Moderate reduction of Norrin signaling activity associated with the causative missense mutations identified in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy

Mutations in Norrin signaling genes (NDP, FZD4 and LRP5) have been found in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and the altered signaling is suspected to play a critical role in its pathogenesis. To better understand this relationship, we systematically performed functional analyses on previously identified single nucleotide variants of LRP5, FZD4 and NDP, utilizing the Norrin dependent Topflash reporter assay. Cell surface binding assays and protein electrophoresis analysis of Norrin were also performed. Seven causative mutations and five possibly causative but indecisive variants were examined. We found: (1) a nonsense mutation in FZD4 completely abolished its signaling activity, while single missense mutations in LRP5 and FZD4 caused a moderate level of reduction (ranging from 26 to 48, 36% on average) and a double missense mutation in both genes caused a severe reduction in activity (71%). These observations correlated roughly with clinical phenotypes. (2) A mutational effect is suggested in four of five indecisive variants by signaling reductions comparable to those of missense mutations. (3) Norrin mutants demonstrated variable effects on signal transduction, and no apparent correlation with clinical phenotypes was observed. (4) The Norrin mutants examined demonstrated impaired cell surface binding, and some may have partially lost their ability to form a complex with unknown high molecular weight material(s). Our results illustrate the nature of FEVR in relation to Norrin signaling and further suggest the complexity of its disease causing mechanism. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hydrogen sulfide as an oxygen sensor in trout gill chemoreceptors

O2 chemoreceptors elicit cardiorespiratory reflexes in all vertebrates, but consensus on O2-sensing signal transduction mechanism(s) is lacking. We recently proposed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) metabolism is involved in O2 sensing in vascular smooth muscle. Here, we examined the possibility that H2S is an O2 sensor in trout chemoreceptors where the first pair of gills is a primary site of aquatic O2 sensing and the homolog of the mammalian carotid body. Intrabuccal injection of H2S in unanesthetized trout produced a dose-dependent bradycardia and increased ventilatory frequency and amplitude similar to the hypoxic response. Removal of the first, but not second, pair of gills significantly inhibited H2S-mediated bradycardia, consistent with the loss of aquatic chemoreceptors. mRNA for H2S-synthesizing enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase, was present in branchial tissue. Homogenized gills produced H2S enzymatically, and H2S production was inhibited by O2, whereas mitochondrial H2S consumption was O2 dependent. Ambient hypoxia did not affect plasma H2S in unanesthetized trout, but produced a PO2-dependent increase in a sulfide moiety suggestive of increased H2S production. In isolated zebrafish neuroepithelial cells, the putative chemoreceptive cells of fish, both hypoxia and H2S, produced a similar approximately 10-mV depolarization. These studies are consistent with H2S involvement in O2 sensing/signal transduction pathway(s) in chemoreceptive cells, as previously demonstrated in vascular smooth muscle. This novel mechanism, whereby H2S concentration ([H2S]) is governed by the balance between constitutive production and oxidation, tightly couples tissue [H2S] to PO2 and may provide an exquisitely sensitive, yet simple, O2 sensor in a variety of tissues.     

Persistence of circadian variation in arterial blood pressure in beta1/beta2-adrenergic receptor-deficient mice

The beta-adrenergic pathway has been considered one important effector of circadian variation in arterial pressure. Experiments were performed in beta1/beta2-adrenergic receptor-deficient mice (beta1/beta2ADR-/-) to assess whether this pathway is required for circadian variation in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to determine the impact of its loss on the response to changes in dietary salt. Twenty-four-hour recordings of MAP, heart rate (HR), and locomotor activity were made in conscious 16- to 17-wk-old mice [wild-type, (WT), n = 7; beta1/beta2ADR-/-, n = 10] by telemetry. Both WT and beta1/beta2ADR-/- mice demonstrated robust circadian variation in MAP and HR, although 24-h mean MAP was 10% lower (102.02 +/- 1.81 vs. 92.11 +/- 2.62 mmHg) in beta1/beta2ADR-/- than WT, HR was 16% lower and day-night differences reduced. Both WT and beta1/beta2ADR-/- mice adapted to changed salt intake without changed MAP. However, the beta1/beta2ADR-/- mice demonstrated a striking reduction in locomotor activity in light and dark phases of the day. In WT mice, MAP was markedly affected by locomotor activity, resulting in bimodal distributions in both light and dark. When MAP was analyzed using only intervals without locomotor activity, bimodality and circadian differences were reduced, and there was no significant difference between the two genotypes. The results indicate that there is no direct effect or role for the beta-adrenergic system in circadian variation of arterial pressure in mice, aside from the indirect consequences of altered locomotor activity. Our results also confirm that locomotor activity contributes strongly to circadian variation in blood pressure in mice.     

Role of heme oxygenase-2 in pial arteriolar response to acetylcholine in mice with and without transfusion of cell-free hemoglobin polymers

Carbon monoxide derived from heme oxygenase (HO) may participate in cerebrovascular regulation under specific circumstances. Previous work has shown that HO contributes to feline pial arteriolar dilation to acetylcholine after transfusion of a cell-free polymeric hemoglobin oxygen carrier. The role of constitutive HO2 in the pial arteriolar dilatory response to acetylcholine was determined by using 1) HO2-null mice (HO2-/-), 2) the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX), and 3) 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB), an inhibitor of casein kinase-2 (CK2)-dependent phosphorylation of HO2. In anesthetized mice, superfusion of a cranial window with SnPPIX decreased arteriolar dilation produced by 10 microM acetylcholine by 51%. After partial polymeric hemoglobin exchange transfusion, the acetylcholine response was normal but was reduced 72% by SnPPIX and 95% by TBB. In HO2-/- mice, the acetylcholine response was modestly reduced by 14% compared with control mice and was unaffected by SnPPIX. After hemoglobin transfusion in HO2-/- mice, acetylcholine responses were also unaffected by SnPPIX and TBB. In contrast, nitric oxide synthase inhibition completely blocked the acetylcholine responses in hemoglobin-transfused HO2-/- mice. We conclude 1) that HO2 activity partially contributes to acetylcholine-induced pial arteriolar dilation in mice, 2) that this contribution is augmented in the presence of a plasma-based hemoglobin polymer and appears to depend on a CK2 kinase mechanism, 3) that nitric oxide synthase activity rather than HO1 activity contributes to the acetylcholine reactivity in HO2-/- mice, and 4) that plasma-based polymeric hemoglobin does not scavenge all of the nitric oxide generated by cerebrovascular acetylcholine stimulation.     

通过双原核显微注射提高转基因小鼠研制效率的实验研究

目的建立高效的转基因小鼠制备技术,为开展遗传工程动物模型研究奠定技术基础。方法通过向小鼠受精卵原核中注入不同浓度的DNA分子,筛选最适注射用DNA浓度;将K14/hCTLA4-Ig基因表达载体分子通过显微注射分别导入小鼠受精卵雌、雄原核,并设立单原核注射对照组;利用输卵管腹壶部穿刺移植法将注射后的小鼠受精卵移植于同期发情的受体母鼠;利用PCR对出生的转基因首建小鼠进行筛选。结果最适DNA分子浓度为10ng/μl;在单、双原核注射组胚胎2细胞卵裂率分别为52.3%(132/253)和45.0%(108/240),差异有显著性(P<0.05);注射胚胎移植后体内存活率分别为18.1%(24/132)和16.7%(18/108),差异无显著性;转基因首建小鼠阳性率分别为3/24和5/18,转基因阳性小鼠占总注射胚胎的比例为1.2%(3/253)和2.08%(5/240),差异有极显著性(P<0.01)。结论尽管双原核注射对胚胎的2细胞卵裂率有一定影响,但通过双原核注射可有效提高转基因小鼠的制备效率。     

p38MAPK介导的胶质细胞iNOS的转录激活机制

丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(MAPK)酶级联反应系统参与胶质细胞中iNOS的合成.通过瞬时转染p38MAPK途径中上游激酶,MAPK激酶3(MKK3)和MAPK激酶6 (MKK6 )表达质粒,进一步了解p38MAPK级联传导信号系统调节iNOS基因在胶质细胞中的转录激活机制.MKK3或MKK6表达质粒与接有荧光素酶(luciferase ,Luc)的大鼠iNOS启动基因质粒(iNOS Luc)联合转染C6星形胶质细胞株引起iNOS Luc的激活,并且使细胞因子诱导的iNOSmRNA的表达增强.这两种效应都能够被p38MAPK抑制剂SB2 0 35 80所抑制.MKK3 6也可以诱导核因子κB(NFκB Luc)依赖的转录活性.这些分子水平的研究结果为p38MAPK信号级联传导途径在调节大鼠胶质细胞中iNOS基因转录激活中的重要作用,包括转录因子NFκB的作用提供了证据.通过阻断iNOS表达或NO的生成,抑制细胞炎症发生,为防治神经细胞炎症反应性疾病提供实验依据.     

Functional group classification and target species selection for Yancheng Nature Reserve, China

Yancheng Nature Reserve in east China is of great importance to the protection of biodiversity. It is a principal refuge for Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) and many other rare species, an important station for migrant waterfowls in the Asian Pacific, and a captive breeding base for Milu (Elaphurus davidianus). However, since the late 1980s, serious losses of biodiversity have been emerging in the protected area. In this study, to value objectively and improve management of the Yancheng Nature Reserve, a new approach for conservation management is proposed by virtue of the theories of self-organizing systems, functional group classification and target species selection. According to this approach, biological components in Yancheng Nature Reserve are classified into 10 supporting functional groups, eight target functional groups and 11 subordinate functional groups. Eight target species were selected from those target functional groups, i.e., G. japonensis, E. davidianus, Hydropotes inermis, Larus saundersi, Centropus toulou, Felis bengalensis, Paradoxornis heudei, and Platalea minor. Past observations in Yancheng Nature Reserve illustrate that the new approach is feasible, and this new approach will also benefit the management of the nature reserve.     

山羊发情后期三种不同超排方法的比较

目的　研究在山羊发情后期三种不同超排方法的超排效果。方法　实验以 2 0只本地山羊为实验材料 ,以氯前列烯醇二次注射法进行同期发情 ,研究了于发情后期 (发情结束后第 2天 )进行 3种不同的超排方法 (对照组 :3 0 0IUFSH 6次减量法 ,F -pvp组 :3 0 0IUFSH溶于 3 0 %PVP一次注射 ,F -pmsg组 :先注射 2 0 0IUFSH ,2 4h后结合 3 3 0IUPMSG一次注射法 )的超排效果。结果　二次注射氯前列烯醇在 60h内同期率为 80 % (16 2 0 ) ,3种超排方法平均获黄体数分别为 9 75± 4 65,11 75± 8 3 4 ,11± 9 13 ;平均获可用胚数分别为 7± 2 94,8± 5 48,7 5± 5 80 ;胚胎回收率分别为 62 16% ,68 0 8% ,61 3 6%。t检验证明实验组 (F pvp组和F pmsg组 )平均获黄体和平均可用胚与对照组差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5) ,而胚胎回收率 (卡方检验 )差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5)。结论　山羊发情周期的发情后期进行超排能取得很好的卵巢反应 ,而且FSH一次注射法 (溶于 3 0 %PVP或 2 4h后结合少量PMSG)与多次减量法的超排效果一致 ,这表明 ,在山羊发情后期使用FSH一次注射的超排方法有可能作为一种简化的体内生产胚胎的方法加以进一步开发和应用     

具有防晒作用的植物资源初步研究

本文应用植物资源学的研究方法,对目前国内市场上常见的防晒剂进行了调查,并对其所用的药用植物进行了初步研究,结合<本草纲目>中的所记载有行滞祛斑、面色滋润的中草药和中草药中有防晒效果的植物进行了研究,初选出此类植物27种,隶属于16科.就其主要形态特征、地理分布、防晒化学成分、药用功效和资源利用部位等进行较为详细的说明,旨在初步弄清我国防晒药用植物资源种类和分布,并对开发利用这些资源提出建议.