 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae E-15. The cells of parental strains were pretreated with 0.1% EDTA (w/v) and 2-mercaptoethanol (0.1%, v/v) and then exposed to 2.0% (w/v) Zymolase at 30 °C for 30–40 min. The optimized fusion condition demonstrated that with the presence of 30% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) and 10 mM CaCl₂ for 30 min, the fusion frequency reached 2.64 fusants/10⁶ parental cells. The fusants were screened by different characters between two parental strains and further identified by DNA contents, inulinase activity and sorbitol productivity. One of the genetically stable fusants, Strain F27, reached a maximal sorbitol production of 4.87 g/100 ml under optimal fermentation condition.     

Human SLC4A11 Is a Novel NH3/H+ Co-transporter

SLC4A11 has been proposed to be an electrogenic membrane transporter, permeable to Na⁺, H⁺ (OH⁻), bicarbonate, borate, and NH₄⁺. Recent studies indicate, however, that neither bicarbonate or borate is a substrate. Here, we examined potential NH₄⁺, Na⁺, and H⁺ contributions to electrogenic ion transport through SLC4A11 stably expressed in Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-deficient PS120 fibroblasts. Inward currents observed during exposure to NH₄Cl were determined by the [NH₃]_o, not [NH₄⁺]_o, and current amplitudes varied with the [H⁺] gradient. These currents were relatively unaffected by removal of Na⁺, K⁺, or Cl⁻ from the bath but could be reduced by inclusion of NH₄Cl in the pipette solution. Bath pH changes alone did not generate significant currents through SLC4A11, except immediately following exposure to NH₄Cl. Reversal potential shifts in response to changing [NH₃]_o and pH_o suggested an NH₃/H⁺-coupled transport mode for SLC4A11. Proton flux through SLC4A11 in the absence of ammonia was relatively small, suggesting that ammonia transport is of more physiological relevance. Methylammonia produced currents similar to NH₃ but with reduced amplitude. Estimated stoichiometry of SLC4A11 transport was 1:2 (NH₃/H⁺). NH₃-dependent currents were insensitive to 10 μm ethyl-isopropyl amiloride or 100 μm 4,4′- diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid. We propose that SLC4A11 is an NH₃/2H⁺ co-transporter exhibiting unique characteristics.     

A comparative cytogenetic study of 17 <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avena</Emphasis> species using Am1 and (GAA)<Subscript>6</Subscript> oligonucleotide FISH probes

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to explore the genomic and species relationships among 17 taxa using Am1 (oligo-Am1) and (GAA)₆ oligonucleotide probes. Oligo-Am1 (51 bp) hybridized strongly over almost the entire length of all chromosomes in the C genome. Six translocations between the A and C genomes were found in AACC tetraploids and AACCDD hexaploids, four minor translocations between the C and D genomes were found in AACCDD hexaploids, and two large translocations between the C and D genomes were found in A. sativa. In the 17 Avena species, (GAA)₆ regions mainly appear as sharp, thin bands at pericentromeric positions in the A, B, and C genomes and at termini in the B genome. However, no (GAA)₆ signal loci were observed in the D genome. The (GAA)₆ signal number was constant in both AA and CC diploids, though with different signal intensities. The (GAA)₆ signal pattern was diverse in AABB, AACC, and AACCDD polyploids, with each species exhibiting one signal pattern. The (GAA)₆ signal number was consistent in diploids and varied in polyploids, describing an intragenomic relationship among Avena species. This study is the first to test these two oligonucleotides, which are based on synthesized repeat units (18–51 bp), in the genus Avena. Our approach paves the way for future studies in which FISH probes can be used to assign other landmark genomic sequence oligonucleotides to physical chromosomes.     

土壤逐渐干旱对菖蒲生长及光合荧光特性的影响

在土壤逐渐干旱过程中,连续测定典型湿地植物菖蒲生长发育状况及叶片叶绿素荧光参数,结果表明:短期内(实验第O-3天)土壤水分含量下降(土壤含水率自53.86％下降至42.6％)有利于菖蒲生长,干旱组菖蒲叶片Fv/ Fm、Yield、qP显著高于对照组(实验期间土壤平均含水率为53.49±0.6％)(P＜0.05),qN则低于对照组;随着土壤进一步干旱(土壤含水率自42.6％下降至18.02％,实验第3-9天),菖蒲叶片qN值则由0迅速上升至0.403,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),Fv/Fm值与对照相比无显著差异(P＞0.05),叶片保持较高的热耗散以维持光合结构PSⅡ保持正常,并能以降低叶片含水率、叶面积(叶片卷曲避光)减少水分蒸腾及降低根系含水率促进水分吸收的方式进行自我保护;随着土壤干旱程度加剧(土壤含水率自18.02％下降至4.5％、实验第9-12天),菖蒲叶片Fv/ Fm、yield、qP值显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),qN值降为0,光合结构PSⅡ受到损坏,第11天、12天,叶片含水率分别降至75.79％和68.78％,此时菖蒲也逐步以自小叶片至大叶片的顺序枯萎衰亡,表明在土壤水分快速下降过程中过高的生物量将不利于菖蒲保持水分,而80％左右的叶片含水率是维持菖蒲存活的临界值.     

Reducing blood glucose level in TIDM mice by orally administering the silk glands of transgenic hIGF-I silkworms

To realize the secretory expression of human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I) in the posterior silk glands (PSGs) of transgenic silkworms, the piggyBac transposon vector pigA3GFP-fibHS-hIGF-i.e.-neo containing a neomycin-resistance gene (neo), green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) and human insulin-like growth factor I (hIGF-I) gene controlled by the Bombyxmori fibroin heavy chain gene (fib-H) promoter with its downstream signal peptide sequence, and a helper plasmid containing the piggyBac transposase sequence under the control of the B. mori actin 3 gene (A3) promoter were transferred into silkworm eggs by sperm-mediated gene transfer. Transformed silkworms were obtained after being screened for green fluorescence and by the antibiotic G418. In the PSGs of the transformed silkworms, a specific band representing hIGF-I could be detected by Western blotting, and the content of the hIGF-I estimated by ELISA was approximately 1.84 μg/gram of cocoon and 19.18 μg/gram of freeze-dried PSG powder. To further estimate the biological activity of the expressed hIGF-I, streptozotocin-induced TIDM mice were orally administered with the PSG powder of the transgenic silkworms, the results showed the blood glucose levels of mice were significantly reduced, suggesting that the the PSGs powder of transgenic hIGF-I silkworms could possibly be used as a perorally administered medicine.     

Design,synthesis and biological activity of cell‐penetrating peptide‐modified octreotide analogs

Four novel octreotide analogs with cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) at the N‐terminus or C‐terminus were synthesized by a stepwise Fmoc solid‐phase synthesis strategy. The synthesized peptides were analyzed and characterized using reverse phase HPLC and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The antiproliferative activity of the analogs was tested in vitro on human gastric (SGC‐7901) and hepatocellular cancer (BEL7402) cell lines using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Interestingly, these analogs showed a higher anticancer activities than the parent octreotide except CMTPT03 analog. The results demonstrate that the designed octreotide analogs enhance their anticancer activity after linking together the CPPs to octreotide at the N‐terminus, and are potential molecules for future use in cancer therapy and drug targeting. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Release of Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 and 9 by S-Nitrosylated Caveolin-1 Contributes to Degradation of Extracellular Matrix in tPA-Treated Hypoxic Endothelial Cells

Intracranial hemorrhage remains the most feared complication in tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis for ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly elucidated. In this study, we reported an important role of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) s-nitrosylation in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9 secretion from tPA-treated ischemic endothelial cells. Brain vascular endothelial cells (bEND3) were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 h before adding recombinant human tPA for 6 h. This treatment induced a significant increase of MMP2 and 9 in the media of bEND3 cells and a simultaneous degradation of fibronectin and laminin β-1, the two main components of extracellular matrix (ECM). Inhibition of MMP2 and 9 with SB-3CT completely blocked the degradation of fibronectin and laminin β-1. ODG+tPA treatment led to Cav-1 shedding from bEND3 cells into the media. Notably, OGD triggered nitric oxide (NO) production and S-nitrosylationof Cav-1 (SNCav-1). Meanwhile tPA induced activation of ERK signal pathway and stimulates the secretion of SNCav-1. Pretreatment of bEND3 cells with C-PTIO (a NO scavenger) or U0126 (a specific ERK inhibitor) significantly reduced OGD-induced S-nitrosylation of Cav-1 in cells and blocked the secretion of Cav-1 and MMP2 and 9 into the media as well as the degradation of fibronectin and laminin β-1 in OGD and tPA-treated cells. These data indicate that OGD-triggered Cav-1 S-nitrosylation interacts with tPA-induced ERK activation to augment MMP2 and 9 secretion and subsequent ECM degradation, which may account for the exacerbation of ischemic blood brain barrier damage following tPA thrombolysis for ischemic stroke.     

避暗反应测定大鼠学习记忆功能方法的探讨

目的 为了提高避暗反应测定动物学习记忆功能的敏感性,本实验对三种实验及统计方法进行了评价。方法 采用IBO致基底前脑胆碱能神经元损伤模型和东莨菪碱所致的记忆障碍模型,对单次简单测试法、多次简单测试法和多次记分测试法的敏感性进行了比较。结果 对于基底前脑损伤模型,单次简单测试法的潜伏期学习记忆指标无法显示出模型组与对照组之间的差异。多次简单测试法两种指标均能显示出显著性差异,且较多次记分测试法的指标差异的显著性高。对于东莨菪碱致痴呆模型,也有同样的效果。结论 多次简单测试法更能敏感地反映动物的学习记忆功能。     

重组人隐花色素蛋白Ι的表达纯化及其在制备放疗保护剂中的应用

放疗是治疗肿瘤的最常用手段之一,为寻找能够保护肿瘤组织周边正常细胞的放疗保护剂,通过原核表达质粒的构建,利用大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)诱导并成功表达出人隐花色素蛋白Ⅰ(h CRY1)。采用包涵体溶解、梯度透析复性、镍柱亲和纯化以及超滤浓缩的蛋白纯化工艺,1 L菌液可收获10-15 mg纯度超过95%的h CRY1。在Ha Ca T细胞中通过细胞DNA损伤修复中所产生的H2A.X foci荧光强度的定量检测,验证了纯化所得的h CRY1具有射线损伤防护功能;通过对经过h CRY1以及对照蛋白处理后的细胞凋亡情况的检测排除了h CRY1的毒副作用对H2A.X foci荧光强度的影响。这些为进一步研究h CRY1提供了便利条件,也为将h CRY1开发成为新的放疗保护剂提供了理论基础。正1中国科学院微生物研究所病原微生物与免疫学重点实验室,北京1001012安徽大学生命科学学院,安徽合肥2306013中山大学肿瘤防治中心华南肿瘤学国家重点实验室,广东广州5100604四川省肿瘤医院·研究所肿瘤内科,四川成都6140005广州达博生物制品有限公司广东省肿瘤靶向治疗新药研发企业重点实验室,广东广州510663     

HIV-1 p24 DNA和P24蛋白联合免疫小鼠的效果

DNA疫苗能够诱导机体产生特异的细胞免疫和体液免疫反应,在肿瘤和感染性疾病的疫苗开发中显示出巨大的潜能。以HIV-1核心蛋白P24为抗原基因,构建pVAX1-p24 DNA,经Western blotting和动物活体成像检测证明,pVAX1 DNA携带的外源基因可以在293T 细胞和小鼠肌肉组织有效表达。采用不同的免疫策略免疫BALB/c小鼠 (DNA/DNA,DNA/Protein),实验结果表明：pVAX1-p24单独免疫BALB/c小鼠,可诱导明显的体液免疫及细胞免疫反应;pVAX1-p24与P24蛋白联合免疫诱导的体液免疫反应高于pVAX1-p24单独免疫,所获得的抗体滴度是单独免疫的7.3~8.0倍,但细胞免疫反应则不及单独免疫组。研究结果表明采取不同的免疫策略可以诱导产生不同的免疫反应,根据具体情况调整免疫策略将获得更好的免疫效果。这些研究为艾滋病疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。