Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen disrupts lysosome clustering by translocating human Vam6p from the cytoplasm to the nucleus

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) has been recently described as the cause for most human Merkel cell carcinomas. MCV is similar to simian virus 40 (SV40) and encodes a nuclear large T (LT) oncoprotein that is usually mutated to eliminate viral replication among tumor-derived MCV. We identified the hVam6p cytoplasmic protein involved in lysosomal processing as a novel interactor with MCV LT but not SV40 LT. hVam6p binds through its clathrin heavy chain homology domain to a unique region of MCV LT adjacent to the retinoblastoma binding site. MCV LT translocates hVam6p to the nucleus, sequestering it from involvement in lysosomal trafficking. A naturally occurring, tumor-derived mutant LT (MCV350) lacking a nuclear localization signal binds hVam6p but fails to inhibit hVam6p-induced lysosomal clustering. MCV has evolved a novel mechanism to target hVam6p that may contribute to viral uncoating or egress through lysosomal processing during virus replication.     

Flanking V and J sequences of complementary determining region 3 of T cell receptor (TCR) δ1 (CDR3δ1) determine the structure and function of TCRγ4δ1

The γδ T cell receptor (TCR) differs from immunoglobulin and αβ TCR in its overall binding mode. In human, genes δ1, δ2, and δ3 are used for TCRδ chains. Previously, we have studied antigen binding determinants of TCRδ2 derived from dominant γδ T cells residing in peripheral blood. In this study we have investigated the critical determinants for antigen recognition and TCR function in TCRδ1 originated from gastric tumor-infiltrating γδ T lymphocytes using three independent experimental strategies including complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of TCRδ1 (CDR3δ1)-peptide mediated binding, CDR3δ1-grafted TCR fusion protein-mediated binding, and TCRγ4δ1- and mutant-expressing cell-mediated binding. All three approaches consistently showed that the conserved flanking V and J sequences but not the diverse D segment in CDR3δ1 determine the antigen binding. Most importantly, we found that mutations in the V and J regions of CDR3δ1 also abolish the assembly of TCR and TCR-CD3 complexes in TCRγ4δ1-transduced J.RT3-T3.5 cells. Together with our previous studies on CDR3δ2 binding, our finding suggests that both human TCRδ1 and TCRδ2 recognize antigen predominately via flanking V and J regions. These results indicate that TCRγδ recognizes antigens using conserved parts in their CDR3, which provides an explanation for a diverse repertoire of γδTCRs only recognizing a limited number of antigens.     

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 is involved in glucose toxicity through SIRT1 modulation in HepG2 hepatocytes

Accelerated glucose metabolism leads to oxidative stress and DNA damage in cells; these effects are related to glucose toxicity. The precise mechanisms of glucose toxicity are still unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanism of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), which is a DNA repair enzyme activated by high‐glucose‐induced oxidative stress, and its effect on glucose toxicity in HepG2 hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were cultured under normal (5.5 mM) or high (30 mM) glucose conditions for 4 days. PJ34, which is an inhibitor of PARP1, was used to determine the downstream effects of PARP1 activation. PARP1 activity in 30 mM‐glucose‐treated cells was more than that in 5.5 mM‐glucose‐treated cells, and the activity correlated with the increase in ROS generation and DNA damage. PJ34 suppressed PARP1 activation and prevented the high‐glucose‐induced suppression of SIRT1 and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which was similar to its effect on the restoration of intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) content. Further, the phosphorylation of insulin receptor was attenuated in response to insulin stimulation under high glucose conditions, and PJ34 could reverse this effect. The results of transfection of HepG2 cells with PARP1 small interfering RNA were similar to those obtained by treatment of the cells with PARP1 inhibitor PJ34. These data suggest that high‐glucose‐induced PARP1 activation might play a role in glucose toxicity by down‐regulating SIRT1 and AMPK activity through NAD depletion and resulting in insulin insensitivity. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 299–306, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Classifying DNA assembly protocols for devising cellular architectures

DNA assembly is one of the most fundamental techniques in synthetic biology. Efficient methods can turn traditional DNA cloning into time-saving and higher efficiency practice, which is a foundation to accomplish the dreams of synthetic biologists for devising cellular architectures, reprogramming cellular behaviors, or creating synthetic cells. In this review, typical strategies of DNA assembly are discussed with special emphasis on the assembly of long and multiple DNA fragments into intact plasmids or assembled compositions. Constructively, all reported strategies were categorized into in vivo and in vitro types, and protocols are presented in a functional and practice-oriented way in order to portray the general nature of DNA assembly applications. Significantly, a five-step blueprint is proposed for devising cell architectures that produce valuable chemicals.     

NaCl胁迫下哈茨木霉ACCC32524的转录组和代谢组分析

【目的】通过分析NaCl胁迫下哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)ACCC32524转录组和代谢组数据,研究差异表达基因及次级代谢产物的变化情况,初步探索响应NaCl胁迫的分子机制。【方法】利用Illumina HiSeq XTen高通量测序平台完成0、0.4、0.6 mol/L NaCl浓度胁迫培养下哈茨木霉ACCC32524的转录组测序,GC-TOF-MS技术完成对0mol/L和0.6mol/LNaCl胁迫培养下的差异次级代谢产物检测,利用相关软件及数据库对差异表达基因(DEGs)和次级代谢产物的注释、筛选和分类,并进行RT-qPCR验证。【结果】本研究分别得到0.4 mol/L和0.6 mol/L NaCl胁迫下417和733条差异表达基因;GO富集分析显示,分别有318和582条差异表达基因注释到生物学过程、分子功能和细胞组分3个一级分类和40个二级分类;COG分类结果表明分别有232和414条转录本为20个类别,涉及差异表达基因最多的分别为氨基酸的转运和代谢、一般功能预测、碳水化合物的转运和代谢;KEGG代谢途径分析结果表明,分别有75和96条基因归到25个代谢通路中(P≤0.05),其中涉及差异基因最多的是氨基酸的生物合成和2-氧代羧酸代谢通路。从转录组数据中共筛选出与渗透调节、离子转运、活性氧清除等22个耐盐相关基因。0 mol/L和0.6 mol/L NaCl胁迫下的代谢组数据中共筛选出101个差异次级代谢产物,包括8种积累量上调和93种下调物质,其中36个得到定性,分属于糖类、有机酸和氨基酸等9个分类中。RT-qPCR验证挑选的差异表达基因的表达量变化,均与RNA-seq分析结果一致。【结论】NaCl胁迫下引起哈茨木霉ACCC32524基因及次级代谢产物发生明显变化,细胞代谢途径发生明显偏移,这些进程共同作用减少NaCl对细胞的毒害作用,为木霉菌的耐盐机理研究提供重要信息。     

趋化因子SD-1及其受体CXCR4在卵巢癌中的研究进展

基质细胞衍生因子-1(Stromal cell derived factor-1,SDF-1)是CXC趋化因子家族的重要成员,系统命名为CXCL12,能与它的唯一受体CXC趋化因子受体-4(CXC chemokine receptor-4,CXCR4)形成CXCL12-CXCR4生物学轴,CXCL12-CXCR4生物学轴在肿瘤生长、侵袭、转移过程中发生重要作用。到目前为止,已发现CXCL12-CXCR4在卵巢癌、胰腺癌、肝癌等多种肿瘤组织中表达。然而,国内目前还没有关于CXCL12-CXCR4与卵巢癌关系的相关综述,本文将从趋化因子CXCL12及其受体CXCR4,CXCL12/CXCR4轴与卵巢癌细胞系实验研究,CXCL12-CXCR4轴与卵巢癌的临床研究,CXCL12/CXCR4与卵巢癌预后,CXCL12/CXCR4与卵巢癌治疗展望等五个方面对CXCL12-CXCR4生物轴与卵巢癌的关系,及其在卵巢癌治疗中的应用展开综述。     

Failure of DNA barcoding in discriminating Calligonum species

We tested the effectiveness of four DNA barcoding markers (rbcL, matK, ITS and trnLF region) for land plants in identifying Calligonum species. High quality sequences were obtained for rbcL, matK and trnLF with the universal primers whereas ITS sequences were of poor quality. RbcL and matK were highly conservative and failed in species discrimination. When rbcL, matK and trnLF were combined, the species resolution was up to 6.25%. Low sequence variation resulted in poorly resolved tree topologies. Among the sixteen sampled species, only three were recovered as a monophyletic group. Our results show that although DNA barcoding is an important tool for species identification, it fails in discriminating Calligonum species. Further research will be needed to develop markers capable to discriminate species in this taxonomy complicated and recently diverged genus.     

Effect of Dietary Nickel Chloride on Splenic Immune Function in Broilers

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary nickel chloride (NiCl₂) on the splenic immunity in broilers by observing changes of cytokine mRNA expression and protein levels, immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) contents, and IgA⁺ B cell and T-cell numbers using the methods of qRT-PCR, flow cytometry (FCM), and ELISA. A total of 240 1-day-old avian broilers were equally allocated into four groups and fed on a corn–soybean basal diet as the control diet or the same diet supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl₂ for 42 days. The mRNA expression and protein levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α/LITAF, IFN-γ, and IgA, IgG, and IgM contents were significantly decreased (p?<?0.05 or p?<?0.01) in the 300-, 600-, and 900-mg/kg NiCl₂ groups when compared with those of the control group, which was consistent with the reduction of T-cell subset percentages and IgA⁺ B cell numbers in the 300-, 600-, and 900-mg/kg NiCl₂ groups. The abovementioned results showed that dietary NiCl₂ in excess of 300 mg/kg caused damage on splenocytes and splenic immune function. The results of the present study provided new experimental evidences for further study on the effect mechanism of NiCl₂ on splenic immunity.     

Effects of Nickel Chloride on the Erythrocytes and Erythrocyte Immune Adherence Function in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the immune adherence function of erythrocytes and erythrocyte induced by dietary nickel chloride (NiCl₂) in broilers fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl₂ for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from five broilers in each group at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. Changes of erythrocyte parameters showed that total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) contents, and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly lower (p?p?p?p?+/K⁺-ATPase) and calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) activities were significantly decreased (p?p?2-treated groups. The results of erythrocyte immune adherence function indicated that erythrocyte C_3b receptor rosette rate (E-C_3bRR) was significantly decreased (p?p?p?p?2 in excess of 300 mg/kg caused anemia and impaired the erythrocytic integrity, erythrocytic ability to transport oxygen, and erythrocyte immune adherence function in broilers. Impairment of the erythrocytes and erythrocyte immune adherence function was one of main effect mechanisms of NiCl₂ on the blood function.