One-dimensional lanthanide coordination polymers as promising luminescent materials

Four one-dimensional coordination polymers, [Ln(H₂O)₄(HTDA)(H₂TDA)] · H₂O [Ln = Sm (1) and Eu (2)]; (H₃TDA = 1H-[1,2,3]-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid), [Ln(H₂O)₄(HTDA)] · (H₂TDA) · H₂O [Ln = Tb (3) and Dy (4)] were prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, PXRD and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The powder and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies of 1-4 reveal that all compounds are one-dimensional zigzag chain structures. Luminescent studies reveal that they are potential luminescent materials. Moreover, in solution, the emission intensity of 2 increases upon the addition of Ca²⁺ ions, while introduction of other metal ions leads to either unchanged or decreased intensity, which indicates that 2 may be applied as a promising Ca²⁺-ion-selective luminescent probe. The basic magnetic properties of 1-4 were also studied.     

PCR技术在食品微生物检测中的应用

PCR技术以其高强的特异性和灵敏度以及检测速度快、准确性好等优点,广泛地应用在食品微生物检测的各个领域,尤其对培养困难的细菌检测和抗原结构复杂的细菌鉴定方面。介绍了几种PCR方法的原理,以及其在食品微生物检测中的应用情况。     

Thioredoxin-interacting protein promotes activation and inflammation of monocytes with DNA demethylation in coronary artery disease

Numerous studies have demonstrated that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression of peripheral blood leucocytes is increased in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon remained unclear. DNA methylation plays important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, we speculated there might be a close association between the expression of TXNIP and methylation. In this study, we found that compared with controls, DNA methylation at cg19693031 was decreased in CAD, while mRNA expressions of TXNIP and inflammatory factors, NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, were increased. Methylation at cg19693031 was negatively associated with TXNIP expression in the cohort, THP-1 and macrophages/foam cells. Furthermore, Transwell assay and co-cultured adhesion assay were performed to investigate functions of TXNIP on the migration of THP-1 or the adhesion of THP-1 on the surface of endothelial cells, respectively. Notably, overexpressed TXNIP promoted the migration and adhesion of THP-1 cells and expressions of NLRP3, IL-18 and IL-1β. Oppositely, knock-down TXNIP inhibited the migration and adhesion of THP-1 and expressions of NLRP3, IL-18. In conclusion, increased TXNIP expression, related to cg19693031 demethylation orientates monocytes towards an inflammatory status through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway involved in the development of CAD.     

The role of 14-3-3 proteins in cell signalling pathways and virus infection

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved in species ranging from yeast to mammals and regulate numerous signalling pathways via direct interactions with proteins carrying phosphorylated 14-3-3–binding motifs. Recent studies have shown that 14-3-3 proteins can also play a role in viral infections. This review summarizes the biological functions of 14-3-3 proteins in protein trafficking, cell-cycle control, apoptosis, autophagy and other cell signal transduction pathways, as well as the associated mechanisms. Recent findings regarding the role of 14-3-3 proteins in viral infection and innate immunity are also reviewed.     

BACE overexpression alters the subcellular processing of APP and inhibits Abeta deposition in vivo

Introducing mutations within the amyloid precursor protein (APP) that affect beta- and gamma-secretase cleavages results in amyloid plaque formation in vivo. However, the relationship between beta-amyloid deposition and the subcellular site of Abeta production is unknown. To determine the effect of increasing beta-secretase (BACE) activity on Abeta deposition, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing human BACE. Although modest overexpression enhanced amyloid deposition, high BACE overexpression inhibited amyloid formation despite increased beta-cleavage of APP. However, high BACE expression shifted the subcellular location of APP cleavage to the neuronal perikarya early in the secretory pathway. These results suggest that the production, clearance, and aggregation of Abeta peptides are highly dependent on the specific neuronal subcellular domain wherein Abeta is generated and highlight the importance of perikaryal versus axonal APP proteolysis in the development of Abeta amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease.     

Melanoma antigen gene protein MAGE-11 regulates androgen receptor function by modulating the interdomain interaction

Gene activation by steroid hormone receptors involves the recruitment of the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)/p160 coactivator LXXLL motifs to activation function 2 (AF2) in the ligand binding domain. For the androgen receptor (AR), AF2 also serves as the interaction site for the AR NH(2)-terminal FXXLF motif in the androgen-dependent NH(2)-terminal and carboxyl-terminal (N/C) interaction. The relative importance of the AR AF2 site has been unclear, since the AR FXXLF motif interferes with coactivator recruitment by competitive inhibition of LXXLL motif binding. In this report, we identified the X chromosome-linked melanoma antigen gene product MAGE-11 as an AR coregulator that specifically binds the AR NH(2)-terminal FXXLF motif. Binding of MAGE-11 to the AR FXXLF alpha-helical region stabilizes the ligand-free AR and, in the presence of an agonist, increases exposure of AF2 to the recruitment and activation by the SRC/p160 coactivators. Intracellular association between AR and MAGE-11 is supported by their coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization in the absence and presence of hormone and by competitive inhibition of the N/C interaction. AR transactivation increases in response to MAGE-11 and the SRC/p160 coactivators through mechanisms that include but are not limited to the AF2 site. MAGE-11 is expressed in androgen-dependent tissues and in prostate cancer cell lines. The results suggest MAGE-11 is a unique AR coregulator that increases AR activity by modulating the AR interdomain interaction.