Calcium regulation of the ATPase activity of Physarum and scallop myosins using hybrid smooth muscle myosin: The role of the essential light chain

To examine the role of two light chains (LCs) of the myosin II on Ca²⁺ regulation, we produced hybrid heavy meromyosin (HMM) having LCs from Physarum and/or scallop myosin using the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. Ca²⁺ inhibited motility and ATPase activity of hybrid HMMs with LCs from Physarum myosin but activated those of hybrid HMM with LCs from scallop myosin, indicating an active role of LCs. ATPase activity of hybrid HMMs with LCs from different species showed the same effect by Ca²⁺ even though they did not support motility. Our results suggest that communication between the original combinations of LC is important for the motor function.     

胰腺癌对TNF相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)的抗性与逆转研究

TRAIL(TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)是一种能识别和选择性杀伤肿瘤细胞的蛋白质因子,但研究发现胰腺癌对TRAIL的敏感程度远远不及其他肿瘤,其抵抗机制主要集中于胞内水平的调节,如c-FLIPS、BCL-2/BCL-xL、XIAP表达上调等,且针对性的逆转策略也进行了深入的研究.本文就TRAIL途径在胰腺癌中的研究进展作一概要的介绍.     

The structure of the Lingo-1 ectodomain, a module implicated in central nervous system repair inhibition

Nogo receptor (NgR)-mediated control of axon growth relies on the central nervous system-specific type I transmembrane protein Lingo-1. Interactions between Lingo-1 and NgR, along with a complementary co-receptor, result in neurite and axonal collapse. In addition, the inhibitory role of Lingo-1 is particularly important in regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination, suggesting that pharmacological modulation of Lingo-1 function could be a novel approach for nerve repair and remyelination therapies. Here we report on the crystal structure of the ligand-binding ectodomain of human Lingo-1 and show it has a bimodular, kinked structure composed of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) and immunoglobulin (Ig)-like modules. The structure, together with biophysical analysis of its solution properties, reveals that in the crystals and in solution Lingo-1 persistently associates with itself to form a stable tetramer and that it is its LRR-Ig-composite fold that drives such assembly. Specifically, in the crystal structure protomers of Lingo-1 associate in a ring-shaped tetramer, with each LRR domain filling an open cleft in an adjacent protomer. The tetramer buries a large surface area (9,200 A2) and may serve as an efficient scaffold to simultaneously bind and assemble the NgR complex components during activation on a membrane. Potential functional binding sites that can be identified on the ectodomain surface, including the site of self-recognition, suggest a model for protein assembly on the membrane.     

Genotypic characteristics of the rrn operon and genome of indigenous soybean Bradyrhizobia in cropping zones of China

Four genetic assays, 16S rRNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), 16S rRNA sequencing, 16S-23S rRNA intergenetic spacer (IGS) RFLP, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), were conducted to determine the genotypic characteristics of 44 indigenous strains of Bradyrhizobium from soybean (Glycine max L.) cropping zones of China. The results generated from different assays showed that soybean bradyrhizobial isolates comprised four genomic groups. Group I was composed of strains mainly isolated from the North and Northeast plains of China. All four assays confirmed this group as phylogenetically divergent from all the reference strains. Strains of the group may represent a new species. Strains in Group II isolated from a variety of geographic regions were ascribed to B. liaoningense. Strains in Group III, mainly isolated from Central and East China, were closely related to the reference strains of B. japonicum. Strains in Group IV belonged to B. elkanii.     

Inhibition of coxsackievirus B3 in cell cultures and in mice by peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers targeting the internal ribosome entry site

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a primary cause of viral myocarditis, yet no effective therapeutic against CVB3 is available. Nucleic acid-based interventional strategies against various viruses, including CVB3, have shown promise experimentally, but limited stability and inefficient delivery in vivo remain as obstacles to their potential as therapeutics. We employed phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) conjugated to a cell-penetrating arginine-rich peptide, P007 (to form PPMO), to address these issues. Eight CVB3-specific PPMO were evaluated with HeLa cells and HL-1 cardiomyocytes in culture and in a murine infection model. One of the PPMO (PPMO-6), designed to target a sequence in the 3' portion of the CVB3 internal ribosomal entry site, was found to be especially potent against CVB3. Treatment of cells with PPMO-6 prior to CVB3 infection produced an approximately 3-log(10) decrease in viral titer and largely protected cells from a virus-induced cytopathic effect. A similar antiviral effect was observed when PPMO-6 treatment began shortly after the virus infection period. A/J mice receiving intravenous administration of PPMO-6 once prior to and once after CVB3 infection showed an approximately 2-log(10)-decreased viral titer in the myocardium at 7 days postinfection and a significantly decreased level of cardiac tissue damage, compared to the controls. Thus, PPMO-6 provided potent inhibition of CVB3 amplification both in cell cultures and in vivo and appears worthy of further evaluation as a candidate for clinical development.     

Taxonomical and morphological notes on two species of mudskippers, Periophthalmus walailakae and Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Singapore

The mudskipper Periophthalmus walailakae is recorded from Singapore, where it was previously misidentified as Periophthalmodon schlosseri, with which it is syntopic. Periophthalmus walailakae is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: pelvic fins completely united and shaped like a disk, and first dorsal fin dark brown or black, with a rounded posterior edge and a white distal margin. This species most closely resembles Pn. schlosseri but has one row of teeth on the upper jaw, scales on the isthmus, and a different upper lip and jaw morphology. Contrary to an earlier report, scales are present on the snout, interorbital, and isthmus of Ps. walailakae. The two species can also be distinguished by size, external morphology, and body color patterns.     

链球菌病类活疫苗活菌计数参考品的研制

研制链球菌病类活疫苗活菌计数参考品,可以更加科学地评价活菌计数结果的准确性和有效性.首先,制备了 一批链球菌病类活疫苗活菌计数参考品,对其物理性状、纯粹性、真空度、剩余水分进行检验,并对其均一性、运输稳定性、热稳定性进行测定,另组织3家单位通过协作标定的方式对参考品活菌数进行赋值,用协作标定法统计参考品在12个月内的保...     

基于SLAF-seq技术的苗药八爪金龙遗传分析

为探究苗药八爪金龙群体遗传进化和亲缘关系的远近,该研究利用简化基因组测序技术(SLAFseq)对42份八爪金龙样品进行测序,获得多态性SLAF标签。同时采用GATK和SAMtools软件在多态性SLAF中检测单核苷酸多态性(SNP)分子标记,并利用SNP分子标记分析八爪金龙样品间的遗传分化关系。结果表明:(1) 42份八爪金龙共获得246.35 Mb reads,测序质量值Q30的平均值为95.66%,GC含量的平均值为41.14%。(2)通过生物信息学的分析,获得1 769 265个SLAF标签,其中379 829个多态性SLAF标签,共开发2 299 640个SNPs分子标记。(3)利用开发的SNPs数据构建八爪金龙的系统发育树,42份八爪金龙分成两个大的类群。第一类群为细柄百两和原变种百两金;第二类群由贵州朱砂根、红凉伞、湖北朱砂根和江西朱砂根组成。江西朱砂根与其余群体关系较远,有明显的分群现象。该研究从基因组水平揭示不同地区八爪金龙资源之间的遗传关系,为八爪金龙种质资源的鉴定和遗传多样性分析提供了理论基础,所开发的SNP位点可进一步用于挖掘与品质、抗逆性等相关的基因。     

GeSUT4 mediates sucrose import at the symbiotic interface for carbon allocation of heterotrophic Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae)

Gastrodia elata, a fully mycoheterotrophic orchid without photosynthetic ability, only grows symbiotically with the fungus Armillaria. The mechanism of carbon distribution in this mycoheterotrophy is unknown. We detected high sucrose concentrations in all stages of Gastrodia tubers, suggesting sucrose may be the major sugar transported between fungus and orchid. Thick symplasm‐isolated wall interfaces in colonized and adjacent large cells implied involvement of sucrose importers. Two sucrose transporter (SUT)‐like genes, GeSUT4 and GeSUT3, were identified that were highly expressed in young Armillaria‐colonized tubers. Yeast complementation and isotope tracer experiments confirmed that GeSUT4 functioned as a high‐affinity sucrose‐specific proton‐dependent importer. Plasma‐membrane/tonoplast localization of GeSUT4‐GFP fusions and high RNA expression of GeSUT4 in symbiotic and large cells indicated that GeSUT4 likely functions in active sucrose transport for intercellular allocation and intracellular homeostasis. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GeSUT4 had larger leaves but were sensitive to excess sucrose and roots were colonized with fewer mutualistic Bacillus, supporting the role of GeSUT4 in regulating sugar allocation. This is not only the first documented carbon import system in a mycoheterotrophic interaction but also highlights the evolutionary importance of sucrose transporters for regulation of carbon flow in all types of plant‐microbe interactions.     

被动游泳运动对小鼠抑郁样行为及其肠道菌群组成的影响

被动游泳运动可诱发小鼠抑郁样行为,游泳环境的改变已成为抑郁样行为严重程度影响因素之一。观察不同水质、水温及持续时间对被动游泳小鼠抑郁样行为的影响,并初步探讨肠道菌群组成与抑郁样行为的关系。通过不同条件下的被动游泳运动建立抑郁样行为小鼠模型。采用糖水偏好实验及强迫游泳实验评价其行为学变化;采用16S rDNA高通量测序技术及实时荧光定量PCR技术对小鼠肠道菌群进行分子生态学分析。被动游泳16周后,各模型组小鼠体质量及糖水偏爱度均较正常对照组降低,而不动时间则有所延长。其中,室温海水游泳15 min小鼠体质量及糖水偏爱度降低程度最大,不动时间最长,与正常对照组比较,均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。各模型组小鼠肠道菌群Chao指数、Shannon指数及PCoA分析均较正常对照组具有显著性差异（P<0.05）,其从门水平到属水平的丰度也发生不同程度改变。其中,室温海水游泳15 min小鼠肠道菌群组成变化程度最大,并发生拟杆菌属、普氏菌属等多个菌属的富集以及乳杆菌属丰度的减少,实时荧光定量PCR实验也得到了较为一致的结果（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,被动游泳运动可导致小鼠抑郁样行为的发生,其肠道菌群组成也发生明显改变;同时,菌群组成的改变会随着抑郁样行为的严重程度而有所变化。