Tubulin cofactor B regulates microtubule densities during microglia transition to the reactive states

Microglia are highly dynamic cells of the CNS that continuously survey the welfare of the neural parenchyma and play key roles modulating neurogenesis and neuronal cell death. In response to injury or pathogen invasion parenchymal microglia transforms into a more active cell that proliferates, migrates and behaves as a macrophage. The acquisition of these extra skills implicates enormous modifications of the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons. Here we show that tubulin cofactor B (TBCB), which has been found to contribute to various aspects of microtubule dynamics in vivo, is also implicated in microglial cytoskeletal changes. We find that TBCB is upregulated in post-lesion reactive parenchymal microglia/macrophages, in interferon treated BV-2 microglial cells, and in neonate amoeboid microglia where the microtubule densities are remarkably low. Our data demonstrate that upon TBCB downregulation both, after microglia differentiation to the ramified phenotype in vivo and in vitro, or after TBCB gene silencing, microtubule densities are restored in these cells. Taken together these observations support the view that TBCB functions as a microtubule density regulator in microglia during activation, and provide an insight into the understanding of the complex mechanisms controlling microtubule reorganization during microglial transition between the amoeboid, ramified, and reactive phenotypes.     

Critical Loads Changing with Time

The critical load is the maximal rate of contaminant addition that, over time, will result in environmental concentrations that do not exceed the highest acceptable concentration (i.e., the critical limit). Computationally, critical loads depend solely on critical limits and the expected rates at which contaminants are lost from the environmental media of concern. Losses include processes such as flushing (water bodies) or leaching (soils), sequestration in sediment, volatilization, and crop removal. A significant challenge is that loss rates will vary with time, especially in response to processes such as climate change. How should regulators deal with these changes with time? This Perspective compares the implications of three options where conditions are: (1) fixed to represent the present, (2) variable with no trend over time, and (3) variable with systematic trends (monotonic and cyclical) over time, and a fourth option using stochastic (probabilistic) evaluation of all plausible future conditions. Soil concentrations over 250 years were computed for each option. As expected, conditions that vary systematically with time can drastically change estimates of environmental concentration, and hence critical loads. However, if it is assumed that regulators periodically revisit critical load estimates taking into account changing conditions, long-term objectives can be achieved. One approach to changing conditions is to stochastically create a family of possible time series of conditions and outcomes. In the example developed here, the range of outcomes from the stochastic treatment encompassed those of the various time-series calculations. The regulatory implications of these findings are discussed.     

Different forms of molybdenum cofactor inVicia faba seeds: The presence of molybdenum cofactor carrier protein and its purification

There were significant differences in the contents of molybdenum cofactor (Mo-co), both in a low-molecular-mass form (free Mo-co) and in a protein-bound form, in seeds of sevenVicia faba genotypes. Low-molecular-mass Mo-co species present in the extracts were detected by their ability to reactivate, through a dialysis membrane, aponitrate reductase from theNeurospora crassa nit-1 mutant. In extracts of all genotypes tested, the amount of Mo-co capable of directly reactivating nitrate reductase of theN. crassa nit-1 mutant was always much higher than that of low-molecular-mass Moco. These data cannot be explained by considering, as traditionally, that Mo-co detected directly, i.e. without any previous treatment for its release from Mo-coproteins, corresponds to free low-molecular mass Mo-co. A protein which bound Mo-co was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. This protein consisted of a single 70-kDa polypeptide chain and carried a Mo-co that could be efficiently released when in contact with aponitrate reductase.Abbreviations CP carrier protein - Mo-co molybdenum cofactor - NR nitrate reductase - XO xanthine oxidase     

构建可合成非天然辅酶的圆红冬孢酵母工程菌*

烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide,NAD)及其还原态是生物体通用的氧化还原辅酶和重要小分子,参与胞内众多代谢反应,因此调控NAD水平不仅难以选择性作用于代谢途径,还常常产生意外的生物学效应。最近研究发现利用非天然辅酶烟酰胺胞嘧啶二核苷酸(nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide,NCD),可构建正交的氧化还原催化体系,为调控胞内代谢提供了新机遇。为实现在产油酵母圆红冬孢酵母中建立NCD介导的氧化还原代谢,采用农杆菌介导转化方法,在基因组整合表达密码子优化的NCD合酶(NcdS)编码基因NCDS,获得系列有效表达NcdS的工程菌株。酶偶联法分析发现,工程菌细胞裂解液NcdS酶活达8.1×10^-3 U/OD_{600 nm}。通过高效液相色谱法(HPLC)和超高分辨率质谱检测,确定细胞裂解液可催化合成NCD。在培养基内补加5.0 mmol/L烟酰胺核糖后,工程菌胞内合成NCD达41.6 μmol/L。对工程菌进行发酵和油脂提取,发现胞内表达NCD合酶未导致细胞产油性能降低,后续可通过表达其他NCD偏好性酶,有望在圆红冬孢酵母中建立受NCD调控的油脂合成代谢体系。     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that are common targets of luteotropin and luteolysin in primate corpus luteum: Computational exploration

Luteal insufficiency affects fertility and hence study of mechanisms that regulate corpus luteum (CL) function is of prime importance to overcome infertility problems. Exploration of human genome sequence has helped to study the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Clinical benefits of screening SNPs in infertility are being recognized well in recent times. Examining SNPs in genes associated with maintenance and regression of CL may help to understand unexplained luteal insufficiency and related infertility. Publicly available microarray gene expression databases reveal the global gene expression patterns in primate CL during the different functional state. We intend to explore computationally the deleterious SNPs of human genes reported to be common targets of luteolysin and luteotropin in primate CL. Different computational algorithms were used to dissect out the functional significance of SNPs in the luteinizing hormone sensitive genes. The results raise the possibility that screening for SNPs might be integrated to evaluate luteal insufficiency associated with human female infertility for future studies.     

高频超声、钼靶X射线在乳腺BI—RADSⅣ～Ⅴ级诊断中的应用对比研究

目的探讨高频超声、钼靶X射线单独与联合应用在乳腺影像报告与数据系统（BI—RADS）Ⅳ～Ⅴ级诊断中的应用价值及对比研究。方法136个病灶经病理证实为乳腺恶性肿瘤,回顾性分析高频超声、铝靶X射线影像表现,并对诊断的准确性进行统计学分析。结果高频超声、钼靶X射线及两者联合应用对乳腺BI～RADSⅣ～Ⅴ级诊断的正确率、误诊率比较,差异有统计学意义,P〈0．01．结论高频超声在乳腺肿块（BI—RADSⅣ～Ⅴ级）诊断正确率方面优于钼靶X射线,特别是肿瘤直径〈1．0cm,且不伴有钙化时,两者联合应用较单一方法更能提高乳腺肿块（BI—RADSⅣ～Ⅴ级）的检出率及良、恶性鉴别诊断。     

Distribution of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo, and S in juvenile and mature Brassica napus L. var. napus

The study was conducted at three locations in the Savinjska region of Slovenia, where soil is contaminated with heavy metals due to the zinc industry (Cinkarna Celje). In Ponikva the soil to a depth of 30 cm contains 0.8 mg kg(-1) Cd, 32.2 mg kg(-1) Pb, and 86 mg Zn kg(-1), in Medlog 1.4 mg kg(-1) Cd, 37.4 mg kg(-1) Pb, and 115 mg kg(-1) Zn and in Skofja vas 10.9 mg kg(-1) Cd, 239.7 mg kg(-1) Pb, and 1356 mg kg(-1) Zn. The pH at the selected sites was between 7.3 and 7.6. In the beginning of September 2006 two hybrids of Brassica napus L. var. napus, PR45 D01 and PR46 W31 suitable for production of biodiesel obtained from Pioneer Seeds Holding GmbH, were sown. After 96 days juvenile and after 277 days mature plants were collected. Parts of plants (root, shoot and seed) were separated and Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo, and S determined by ultra-trace ICP-MS. We compared the uptake of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo and S in different parts of juvenile and mature plants of the two different hybrids, TF (translocation factor), BAF (bioaccumulation factor), and PP (phytoextraction potential) were calculated. The mature hybrid PR46 W31 had higher shoot/root ratio and higher PP for metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) and lower PP for the micronutrient (Mo) and macronutrient (S) on the polluted site. The study demonstrated the potential use of oilseed rape on multiply polluted soils for production of 1st and 2nd generation biofuels. The potential restoration of degraded land could also disburden the use of agricultural land.     

D-mannitol production by resting state whole cell biotrans-formation of D-fructose by heterologous mannitol and formate dehydrogenase gene expression in Bacillus megaterium

An in vivo system was developed for the biotransformation of D-fructose into D-mannitol by the expression of the gene mdh encoding mannitol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides ATCC12291 in Bacillus megaterium. The NADH reduction equivalents necessary for MDH activity were regenerated via the oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide by coexpression of the gene fdh encoding Mycobacterium vaccae N10 formate dehydrogenase (FDH). High-level protein production of MDH in B. megaterium required the adaptation of the corresponding ribosome binding site. The fdh gene was adapted to B. megaterium codon usage via complete chemical gene synthesis. Recombinant B. megaterium produced up to 10.60 g/L D-mannitol at the shaking flask scale. Whole cell biotransformation in a fed-batch bioreactor increased D-mannitol concentration to 22.00 g/L at a specific productivity of 0.32 g D-mannitol (gram cell dry weight)(-1) h(-1) and a D-mannitol yield of 0.91 mol/mol. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) pool of the B. megaterium producing D-mannitol remained stable during biotransformation. Intra- and extracellular pH adjusted itself to a value of 6.5 and remained constant during the process. Data integration revealed that substrate uptake was the limiting factor of the overall biotransformation. The information obtained identified B. megaterium as a useful production host for D-mannitol using a resting cell biotransformation approach.     

“Top‐Down” Li Deposition Pathway Enabled by an Asymmetric Design for Li Composite Electrode

Designing Li composite electrodes with host frameworks for accommodating Li metal has been considered to be an effective approach to suppress Li dendrites. Herein, an asymmetric design of a Mo net/Li metal film (MLF) composite electrode is developed by an inverted thermal infusion method. The asymmetric MLF electrode has a dense oxide passivated layer on the top side, a porous Mo net matrix on the back side, and active Li layer in between. The back side has a larger specific area and higher electric field than the top side, which contacts with the separator upon cycling, triggering the preferred Li deposition and stripping of the porous back side of the electrode far from the separator. The surface passivation layer on the top side of the electrode as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase ensures the stable contact with the electrolyte and separator. Meanwhile, the porous structure of the supporting Mo net provides enough space for accommodating the volume change during Li deposition and stripping. This asymmetry design enables a unique “top down” growth pathway for Li deposition in the MLF electrode, suppressing the dendrite growth effectively. The design strategy provides a new direction for high‐energy dendrite‐free Li metal anodes.