Evidence for the Presence of "Metabolic Sterols" in Pneumocystis: Identification and Initial Characterization of Pneumocystis carinii Sterols

Mixed life cycle stages of rat-derived Pneumocystis carinii were isolated from host lungs and their sterols were compared with those present in lungs from normal and immunosuppressed uninfected rats. Gas-liquid chromatography consistently detected, resolved, and quantified 9, 10, and 20 sterol components in the total nonsaponifiable neutral lipid fraction of lungs from normal rats, lungs from immunosuppressed uninfected rats, and P. carinii preparations, respectively. In all samples, cholesterol was the most abundant sterol present, comprising 97%, 93%, and 78% of total sterols in lungs from normal rats, lungs from immunosuppressed uninfected rats, and P. carinii , respectively. Tentative identifications of several rat lung and P. carinii minor sterols were made based on gas-liquid chromatogram retention times and fragmentation patterns from mass spectral analyses. Campesterol (ergost-5-en-3-ol), cholest-5-en-3-one, and β -sitosterol (stigmast-5-en-3-ol) were among the minor components present in both types of lung controls, and were also components of P. carinii sterols. In contrast to lung controls, the sterols of P. carinii were enriched in C₂₈ and C₂₉ sterols with one or two double bonds, and a hydroxyl group at C-3 (ergost-5-en-3-ol, ergost-7-en-3-ol, ergosta-dien-3-ol, stigmast-5-en-3-ol, stigmast-7-en-3-ol and stigmasta-dien-3-ol). Steryl esters of P. carinii , probably stored in cytoplasmic lipid droplets, were dominated by those present in the host lung. In separate studies. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A activity, a key enzyme in the regulation of sterol biosynthesis, was detected in purified P. carinii preparations and incorporation of radiolabeled squalene and mevalonate was observed. Together, these results suggest that the parasite readily takes up and incorporates host sterols, and that the organism synthesizes some of its own "metabolic sterols"     

大豆SbPRP3基因表达及转基因烟草非生物胁迫鉴定

为研究大豆(Glycine max L.)细胞壁脯氨酸富集蛋白基因(SbPRP3)在逆境胁迫中的作用,利用实时荧光定量PCR,对SbPRP3在高盐、干旱和低温处理下的表达情况进行检测。结果显示,SbPRP3在高盐处理下表达量升高,在干旱和低温处理下表达量先升高后降低。将SbPRP3构建到植物表达载体pRI101-AN上并转化烟草,获得阳性转基因烟草3株。对转基因烟草植株进行高盐、干旱和低温胁迫处理。结果表明,与对照相比,高盐和低温处理下转基因烟草脯氨酸积累量增加,而丙二醛产生量降低。但干旱处理后转基因烟草脯氨酸和丙二醛的含量与对照相比没有显著差异。由此推测SbPRP3可以提高转基因烟草的耐盐性和耐寒性。     

Schistosoma mansoni: Phospholipid nature of the “agglutinin”

The haemagglutinating activity of the membrane-associated Schistosoma mansoni “agglutinin” is mainly due to acidic phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. The role of these phospholipids in possible lipid-protein interactions in the host-parasite relationship is discussed.     

降胆固醇乳酸菌的筛选和分析比较

目的 比较7株乳酸菌各项生理特性,筛选高效、安全降解胆固醇的益生菌株,为后期开发应用奠定基础。方法 对选定菌株依次进行体外降胆固醇、胆盐水解酶（BSH）活力、人工胃肠液及胆盐耐受性、细胞粘附性能的测定和比较,并分析抗生素耐药性和抑制病原菌活性,最后利用16S rRNA基因测序确定细菌种属。结果 不同菌株各项生理指标存在差异。其中菌株ZL-2、JQI-7和PC-26的BSH酶活分别为0.010、0.015和0.030 U,可高效清除体外胆固醇,3株菌体外降解胆固醇率在58%以上;并且耐酸、耐胆盐,具备较好的HT-29细胞粘附性,不存在抗生素耐药性,可有效抑制大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞菌和阴沟肠杆菌生长。结论 菌株ZL-2、JQI-7和PC-26满足降胆固醇益生菌株的生物学特性,可用于进一步研究和开发。     

Heterologous expression, purification, and properties of human cytochrome P450 27C1

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 27C1 is one of the "orphan" P450 enzymes without a known biological function. A human P450 27C1 cDNA with a nucleotide sequence modified for Escherichia coli usage was prepared and modified at the N-terminus, based on the expected mitochondrial localization. A derivative with residues 3-60 deleted was expressed at a level of 1350nmol/L E. coli culture and had the characteristic P450 spectra. The identity of the expressed protein was confirmed by mass spectrometry of proteolytic fragments. The purified P450 was in the low-spin iron state, and the spin equilibrium was not perturbed by any of the potential substrates vitamin D(3), 1alpha- or 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), or cholesterol. P450s 27A1 and 27B1 are known to catalyze the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) and the 1alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), respectively. In the presence of recombinant human adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase, recombinant P450 27C1 did not catalyze the oxidation of vitamin D(3), 1alpha- or 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), or cholesterol at detectable rates. P450 27C1 mRNA was determined to be expressed in liver, kidney, pancreas, and several other human tissues.     

阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者脂蛋白(a)及CETP水平的影响

目的:分析阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者脂蛋白(a)、血清胆固醇酯转运蛋白(CETP)水平的影响及临床疗效。方法:将112例冠心病患者随机分为对照组与观察组,每组56例。对照组患者采用辛伐他汀治疗,观察组患者采用阿托伐他汀治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后血清LP(a),CETP,超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及脑钠肽(BNP)水平,冠状动脉血流储备、舒张期峰流速及收缩期峰流速变化,左心室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)及左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)情况,以及临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组LP(a),CETP,hs-CRP及BNP水平均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组冠状动脉血流储备、舒张期峰流速、收缩期峰流速均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组LVPWT、LVESD、LVEDD均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组安全性比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者的临床疗效比较明确,可下调LP(a)及血清CETP表达。     

The plasma membrane lipid composition affects fusion between cells and model membranes

Investigations were carried out on the effect of plasma membrane lipid modifications on the fusogenic capacity of control and ras-transformed fibroblasts. The plasma membrane lipid composition was modified by treatment of cells with exogenous phospholipases C and D, sphingomyelinase and cyclodextrin. The used enzymes hydrolyzed definite membrane lipids thus inducing specific modifications of the lipid composition while cyclodextrin treatment reduced significantly the level of cholesterol. The cells with modified membranes were used for assessment of their fusogenic capacity with model membranes with a constant lipid composition. Treatment with phospholipases C and D stimulated the fusogenic potential of both cell lines whereas the specific reduction of either sphingomyelin or cholesterol induced the opposite effect. The results showed that all modifications of the plasma membrane lipid composition affected the fusogenic capacity irrespective of the initial differences in the membrane lipid composition of the two cell lines. These results support the notion that the lipid composition plays a significant role in the processes of membrane-membrane fusion. This role could be either direct or through modulation of the activity of specific proteins which regulate membrane fusion.     

Phosphatidylcholesterol bilayers. A model for phospholipid-cholesterol interaction

Aqueous dispersions of monovalent and divalent cation salts of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl) cholesterol form multilamellar vesicles as shown by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, by electron micrographs of the negatively stained liposomes, and by swelling curves of liposomes in hypoosmotic medium. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals that aqueous dispersions of divalent metal salts of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl)-cholesterol undergo a characteristic thermotropic phase transition with a relatively large cooperative unit (n > 250 for the calcium salt). In contrast, monovalent cation salts of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoryl)cholesterol do not show a thermotropic phase transition under comparable conditions. The molecular area of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl)cholesterol in a monolayer is the same in the presence and absence of Ca²⁺, and is virtually equal to the area of an equimolar mixture of dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid and cholesterol. To account for the novel state induced by Ca²⁺ on aqueous dispersions of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl)cholesterol (i.e., bilayer organization and highly cooperative phase transition), a linear array model is proposed in which Ca²⁺ bridges adjacent arrays of O-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl)cholesterol molecules, thus freezing the acyl chains in their normal state. One of the main corollaries of the model is that the cooperative unit for a thermotropic phase transition is essentially one-dimensional, rather than a two-dimensional matrix. O-(1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl)cholesterol is proposed as an orientationally and conformationally restricted analog of glycerophospholipid plus cholesterol in bilayers.     

High‐Voltage‐Driven Surface Structuring and Electrochemical Stabilization of Ni‐Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Li Rechargeable Batteries

Layered lithium–nickel–cobalt–manganese oxide (NCM) materials have emerged as promising alternative cathode materials owing to their high energy density and electrochemical stability. Although high reversible capacity has been achieved for Ni‐rich NCM materials when charged beyond 4.2 V versus Li⁺/Li, full lithium utilization is hindered by the pronounced structural degradation and electrolyte decomposition. Herein, the unexpected realization of sustained working voltage as well as improved electrochemical performance upon electrochemical cycling at a high operating voltage of 4.9 V in the Ni‐rich NCM LiNi_0.895Co_0.085Mn_0.02O₂ is presented. The improved electrochemical performance at a high working voltage at 4.9 V is attributed to the removal of the resistive Ni²⁺O rock‐salt surface layer, which stabilizes the voltage profile and improves retention of the energy density during electrochemical cycling. The manifestation of the layered Ni²⁺O rock‐salt phase along with the structural evolution related to the metal dissolution are probed using in situ X‐ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The findings help unravel the structural complexities associated with high working voltages and offer insight for the design of advanced battery materials, enabling the realization of fully reversible lithium extraction in Ni‐rich NCM materials.     

Effect of thyroid hormone on the distribution and activity of Na, K-ATPase in ventricular myocardium

Employing detergent-free sucrose-density gradient fractionation method we isolated cholesterol-rich lighter membrane fractions containing ∼10% of protein, ∼30% of cholesterol in membranes of ventricular myocardium. Cholesterol-rich lighter membrane fractions contain >70% of Na, K-ATPase and caveolins 1 and 3 and <10% of β-actin. Treatment of hypothyroid rats with T₃ increased the relative abundance of both α1 and β1 Na, K-ATPase subunits in total membranes by 4- to 5-fold (with no change in caveolin-3), and resulted in 1.9-fold increase in enzyme activity. T₃-induced Na, K-ATPase subunits were preferentially distributed to the lighter fractions (#s 4, 5 and 6); and increased abundance of α1 and β1 were 34-70% and 43-68%, respectively. We conclude that the activity of Na, K-ATPase is not uniform in cardiac membranes, and while a significant amount of Na, K-ATPase is present in cardiac cholesterol-rich membrane fractions, the intrinsic activity is significantly less than the enzyme present in relatively cholesterol-poor membranes.