竞争性内源RNA的生物学功能及其调控

最新研究表明,RNA之间可以通过竞争结合共同的microRNA反应元件(microRNA response element, MRE)实现相互调节,这种调控模式构成竞争性内源RNA(Competing endogenous RNA, ceRNA)。已发现的ceRNA包括蛋白编码mRNA和非编码RNA,其中后者包括假基因转录物、长链非编码RNA(Long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)、环状RNA(Circular RNA, circRNA)等。文章主要从ceRNA分类的角度,阐述各类ceRNA构成的调控网络发挥的生物学功能在病理和生理相关过程中的作用,以及可能影响ceRNA调控有效性的因素。     

3,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl influences mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in granulosa cells

3,3′,4,4′,5-Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB126) is a persistent organic environmental pollutant which can affect various biological activities of organisms, such as immunity, neurological function, and reproduction. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PCB126 on granulosa cells (GCs). GCs were collected from ovaries in PMSG-treated mice, after 24 hours culture. GCs were then incubated with 10 pg/mL, 100 pg/mL, and 10 ng/mL of PCB126 for another 24 hours. Following these steps, exposed GCs were collected for further experimentation. Our data showed that the number of GCs in the 10 ng/mL PCB126 decreased. Meanwhile, pyknotic nuclei and condensed chromatin increased, while the apoptotic cells in the 10 ng/mL PCB126 group were significantly increased. Furthermore, the expression of the apoptotic executive protein caspase-3 increased after PCB126 treatment. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and Bim related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were also influenced to different degrees. Thus, our data suggested that PCB126 affect the GCs apoptosis, and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was involved in this process.     

利用黑斑双鳍电鳐构建实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力小鼠模型

目的建立符合国际化的临床前实验标准的实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力(experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, EAMG)动物模型。方法参照文献报道的方法并改进后,从电鳐电器官提取乙酰胆碱受体(acetylcholine receptor,AchR)蛋白纯品,并采用SDS凝胶电泳蛋白定性鉴定及BCA法蛋白定量;用纯化的蛋白主动免疫C57BL/6小鼠,共免疫3次(分别于第1天、第30天、第60天),进行EAMG小鼠临床评分、体重、血清AchR抗体含量、新斯的明试验、肌电图等综合评价。结果 EAMG模型组与佐剂组比较,自第三周开始发病,平均临床评分显著上升(P<0.01);发病小鼠体重显著减轻(P<0.01);新斯的明试验阳性;血清AchR抗体含量明显增加(P<0.01);肌电图重复电刺激实验阳性。结论从黑斑双鳍电鳐的电器官提取、纯化AchR蛋白成功诱导C57BL/6 EAMG小鼠模型,为进一步研究重症肌无力创造了良好条件。     

Effect of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol on the interaction between photosystem II core complex and its antenna complexes in liposomes of thylakoid lipids

The non-bilayer lipid monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) is the most abundant type of lipid in the thylakoid membrane and plays an important role in regulating the structure and function of photosynthetic membrane proteins. In this study, we have reconstituted the isolated major light-harvesting complexes of photosystem II (PSII) (LHCIIb) and a preparation consisting of PSII core complexes and minor LHCII of PSII (PSIICC) into liposomes that consisted of digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), with or without MGDG. Transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture studies showed unilamellar proteoliposomes, and demonstrated that most of the MGDG is incorporated into bilayer structures. The impact of MGDG on the functional interaction between LHCIIb and PSIICC was investigated by low temperature (77 K) fluorescence emission spectra and the photochemical activity of PSII. The additional incorporation of LHCIIb into liposomes containing PSIICC markedly increased oxygen evolution of PSIICC. Excitation at 480 nm of chlorophyll (Chl) b in LHCIIb stimulated a characteristic fluorescence emission of the Chl a in PSII (684.2 nm), rather than that of the Chl a in LHCIIb (680 nm) in the LHCIIb–PSIICC proteoliposomes, which indicated that the energy was transferred from LHCIIb to PSIICC in liposome membranes. Increasing the percentage of MGDG in the PSIICC–LHCIIb proteoliposomes enhanced the photochemical activity of PSII, due to a more efficient energy transfer from LHCIIb to PSIICC and, thus, an enlarged antenna cross section of PSII.     

Bioavailability of hydroxycinnamates: a brief review of in vivo and in vitro studies

Hydroxycinnamates including p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, and their esterified/etherified conjugates such as chlorogenic acids are abundant in cereals, coffee, fruit and vegetables. Studies have shown their potential in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The impact of these dietary hydroxycinnamates on health depends on their bioavailability. In this article, in vivo and in vitro studies pertaining to bioavailability of hydroxycinnamates are reviewed and discussed. The chemical structures, existing forms, and/or doses of hydroxycinnamates may affect their metabolic fate. Limited studies suggest that the relative bioavailability of hydroxycinnamates may be in the following order: chlorogenic acid < rosmarinic acid < caffeic acid < ferulic acid < p-coumaric acid. Bound hydroxycinnamates generally have lower bioavailability than their monomer counterparts. Further pharmacokinetic and phamacodynamic studies are required to characterize the metabolism of hydroxycinnamates and their potential health impact in humans.     

Quorum Sensing Is a Language of Chemical Signals and Plays an Ecological Role in Algal-Bacterial Interactions

Algae are ubiquitous in the marine environment, and the ways in which they interact with bacteria are of particular interest in the field of marine ecology. The interactions between primary producers and bacteria impact the physiology of both partners, alter the chemistry of their environment, and shape microbial diversity. Although algal-bacterial interactions are well known and studied, information regarding the chemical-ecological role of this relationship remains limited, particularly with respect to quorum sensing (QS), which is a system of stimuli and response correlated to population density. In the microbial biosphere, QS is pivotal in driving community structure and regulating behavioral ecology, including biofilm formation, virulence, antibiotic resistance, swarming motility, and secondary metabolite production. Many marine habitats, such as the phycosphere, harbor diverse populations of microorganisms and various signal languages (such as QS-based autoinducers). QS-mediated interactions widely influence algal-bacterial symbiotic relationships, which in turn determine community organization, population structure, and ecosystem functioning. Understanding infochemicals-mediated ecological processes may shed light on the symbiotic interactions between algae host and associated microbes. In this review, we summarize current achievements about how QS modulates microbial behavior, affects symbiotic relationships, and regulates phytoplankton chemical-ecological processes. Additionally, we present an overview of QS-modulated co-evolutionary relationships between algae and bacterioplankton, and consider the potential applications and future perspectives of QS.     

青岛市城市绿地生态系统的环境净化服务价值

在分析青岛市城市绿地空间分布及面积动态变化基础上,利用市场价值法、生产成本法、替代费用法等方法计算了1999-2009年各年度青岛市城市绿地生态系统的环境净化服务价值。结果表明,1999-2009年青岛市城市绿地的环境净化服务价值由1.587×10⁸元增至3.491×10⁸元,人均城市绿地的环境净化服务价值由68.42元增至126.73元。11a间青岛市城市绿地的环境净化服务价值增加了1.904×10⁸元,平均年增长率为10.91%。在青岛市城市绿地生态系统环境净化服务总价值构成中,其气体调节服务价值占总价值的49.81%- 51.72%,而吸收有害气体和滞尘服务价值、减弱噪声服务价值占48.28%-50.19%。城市绿地的气体调节服务具有地域空间的可转移性,可以由城市以外的自然生态系统补偿;而其吸收有害气体和滞尘服务与减弱噪声服务则不具有地域空间的可转移性。加强城市绿地建设、提高城市绿化水平是改善青岛市城市环境和提高城市居民生活质量的有效措施。