Expression patterns and association analysis of the porcine DHX58 gene

RIG-1 signalling is responsible for the detection of cytoplasmic viral RNA molecules. DEXH (Asp-Glu-X-His) box polypeptide 58 (encoded by DHX58) is a negative regulator of the RIG-1 signalling pathway. In human, the DHX58 gene can be upregulated and can inhibit the RIG-1 signalling pathway during viral infection. In this study, porcine DHX58 gene expression patterns were studied. According to our results, the porcine DHX58 gene was upregulated not only by the stimulation of Poly I:C but also by the stimulation of 1ipopolysaccharides (LPS). One polymorphism (g.4919G>C), detected in the ninth intron, was significantly associated with some blood parameters including the red cell distribution width of 1-day-old pigs and white blood cell counts, lymphocyte absolute counts, and platelet distribution width of 17-day-old pigs (P < 0.05). Moreover, the individuals with the genotype GG have a significantly higher mean white blood cell count than individuals with genotype CC or GC (P < 0.05). Our study indicates that DHX58 is an important gene that is associated with the immune response in swine.     

Inhibition of myeloid differentiation by inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation

Inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation inhibited the myeloid differentiation of murine myelomonocytic leukemia, WEHI-3BD+ cells induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Benzamide, at 2.0 mM, inhibited 50% of the WEHI-3BD+ cell differentiation but had no significant effect on the proliferation. However, benzylaminododecylguanine hydrochloride and p-methoxylbenzylaminodecamethylene guanidine sulfate at 2.0 and 2.2 microM, respectively, inhibited 50% of proliferation but had no effect at all on differentiation. The differential effects of inhibitors provide a model to study the role of ADP-ribosylation in myeloid differentiation.     

Stimulation of the protein synthetic process by adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and hexose phosphates in gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates.

The addition of 0.167 to 4.0 mM cAMP to gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates stimulates the initial rate and the extent of polypeptide synthesis. The stimulation is at the initiation step of polypeptide synthesis as measured by the (i) increased dipeptide, methionyl-valine, accumulation in the presence of the specific initiation inhibitor, pactamycin, and (ii) increased formation of the 40 S and 80 S initiation complex when gel-filtered lysates are incubated with [35S]Met-tRNAFMet. Furthermore, a synergistic stimulation of protein synthesis is observed when cAMP and hexose phosphates (which alone elicit a 1.8-fold stimulation of protein synthesis) are added simultaneously to gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates. These results indicate that cAMP and hexose phosphates are both essential to maintain the high rate of initiation.     

Active compounds in Populus nigra L. wilted leaves responsible for attracting Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae) and new agaropectin formulation

Abstract:  The leaf extracts of Populus nigra were collected and identified by steam distillation, air entrainment and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis. Electroantennograms were recorded from Helicoverpa armigera adults in response to the chemicals identified. Both aromatic compounds and green-leaf volatiles elicited strong responses. Field experiments revealed that the active compounds responsible for attracting H. armigera moths are mainly short-side-chain aromatic alcohols and aldehydes. We, for the first time, used agaropectin as the controlled-release matrix of insect attractants. A five-component lure containing all the aromatics without phenolics, mixed in the proportions as found in the steam distillate of the leaves collected in August, produced the best trap catch. The results showed that the volatiles of wilted leaves of P. nigra can attract H. armigera adults by feeding attraction.