Conserved and clustered RNA recognition sequences are a critical feature of signals directing RNA localization in Xenopus oocytes

Although it is widely regarded that the targeting of RNA molecules to subcellular destinations depends upon the recognition of cis-elements found within their 3' untranslated regions (UTR), relatively little is known about the specific features of these cis-sequences that underlie their function. Interaction between specific repeated motifs within the 3' UTR and RNA-binding proteins has been proposed as a critical step in the localization of Vg1 RNA to the vegetal pole of Xenopus oocytes. To understand the relative contributions of repeated localization element (LE) sequences, we used comparative functional analysis of Vg1 LEs from two frog species, Xenopus laevis and Xenopus borealis. We show that clusters of repeated VM1 and E2 motifs are required for efficient localization. However, groups of either site alone are not sufficient for localization. In addition, we present evidence that the X. borealis Vg1 LE is recognized by the same set of RNA-binding proteins as the X. laevis Vg1 LE and is capable of productive interactions with the X. laevis transport machinery as it is sufficient to direct vegetal localization in X. laevis oocytes. These results suggest that clustered sets of cis-acting sites within the LE direct vegetal transport through specific interactions with the localization machinery.     

Specific association of increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression and its receptors with macrophage differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells

We investigated the gene expression profiles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in HL-60 leukemia cells. In the VEGF family, both mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C were up-regulated in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated HL-60 cells. We detected two bands of ∼31 and ∼60 kDa in cell lysates, and the higher expression of ∼31 kDa band was further increased after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A ∼31 kDa VEGF-C protein was also detected in conditioned media from PMA-differentiated HL-60 cells after LPS stimulation. The mRNA expression of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was markedly up-regulated in PMA-differentiated HL-60 cells, corresponding to the results from VEGF binding studies, in which VEGF binding activity was increased in PMA-differentiated HL-60 cells. These did not occur in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-differentiated HL-60 cells. The expression of VEGF-C and VEGF receptors is regulated specifically in HL-60 cells during macrophage differentiation.     

毛头鬼伞多糖CCP60a对TMV外壳蛋白的影响

对毛头鬼伞（Coprinus comatus Muell．ex Fr．）子实体中的多糖CCP60a进行了提取分离及检测,研究了不同温度条件下CCP60a对烟草花叶病毒（TMV）外壳蛋白体外聚合的影响,并用Western blotting法研究了CCP60a对TMV外壳蛋白表达的影响。结果表明,经沸水浸提、乙醇分级沉淀、DEAESephadex A-25离子交换柱层析、Sepharose-6B凝胶柱层析和抗TMV活性跟踪检测可得到均一的多糖CCP60a。随温度的提高,CCP60a处理组在320nm处的吸光度值增加幅度明显小于对照组,表明CCP60a对TMV外壳蛋白体外聚合有一定的抑制作用。Western blotting检测结果显示,CCP60a可以使TMV外壳蛋白的表达明显降低。     

基于电镜和免疫组化的线粒体数目标志物评估肝癌的初步研究

目的:研究线粒体数目与肝癌生长的相关性。方法:利用电子显微镜技术定量肝癌组织中线粒体数目,利用免疫组织化学技术评估肝癌组织中的线粒体标志物COX Ⅳ及HSP60表达水平,分析电镜肝癌线粒体定量结果与COX Ⅳ及HSP60表达量之间的相关性,并比较肝癌中线粒体数目、COX Ⅳ及HSP60表达量与肝癌直径之间的关系。结果:与癌旁相比,肝癌组织中线粒体数目(P0.001)、COX Ⅳ及HSP60的表达量显著降低(P=0.0417,P=0.0290)。COX Ⅳ及HSP60表达水平与线粒体数目无显著相关(r~2=0.009,P=0.5468;r~2=0.056,P=0.1396)。线粒体数目与肿瘤直径显著负相关(r~2=0.1086,P=0.0434),COX Ⅳ及HSP60表达量与肿瘤直径无显著相关(r~2=0.0251,P=0.3287;r~2=0.0461,P=0.1830)。结论:线粒体数目是潜在的肝癌生长标志物。但常用的线粒体定量分子HSP60与COX Ⅳ并不能准确定量肝癌线粒体。     

Fullerene‐based inhibitors of HIV‐1 protease

A series of Fmoc‐Phe(4‐aza‐C₆₀)‐OH of fullerene amino acid derived peptides have been prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis, in which the terminal amino acid, Phe(4‐aza‐C₆₀)‐OH, is derived from the dipolar addition to C₆₀ of the Fmoc‐Nα‐protected azido amino acids derived from phenylalanine: Fmoc‐Phe(4‐aza‐C₆₀)‐Lys₃‐OH ( 1 ), Fmoc‐Phe(4‐aza‐C₆₀)‐Pro‐Hyp‐Lys‐OH ( 2 ), and Fmoc‐Phe(4‐aza‐C₆₀)‐Hyp‐Hyp‐Lys‐OH ( 3 ). The inhibition constant of our fullerene aspartic protease PRIs utilized FRET‐based assay to evaluate the enzyme kinetics of HIV‐1 PR at various concentrations of inhibitors. Simulation of the docking of the peptide Fmoc‐Phe‐Pro‐Hyp‐Lys‐OH overestimated the inhibition, while the amino acid PRIs were well estimated. The experimental results show that C₆₀‐based amino acids are a good base structure in the design of protease inhibitors and that their inhibition can be improved upon by the addition of designer peptide sequences. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

60Coγ射线对高免卵黄液中EDS-76病毒灭活的研究

用不同剂量、剂量率的^60Coγ射线对卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒进行辐照,研究了其对病毒的灭活效果和对卵黄抗体(IgY)的影响。结果表明,^60Coγ射线辐照,可以灭活高免卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒,且随辐照剂量、剂量率的增大,灭活率也增高;EDS-76病毒在卵黄液中的D10值为0．57kGy～0．60kGy;6．0kGy的辐照剂量,可以将高免卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒完全灭活,且不影响卵黄抗体效价,该卵黄抗体稳定性好、耐酸、耐热、耐蛋白酶消化。     

T-maze Forced Alternation and Left-right Discrimination Tasks for Assessing Working and Reference Memory in Mice

Forced alternation and left-right discrimination tasks using the T-maze have been widely used to assess working and reference memory, respectively, in rodents. In our laboratory, we evaluated the two types of memory in more than 30 strains of genetically engineered mice using the automated version of this apparatus. Here, we present the modified T-maze apparatus operated by a computer with a video-tracking system and our protocols in a movie format. The T-maze apparatus consists of runways partitioned off by sliding doors that can automatically open downward, each with a start box, a T-shaped alley, two boxes with automatic pellet dispensers at one side of the box, and two L-shaped alleys. Each L-shaped alley is connected to the start box so that mice can return to the start box, which excludes the effects of experimenter handling on mouse behavior. This apparatus also has an advantage that in vivo microdialysis, in vivo electrophysiology, and optogenetics techniques can be performed during T-maze performance because the doors are designed to go down into the floor. In this movie article, we describe T-maze tasks using the automated apparatus and the T-maze performance of α-CaMKII+/- mice, which are reported to show working memory deficits in the eight-arm radial maze task. Our data indicated that α-CaMKII+/- mice showed a working memory deficit, but no impairment of reference memory, and are consistent with previous findings using the eight-arm radial maze task, which supports the validity of our protocol. In addition, our data indicate that mutants tended to exhibit reversal learning deficits, suggesting that α-CaMKII deficiency causes reduced behavioral flexibility. Thus, the T-maze test using the modified automatic apparatus is useful for assessing working and reference memory and behavioral flexibility in mice.     

富勒烯衍生物C60-叶酸对胃癌细胞生长抑制作用的研究

目的研究光照后的富勒烯衍生物C60-叶酸对体外培养的人类胃癌细胞杀伤及其促进胃癌细胞凋亡的作用。方法将光照后不同浓度C60-叶酸与人类胃癌细胞混合培养,用MTT方法检测不同条件下培养的人类胃癌细胞存活率。培养细胞免疫组化检测凋亡细胞中Caspase 3表达。Western blot比较各组中抗凋亡蛋白质Akt1的表达水平。结果随着光照后C60-叶酸浓度增加,人类胃癌细胞的存活率降低,同时凋亡细胞数量增多,且Akt1表达下调。结论 C60-叶酸光照后对人类胃癌细胞有较强的杀伤作用,作用机制与细胞凋亡有关。     

Peroxynitrite Induces Tyrosine Nitration and Modulates Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Synaptic Proteins

Peroxynitrite, the product of the radical-radical reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion, is a potent oxidant involved in tissue damage in neurodegenerative disorders. We investigated the modifications induced by peroxynitrite in tyrosine residues of proteins from synaptosomes. Peroxynitrite treatment (> or =50 microM) induced tyrosine nitration and increased tyrosine phosphorylation. Synaptophysin was identified as one of the major nitrated proteins and pp60src kinase as one of the major phosphorylated substrates. Further fractionation of synaptosomes revealed nitrated synaptophysin in the synaptic vesicles, whereas phosphorylated pp60src was enriched in the postsynaptic density fraction. Tyrosine phosphorylation was increased by treatment with 50-500 microM peroxynitrite and decreased by higher concentrations, suggesting a possible activation/inactivation of kinases. Immunocomplex kinase assay proved that peroxynitrite treatment of synaptosomes modulated the pp60src autophosphorylation activity. The addition of bicarbonate (CO2 1.3 mM) produced a moderate enhancing effect on some nitrated proteins but significantly protected the activity of pp60src against peroxynitrite-mediated inhibition so that at 1 mM peroxynitrite, the kinase was still more active than in untreated synaptosomes. The phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity of synaptosomes was inhibited by peroxynitrite (> or =50 microM) but significantly protected by CO2. Thus, the increase of phosphorylation cannot be attributed to peroxynitrite-mediated inhibition of phosphatases. We suggest that peroxynitrite may regulate the posttranslational modification of tyrosine residues in pre- and postsynaptic proteins. Identification of the major protein targets gives insight into the pathways possibly involved in neuronal degeneration associated with peroxynitrite overproduction.