Inhibition of neuronal cyclin-dependent kinase-5 by staurosporine and purine analogs is independent of activation by munc-18

Neuronal cdk5 can phosphorylate certain lys-ser-pro (KSP) motifs of neurofilaments and tau protein in the nervous system. We have immunoprecipitated the cdk5 from rat brain using a polyclonal antibody raised against the C-terminus of cdk5. The immunoprecipitate has phosphorylated a KSPXK peptide analog of NF-H, as well as histone H1 and a bacterially expressed rat NF-H protein. The kinase activity was inhibited by staurosporine, isopentanyladenine and olomoucine in a dose dependent manner. Kinetic studies indicated Ki values of 39 nM, 38 μM and 8 μM, respectively for staurosporine, isopentanyladenine and olomoucine. The inhibition by staurosporine was non-competitive with respect to phosphoryl acceptor substrates. Western blot analysis of the immunoprecipitate showed both cdk5 and p67 (munc-18), a putative regulator molecule of the kinase. Addition of p67 fusion protein enhanced the kinase activity of the immunoprecipitate by 60% above the basal activity. P67 elevated Ki values for both staurosporine and olomoucine. The degree of inhibition at high concentrations of these inhibitors was unaltered by exogenous p67 indicating a lack of competitive interactions with p67. The high affinity of staurosporine for cdk5 suggests that cdk5 may be one of the targets for the neurotropic effect of staurosporine.     

宫颈低级别鳞状上皮内病变组织CK8、P53及Ki-67的表达及其临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨宫颈低级别鳞状上皮内病变（LSIL）组织中细胞角蛋白 8（CK8）、P53及Ki-67的表达,分析其与病情进展的关系。方法：回顾性分析2020年1月至2021年12月我院收治的120例经病理确诊为LSIL患者的临床资料,根据末次随访病理学检查结果将其分为进展组（17例）、持续组（27例）和消退组（76例）。取首次活检宫颈组织标本,采用免疫组化法检测CK8、P53、Ki-67表达。多因素Logistic回归分析LSIL患者疾病进展的危险因素,受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析CK8、P53、Ki-67评估LSIL患者疾病进展的效能。结果：进展组宫颈组织中CK8、P53及Ki-67阳性表达率高于持续组和消退组（P＜0.05）,持续组宫颈组织中CK8、P53及Ki-67阳性表达率高于消退组（P＜0.05）。高危人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）感染、CK8阳性细胞占比（较高）、P53阳性细胞占比（较高）、Ki-67阳性细胞占比（较高）是LSIL患者疾病进展的危险因素（P＜0.05）。联合CK8、P53、Ki-67阳性细胞占比预测LSIL患者疾病进展的曲线下面积为0.846,高于单独指标预测的0.637、0.697、0.744。结论：LSIL进展宫颈组织中CK8、P53、Ki-67阳性表达率明显升高,CK8、P53、Ki-67阳性细胞占比升高增加了LSIL患者疾病进展的风险,可作为辅助评估 LSIL进展的生物学指标。     

The intrinsically disorderly story of Ki-67

Ki-67 is one of the most famous marker proteins used by histologists to identify proliferating cells. Indeed, over 30 000 articles referring to Ki-67 are listed on PubMed. Here, we review some of the current literature regarding the protein. Despite its clinical importance, our knowledge of the molecular biology and biochemistry of Ki-67 is far from complete, and its exact molecular function(s) remain enigmatic. Furthermore, reports describing Ki-67 function are often contradictory, and it has only recently become clear that this proliferation marker is itself dispensable for cell proliferation. We discuss the unusual organization of the protein and its mRNA and how they relate to various models for its function. In particular, we focus on ways in which the intrinsically disordered structure of Ki-67 might aid in the assembly of the still-mysterious mitotic chromosome periphery compartment by controlling liquid–liquid phase separation of nucleolar proteins and RNAs.     

Vertical CoP Nanoarray Wrapped by N,P‐Doped Carbon for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Both Acidic and Alkaline Conditions

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a key reaction in water splitting, and developing efficient and robust non‐noble electrocatalysts for HER is still a great challenge for large‐scale hydrogen production. Herein, a vertically aligned core–shell structure grown on Ti foil with CoP nanoarray as a core and N,P‐doped carbon (NPC) as a shell (CoP/NPC/TF) is first reported as an efficient electrocatalyst for HER. Results indicate that CoP/NPC/TF only demands the overpotentials of 91 and 80 mV to drive the current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in acidic and alkaline solutions. The electrochemical measurements and theoretical calculations show that the synergy of CoP nanorod core and porous NPC shell enhances HER performance significantly, because the introduction of porous NPC shell not only offers more active sites but also improves the electrical conductivity and durability of the sample in acidic and alkaline solutions. Density functional theory calculation further reveals that all the C atoms between N and P atoms in CoP/NPC are the most efficient active sites, which greatly improve the HER performance. The identification of active species in this work provides an effective strategy to design and synthesize the low‐cost, high‐efficient, and robust CoP‐based electrocatalysts.     

Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-κB Reporter Transgenic

Animal models of human disease are necessary in order to rigorously study stages of disease progression and associated mechanisms, and ultimately, as pre-clinical models to test interventions. In these methods, we describe a technique in which lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is injected into the lactating mouse mammary gland via the nipple, effectively modeling mastitis, or inflammation, of the gland. This simulated infection results in increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, as visualized through bioluminescent imaging of an NF-κB luciferase reporter mouse¹.Our ultimate goal in developing these methods was to study the inflammation associated with mastitis in the lactating gland, which often includes redness, swelling, and immune cell infiltration^2,3. Therefore, we were keenly aware that incision or any type of wounding of the skin, the nipple, or the gland in order to introduce the LPS could not be utilized in our methods since the approach would likely confound the read-out of inflammation. We also desired a straight-forward method that did not require specially made hand-drawn pipettes or the use of micromanipulators to hold these specialized tools in place. Thus, we determined to use a commercially available insulin syringe and to inject the agent into the mammary duct of an intact nipple. This method was successful and allowed us to study the inflammation associated with LPS injection without any additional effects overlaid by the process of injection. In addition, this method also utilized an NF-κB luciferase reporter transgenic mouse and bioluminescent imaging technology to visually and quantitatively show increased NF-κB signaling within the LPS-injected gland⁴.These methods are of interest to researchers of many disciplines who wish to model disease within the lactating mammary gland, as ultimately, the technique described here could be utilized for injection of a number of substances, and is not limited to only LPS.     

Manual Restraint and Common Compound Administration Routes in Mice and Rats

Being able to safely and effectively restrain mice and rats is an important part of conducting research. Working confidently and humanely with mice and rats requires a basic competency in handling and restraint methods. This article will present the basic principles required to safely handle animals. One-handed, two-handed, and restraint with specially designed restraint objects will be illustrated. Often, another part of the research or testing use of animals is the effective administration of compounds to mice and rats. Although there are a large number of possible administration routes (limited only by the size and organs of the animal), most are not used regularly in research. This video will illustrate several of the more common routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and oral gavage. The goal of this article is to expose a viewer unfamiliar with these techniques to basic restraint and substance administration routes. This video does not replace required hands-on training at your facility, but is meant to augment and supplement that training.     

Comparison of Changes in GAD65 and GAD67 Immunoreactivity and Levels in the Gerbil Main Olfactory Bulb Induced by Transient Ischemia

In the present study, we investigated changes in glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and GAD67 immunoreactivity and protein levels in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. GAD65 immunoreactivity in the sham-operated group was shown in neurons and neuropil except for the somata of granule cells. GAD65 immunoreactivity was increased in neurons in the external plexiform layer 60 days after ischemia, and in mitral cells 30 and 60 days after ischemia. GAD67 immunoreactivity in the sham-operated group was shown in periglomerular cells, neuron in the external plexiform layer and granule cells with neuropil. GAD67 immunoreactivity in periglomerular cells was increased 10, 45 and 60 days after ischemia. GAD67 immunoreactivity in neurons in the external plexiform layer was increased 10 and 15 days after ischemia. Mitral cells showed strong GAD67 immunoreactivity 10 days after ischemia. However, GAD67 immunoreactivity in the granule cells was not changed with time after ischemia. In Western blot analysis for GAD65 and GAD67 protein levels in the ischemic gerbil MOB, GAD65 level was not changed after ischemia; GAD67 level was increased 10 days after ischemia. These results suggest that transient ischemia causes changes in GAD65 and GAD67 immunoreactivity in the gerbil MOB, and this change may induce a malfunction in olfaction after an ischemic insult. Ki-Yeon Yoo and In Koo Hwang equally contributed to this article.     

Expression of the small heat shock protein (hsp) 27 in human astrocytomas correlates with histologic grades and tumor growth fractions

Summary 1. Cellular expression and distribution of the stress response small heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) in 39 high-grade astrocytomas (27 glioblastoma multiformes, 12 anaplastic astrocytomas) and in 27 low-grade astrocytomas (grade I–II) were analyzed immunohistochemically.2. The correlation between hsp27 expression and tumor growth fractions of the astrocytomas was examined following Ki-67 immunostaining.3. The hsp27 staining was cell cytoplasmic. The hsp27 immunopositive rate was significantly higher in high-grade astrocytomas; the rates were 74% for glioblastomas, 58% for anaplastic astrocytomas, and 37% for low-grade astrocytomas. The small and large tumor cells, especially in glioblastomas, multinucleated tumor giant cells, tumor cells in the pseudopalisading and necrotic areas, cells of the microvascular endothelial proliferations, and tumor vascular smooth muscles were usually hsp27 positive. The mean percentage of hsp27-positive cells was significantly higher in the glioblastomas alone and in the combined high-grade astrocytomas, compared to the low-grade, and in recurrent rather than in primary high-grade astrocytomas.4. The high-grade astrocytomas had a highly statistical significant Ki-67 labeling index. The Ki-67 labeling indices were significantly higher in the hsp27-positive than the hsp27-negative astrocytomas, irrespective of the histological grade. In the high-grade astrocytomas with a Ki-67 labeling index of five and above, 81% of those tumors were hsp27 positive.5. Thus, a large number of human astrocytomas express hsp27, and hsp27 expression correlates with histological grades of astrocytoma and with tumor growth fractions. This being the case, hsp27 is likely to have a role in the growth of human astrocytomas.     

巴西橡胶树初生乳管黄色体微纤维蛋白质与67 kD蛋白质的关系

在古铜期的巴西橡胶(Hevea brasiliensis Mull. Arg.)幼茎初生乳管黄色体中存在丰富的微纤维蛋白质.在电子显微镜下,微纤维蛋白质呈两种不同的形态,分别存在于不同的黄色体中.SDS-PAGE分析表明,经等电点纯化的微纤维蛋白质的主要成分是59.5 kD和63.5 kD蛋白质.使用67 kD蛋白质的抗血清的免疫印迹表明,59.5 kD和63.5 kD蛋白质与积累在贮藏蛋白质细胞中的67 kD蛋白质具有一定程度的免疫相关性,且在苗生长发育过程中互为消长.59.5 kD和63.5 kD蛋白质在古铜期的幼茎中最丰富,当新梢茎停止伸长及叶片刚成熟时,其含量略有降低,但在第二和第三伸长单位中明显消失,同时在黄色体中大量积累3～5种低分子量蛋白质.这种季节变化模式表明,59.5 kD和63.5 kD蛋白质的消失与新梢的伸长生长无关,与初生乳管的发育关系密切.67 kD蛋白质在古铜期的幼茎中不存在.随着新梢的成熟,该蛋白质不断积累,表现为典型的营养贮藏蛋白质.