Stress-mediated signaling in PC12 cells - the role of the small heat shock protein,Hsp27, and Akt in protecting cells from heat stress and nerve growth factor withdrawal

We have investigated the role of stress-activated signaling pathways and the small heat shock protein, Hsp27, in protecting PC12 cells from heat shock and nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal-induced apoptosis. PC12 cells and a stable cell line overexpressing Hsp27 (HSPC cells) were subjected to heat shock. This resulted in the rapid activation of Akt followed by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, with phosphorylation and intracellular translocation of Hsp27 also detectable. Hsp27 was found to form an immunoprecipitable complex with Akt and p38 MAPK in both non-stimulated and heat shocked cells, although after heat shock there was a gradual dissociation of Akt and p38 from the Hsp27. Cells were differentiated with NGF and then subjected to NGF withdrawal, a treatment which results in substantial cell death over 24-72 h. Hsp27 was shown to be protective against this treatment, since HSPC cells which overexpress Hsp27 showed significantly less cell death than the parental PC12 cells. In addition, we observed that phosphorylation of Akt was maintained in HSPC cells subjected to heat shock and NGF withdrawal compared with the parental cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Hsp27 may protect Akt from dephosphorylation and may also act in stabilizing Akt.     

A Streptococcus iniae DNA vaccine delivered by a live attenuated Edwardsiella tarda via natural infection induces cross‐genus protection

Edwardsiella tarda and Streptococcus iniae are important fish pathogens. We have reported previously a live E. tarda vaccine based on the attenuated strain TX5RM and a S. iniae DNA vaccine based on the antigen Sia10. In this study, we examined the possibility of constructing a cross‐genus vaccine by taking advantage of the residual infectivity of TX5RM and using it as a carrier host for the natural delivery of a S. iniae DNA vaccine. For this purpose, the recombinant TX5RM, TX5RMS10, was created, which harbours and retains stably the DNA vaccine plasmid pCS10 that expresses Sia10. When flounder were vaccinated with TX5RMS10 via oral and immersion routes, TX5RMS10 was detected in multiple tissues within 12–14 days postvaccination (p.v.). At 7 and 14 days p.v., expression of the DNA vaccine was detected in spleen, kidney and liver. Following E. tarda and S. iniae challenge at one and 2 months p.v., the vaccinated fish exhibited relative per cent survival rates of 69–83%. Immunological analysis indicated that TX5RMS10‐vaccinated fish produced specific serum antibodies and exhibited enhanced expression of a wide range of immune genes.     

Gastric mucosal integrity: gastric mucosal blood flow and microcirculation. An overview

The stomach is in a state of continuous exposure to potentially hazardous agents. Hydrochloric acid together with pepsin constitutes a major and serious threat to the gastric mucosa. Reflux of alkaline duodenal contents containing bile and pancreatic enzymes are additional important injurious factors of endogenous origin. Alcohol, cigarette smoking, drugs and particularly aspirin and aspirin-like drugs, and steroids are among exogenous mucosal irritants that can inflict mucosal injury. The ability of the stomach to defend itself against these noxious agents has been ascribed to a number of factors constituting the gastric mucosal defense. These include mucus and bicarbonate secreted by surface epithelial cells, prostaglandins, sulfhydryl compounds and gastric mucosal blood flow. The latter is considered by several researchers to be of paramount importance in maintaining gastric mucosal integrity. The aim of this paper is to review the experimental and clinical data dealing with the role of mucosal blood flow and in particular the microcirculation in both damage and protection of the gastric mucosa.     

模拟胃酸条件下的幽门螺杆菌CAT特异性抗体活性研究

幽门螺杆菌是常见的感染性病原菌,人类多种疾病发生与此菌感染有关。预防和治疗菌体感染及引发的相关疾病仍是现代医学面临的课题。实验利用原核表达的幽门螺杆菌过氧化氢酶(1~380 aa)免疫家兔,获得效价为1∶6 000的特异性抗血清,经硫酸铵沉淀法得到初步纯化的抗体。在体外模拟胃酸环境下(pH3.4)将抗体进行水解。SDS-PAGE结果显示,抗体的重链能被水解。水解后的抗体产物经ELISA方法检测,仍然具有与抗原特异性结合的能力。实验结论证实,在体外环境下特异性幽门螺杆菌抗体保护作用不会被胃蛋白酶的水解而破坏,提示口服特异性抗体预防和治疗幽门螺杆菌感染可能是一条可行的途径。     

Structural and functional characterization of galactooligosaccharides in Nostoc commune: beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->6)-[beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->6)]2-beta-D-1,4-anhydrogalactitol and beta-(1-->6)-galactofuranosylated homologues

A new class of galactooligosaccharides has been identified from the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune by MS and NMR techniques. These consist of beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->6)-[beta-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->6)]n-beta-d-1,4-anhydrogalactitols with n ranging from 2 to 8, corresponding to compounds designated 1 through 7. In total these saccharides amounted to approximately 0.35% of the dry thallus of N. commune, while in several other cyanobacteria they were not detected. Possibly they play some role in protection from damage by heat and desiccation as suggested by experiments with heterologous systems. For example, phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1) from rabbit muscle was protected against heat inactivation by these oligosaccharides, and alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) from porcine pancreas by the oligosaccharides 6 and 7. The homologues of lower molecular mass, however, enhanced heat sensitivity of alpha-amylase. The viability of Escherichia coli was completely abolished by desiccation, whereas in the presence of 4 survival rates were approximately 50% of controls not subjected to desiccation. The newly identified saccharides are compared with known galactofuranose-based oligo- and polysaccharides and possible biological functions of them are discussed.     

水杨酸对盐胁迫下管花蒲公英的保护作用

以管花蒲公英为材料,研究盐分胁迫对其的生理影响及水杨酸对盐胁迫条件下的管花蒲公英的保护作用。结果表明：水杨酸能够降低盐胁迫条件下相对电导率,提高体内过氧化物酶等细胞保护性酶的活性;提高可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量,提高管花蒲公英对盐胁迫的抗逆性。     

PTEN regulates RPA1 and protects DNA replication forks

Tumor suppressor PTEN regulates cellular activities and controls genome stability through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we report that PTEN is necessary for the protection of DNA replication forks against replication stress. We show that deletion of PTEN leads to replication fork collapse and chromosomal instability upon fork stalling following nucleotide depletion induced by hydroxyurea. PTEN is physically associated with replication protein A 1 (RPA1) via the RPA1 C-terminal domain. STORM and iPOND reveal that PTEN is localized at replication sites and promotes RPA1 accumulation on replication forks. PTEN recruits the deubiquitinase OTUB1 to mediate RPA1 deubiquitination. RPA1 deletion confers a phenotype like that observed in PTEN knockout cells with stalling of replication forks. Expression of PTEN and RPA1 shows strong correlation in colorectal cancer. Heterozygous disruption of RPA1 promotes tumorigenesis in mice. These results demonstrate that PTEN is essential for DNA replication fork protection. We propose that RPA1 is a target of PTEN function in fork protection and that PTEN maintains genome stability through regulation of DNA replication.     

崇明东滩南部河口盐沼植物群落种间关系的数量分析

对崇明东滩南部盐沼植物群落样方进行调查,基于现有17种高等植物,特别是8种常见植物的2×2联列表和植被盖度值,利用方差比率法、χ²检验以及Spearman秩相关分析对物种关联性和相关性进行分析.结果表明: 方差比率(VR=0.61)的检验统计量W=48.61,落在 χ² 2个临界值区间之外,因此该区域盐沼植物群落内植物整体关联度表现为显著负相关;依据各优势植物对环境的适应方式和生境的主导因素,参考Spearman秩相关分析的结果,将它们划分为4个生态种组: 芦苇、糙叶苔草-藨草-水莎草、互花米草-海三棱藨草、白茅-稗草.崇明东滩南部盐沼植物群落种间关系复杂,群落表现极不稳定,植物对于环境影响较为敏感.在明确物种之间关系的基础上,针对海三棱藨草的分布现状提出了相应种群的保护措施和建议.     

云南省爬行动物名录和地理区划更新

云南省作为中国生物多样性最高的省份, 其详实的物种本底资料对我国生物多样性研究和保护具有重要意义。本文在前期研究的基础上, 结合实体标本, 汇总编制了云南省现生、原生爬行动物更新名录。截至2021年12月31日, 云南省记录爬行动物25科82属235种, 其中龟鳖目4科12属16种, 有鳞目蜥蜴亚目6科20属72种, 蛇亚目15科50属147种。较《云南两栖爬行动物》确认新增82种, 存疑收录21种, 移除23种。基于先前云南省爬行动物区划和更新后的物种分布信息, 将云南省爬行动物地理分为6个动物地理区, 即滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇南山地区、滇东南山地区、滇中高原区以及滇东北山地区; 其中滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇中高原区和滇东南山地区的范围与先前研究相比有所调整。结合调整后的爬行动物地理区划, 对物种分布、物种特有性、受威胁状况等给出了统计结果。云南省爬行动物特有物种、国内仅见于云南的非特有物种数量较多, 受威胁等级高。建议今后继续加大分类学研究投入, 对滇西北、滇中特有爬行动物分布集中的区域积极开展栖息地保护工作, 同时在最新调整的《国家重点保护野生动物名录》基础上, 定期组织专家研讨, 对《云南省省级重点保护动物名录》提出更新建议。     

γ-Lactam-Based Antifungal Compounds against the Wheat Pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici

As new environmentally friendly and effective antifungal agents are deeply needed, efficient ecofriendly strategies were designed to access two series of compounds inspired from natural γ-lactams. Designed compounds were fully characterized and evaluated as antifungal candidates against Zymoseptoria tritici, the main pathogen on wheat crops. The targeted derivatives were prepared from natural resources using green solvents, simple procedures, and limited purification steps. These bio-inspired compounds revealed as good candidates for further development of efficient crop protection products. Indeed, the HIT compounds exhibited IC₅₀ around 1 μg/mL and were more active than the references tebuconazole and bixafen towards some multidrug-resistant strains. Two dozen of derivatives have been obtained for each series and allowed to establish early structure-activity relationships useful for the development of next generation of γ-lactam derivatives with improved efficacy.