Poly (l-lysine) based semi-interpenetrating polymer network as pH-responsive hydrogel for controlled release of a model protein drug streptokinase

With the aim of developing a pH-sensitive controlled drug release system, a poly (L-lysine) (PLL) based cationic semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) has been synthesized. This cationic hydrogel was designed to swell at lower pH and de-swell at higher pH and therefore be applicable for achieving regulated drug release at a specific pH range. In addition to the pH sensitivity, this hydrogel was anticipated to interact with an ionic drug, providing another means to regulate the release rate of ionic drugs. This semi-IPN hydrogel was prepared using a free-radical polymerization method and by crosslinking of the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-methacrylate polymer through the PLL network. The two polymers were penetrated with each other via interpolymer complexation to yield the semi-IPN structures. The PLL hydrogel thus prepared showed dynamic swelling/de-swelling behavior in response to pH change, and such a behavior was influenced by both the concentrations of PLL and PEG-methacrylate. Drug release from this semi-IPN hydrogel was also investigated using a model protein drug, streptokinase. Streptokinase release was found to be dependent on its ionic interaction with the PLL backbones as well as on the swelling of the semi-IPN hydrogel. These results suggest that a PLL semi-IPN hydrogel could potentially be used as a drug delivery platform to modulate drug release by pH-sensitivity and ionic interaction.     

Generation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio anguillarum</Emphasis> Ghost by Coexpression of PhiX 174 Lysis <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis> gene and Staphylococcal Nuclease <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> Gene

Vibrio anguillarum ghosts (VAG) were generated, for the first time, using a conjugation vector containing a ghost bacteria inducing cassette, pRK-λP_R-cI-Elysis, in which the expression of PhiX174 lysis gene E was controlled by the P _R /cI regulatory system of lambda phage. By scanning electron microscopy, holes ranging 80–200 nm in diameter were observed in the VAG. To avoid the presence of bacterial genomic DNA and an antibiotic resistance gene in the final VAG product, we constructed a new dual vector, pRK-λP_R-cI-E-SNA, containing the E-mediated lysis cassette and the staphylococcal nuclease A (SNA)-mediated DNA degradation cassette, and generated safety-enhanced VAG for use as a fish vaccine.     

干预措施对噪声污染大鼠脑组织基因表达及去甲肾上腺素水平的影响

为了探索干预措施对噪声污染大鼠脑组织基因表达水平的影响, 将50只SPF级Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组、噪声污染组(分为30、60、80 dB三个组)、干预组(利血平+80 dB), 每组10只动物。每天刺激1次, 每次刺激30 min, 连续刺激15 d。第16天解剖出脑组织用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测基因表达水平。结果发现, 噪声污染组大脑前额叶皮质(PFC)和海马(Hipp)组织中去甲肾上腺素(noradrenaline,NA)水平比对照组分别升高了22.87%、50.35%、94.65%和 12.00%、31.76%、61.83%; 干预组NA水平比对照组分别降低了33.66%和52.06%; 去甲肾上腺素转运蛋白(noradrenaline transporter, NAt)水平比对照组分别升高了22.87%、50.35%、94.65%和12.00%、31.76%、61.83%, 干预组NAt水平比对照组分别降低了33.66%和52.06%; 脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)水平比对照组分别升高了24.87%、39.27%、67.41%和44.97%、80.81%、95.84%, 干预组BDNF水平比对照组分别升高了16.36%和14.34%, 升高程度明显低于噪声污染组; 酪氨酸激酶受体B(Tyrosine kinase B, TrkB)水平比对照组分别升高了32.64%、59.95%、82.64%和31.02%、57.31%、80.23%, 干预组TrkB水平比对照组分别升高了4.75%和10.52%, 升高程度明显低于噪声污染组。结果显示, 噪声污染使动物体内去甲肾上腺素等水平升高, 去甲肾上腺素是噪声污染引起组织器官损伤的主要因素, 脑源性神经营养因子和酪氨酸激酶受体B防止神经元受损死亡, 改善神经元的病理状态, 利血平使去甲肾上腺素耗竭, 保护组织器官免受噪声污染的损伤。     

miRNA-20a促进卵巢癌细胞OVCAR3的转移

目的检测miRNA．20a对卵巢癌细胞系OVCAR3转移能力的影响。方法通过实时定量RT-PCR验证反义寡核苷酸与小干扰RNA封闭与过表达的效果,然后利用MTF、软琼脂集落形成和transwell侵袭实验检测封闭和过表达miRNA．20a对OVCAR3细胞增殖及转移能力的影响。结果封闭内源性miRNA-20a后,细胞活性基本不受影响,但集落形成能力和细胞的转移能力明显降低。过表达miRNA-20a后,细胞活性基本不受影响,但集落形成能力和细胞的转移能力明显升高。结论miRNA-20a可能参与了卵巢癌细胞OVCAR3的转移。     

Mitochondrial membrane potential regulates PINK1 import and proteolytic destabilization by PARL

PINK1 is a mitochondrial kinase mutated in some familial cases of Parkinson's disease. It has been found to work in the same pathway as the E3 ligase Parkin in the maintenance of flight muscles and dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster and to recruit cytosolic Parkin to mitochondria to mediate mitophagy in mammalian cells. Although PINK1 has a predicted mitochondrial import sequence, its cellular and submitochondrial localization remains unclear in part because it is rapidly degraded. In this study, we report that the mitochondrial inner membrane rhomboid protease presenilin-associated rhomboid-like protein (PARL) mediates cleavage of PINK1 dependent on mitochondrial membrane potential. In the absence of PARL, the constitutive degradation of PINK1 is inhibited, stabilizing a 60-kD form inside mitochondria. When mitochondrial membrane potential is dissipated, PINK1 accumulates as a 63-kD full-length form on the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it can recruit Parkin to impaired mitochondria. Thus, differential localization to the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes appears to regulate PINK1 stability and function.     

Nicotianamine,a Novel Enhancer of Rice Iron Bioavailability to Humans

Background

Polished rice is a staple food for over 50% of the world''s population, but contains little bioavailable iron (Fe) to meet human needs. Thus, biofortifying the rice grain with novel promoters or enhancers of Fe utilization would be one of the most effective strategies to prevent the high prevalence of Fe deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the developing world.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We transformed an elite rice line cultivated in Southern China with the rice nicotianamine synthase gene (OsNAS1) fused to a rice glutelin promoter. Endosperm overexpression of OsNAS1 resulted in a significant increase in nicotianamine (NA) concentrations in both unpolished and polished grain. Bioavailability of Fe from the high NA grain, as measured by ferritin synthesis in an in vitro Caco-2 cell model that simulates the human digestive system, was twice as much as that of the control line. When added at 1∶1 molar ratio to ferrous Fe in the cell system, NA was twice as effective when compared to ascorbic acid (one of the most potent known enhancers of Fe bioavailability) in promoting more ferritin synthesis.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that NA is a novel and effective promoter of iron utilization. Biofortifying polished rice with this compound has great potential in combating global human iron deficiency in people dependent on rice for their sustenance.     

渗透胁迫调节的转基因表达对植物抗旱耐盐性的影响

干旱和盐渍是影响植物生长和农作物产量的最重要的环境因子,本文综述了近年来通过超量表达低分子量化合物和渗透肋迫保护蛋白等获得抗旱耐盐转基因植物的报道,旨在系统阐述转基因表达对植物抗旱耐盐性的影响。