The effect of 1-deoxymannojirimycin on rat liver alpha-mannosidases

Cloned murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) sequences allowed us to search for murine mammary tumor virus related sequences in the DNA of surgically removed human breast tumors. Out of 28 tumors so far examined two were found to contain an Eco RI DNA fragment homologous to the long terminal repeat-group antigen (LTR-Gag) and the Envelope (Env) sequences of MuMTV. We have taken the lymphocytes of these patients and cultured them. Rapid growth of lymphocytes, mostly of T origin, occurred in the presence of T cell growth factor (TCGF). Whereas DNA extracted from fresh lymphocytes is negative, that extracted from the 3-day cultured lymphocytes showed MuMTV related sequences. Long term cultures of T cells and a similar culture derived from a healthy person donor were negative at all stages. DNA extracted from the Ebstein Barr Virus-transformed B cells of the patient does not contain the MuMTV related sequences.     

Expression of wild-type and mutant medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) cDNA in eucaryotic cells

An effective EBV-based expression system for eucaryotic cells has been developed and used for the study of the mitochondrial enzyme medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD). 1325 bp of PCR-generated cDNA, containing the entire coding region, was placed between the SV40 early promotor and polyadenylation signals in the EBV-based vector. Both wild-type MCAD cDNA and cDNA containing the prevalent disease-causing mutation A to G at position 985 of the MCAD cDNA were tested. In transfected COS-7 cells, the steady state amount of mutant MCAD protein was consistently lower than the amount of wild-type human enzyme. The enzyme activity in extracts from cells harbouring the wild-type MCAD cDNA was dramatically higher than in the controls (harbouring the vector without the MCAD gene) while only a slightly higher activity was measured with the mutant MCAD. The mutant MCAD present behaves like wild-type MCAD with respect to solubility, subcellular location, mature protein size and tetrameric structure. In immunoblot comparisons, the MCAD protein was present in normal fibroblasts, but essentially undetectable in patient fibroblasts homozygous for the prevalent mutation. We suggest that the MCAD protein carrying this mutation has an impaired ability to form correct tetramers, leading to instability and subsequent degradation of the enzyme. This finding is discussed in relation to the results from expression of human MCAD in Escherichia coli, where preliminary results show that production of mutant MCAD leads to the formation of aggregates.     

栗疫病菌的营养体亲和性基因和dsRNAs对病毒传播的影响

研究了栗疫病菌[Cryphonectria parasitica(Murr.)Barr]的营养体亲和性基因及dsRNA病毒对菌株间病毒特征传播的影响。试验选用已知4个VC基因座位的15个Vc基因型菌株和3种dsRNA病毒,通过含病毒菌株与野生型菌株的配对培养,将病毒逐个转入不同Vc基因型菌株。将不同Vc基因型的含病毒菌株与具特定VC基因差异的野生型菌株配对培养,根据培养两周后野生型菌株培养性状的改变与否,统计菌株间的病毒传播率。结果表明,各个VC基因对菌株间病毒传播的影响不同;存在2个VC基因差异的菌株间病毒传播率低于相差1个VC基因的：病毒在相差1个VC基因的菌株间的传播多具单向性：不同类型的病毒在菌株间的传播率也有差异。     

EB病毒LMP-1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过JNK介导AP-1活化

 EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白 1 (latentmembraneprotein 1 ,LMP 1 )活化激活蛋白 1 (activatorprotein 1 ,AP 1 )信号传导途径与其致瘤作用密切相关 .为了探讨LMP 1活化AP 1信号传导的分子机制 ,在可诱导调控LMP 1表达的鼻咽癌细胞系L7中 ,首先通过荧光酶双报道系统确定了LMP 1表达能激活AP 1 ;在此基础上 ,用c JunPathDetect系统确定LMP 1表达活化AP 1是通过c Jun的磷酸化 (活化 )介导 .虽然LMP 1不能上调c Jun上游主要调节激酶c JunN端激酶 (c JunN terminalkinase ,JNK)的蛋白表达 ,但能显著促进JNK的磷酸化 (活化 ) ;在L7细胞中导入JNK相互作用蛋白 (JNK interactingprotein ,JIP)基因 ,抑制JNK的核移位能显著抑制LMP 1诱导的AP 1活化 ,同时对NFкВ活化也有部分抑制作用 .结果表明 ,EB病毒LMP 1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过JNK介导AP 1活化     

Origin and Evolution of Viral Interleukin-10 and Other DNA Virus Genes with Vertebrate Homologues

Phylogenies of gene families including members in both vertebrates and DNA viruses of the poxvirus and/or herpesvirus families showed that the viral genes originated at widely different times over the history of life. Certain of these viral genes (for example, the genes encoding the large and small subunits of ribonucleoside–diphosphate reductase) originated before animals diverged from fungi, while others originated much more recently. The most striking examples of recent origin involved viral genes encoding the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), which originated independently in viruses at least three times since the divergence of the orders of eutherian mammals, presumably by viral capture of host genes. In certain domains, viral IL-10 genes showed significantly higher rates of nonsynonymous substitution than their nearest mammalian homologues. Though the mutation rate in these viral genes is up to 20 times that of the corresponding mammalian genes, a high mutation rate alone did not account for these differences because they were not seen in all domains. Rather, in certain domains it appears that functional constraints present in the case of mammalian IL-10 are relaxed in the case of the viral homologues. Furthermore, a nonrandom pattern of change with respect to amino acid residue charge in the N-terminal portion of the mature protein has occurred repeatedly in independently derived viral IL-10 genes, strongly suggesting that positive selection has led to divergence of this functionally important domain in viral IL-10. Received: 11 January 2001 / Accepted: 23 May 2001     

Possible steps required in the internalization of nude Epstein-Barr virus

The hypothesis proposed is that the internalization of nude EBV by Raji cells-a CR2-positive line-involves a multi-step mechanism. Our data also indicate that Raji cells do not acquire the ability to kill EBV until after the virions attach to the membrane.     

Serous effusion cytology of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

X.‐Y. Su, J. Huang, Y. Jiang, Y. Tang, G.‐D. Li and W.‐P. Liu Serous effusion cytology of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma Objective: Extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL‐N), is a rare form of lymphoma that typically occurs at extranodal sites. It is one of the most common extranodal lymphomas in China. Literature on effusions and cytological findings relating to ENKTCL‐N is limited. We studied five consecutive cases of ENKTCL‐N effusions collected over a 3‐year period. The cytomorphological, immunocytochemical and molecular biological features were evaluated with literature review. The purpose of this study is to discuss how to diagnose ENKTCL‐N cytologically in effusions. Methods: Smears and cell block sections were reviewed for each case. Immunocytochemistry was performed on 4‐μm paraffin sections. Antibodies used were as follows: cCD3 (intracytoplasmic CD3), CD45RO, surface CD3, CD20, CD79a, CD56, TIA‐1, granzyme B, CD30, CD99, TdT and Ki‐67. In situ hybridization for EBER1/2 (EBER‐ISH) and T‐cell receptor γ (TCRγ) gene rearrangement were performed for all cases. Results: Large to medium‐sized tumour cells with pleomorphic nuclei and coarse chromatin were found in a necrotic background in all cases. The cytoplasm of the tumour cells was scant to moderately abundant with occasional cytoplasmic projections; in Giemsa‐stained smears, fine granules were present in some tumour cells. Mitotic figures were frequent. The tumour cells were all positive for CD56, granzyme B, TIA‐1 and cCD3, and were negative for surface CD3, CD20 or CD79a, CD99 and TdT. The MIB index was 50–80%. Epstein‐Barr virus‐encoded RNA (EBER) hybridizing signals were detected for most neoplastic cells. The T‐cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement analysis showed germ‐line configuration, except for one case. Conclusions: Effusion cytology may be appropriate for establishing the diagnosis of ENKTCL‐N, particularly for patients in whom tissue biopsy is not possible.     

巴氏小体案例在遗传学教学中的应用

细胞遗传学在染色体水平上有3个经典问题,即巴氏小体、多线染色体和灯刷染色体的形成机制和遗传学效应。其中巴氏小体因其与哺乳动物在两性间X染色体的剂量补偿效应、人类性别鉴定和某些人类疾病的相关性而引起科研和教学工作者的持续关注。在遗传学教学过程中,作者尝试将国外的案例教学方式引入教学实践,将巴氏小体这一经典遗传学问题作为一条线贯穿于遗传学教学的部分环节,例如伴性遗传、基因表达调控、癌症发生以及遗传学实验,最后通过课堂讨论会的形式全面总结相关的遗传学知识。结果发现,这种改进的教学方法不仅可以优化遗传学教学内容,拓宽并巩固学生的遗传学基础知识,形成了对一个经典遗传学问题的系统观、发展观;还能引导和激发学生对生命科学的兴趣,收到了良好的教学效果。     

Deciphering nasopharyngeal carcinoma pathogenesis via proteomics

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in its etiological association of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, hidden anatomical location, remarkable racial and geographical distribution, and high incidence of locoregional recurrence or metastasis. Thanks to the advancements in proteomics in recent decades, more understanding of the disease etiology, carcinogenesis, and progression has been gained, potentially deciphering the molecular characteristics of the malignancy.

Areas covered: In this review, we provide an overview of the proteomic aberrations that are likely involved or drive NPC development and progression, focusing on the contributions of major EBV-encoded factors, intercommunication with environment, protein features of high metastasis and therapy resistance, and protein–protein interactions that allow NPC cells to evade immune recognition and elimination. Finally, multistep carcinogenesis and subtypes of NPC from a proteomic perspective are inquired.

Expert commentary: Proteomic studies have covered various aspects involved in NPC pathogenesis, yet much remains to be uncovered. Coherent study designs, optimal conditions for obtaining high-quality data, and compelling interpretation are critical in ensuring the emergence of good science out of NPC proteomics. NPC proteogenomics and proteoform analysis are two promising fields to promote the application of the proteomic findings from bench to bedside.