Intragraft gene expression profile associated with the induction of tolerance by allochimeric MHC I in the rat heart transplantation model

The MHC class I allochimeric protein containing donor‐type epitopes on recipient‐type heavy chains induces indefinite survival of heterotopic cardiac allografts in rats. We analyzed gene expression profile of heart allograft tissue. Mutated peptide [α1h1/u]‐RT1.Aa that contains donor‐type (Wistar Furth, WF; RT1u) immunogenic epitopes displayed on recipient‐type (ACI, RT1a) was delivered into ACI recipients of WF hearts at the time of transplantation in addition to a 3 days course of oral cyclosporine. Microarray analysis was performed using Affymetrix Rat 230 2.0 Microarray. Allochimeric molecule treatment caused upregulation of genes involved in structural integrity of heart muscle, downregulation of IL‐1β a key modulator of the immune response, and downregulation of partitioning defective six homolog gamma PAR6, which is involved in T cell polarity, motility, and ability to scan dendritic cells (DC). These indicate that the immunosuppressive function of allochimeric molecule and/or the establishment of allograft tolerance depend on the induction of genes responsible for the heart tissue integrity, the suppression of cytokine pathway(s), and possibly the impairment of T cells mobility and their DC scanning ability. These novel findings may have important clinical implications for inhibition of chronic rejection in transplant recipients. genesis 48:8–19, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A set of 16 consensus primer pairs amplifying the complete mitochondrial genomes of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara)

Groupers are of considerable economic value; however, their classification and evolutionary relationships have long been hindered by the overwhelming number of species and lack of morphological specializations. Mitochondrial genome is a source of original markers that are potentially useful in the study of phylogeny and population genetics of groupers. We describe a set of 16 new primer pairs that allow PCR amplification of the entire mitochondrial genomes of orange-spotted grouper and Hong Kong grouper. This primer set has been defined for consensus over eight other grouper species, facilitating further studies on the molecular evolution and population genetics of groupers.     

完整分离围着床期小鼠子宫内膜方法的建立

目的　为了获得组织结构完整、功能正常的子宫内膜样本以进行胚胎着床的体外研究。方法　作者比较了剪碎法、刮取法和挤压法取得子宫内膜的效果。结果　挤压法得到的小鼠子宫内膜呈圆形条状;子宫内膜组织结构完整,具有内膜上皮并包含腺体、血管的基质;意外发现子宫系膜侧的子宫内膜缺损。结论　挤压法是获取子宫内膜进行相关研究的理想方法。     

Salinomycin biosynthesis reversely regulates the β-oxidation pathway in Streptomyces albus by carrying a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene in its biosynthetic gene cluster

Streptomyces is well known for synthesis of many biologically active secondary metabolites, such as polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides. Understanding the coupling mechanisms of primary and secondary metabolism can help develop strategies to improve secondary metabolite production in Streptomyces. In this work, Streptomyces albus ZD11, an oil-preferring industrial Streptomyces strain, was proved to have a remarkable capability to generate abundant acyl-CoA precursors for salinomycin biosynthesis with the aid of its enhanced β-oxidation pathway. It was found that the salinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster contains a predicted 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (FadB3), which is the third enzyme of β-oxidation cycle. Deletion of fadB3 significantly reduced the production of salinomycin. A variety of experimental evidences showed that FadB3 was mainly involved in the β-oxidation pathway rather than ethylmalonyl-CoA biosynthesis and played a very important role in regulating the rate of β-oxidation in S. albus ZD11. Our findings elucidate an interesting coupling mechanism by which a PKS biosynthetic gene cluster could regulate the β-oxidation pathway by carrying β-oxidation genes, enabling Streptomyces to efficiently synthesize target polyketides and economically utilize environmental nutrients.     

SRC utilizes Cas to block gap junctional communication mediated by connexin43

The Src tyrosine kinase phosphorylates Cas (Crk-associated substrate) to confer anchorage independence and invasive growth potential to transformed cells. Gap junctional communication is often lower between aggressive tumor cells compared with normal or benign precursors. The gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) is a tumor suppressor that can inhibit tumor cell growth. Src can phosphorylate Cx43 to block gap junctional communication between transformed cells. However, mechanisms by which this event actually closes intercellular channels have not been clearly defined. Here, we report that Src and Cas associate with each other at intercellular junctions. In addition, Cas is required for Src to reduce dye transfer and electrical coupling between cells expressing Cx43. Thus, Src utilizes Cas to inhibit gap junctional communication mediated by Cx43. This finding introduces a novel role of the Cas focal adhesion linker protein in the gap junction complex. This observation may help explain how gap junctional communication can be suppressed between malignant and metastatic tumor cells.     

Mariannaea sp. HJ合成纳米金银合金的特性考察

利用微生物合成纳米金银合金(Au-AgNPs)具有操作简便、生态友好等特点,但目前利用真菌合成的相关研究较少。本研究利用真菌Mariannaea sp. HJ胞内提取物合成纳米金银合金,考察了不同的金银离子浓度比例对生物合成纳米金银合金特性的影响。实验表明,金银离子浓度比例对生物纳米金银合金的组成影响较大,随着银离子浓度比例的增加,反应体系颜色会由浅紫色逐渐变为棕色,紫外-可见特征吸收峰发生了明显的蓝移,合成的纳米金银合金中银的比例也会逐渐增加。透射电子显微镜表明纳米金银合金的形貌主要为球形和伪球形,在0.5∶0.5、0.5∶1.5以及0.5∶3.0三种金银离子浓度比例下,纳米颗粒的平均粒径分别为19.24 nm、15.99 nm和19.33 nm。X射线衍射光谱结果显示纳米金银合金的晶胞为面心立方结构。利用傅里叶转换红外线光谱表征推测参与纳米金银合金还原稳定的官能团可能为-OH、-NH_3、-COOH。此外,本研究以4-硝基苯酚为底物探究生物纳米金银合金的催化特性,结果表明纳米金银合金对4-硝基苯酚具有良好的催化活性,其催化反应速率常数为7.85×10–3 s–1。上述结果表明,真菌Mariannaea sp. HJ能够合成分散性较好的纳米金银合金,在催化还原硝基芳烃污染物方面具有潜在的应用价值。     

尼罗红示踪纳米制剂在荷瘤裸鼠体内活体成像的应用

目的拟将尼罗红包裹入纳米制剂中,利用其荧光特性来考察纳米制剂在荷瘤鼠体内的肿瘤靶向性与组织分布情况。方法采用CCK-8法检测尼罗红纳米乳[NRNE(O)]对H1688的细胞毒性。建立BALB/c裸鼠肺癌模型,灌胃给予尼罗红混悬液(NRS)及NRNE(O),通过小动物活体成像系统观察其在荷瘤裸鼠中荧光强度的动态分布情况。结果 NRNE(O)具有较低的细胞毒性和良好的生物相容性,并且在体内的吸收量及肿瘤部位的蓄积量均高于NRS;NR在纳米制剂中能快速、稳定、清晰地反映纳米制剂在小鼠体内的动态分布情况。结论本研究中制备的NRNE(O)的稳定性好,为尼罗红作为示踪剂应用于纳米制剂在动物体内的研究提供了重要的研究手段。