Hepatic overexpression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A reduces atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), a specific enzyme that converts methionine-S-sulfoxide to methionine, plays an important role in the regulation of protein function and the maintenance of redox homeostasis. In this study, we examined the impact of hepatic MsrA overexpression on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient (apoE^−/−) mice. In vitro study showed that in HepG2 cells, lentivirus-mediated human MsrA (hMsrA) overexpression upregulated the expression levels of several key lipoprotein-metabolism-related genes such as liver X receptor α, scavenger receptor class B type I, and ABCA1. ApoE^−/− mice were intravenously injected with lentivirus to achieve high-level hMsrA expression predominantly in the liver. We found that hepatic hMsrA expression significantly reduced plasma VLDL/LDL levels, improved plasma superoxide dismutase, and paraoxonase-1 activities, and decreased plasma serum amyloid A level in apoE^−/− mice fed a Western diet, by significantly altering the expression of several genes in the liver involving cholesterol selective uptake, conversion and excretion into bile, TG biosynthesis, and inflammation. Moreover, overexpression of hMsrA resulted in reduced hepatic steatosis and aortic atherosclerosis. These results suggest that hepatic MsrA may be an effective therapeutic target for ameliorating dyslipidemia and reducing atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases.     

产鼠李糖脂生物表面活性剂大肠杆菌的构建与优化

目前鼠李糖脂生物表面活性剂主要由条件致病的铜绿假单胞菌生产获得,从而影响工业应用。为了开发一种相对安全的鼠李糖脂生产菌,将带有不同强度组成型合成启动子的鼠李糖基转移酶基因(Rhamnosyltransferase gene,rhl AB)以单、中、高3种拷贝数分别在大肠杆菌ATCC 8739中异源表达,实现了不同产量的鼠李糖脂异源合成。对rhl AB基因和rha BDAC基因簇(TDP-L-鼠李糖合成的基因簇)进一步利用合成启动子进行组合调控,筛选获得了最优生产鼠李糖脂工程菌——大肠杆菌TIB-RAB226。对大肠杆菌TIB-RAB226进行发酵温度优化,鼠李糖脂产量达到124.3 mg/L,是优化前的1.17倍。通过分批补料发酵,12h时鼠李糖脂产量达到209.2 mg/L。对发酵产物进行高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术分析,共检出相对含量变化的5类质核比不同的鼠李糖脂同系物。本研究可为异源合成产鼠李糖脂提供重要参考。     

宫颈癌细胞系中HPV病毒感染与P16和E-cadherin表达的相关性分析

目的探讨宫颈癌细胞系中HPV感染状态与P16和E-cadherin表达之间的相关性。方法应用免疫细胞化学染色、免疫荧光、Western-blot以及RT-PCR的方法检测HeLa、SiHa和C33A三个细胞系中P16和E-cadherin的表达情况。结果HPV阳性的两个细胞系HeLa和SiHa中P16的表达呈强阳性而E-cadherin的表达呈弱阳性,HPV阴性的细胞系C33A中P16的表达为弱阳性而E-cadherin呈强阳性表达。结论宫颈癌细胞系中HPV的感染与P16的表达呈正相关而与E-cadherin的表达呈负相关。     

A review of the omicrine genera Omicrogiton,Mircogioton and Peratogonus of China (Coleoptera,Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

The Chinese species of the genera Omicrogiton Orchymont, 1919, Peratogonus Sharp, 1884 and Mircogioton Orchymont, 1937 are reviewed, diagnosed and keyed. Mircogioton and Omicrogiton are reported for the first time from China, Peratogonus for the first time for mainland China. Five species are recognized: Omicrogiton coomani Balfour-Browne, 1939 (Guangdong, Hongkong), Omicrogiton hainanensis sp. n. (Hainan), Omicrogiton roberti sp. n. (Hainan), Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1937 (Yunnan), and Peratogonus reversus Sharp, 1884 (Guangdong, Jiangxi, Taiwan). Lectotype of Omicrogiton coomani is designated. Mircogioton cognitus (Malcolm, 1981), syn. n. is considered a junior subjective synonym of Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1939. Species of Mircogioton and Omicrogiton inhabit decaying banana trunks, whereas Peratogonus reversus was always collected from moist forest leaf litter.