The role of erythropoietin and its receptor in growth,survival and therapeutic response of human tumor cells: From clinic to bench — a critical review

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been used clinically to alleviate cancer- and chemotherapy-related anemia. However, recent clinical trials have reported that rhEPO also may adversely impact disease progression and survival. The expression of functional EPO receptors (EPOR) has been demonstrated in many human cancer cells where, at least in vitro, rhEPO can stimulate cell growth and survival and may induce resistance to selected therapies.     

The effect of Cd2+ on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll in leaves of barley

The effect of cadmium on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll has been investigated in the leaves of dark-grown seedlings of barley ( Hordeum vulture L. cv. Proctor). Cd2+ inhibited the production of chlorophyll by affecting 1) the synthesis of 5-aminolacvulinic acid and 2) the protoehlorophyllide reductase ternary complex with its substrates. Cd2+ had no effect on the constituent enzymes that catalyse the synthesis of free protoehlorophyllide from 5-aminolaevulinic acid. The results obtained are consistent with Cd2+ inhibiting the formation of chlorophyll by reacting with essential thiol groups in both the protochlorophyllide reductase protein and the enzyme(s) involved in the light dependent synthesis of 5-aminolaevulinic acid.     

Physiological nitrogen efficiency in rice: Nitrogen utilization,photosynthesis, and yield potential

Characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa) as a crop plant are briefly introduced, and the relationship between formation of yield potential and nitrogen (N) nutrition is described on the basis of studies using 15N as a tracer. In addition, the relationship between the leaf photosynthetic capacity and leaf N, and the factors limiting leaf photosynthesis under different growth conditions are reviewed. Finally, targets for improving rice yield potential are discussed with a focus on the role of increased photosynthesis efficiency in relation to leaf N status and the photosynthetic components in the leaves.     

Integrin participates in the effect of thyroxine on plasma membrane in immature rat testis

Background

The secretory activity of Sertoli cells (SC) is dependent on ion channel functions and protein synthesis and is critical to ongoing spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action associated with a non-metabolizable amino acid [¹⁴C]-MeAIB (α-(methyl-amino)isobutyric acid) accumulation stimulated by T₄ and the role of the integrin receptor in this event, and also to clarify whether the T₄ effect on MeAIB accumulation and on Ca²⁺ influx culminates in cell secretion.

Methods

We have studied the rapid and plasma membrane initiated effects of T₄ by using ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and [⁴⁵C]-MeAIB accumulation assays, respectively. Thymidine incorporation into DNA was used to monitor nuclear activity and quinacrine to analyze the secretory activity on SC.

Results

The stimulation of MeAIB accumulation by T₄ appears to be mediated by the integrin receptor in the plasma membrane since tetrac and RGD peptide were able to nullify the effect of this hormone. In addition, T₄ increases extracellular Ca²⁺ uptake and Ca²⁺ from intracellular stocks to enhance nuclear activity, but this genomic action seems not to influence SC secretion mediated by T₄. Also, the cytoskeleton and ClC-3 chloride channel contribute to the membrane-associated responses of SC.

Conclusions

T₄ integrin receptor activation ultimately determines the plasma membrane responses on amino acid transport in SC, but it is not involved in calcium influx, cell secretion or the nuclear effect of the hormone.

General significance

The integrin receptor activation by T₄ may take a role in plasma membrane processes involved in the male reproductive system.     

染色质重塑复合物SAGA及其同源物的功能

基因表达调控是生物体生长发育的一个重要环节.在这一过程中,染色质重塑复合物扮演了非常重要的作用.SAGA是一个至少由20个蛋白组成的不依赖ATP的多功能染色质重塑复合物,它通过对组蛋白H3和H2B氨基末端赖氨酸乙酰化修饰来松动染色质结构,从而促进基因转录的起始.目前,对SAGA及其同源物的研究表明,SAGA及其同源物参与了许多重要的生物学功能,如mRNA输出、DNA损伤修复、胚胎发育、细胞癌变等.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Binding of 5-[76Br] Bromo-3-[[2(S)-Azetidinyl]methoxy]pyridine, a Novel Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligand, in Rat Brain

5-[76Br]Bromo-3-[[2(S)-azetidinyl]methoxy]pyridine ([76Br]BAP), a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, was synthesized using [76Br]bromide in an oxidative bromodestannylation of the corresponding trimethylstannyl compound. The radiochemical yield was 25%, and the specific radioactivity was on the order of 1 Ci/micromol. The binding properties of [76Br]BAP were characterized in vitro and in vivo in rat brain, and positron emission tomography (PET) experiments were performed in two rhesus monkeys. In association experiments on membranes of the cortex and thalamus, >90% of maximal specific [76Br]BAP binding was obtained after 60 min. The dissociation half-life of [76Br]BAP was 51 +/- 6 min in cortical membranes and 56 +/- 3 min in thalamic membranes. Saturation experiments with [76Br]BAP revealed one population of binding sites with dissociation constant (K(D)) values of 36 +/- 9 and 30 +/- 9 pM in membranes of cortex and thalamus, respectively. The maximal binding site density (Bmax) values were 90 +/- 17 and 207 +/- 33 fmol/mg in membranes of cortex and thalamus, respectively. Scatchard plots were nonlinear, and the Hill coefficients were <1, suggesting the presence of a lower-affinity binding site. In vitro autoradiography studies showed that binding of [76Br]BAP was high in the thalamus and presubiculum, moderate in the cortex and striatum, and low in the cerebellum and hippocampus. A similar pattern of [76Br]BAP accumulation was observed by ex vivo autoradiography. In vivo, binding of [76Br]BAP in whole rat brain was blocked by preinjection of (S)(-)-nicotine (0.3 mg/kg) by 27, 52, 68, and 91% at survival times of 10, 25, 40, 120, and 300 min, respectively. In a preliminary PET study in rhesus monkeys, the highest [76Br]BAP uptake was found in the thalamus, and radioactivity was displaceable by approximately 60% with cytisine and by 50% with (S)(-)-nicotine. The data of this study indicate that [76Br]BAP is a promising radioligand for the characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in vivo.     

体外化学诱导人骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌样细胞

为了探讨人骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)的体外培养及化学诱导向心肌细胞分化的过程及条件,我们用1.073g/mL密度梯度离心法分离健康人骨髓单个核细胞,经骨髓间充质干细胞培养基传代培养后用流式细胞仪检测细胞表面抗原,在完全培养基中分别加入3、5、10μmol/L的5氮胞苷(每组n=5)进行化学诱导分化,阴性对照组采用完全培养基培养,诱导后21天细胞爬片免疫荧光法鉴定,透射电镜观察细胞超微结构。结果显示人MSCs为形态均一的梭形细胞,生长旺盛时呈旋涡样分布,流式细胞仪检测细胞表面CD44阳性,CD34、CD45阴性;5、10μmol/L的5氮胞苷进行化学诱导后细胞形态变长,诱导后14天时20%-30%细胞融合形成多核肌管样结构,3μmol/L组MSCs未出现肌管结构,诱导后21天5、10μmol/L组MSCs中desmin、心肌早期转录因子GATA4、心肌特异性cTnI及闰盘蛋白connexin43的表达阳性,10μmol/L组cTnI阳性染色细胞数目(65.3±4.7%)高于5μmol/L诱导组(48.2±5.4%)(p<0.05);3μmol/L组及阴性对照组无心肌特异性蛋白的表达。细胞诱导后28天透射电镜下可见肌丝形成。本实验说明,人MSCs在体外经化学诱导可分化为心肌样细胞,而且5-氮胞苷对于心肌相关蛋白的表达呈浓度依赖性正相关。     

外源ALA对干旱胁迫下山定子叶片叶绿素荧光特性及抗性生理指标的影响

以两年生山定子(Malus baccata(L.)Borkh)盆栽苗为材料,正常浇水为对照,控水条件下喷施不同浓度(0、25、50、75、100mg/L)5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA),测定各持续干旱胁迫时期(第0、4、8、12天)叶片的抗旱生理指标及光合荧光参数,研究ALA对干旱胁迫下山定子叶绿素荧光和抗逆生理生化特性的影响及其调节机制。结果显示:(1)持续干旱胁迫条件下,外源ALA处理使得山定子叶片渗透调节物质(SS、SP、Pro)含量增加,抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、APX)活性升高,丙二醛(MDA)积累减少。(2)ALA处理增大了干旱胁迫下山定子叶片的气孔开度,促进叶绿素的合成,并对干旱引起的最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光量子效率(YⅡ)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)及光合电子传递速率(ETR)的减小,以及PSⅡ调节性能量耗散的量子产额(Y_(NPQ))、非调节性能量耗散的量子产额(Y_(NO))和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ/4)的增大有明显的缓解作用。研究认为,外喷ALA能够有效缓解干旱胁迫对山定子生理代谢功能的损伤,但干旱胁迫条件下山定子对不同浓度ALA响应程度不尽相同,其中以75mg/L的ALA处理效果较为理想。     

猪骨骼肌MyHC-Ⅱb基因上调表达的分子机制

哺乳动物骨骼肌由各种不同类型的肌纤维镶嵌而成,不同类型肌球蛋白重链的表达是造成不同类型肌纤维的主要原因.目前已知的肌球蛋白重链家族包含8种亚型,其中长白猪骨骼肌My HC-Ⅱb的表达量显著高于中国地方猪,然而造成这种差异的分子机制未见报道.本研究用荧光定量PCR证明了长白猪背最长肌中My HC-Ⅱb m RNA的表达量显著高于莱芜猪(P=0.013).删除实验结果表明,从转录起始位点上游-1024 bp删除到-187 bp之后,My HC-Ⅱb表达量显著下降,分析发现,在这段启动子区域内存在3个E-box序列;分别突变这3个E-box序列后,My HC-Ⅱb启动子驱动的荧光素酶活性显著下降(P=0.036).另外,在My HC-Ⅱb上游启动子区?1398 bp处发现一个GT的突变,所检测的64头莱芜猪在该位点全部为GG型,65头长白猪中13头为GG型,16头为TT型,36头为GT型.在C2C12细胞系中的转染实验结果显示,G突变为T之后有增加My HC-Ⅱb表达的趋势.Western blot的结果表明,转录因子Myo D在两猪种间表达差异不显著(P=0.136),而Myf-5在长白猪中的表达量极显著高于其在莱芜猪中的表达量(P=0.0036).这些数据表明,Myf-5是造成猪My HC-Ⅱb基因m RNA上调表达的重要因素之一.