Mitochondrial shape changes: orchestrating cell pathophysiology

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, the location, size and distribution of which are controlled by a family of proteins that modulate mitochondrial fusion and fission. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial morphology is crucial for cell physiology, as changes in mitochondrial shape have been linked to neurodegeneration, calcium signalling, lifespan and cell death. Because immune cells contain few mitochondria, these organelles have been considered to have only a marginal role in this physiological context—which is conversely well characterized from the point of view of signalling. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence shows that mitochondrial dynamics have an impact on the migration and activation of immune cells and on the innate immune response. Here, we discuss the roles of mitochondrial dynamics in cell pathophysiology and consider how studying dynamics in the context of the immune system could increase our knowledge about the role of dynamics in key signalling cascades.     

Marked Amplification and Diversification of Products of ras Genes from Rat Brain,Rab GTPases,in the Ciliates Tetrahymena thermophila and Paramecium tetraurelia

ABSTRACT. Small GTPase Rab (products of ras genes from rat brain) is a widely conserved molecular switch among eukaryotes and regulates membrane trafficking pathways. It is generally considered that the number of Rab encoded in the genome correlates with multicellularity; however, we found that unicellular ciliates Tetrahymena thermophila (Tt) and Paramecium tetraurelia (Pt) possess many more Rab genes in their genome than the 64 HsRab genes in the human genome. We succeeded in isolating 86 cDNA clones of 88 TtRab genes in the Tetrahymena genome. By comparing the amino acid sequence of Rab in humans and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 42 TtRab belonged to subfamilies functionally characterized and designated as conventional Rab, while the remaining 44 TtRab were considered to be species‐specific. To examine the diversity of Rab in ciliates, we searched for Rab genes in the genome database of P. tetraurelia. Overall, 229 PtRab genes were found and categorized as 157 conventional and 72 species‐specific PtRab, respectively. Among them, nine PtRab genes showed high homology to seven TtRab, suggesting the conservation of ciliate‐specific Rab. These data suggested that the range of Rab is markedly amplified and diversified in ciliates, which may support the elaborate cellular structures and vigorous phagocytosis of those organisms.     

Complex patterns of mitochondrial dynamics in human pancreatic cells revealed by fluorescent confocal imaging

Mitochondrial morphology and intracellular organization are tightly controlled by the processes of mitochondrial fission–fusion. Moreover, mitochondrial movement and redistribution provide a local ATP supply at cellular sites of particular demands. Here we analysed mitochondrial dynamics in isolated primary human pancreatic cells. Using real time confocal microscopy and mitochondria-specific fluorescent probes tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester and MitoTracker Green we documented complex and novel patterns of spatial and temporal organization of mitochondria, mitochondrial morphology and motility. The most commonly observed types of mitochondrial dynamics were ( i ) fast fission and fusion; ( ii ) small oscillating movements of the mitochondrial network; ( iii ) larger movements, including filament extension, retraction, fast (0.1–0.3 μm/sec.) and frequent oscillating (back and forth) branching in the mitochondrial network; ( iv ) as well as combinations of these actions and ( v ) long-distance intracellular translocation of single spherical mitochondria or separated mitochondrial filaments with velocity up to 0.5 μm/sec. Moreover, we show here for the first time, a formation of unusual mitochondrial shapes like rings, loops, and astonishingly even knots created from one or more mitochondrial filaments. These data demonstrate the presence of extensive heterogeneity in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in living cells under primary culture conditions. In summary, this study reports new patterns of morphological changes and dynamic motion of mitochondria in human pancreatic cells, suggesting an important role of integrations of mitochondria with other intracellular structures and systems.     

人MCM7 N-端融合蛋白的原核表达、纯化及其与AR蛋白相互作用的研究

目的：制备人MCM7 N-端的GST融合蛋白（GST-MCM7N）,研究其是否和雄激素受体（AR）蛋白存在直接的相互作用。方法：利用RT-PCR获得长度为744 bp的人mcm7 基因N-端cDNA碱基片段,把该片段构建到原核表达载体pGEX-5x-3中,转化大肠杆菌BL-21菌株。经IPTG诱导菌株基因表达产生了GST-MCM7N融合蛋白;使用Glutathione Sepharose 4B球珠分离纯化。利用GST pull-down 技术把纯化的融合蛋白分别和前列腺癌细胞LNCaP细胞裂解液及基因工程获得的AR蛋白孵育,检测MCM7蛋白的 N-端是否和AR蛋白直接相互作用。结果：酶切鉴定及基因测序表明,mcm7 基因cDNA的 N-端片段被构建到表达载体pGEX-5x-3中;SDS-PAGE及Western blotting结果分别显示,本研究获得了GST和GST-MCM7N融合蛋白;GST pull-down 结果证实GST-MCM7N和AR蛋白存在相互作用。结论：MCM7蛋白的N-端和AR蛋白至少在体外可以发生直接的相互作用。     

油菜和播娘蒿体细胞杂交创造油菜高油双低新种质

在甘蓝型双低油菜品种与播娘蒿原生质体融合杂种的自交后代群体中,实施定向选择和品质鉴定,在F3收获的247株中筛选获得9份含油量大于45%、芥酸含量小于0.5%、硫苷含量小于30μmol/g的高油双低甘蓝型油菜新种质,其中有2份是黄籽高油双低材料,这些材料的F4仍保持高含油量双低性状。在F4群体收获的905株中新选出了15份高含油量双低油菜新种质,其中有5份是黄籽高油双低材料。因此,通过播娘蒿与油菜原生质体融合及其后代选择可以获得高含油量优质油菜新种质。     

PET-CT图象融合技术对肺癌靶区定义的研究

目的:目前作为靶区定义依据,CT,MRI等影像主要反映人体解剖结构,而以PET.SPECT.MRS为代表的影像技术可以获得肿瘤内部生物学特性的影像,将对于肿瘤放射治疗靶区定义提供新的靶区范围。结果:本文针对2例典型病例,4名有经验医师分别采取目前常用CT影像和我们所得到的融合图像对肿瘤靶区定义,对比他们的定义差异。结论:利用融合技术将多种影像同时显示,对靶区的定义,尤其了解肿瘤的功能区域有重要的临床意义,可以提高靶区定义准确性,为进一步调强放射治疗以及将来的生物学靶区定义带来重要的实验和临床依据。     

一种表征蛋白质可分泌性的结构融合度特征

选择适宜的信号肽是实现外源蛋白高效分泌表达的一个重要因素。本研究利用生物信息学方法分析信号肽与外源蛋白之间的相容程度,将其定义为结构融合度,并从数学角度分析拼接信号肽与目的蛋白邻近残基之间的相互作用,提出了信号肽拼接区域与目标蛋白之间的数学模型,利用该模型进行结构融合度特征提取,以此来表征外源蛋白质的可分泌性。模拟结果显示结构融合度特征能有效区分枯草芽孢杆菌宿主的可分泌和不可分泌蛋白。研究结果有助于信号肽的选择,对目的蛋白分泌表达的优化具有一定的指导意义。     

鸡红细胞融合最适条件的探讨

目的:探讨快速、有效的细胞融合条件。方法:用鸡红细胞为材料,聚乙二醇(Mw=4000)为诱导剂,诱导鸡红细胞融合。结果:鸡红细胞融合的最适温度为39℃,最适时间为15min。结论:在该条件下,同时用Giemsa染液对融合细胞染色,实验观察效果明显。     

Effects of electric cell fusion treatment among leaf protoplasts of Populus alba and alnus firma on growth, leaf morphology, and rapd pattern of eleven acclimatized plants

Summary This study reports the characterization of 11 plants regenerated from electrically fused protoplasts between Populus alba and Alnus firma. Growth characteristics of five regenerated plants (AP-1-AP-5) in terms of shoot height and leaf color showed small differences compared with those of P. alba grown, in pots, and showed no difference in shoot height and diameter compared with those grown in nursery field. There was also no difference in the RAPD pattern between the plants regenerated from interfamilial protoplast fusion and P. alba. In contrast, the lately regenerated plants (AP-6-AP-11) grown in pots showed a marked difference in leaf morphology and RAPD pattern. There was a variation in the ratio of longitudinal to transverse length of leaves among the 11 plants from interfamilial fusions compared with that of protoclones and intraspecific fused protoplasts of P. alba.     

Structural and functional consequences of galactolipids on thylakoid membrane organization

Photosynthetic membranes of higher plant chloroplasts are composed primarily of polar, but uncharged, galactolipids unlike most mammalian membranes which contain large amounts of phosphatidylcholine. It is unclear what role(s) the galactolipids play in maintaining the differentiated thylakoid membranes, or in stabilizing the photosynthetically active enzyme complexes. Some of the membrane complexes show no lipid selectivity for maintaining structural or functional integrity. Others are poisoned or dissociated in the presence of high concentrations of a trace lipid class. The efficiency of energy transfer and the reconstitution of protein complexes into liposomes are dependent on the lipid class employed. The lipids are asymmetrically arranged along and across the thylakoid membranes but not as distinctly as the proteins.Abbreviations DGDG digalactosyldiglyceride - MGDG monogalactosyldiglyceride - SQDG sulfoquinovosyldiglyceride - PG phosphatidylglycerol - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PSI photosystem I - PSII photosystem II - LHC chlorophylla/b lightharvesting complex - cytb ₆ f cytochromeb ₆ f complex - CF₀/CF₁ coupling factor ATPase - DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol - LRa galactolipase fromRhizopus arrhis