Glycometabolism regulates hepatitis C virus release

HCV cell-culture system uses hepatoma-derived cell lines for efficient virus propagation. Tumor cells cultured in glucose undergo active aerobic glycolysis, but switch to oxidative phosphorylation for energy production when cultured in galactose. Here, we investigated whether modulation of glycolysis in hepatocytes affects HCV infection. We showed HCV release, but not entry, genome replication or virion assembly, is significantly blocked when cells are cultured in galactose, leading to accumulation of intracellular infectious virions within multivesicular body (MVB). Blockade of the MVB-lysosome fusion or treatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines promotes HCV release in galactose. Furthermore, we found this glycometabolic regulation of HCV release is mediated by MAPK-p38 phosphorylation. Finally, we showed HCV cell-to-cell transmission is not affected by glycometabolism, suggesting that HCV cell-to-supernatant release and cell-to-cell transmission are two mechanistically distinct pathways. In summary, we demonstrated glycometabolism regulates the efficiency and route of HCV release. We proposed HCV may exploit the metabolic state in hepatocytes to favor its spread through the cell-to-cell transmission in vivo to evade immune response.     

Reduced apoptosis and ameliorated listeriosis in TRAIL-null mice

Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Although it is well recognized that apoptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the molecular mechanisms of cell death in listeriosis remain to be established. We report in this study that mice deficient in TRAIL were partially resistant to primary listeriosis, and blocking TRAIL with a soluble death receptor 5 markedly ameliorated the disease. The numbers of Listeria in the liver and spleen of TRAIL+/+ mice were 10-100 times greater than those in TRAIL-/- mice following primary Listeria infection. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the survival rate of TRAIL-/- mice. Lymphoid and myeloid cell death was significantly inhibited in TRAIL-/- mice, which led to marked enlargement of the spleen. These results establish a critical role for TRAIL in apoptosis during listeriosis.     

Stereochemical mechanisms of tRNA methyltransferases

Methylation of tRNA on the four canonical bases adds structural complexity to the molecule, and improves decoding specificity and efficiency. While many tRNA methylases are known, detailed insight into the catalytic mechanism is only available in a few cases. Of interest among all tRNA methylases is the structural basis for nucleotide selection, by which the specificity is limited to a single site, or broadened to multiple sites. General themes in catalysis include the basis for rate acceleration at highly diverse nucleophilic centers for methyl transfer, using S-adenosylmethionine as a cofactor. Studies of tRNA methylases have also yielded insights into molecular evolution, particularly in the case of enzymes that recognize distinct structures to perform identical reactions at the same target nucleotide.     

Artificial synthesis of interspecific chimeras between tuber mustard (Brassica juncea) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and cytological analysis

Interspecific chimeras between tuber mustard and red cabbage were obtained by in vitro graft-culture method. Before grafting, 6-day-old seedlings of tuber mustard and red cabbage were vertically half-cut and treated with different concentrations of 6-BA and NAA for 1 min, then, they were symmetrically fit together. As a result, sectorial chimeras were initially produced from the united shoot tips. The maximum frequency of chimeral bud formation reached 6.33% when the vertical sections of tuber mustard and cabbage were treated with 2 mg/l 6-BA and 1 mg/l NAA. When sectorial chimeras were propagated on MS medium containing 1 mg/l 6-BA, periclinal and mericlinal chimeras gradually developed. Chimeral shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium containing 0.1 mg/l NAA. The rooted chimeras were acclimatized and transferred to the field for cytological and morphological analysis. The results showed that stomata density in the chimeras was significantly higher than that of their parents, while chloroplast size, starch grain size and number were intermediate between the two parents. The chimeras were further analyzed by flow cytometry, and the results indicated that they contained both sets of parental chromosomes. Moreover, chimeral plants possessed valuable characters from the two parents.     

基于网络层次分析法的酵母转化实验策略优化

结合建立的酵母转化实验影响指标体系,利用网络层次分析法(ANP)解决了酵母转化实验策略优化的问题．通过对已有成果进行研究总结,结合前期基础实验以及 对该领域专家学者的咨询意见,建立了酵母转化实验影响指标体系,并基于管理学的ANP理论对实验方法进行了两两比较,分析得出电击穿孔为最优酵母转化方法．实验表明,利用脂质体法得到的转化子为31个/μg质粒DNA,利用电击穿孔法在电压为2.0 kV、1.5 kV时得到的转化子分别为37、29个/μg 质粒DNA,说明电击穿孔实验转化率相对较高,且电压的改变对转化率影响较大,与指标体系分析结果相符．故该指标体系与分析方法可为毕赤酵母转化实验策略优化提供有效的理论依据,其思路、体系、理论和方法可为同类实验所借鉴．     

Neonatal vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.Efficacious vaccination...     

樱桃李核仁油脂肪酸组成分析

采用气相色谱法及气相色谱-质谱联机技术,对樱桃李Prunus divaricata Ldb.核仁油中的脂肪酸进行了定量、定性分析.其脂肪酸组成为油酸66.3%、亚油酸25.6%、棕榈酸5.6%、硬脂酸1.4%,不饱和脂肪酸油酸和亚油酸的总量占91.9%,该油有较高的营养价值.     

切断海马伞对大鼠硬性脑挫伤后运动行为恢复的影响

硬性挫伤运动皮层诱发大鼠偏瘫及其随后的行为代偿是研究中枢神经可塑性的一个理想模型。本工作观察了切断海马伞对脑挫伤后行为恢复的影响。结果表明：与对照组相比,(1)切断海马伞—穹隆通路明显延缓了大鼠运动平衡能力的恢复;(2)切断海马伞—穹隆通路后,银杏类黄酮(FGb)失去了促进脑挫伤后运动平衡能力恢复的作用;(3)原位杂交显示,脑损伤后海马DG(齿状回)和CA3区中生长相关蛋白(GAP—43)mRNA的水平明显提高;(4)FGb促进脑损伤后海马DG和CA3区中的GAP—43mRNA水平的上调。这些信息提示,海马参与脑硬性挫伤后的运动代偿,FGb促进脑损伤后的运动行为的恢复可能与海马相关[动物学报49(2)：211-217,2003]。     

豆突眼长蝽发育起点温度和有效积温的研究

在恒温条件下 ,观察了不同温度对豆突眼长蝽ChauliopsfallaxScott生长发育的影响 ,用直接最优法和直线回归法分析数据 ,结果表明直接最优法能较好地反应实际情况。卵、1～ 5龄若虫和整个若虫期的发育起点温度分别为 7 98℃ ,7 1 6℃ ,6 5 3℃ ,8 81℃ ,6 75℃ ,8 2 7℃和 7 5 0℃ ,有效积温分别为85 8,60 8,5 2 0 ,71 4,1 0 1 5 ,66 3和 3 5 3 0日·度 ,发育速率最大时的温度分别为 3 4 84℃ ,3 4 48℃ ,3 4 1 6℃ ,3 4 1 2℃ ,3 4 75℃ ,3 5 1 1℃和 3 3 65℃。     

外源甜菜碱对干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗膜脂过氧化作用的影响

用PEG4000溶液对小麦（Triticum aestivum L.heimang)幼苗进行胁迫处理和加入外源甜菜碱（Betaine)作同样处理,6、12、18和24h测定生理变化。结果表明,与对照相比,外源甜菜碱导致小麦幼苗叶片含水量下降,相对膜透性增大,MDA含量升高,SOD和POD活性先降后增,同时脯氨酸大量积累。说明外源甜菜碱对小麦幼苗受伤害程度有明显加深作用。