Hu proteins regulate polyadenylation by blocking sites containing U-rich sequences

A recent genome-wide bioinformatic analysis indicated that 54% of human genes undergo alternative polyadenylation. Although it is clear that differential selection of poly(A) sites can alter gene expression, resulting in significant biological consequences, the mechanisms that regulate polyadenylation are poorly understood. Here we report that the neuron-specific members of a family of RNA-binding proteins, Hu proteins, known to regulate mRNA stability and translation in the cytoplasm, play an important role in polyadenylation regulation. Hu proteins are homologs of the Drosophila embryonic lethal abnormal visual protein and contain three RNA recognition motifs. Using an in vitro polyadenylation assay with HeLa cell nuclear extract and recombinant Hu proteins, we have shown that Hu proteins selectively block both cleavage and poly(A) addition at sites containing U-rich sequences. Hu proteins have no effect on poly(A) sites that do not contain U-rich sequences or sites in which the U-rich sequences are mutated. All three RNA recognition motifs of Hu proteins are required for this activity. Overexpression of HuR in HeLa cells also blocks polyadenylation at a poly(A) signal that contains U-rich sequences. Hu proteins block the interaction between the polyadenylation cleavage stimulation factor 64-kDa subunit and RNA most likely through direct interaction with poly(A) cleavage stimulation factor 64-kDa subunit and cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 160-kDa subunit. These studies identify a novel group of mammalian polyadenylation regulators. Furthermore, they define a previously unknown nuclear function of Hu proteins.     

Weight gain prevention among women

Objective: Women 25 to 45 years old are at risk for weight gain and future obesity. This trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of two interventions relative to a control group in preventing weight gain among normal or overweight women and to identify demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors related to weight gain prevention. Research Methods and Procedures: Healthy women (N = 284), ages 25 to 44, with BMI < 30 were randomized to one of three intervention conditions: a clinic‐based group, a correspondence course, or an information‐only control. Intervention was provided over 2 years, with a follow‐up at Year 3. BMI and factors related to eating and weight were assessed yearly. Results: Over the 3‐year study period, 40% (n = 114) of the women remained at or below baseline body weight (±2 lbs), and 60% gained weight (>2 lbs). Intervention had no effect on weight over time. Independently of intervention, women who were older, not actively dieting to lose weight, and who reported less perceived hunger at baseline were more likely to be successful at weight maintenance. Weight maintenance also was associated with increasing dietary restraint (conscious thoughts and purposeful behaviors to control calorie intake) and decreasing dietary disinhibition (the tendency to lose control over eating) over time. Discussion: This study raises concern about the feasibility and efficacy of weight gain prevention interventions because most women were interested in weight loss, rather than weight gain prevention, and the interventions had no effect on weight stability. Novel approaches to the prevention of weight gain are needed.     

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of 1,2-[bis(1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)]-ethane (BBSKE), a novel organoselenium compound, in dog plasma using pre-column derivatization and its application in pharmacokinetic study

A novel HPLC-UV method with pre-column derivatization by using 2-mercaptoethanol was established for determination of 1,2-[bis(1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)]-ethane (BBSKE) in dog plasma. The derivatives were identified by mass spectrometry. The method had a good linear range of 0.05-2 microg/ml (r(2)=0.9995). The lower limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.05 microg/ml. The precision and accuracy were less than 7%. After dosing of BBSKE (30 mg/kg, p.o. and 0.79 mg/kg, i.v.) in dogs, AUC(0-t) were 5.72+/-2.42 and 1.35+/-0.41 microg h/ml; t(1/2) were 4.6+/-2.1 and 1.7+/-0.6h, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study in dogs.     

Differences in DNA double strand breaks repair in male germ cell types: lessons learned from a differential expression of Mdc1 and 53BP1

In male germ cells the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) differs from that described for somatic cell lines. Irradiation induced immunofluorescent foci (IRIF's) signifying a double strand DNA breaks, were followed in spermatogenic cells up to 16 h after the insult. Foci were characterised for Mdc1, 53BP1 and Rad51 that always were expressed in conjecture with gamma-H2AX. Subsequent spermatogenic cell types were found to have different repair proteins. In early germ cells up to the start of meiotic prophase, i.e. in spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes, 53BP1 and Rad51 are available but no Mdc1 is expressed in these cells before and after irradiation. The latter might explain the radiosensitivity of spermatogonia. Spermatocytes from shortly after premeiotic S-phase till pachytene in epithelial stage IV/V express Mdc1 and Rad51 but no 53BP1 which has no role in recombination involved repair during the early meiotic prophase. Mdc1 is required during this period as in Mdc1 deficient mice all spermatocytes enter apoptosis in epithelial stage IV when they should start mid-pachytene phase of the meiotic prophase. From stage IV mid pachytene spermatocytes to round spermatids, Mdc1 and 53BP1 are expressed while Rad51 is no longer expressed in the haploid round spermatids. Quantifying foci numbers of gamma-H2AX, Mdc1 and 53BP1 at various time points after irradiation revealed a 70% reduction after 16 h in pachytene and diplotene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Although the DSB repair efficiency is higher then in spermatogonia where only a 40% reduction was found, it still does not compare to somatic cell lines where a 70% reduction occurs in 2 h. Taken together, DNA DSBs repair proteins differ for the various types of spermatogenic cells, no germ cell type possessing the complete set. This likely leads to a compromised efficiency relative to somatic cell lines. From the evolutionary point of view it may be an advantage when germ cells die from DNA damage rather than risk the acquisition of transmittable errors made during the repair process.     

Chemiluminescence assay for kanamycin based on target recycling strategy

A chemiluminescence (CL) sensing strategy for kanamycin residue detection in fish samples was established based on luminol-functionalized gold nanoparticles as CL nanoprobe materials combined with DNA hairpin structure and carboxyl-modified magnetic beads. Relying on nucleic acid amplification technology, the system can successfully realize the recycling of kanamycin, so that the biosensor can release a large number of luminol-functionalized gold nanoparticles with excellent CL performance even at a low residual levels of kanamycin. The biosensor strategy showed a good linear relationship with kanamycin in the range 0.09–130 nM, the detection limit was as low as 0.04 nM. This method proves the excellent performance of the sensing strategy and provides a low-cost and high-sensitivity CL analysis strategy for the detection of kanamycin and even other antibiotics.     

Interfacial friction and substrate deformation mediate long-range signal propagation in tissues

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Tissue layers can generally slide at the interface, accompanied by the dissipation due to friction. Nevertheless, it remains elusive how force could...     

灵芝不同菌株胞外多糖的单糖组成和抗氧化活性分析

灵芝多糖是药用真菌灵芝的主要活性成分之一。早期研究发现不同灵芝子实体多糖的单糖组成和活性存在差异,但不同灵芝菌株胞外多糖的单糖组成和活性是否有区别仍不清楚。本研究通过液体发酵获得灵芝菌株5.26和5.616的胞外多糖,使用DEAE-cellulose和Sephadex G-200柱色谱分离纯化得到了两种多糖(5.26-2-1和5.616-2-1),并对5.26-2-1,5.616-2-1的单糖组成和抗氧化活性进行了分析。结果表明,5.26-2-1主要由甘露糖、半乳糖醛酸、半乳糖和葡萄糖组成,而5.616-2-1主要由甘露糖、半乳糖和葡萄糖组成。5.26-2-1中葡萄糖的摩尔百分比为63.97%,显著高于5.616-2-1 (29.3%),但半乳糖的摩尔百分比为9.34%,显著低于5.616-2-1 (42.78%)。当多糖质量浓度为2 mg/mL时,5.26-2-1的Fe²⁺螯合能力、对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)和羟自由基(·OH)的最大清除率分别为71.9%、71.3%和60.8%,显著高于5.616-2-1的值(63.5%、60.4%和51.8%)。本研究有助于灵芝多糖的开发与利用,为进一步探究灵芝多糖的构效关系提供了重要信息。     

桂枝化学成分研究北大核心CSCD

桂枝是临床常用中药,本课题组前期发现桂枝乙醇提取物具有抑制程序性细胞坏死的生理活性。为进一步阐明桂枝的化学成分和更好地开发利用桂枝药用资源,该文采用大孔吸附树脂、硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20柱层析、制备型高效液相色谱等多种方法对桂枝75%乙醇提取物进行了研究。此次报道从中得到的13个单体化合物,它们的结构经波谱数据分析及文献对照鉴定为脱落酸(1)、蚱蜢酮(2)、2,3-二羟基-1-(4-羟基-3,5-二甲氧基苯基)-1-丙酮(3)、赤型-1,2,3-三羟基苯丙烷(4)、1-苯基-1,3-丙二醇(5)、香豆素(6)、肉桂酸(7)、对羟基肉桂酸(8)、邻羟基肉桂酸(9)、邻甲氧基肉桂酸(10)、肉桂醛(11)、阿魏酸(12)、咖啡酸乙酯(13)。其中1-5、12和13为首次从桂枝中分离得到。     

Development of functional antibodies against influenza B virus by activation-induced cytidine deaminase in hybridoma cells

Highlights
1. Class-switch recombination was mimicked in hybridomas through a controllable expression system of activation-induced cytidine deaminase.
2. IgG antibodies were generated through this system in an anti-Flu B IgM hybridoma 7G1.
3. IgG1 and IgG2a subtypes of 7G1 present improved antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo.