Site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast PRP20/1SRM1 gene reveals distinct activity domains in the protein product

Prp20/Srm1, a homolog of the mammalian protein RCC1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, binds to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) through a multicomponent complex in vitro. This dsDNA-binding capability of the Prp20 complex has been shown to be cell-cycle dependent; affinity for dsDNA is lost during DNA replication. By analyzing a number of temperature sensitive (ts) prp20 alleles produced in vivo and in vitro, as well as site-directed mutations in highly conserved positions in the imperfect repeats that make up the protein, we have determined a relationship between the residues at these positions, cell viability, and the dsDNA-binding abilities of the Prp20 complex. These data reveal that the essential residues for Prp20 function are located mainly in the second and the third repeats at the amino-terminus and the last two repeats, the seventh and eighth, at the carboxyl-terminus of Prp20. Carboxyl-terminal mutations in Prp20 differ from amino-terminal mutations in showing loss of dsDNA binding: their conditional lethal phenotype and the loss of dsDNA binding affinity are both suppressible by overproduction of Gsp1, a GTP-binding constituent of the Prp20 complex, homologous to the mammalian protein TC4/Ran. Although wild-type Prp20 does not bind to dsDNA on its own, two mutations in conserved residues were found that caused the isolated protein to bind dsDNA. These data imply that, in situ, the other components of the Prp20 complex regulate the conformation of Prp20 and thus its affinity for dsDNA. Gsp1 not only influences the dsDNA-binding ability of Prp20 but it also regulates other essential function(s) of the Prp20 complex. Overproduction of Gsp1 also suppresses the lethality of two conditional mutations in the penultimate carboxyl-terminal repeat of Prp20, even though these mutations do not eliminate the dsDNA binding activity of the Prp20 complex. Other site-directed mutants reveal that internal and carboxyl-terminal regions of Prp20 that lack homology to RCC1 are dispensable for dsDNA binding and growth.     

Identification and quantification of endogenous gibberellins in apical buds and the cambial region of Eucalyptus

Endogenous gibberellins (GAs) were extracted and purified from apical buds of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maid.) Maid. and the cambial region of E. globulus (Labill.). then analysed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. GA₁ GA₁₉ GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ were identified by full scan mass spectra. Kovats retention indices and high resolution selected ion monitoring. Using deuterated internal standards. GA₁. GA₁₉. GA₂₀ and putative GA₂₉ and GA₅₃ were quantified in the apical buds, while GA₄. GA₈. GA₉ and GA₄₄ were shown to be either absent or present at very low levels. From the cambial region. GA₁ and GA₂₀ were quantified at levels of 0.30 ng (g fresh weight)-¹ and 8.8 ng (g fresh weight)-¹ respectively. These data suggest that the early 13-hydroxylation pathway is the dominant pathway for GA biosynthesis in Eucalyptus .     

体内体外培养下飞蝗雄性生殖细胞的分化

在单一TCl99或GRACE培养液中培养的四龄三天东亚飞蝗(Locusta mtgratoria mani lensis精小管,其精子发生只发育至初级精母细胞期,培养液中添加10%小牛血清或飞蝗精巢匀浆液可促使其发育至次级精母细胞期,添加10%分别取自东亚飞蝗蝗蝻、柞蚕蛹及蓖麻蚕蛹的血淋巴可促进其产生约20%的精子。 蜕皮激素及保幼激素对精子的产生无显著影响。移植培养的精小管在受体飞蝗体内不能发育产生精子,注射20μg/虫蜕皮激素可促使其产生大量精子。完整精巢无需注射蜕皮激素即可在受体飞蝗体内发育产生精子。结果表明,昆虫血淋巴内可能含有促细胞分化类因子,此(类)因子可能无种属特异性,外源蜕皮激素可能对精子发生无直接作用,但精子发生同时需要蜕皮激素和血淋巴因子,精巢本身可能有自己的蜕皮激素来源。     

20-OH-ecdysone swells nuclear volume by alkalinization in salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster

Ecdysteroids play an important role in the larval moulting process of insects. Ecdysone-induced stimulation causes specific puffs in polytene chromosomes of salivary gland cells resulting in nuclear swelling. During this process, changes of intracellular ion composition are thought to act as an early regulatory mechanism of gene activation. By use of video-imaging analysis and electrophysiological techniques, we examined ecdysone-induced nuclear swelling in Drosophila salivary glands in situ and its dependence on pH and calcium. Isolated glands of the third larval stage were superfused with a solution mimicking the haemolymph. Addition of 5×10^–6 mol/l 20-OH-ecdysone led, after a lag period of 50 min, to a sustained Ca²⁺-dependent increase of nuclear volume by 23.0±2.3%. Amiloride, a blocker of plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ exchange, prevented 20-OH-ecdysone-induced nuclear swelling. Decreasing pH in the superfusate from 7.15 to 6.8 led to nuclear shrinkage by 16.9±3.9%. Measurments of pH in salivary gland cells with ion-sensitive microelectrodes disclosed an alkalinization of 0.23±0.05 pH units after stimulation with 20-OH-ecdysone. We postulate that 20-OH-ecdysone activates the amilorde-sensitive plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger. This leads to intracellular alkalinization and concomitant decondensation of the nuclear chromatin visible as nuclear swelling. Thus, cell alkalinization could be a potentially important stimulatory mechanism in mediating ecdysteroid-induced activation of the cell nucleus.     

In vivo anti inflammatory effects of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor: I. Effects on acute inflammatory parameters

Previous studies have described an IL-1 Inhibitor produced by a myelomonocytic line developed in our laboratory (Eur J Immunol 1986; 16: 1449). This IL-1 Inhibitor was secreted by the M20 line constitutively in addition to IL-1, from which it could be separated. We have recently shown that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor is distinct from the IL-1ra.In vitro this factor inhibited IL-1 induced proliferative responses as well as PGE₂ secretion by IL-1 induced fibroblasts. We also showed for the first time (Lymphokine Research 1988; 7(3): 268) that an IL-1 inhibitor can reduce IL-1 induced inflammatory effects. This study describes the specific effect of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor on IL-1 induced parameters of inflammation: fever, leukocytosis and local foot pad swelling or lymph node enlargement. Purified preparations of the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together with IL-1, or before the IL-1, reduced fever, leukocytosis, foot pad swelling and lymph node enlargement caused by IL-1. Similar responses were obtained by injection of IL-6 or TNF, but were unaffected by the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together.These results indicate that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor acts specifically on IL-1 induced responsesin vivo. The potential importance of this factor as an anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory factor, is supported by the findings of this study.Abbreviations IL-1 Interleukin 1 - IL-6 Interleukin 6 - IL-1ra Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist - TNF tumor necrosis factor     

苄基异喹啉类化合物 D20抑制钙调素激活磷酸二酯酶的研究

苄基异喹啉化合物是一类钙调素拮抗剂.对新合成的双苄基异喹啉化合物 D₂₀对钙调素依赖的磷酸二酯酶的抑制作用进行了研究,IC₅₀=5μmol/L,表明其拮抗作用大于三氟啦嗪,是强的拮抗剂.荧光分析表明,钙调素与化合物 D₂₀的结合常数为2.64(μmol/L)^-1,一个化合物 D₂₀分子与两个钙调素分子结合,并显示了结合方向性及空间位阻影响.     

Brief history of the Society for Melanoma Research: A community of clinicians,researchers, and friends

To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Society of Melanoma Research and the first International Melanoma Research Congress held in June of 2003, we have described in brief, how the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) began, the purpose, goals, and governance of the SMR, and how the society has evolved to support new melanoma researchers. In celebration of the immense progress in treating melanoma patients over the last 20 years and the impact of the SMR on these advances, we have highlighted memories and insight from early SMR members and founders.     

慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE2、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探究慢性牙周炎患者血清降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）、前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）、CC趋化因子配体20（CCL20）与牙周临床指标和辅助性T淋巴细胞17/调节性T淋巴细胞（Th17/Treg）失衡的相关性。方法：选取2020年5月-2022年5月海南省妇女儿童医学中心收治的91例慢性牙周炎患者,根据其严重程度分为轻度组（39例）、中度组（36例）、重度组（16例）,比较三组血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20、牙周临床指标[出血指数（BI）、探诊深度（PD）、附着丧失（AL）、菌斑指数（PLI）]、外周血Th17细胞比例、Treg细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值,采用Pearson相关分析血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性。结果：与轻度组比较,中度组、重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）;与中度组比较,重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）。相关性结果提示,血清PGE₂、CCL20水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈负相关（P＜0.05）;血清CGRP水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平与疾病严重程度、牙周临床指标及Th17/Treg失衡显著相关,血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20可能通过影响Th17/Treg平衡参与慢性牙周炎的发生和发展。     

Stimulation of shoot elongation in Salix pentandra by gibberellin A9; activity appears to be dependent upon hydroxylation to GAl via GA20

Cessation of shoot elongation in seedlings of Salix pentandra L. is induced by short photoperiod. Gibbereliin A₉ (GA₉) applied either to the apical bud or injected into a mature leaf, induced shoot elongation under a short photoperiod of 12 h, and GA₉ could completely substitute for a transfer to a long photoperiod. When [³H]GA₉ or [²H₂]GA₉ was injected into a leaf, no [³H]GA₉ was detected in the elongating apex and only traces of [³H]GA₉ were found in the shoot above the treated leaf. By the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), [²H₂]GA₂₀ was identified as the main metabolite of [²H₂]GA₉ in both the shoot and the treated leaf. In addition, [²H₂]GA₁ and [²H₂]GA₂₉ were also identified as metabolites of [²H₂]GA₉. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that exogenous GA, promotes shoot elongation in Salix through its metabolism to GA₂₀ and GA,.