Ligand modulates VDR-Ser/Thr protein phosphatase interaction and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation in a cell-context-dependent manner

We have recently shown that in colon cancer cells, Vitamin D receptor (VDR) interacts with the catalytic subunit of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, PP1c and PP2Ac, and induces their enzymatic activity in a ligand-dependent manner. The VDR-PP1c and VDR-PP2Ac interactions were ligand independent in vivo, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3))-mediated increase in VDR-associated phosphatase activity resulted in dephosphorylation and inactivation of p70S6 kinase in colon cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that in myeloid leukemia cells, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment increased the Thr389 phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase. Accordingly, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) decreased VDR-associated Ser/Thr protein phosphatase activity by dissociating VDR-PP1c and VDR-PP2Ac interactions. Further, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) increased the association between VDR and Thr389 phosphorylated p70S6 kinase. Finally, by using non-secosteroidal VDR ligands, we demonstrate a separation between transactivation and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation activities of VDR and show pharmacologically that p70S6 kinase phosphorylation correlates with HL-60 cell differentiation.     

Characterization of the 3a protein of SARS-associated coronavirus in infected vero E6 cells and SARS patients

Proteomics was used to identify a protein encoded by ORF 3a in a SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Immuno-blotting revealed that interchain disulfide bonds might be formed between this protein and the spike protein. ELISA indicated that sera from SARS patients have significant positive reactions with synthesized peptides derived from the 3a protein. These results are concordant with that of a spike protein-derived peptide. A tendency exists for co-mutation between the 3a protein and the spike protein of SARS-CoV isolates, suggesting that the function of the 3a protein correlates with the spike protein. Taken together, the 3a protein might be tightly correlated to the spike protein in the SARS-CoV functions. The 3a protein may serve as a new clinical marker or drug target for SARS treatment.     

Antibacterial prenylflavone derivatives from Psoralea corylifolia, and their structure-activity relationship study

Three new prenylflavonoids, namely corylifols A-C (1-3), together with 13 known ones, were isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All the isolates were tested on antibacterial assays, and nine of them showed significant antibacterial activities against two pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. The antibacterial structure-activity relationship of these prenylflavonoids (1-16) was also briefly discussed.     

Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates Gli3 processing, mesenchymal proliferation, and differentiation during mouse lung organogenesis

Lack of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, mediated by the Gli proteins, leads to severe pulmonary hypoplasia. However, the precise role of Gli genes in lung development is not well established. We show Shh signaling prevents Gli3 proteolysis to generate its repressor forms (Gli3R) in the developing murine lung. In Shh(-/-) or cyclopamine-treated wild-type (WT) lung, we found that Gli3R level is elevated, and this upregulation appears to contribute to defects in proliferation and differentiation observed in the Shh(-/-) mesenchyme, where Gli3 is normally expressed. In agreement, we found Shh(-/-);Gli3(-/-) lungs exhibit enhanced growth potential. Vasculogenesis is also enhanced; in contrast, bronchial myogenesis remains absent in Shh(-/-);Gli3(-/-) compared with Shh(-/-) lungs. Genes upregulated in Shh(-/-);Gli3(-/-) relative to Shh(-/-) lung include Wnt2 and, surprisingly, Foxf1 whose expression has been reported to be Shh-dependent. Cyclins D1, D2, and D3 antibody labelings also reveal distinct expression patterns in the normal and mutant lungs. We found significant repression of Tbx2 and Tbx3, both linked to inhibition of cellular senescence, in Shh(-/-) and partial derepression in Shh(-/-); Gli3(-/-) lungs, while Tbx4 and Tbx5 expressions are less affected in the mutants. Our findings shed light on the role of Shh signaling on Gli3 processing in lung growth and differentiation by regulating several critical genes.     

Impaired host defense to infection and Toll-like receptor 2-independent killing of Borrelia burgdorferi clinical isolates in TLR2-deficient C3H/HeJ mice

To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated signaling in host innate defense and development of Lyme disease, the pathogenicity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto clinical isolates representing two distinct genotypes (RST1 and RST3A) was assessed in TLR2(-/-) C3H/HeJ mice. All TLR2(-/-) mice infected with a B. burgdorferi RST1 isolate developed severe arthritis. The numbers of spirochetes in heart, joint and ear biopsy specimens were significantly higher in TLR2(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice similarly infected as determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Interestingly, despite the higher spirochete levels in heart tissues, milder carditis was observed in TLR2(-/-) than in wild-type mice infected with this RST1 isolate (P=0.02). By contrast, no positive cultures were obtained from any of the blood and tissue specimens from TLR2(-/-) mice inoculated with two RST3A clinical isolates. The data suggest that there is impaired host innate defense against infection and TLR2-independent killing of B. burgdorferi clinical isolates in TLR2-deficient C3H/HeJ mice.     

小鼠胚泡黏附时子宫内膜nm23-M1/NDPK A的表达

nm23家族除与肿瘤转移抑制有关,它还参与调节正常细胞的发育、增殖、分化及凋亡等过程。运用RT-PCR、Western blot 和免疫组织化学技术,分析小鼠胚泡黏附时子宫内膜着床点和着床旁组织nm23-M1/NDPK A 的表达,以未交配鼠作对照,为进一步阐明胚泡着床的机制提供有意义的实验依据。RT-PCR 结果显示,小鼠胚泡黏附时子宫内膜nm23-M1/NDPK A mRNA 表达明显高于对照组,并且着床点明显高于着床旁,Western blot 和免疫组织化学分析nm23-M1/NDPK A 蛋白表达,也得到一致的结果。提示nm23-M1/NDPK A 参与胚泡着床这一重要生命活动过程。     

铜陵市狮子山铜尾矿废弃地生态恢复过程中植被演替规律

通过对铜陵市狮子山铜尾矿废弃地植被的实地调查,探讨了该废弃地的植被状况及其植被恢复过程中的植物群落形成与演替的一般规律与特征.结果表明:目前废弃地入侵、定居植物共49种,隶属于15科38属,主要包括菊科(12种)、禾本科(11种)、豆科(8种)等.极端贫瘠和过高的重金属含量(特别是Cu、Cd,平均超出对照土样的20～30倍)是限制植物在废弃地定居的主要因素.全部植物中,一、二年生草本植物26种,多年生草本植物20种.风播种子和果实是废弃地植物繁殖体的主要来源.尾矿废弃地植物群落形成具有先锋植物的入侵、定居、群聚和竞争等过程,共形成了14种相对稳定的小群落,包括单优势种群落、次优势种群落和共优势种群落三种类型.伴随着尾矿废弃地植物群落的形成与演替,群落中物种丰富度增大,多样性指数呈增加趋势,而群落内植物种综合优势比间的差值趋于减小.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 4-alkylamino-1-hydroxymethylimidazo[1,2-a]quinoxalines as adenosine A(1) receptor antagonists

A series of 4-alkylamino-1-hydroxymethylimidazo[1,2-a]quinoxalines have been synthesized and evaluated for their adenosine A(1) receptor inhibitory activity in the radioligand binding assays. The compounds were tested for the inhibition percent (IP) and the affinity toward A(1)AR (K(i)) that IP were more than 90% in the nanomolar range. 4-Cyclopentylamino-7,8-dichloro-1-hydroxymethylimidazo[1,2-a]quinoxaline 18 is the most potent compound in this series, having K(i)=7nM, which is remarkably higher than that of IRFI-165 (K(i)=48). 1-Hydroxymethyl groups of the tricyclic heteroarmatic compounds displayed the potent affinities toward A(1)AR.     

胎儿肺脏来源间充质干细胞的鉴定与损伤修复的实验研究

目的 :为研究胎儿肺脏来源间充质干细胞的生物学性状 ,表型和多向分化能力。方法 :取胎龄为 4～ 5个月水囊引产胎儿 ,将肺脏细胞在SF(含 2 %FBS)培养基中培养。测定生长曲线、利用流式细胞仪对培养细胞进行表型测定 ,细胞周期分析 ,体外诱导分化实验。NOD SCID鼠放射损伤后 ,尾静脉输入经PKH2 6染色的间充质干细胞 ,两个月后检测外源细胞在肺脏的定植情况。结果 :从胎儿肺脏可培养出间充质干细胞 ,并可诱导成骨、软骨和脂肪细胞分化 ;移植两个月后可以检测到外源细胞在肺脏的定植。结论 :从胎儿肺脏可分离培养出间充质干细胞 ,在体外有效扩增且保持其低分化状态 ;间充质干细胞可以在肺脏长时间定植。     

分子佐剂C3d3增强hCGβ蛋白疫苗免疫原性及其抗血清中和hCG生物学活性的作用

本文观察分子佐剂C3d3增强hCGβ蛋白避孕疫苗体液免疫效力的能力。采用分子生物学技术以phCMV1为载体分别构建分泌型、带有6个组氨酸纯化标签的真核表达质粒phCMV1-6His-hCGβ-C3d3和phCMV1-6His-hCGβ,在CHO细胞中获得重组蛋白的稳定、高效表达,并用镍柱和凝胶过滤层析对其进行分离、纯化。分别用hCGβ-C3d3融合蛋白、hCGβ 弗氏佐剂和单用hCGβ免疫生育期雌性BALB／c小鼠,共免疫两次,间隔4周。ELISA测定血清中抗hCGβ抗体滴度,并对各组小鼠产生的抗血清中和hCG生物学活性的能力进行比较。结果表明hCGβ单独免疫组在加强免疫后才见抗体生成,其抗体滴度比hCGβ-C3d3融合蛋白免疫组低1995倍,C3d3的佐剂能力是弗氏佐剂的10倍(初次免疫)-32倍(再次免疫),并且hCGβ-C3d3融合蛋白免疫小鼠产生的抗血清具有很强的中和hCG生物学活性的作用。实验证明通过分子佐剂C3d3可以大幅提高机体对hCGβ的体液免疫应答能力。