Terrestrins A-G: p-terphenyl derivatives from the inedible mushroom Thelephora terrestris

Seven p-terphenyl derivatives named terrestrins A-G together with three known ganbajunin B, thelephantins F and H, were isolated from the methanol extract of fruiting bodies of the Japanese inedible mushroom Thelephora terrestris (Thelephoraceae). Their structures were elucidated by means of high-resolution MS, 2D NMR, IR and UV spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Cohaerins A and B, azaphilones from the fungus Hypoxylon cohaerens, and comparison of HPLC-based metabolite profiles in Hypoxylon sect. Annulata

Azaphilones, named cohaerins A and B were isolated from stromata of the xylariaceous ascomycete Hypoxylon cohaerens. Their absolute structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (2D NMR, MS, IR, UV CD), and subsequently confirmed by acetylation. Stromatal metabolite profiles of several taxa of Hypoxylon sect. Annulata were also generated using analytical HPLC with diode array and MS detection. The cohaerins were neither found in other Hypoxylon spp., nor in other Xylariaceae. However, they were present even in holotype material of H. cohaerens, collected over 200 years ago. The binaphthalene BNT was also omnipresent in sect Annulata, and its derivatives, the benzo[j]fluoranthenes daldinone A and truncatone, as well as presumably related compounds. These fungi were found devoid of other types of azaphilone pigments of the Xylariaceae, such as mitorubrins and daldinins, the latter of which are widespread in certain groups of Hypoxylon sect. Hypoxylon. Hence, chemotaxonomic data largely support the current generic concept. The original source of truncatone was identified as Hypoxylon annulatum.     

Endocytosis function of a ligand-gated ion channel homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that respond to a variety of transmitters, including acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and glutamate [1 and 2]. These proteins play key roles in neurotransmission and are typically found in the nervous system and at neuromuscular junctions [3]. Recently, acetylcholine receptor family members also have been found in nonneuronal cells, including macrophages [4], keratinocytes [5], bronchial epithelial cells [5], and endothelial cells of arteries [6]. The function of these channels in nonneuronal cells in mammals remains to be elucidated, though it has been shown that the acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit is required for acetylcholine-mediated inhibition of tumor necrosis factor release by activated macrophages [4]. We show that cup-4, a gene required for efficient endocytosis of fluids by C. elegans coelomocytes, encodes a protein that is homologous to ligand-gated ion channels, with the highest degree of similarity to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Worms lacking CUP-4 have reduced phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate levels at the plasma membrane, suggesting that CUP-4 regulates endocytosis through modulation of phospholipase C activity.     

Subunit composition of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in mitochondria of rat hearts

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channels play a pivotal role in early and late ischemic preconditioning, but the subunit composition of mitoKATP channels remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the subunit composition of mitoKATP channels in rat hearts using confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. The green fluorescent probe glibenclamide-BODIPY was colocalized with the red fluorescent mitochondrial marker MitroTracker Red in isolated ventricular myocytes and in ventricular myocyte mitochondria, indicating the presence of sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) in the mitochondria. Anti-Kir6.1, anti-Kir6.2, and anti-SUR2 immunofluorescence was colocalized with that of MitoTracker Red in isolated mitochondria, suggesting that Kir6.1, Kir6.2, and SUR2 subunits are present in the mitochondria. Similarly, Kir6.1 (approximately 46 kDa), Kir6.2 (approximately 46 and approximately 40 kDa), and SUR2 (approximately 140 kDa) proteins were found to be expressed in mitochondria using Western blot analysis. By contrast, SUR1 was not present in mitochondria. These results suggest that mitoKATP channels in rat hearts might comprise a combination of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, and SUR2 subunits.     

Glycosphingolipids promote pro-atherogenic pathways in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia-induced accelerated atherosclerosis

Introduction

Three out of four people with diabetes will die of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycemia promotes atherosclerosis, the major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, are not clear.

Objectives

Three distinct models of hyperglycemia-associated accelerated atherosclerosis were used to identify commonly altered metabolites and pathways associated with the disease.

Methods

Normoglycemic apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice served as atherosclerotic control. Hyperglycemia was induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin injections, or by introducing a point-mutation in one copy of insulin-2 gene. Glucosamine-supplemented mice, which experience accelerated atherosclerosis to a similar extent as hyperglycemia-induced models without alterations in glucose or insulin levels, were also included in the analysis. Untargeted plasma metabolomics were used to investigate hyperglycemia-associated accelerated atherosclerosis in three disease models. The effect of specific significantly altered metabolites on pro-atherogenic processes was investigated in cultured human vascular cells.

Results

Hyperglycemic and glucosamine-supplemented mice showed distinct metabolomic profiles compared to controls. Meta-analysis of three disease models revealed 62 similarly altered metabolite features (FDR-adjusted p?<?0.05). Identification of shared metabolites revealed alterations in glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, and pro-atherogenic processes including inflammation and oxidative stress. Post-multivariate and pathway analyses indicated that the glycosphingolipid pathway is strongly associated with hyperglycemia-induced accelerated atherosclerosis in these atherogenic mouse models. Glycosphingolipids induced oxidative stress and inflammation in cultured human vascular cells.

Conclusion

Glycosphingolipids are strongly associated with hyperglycemia-induced accelerated atherosclerosis in three distinct models. They also promote pro-atherogenic processes in cultured human cells. These results suggest glycosphingolipid pathway may be a potential therapeutic target to block or slow atherogenesis in diabetic patients.

     

管花肉苁蓉茎异常结构的发育解剖学研究

管花肉苁蓉茎内存在类似于单子叶植物的散生初生维管束。它由散生在基本分生组织中的原形成层束分化而成。在原形成层来分化的过程中,每个原形成层束可通过分离形成2—7个初生维管束,使初生维管束的数目迅速增加。当初生维管束开始正常次生生长时,正常维管束韧皮部外方的薄壁组织细胞或远离维管柬的薄壁组织细胞转变为异常形成层束。异常次生维管束与正常维管束以韧皮部相对或韧皮部并列的方式排列,或异常次生维管束单个存在于薄壁组织中。     

新疆裸果木亚科植物花粉形态学研究

通过光镜和扫镜电镜对新疆产裸果木亚科３属６种植物的花粉形态进行了观察与观察。结果表明：花粉形态有三种类型,裸果木属为散孔类型,治疝草属为三孔类型,拟漆姑草属为三沟类型。具孔类型中,萌发孔边缘界限有不清楚,孔膜不明显,颗粒状纹饰;具沟类型中,萌发沟上有膜覆盖,具颗粒状纹饰。根据花粉形态,编出分属检索表,并讨论了花粉形态在分类中的作用以及各属之间的亲缘关系。     

正交试验设计法考察苏云金杆菌“140”－51培养基

我们运用了正变试验设计法对经过复壮、紫外线照射处理的苏云金杆菌“１４０”－５１菌株进行培养基的考察,采用Ｌ２７（３１３）的正交表来安排培养基中影响发酵单位的几个主要因子［１．２．３］,其它试验条件固定为;培养温度３０±１℃,１５ｍｌ装量／５００ｍｌ三角瓶,摇床转速２１０ｒ／ｍｉｎ,ｐＨ值控制在每一配比培养基灭菌后为ｐＨ６．８～７．２范围内。     

广义Lyapunov函数与微分系统关于两种量度的相对稳定(Ⅱ)

利用广义Lyapunov函数来研究微分系统关于两种量度的相对稳定性,讨论它们之间的关系。得出微分系统关于两种量度的相对稳定性等价于广义Lyapunov函数具有某种相应的性质。