A novel homozygous 10 nucleotide deletion in BBS10 causes Bardet–Biedl syndrome in a Pakistani family

Bardet–Biedl Syndrome is a multisystem autosomal recessive disorder characterized by central obesity, polydactyly, hypogonadism, learning difficulties, rod-cone dystrophy and renal dysplasia. Bardet–Biedl Syndrome has a prevalence rate ranging from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 160,000 births although there are communities where Bardet–Biedl Syndrome is found at a higher frequency due to consanguinity. We report here a Pakistani consanguineous family with two affected sons with typical clinical features of Bardet–Biedl Syndrome, in addition to abnormal liver functioning and bilateral basal ganglia calcification, the latter feature being typical of Fahr's disease. Homozygous regions obtained from SNP array depicted three known genes BBS10, BBS14 and BBS2. Bidirectional sequencing of all coding exons by traditional sequencing of all these three genes showed a homozygous deletion of 10 nucleotides (c.1958_1967del), in BBS10 in both affected brothers. The segregation analysis revealed that the parents, paternal grandfather, maternal grandmother and an unaffected sister were heterozygous for the deletion. Such a large deletion in BBS10 has not been reported previously in any population and is likely to be contributing to the phenotype of Bardet–Biedl Syndrome in this family.     

Colcemid treatment of myeloma prior to cell fusion increases the yield of hybridomas between myeloma and splenocyte

Effect of Colcemid treatment of myeloma (X63-Ag8-6.5.3.) prior to fusion with mouse spleen cell was studied in terms of hybridoma formation. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with various soluble antigens were fused with the myeloma cells by using polyethylene glycol solution. Colcemid treatment of myeloma cells prior to fusion increased the average number of hybridoma colonies per well by 26-570%. The yield of hybridomas producing antigen-specific antibodies was also higher with the Colcemid treatment. The results suggest that most of the proliferative hybridomas are formed by fusion of cells in the M-phase of the cell cycle.     

Lipid content and apoptosis of in vitro-produced bovine embryos as determinants of susceptibility to vitrification

The objective was to evaluate supplementation of fetal calf serum (FCS) and phenazine ethosulfate (PES), a metabolic regulator that inhibits fatty acid synthesis, in culture media during in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. Taking oocyte fertilization (n = 4,320) as Day 0, four concentrations of FCS (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) and three periods of exposure to PES (without addition—Control; after 60 h—PES Day 2.5 of embryo culture; and after 96 h—PES Day 4) were evaluated. Increasing FCS concentration in the culture media enhanced lipid accumulation (P < 0.05), increased apoptosis in fresh (2.5%: 19.1 ± 1.8 vs 10%: 28.4 ± 2.3, P < 0.05; mean ± SEM) and vitrified (2.5%: 42.8 ± 2.7 vs 10%: 69.2 ± 3.4, P < 0.05) blastocysts, and reduced blastocoele re-expansion after vitrification (2.5%: 81.6 ± 2.5 vs 10%: 67.3 ± 3.5, P < 0.05). The addition of PES in culture media, either from Days 2.5 or 4, reduced lipid accumulation (P < 0.05) and increased blastocoele re-expansion after vitrification (Control: 72.0 ± 3.0 vs PES Day 2.5: 79.9 ± 2.8 or PES Day 4: 86.2 ± 2.4, P < 0.05). However, just the use of PES from D4 reduced apoptosis in vitrified blastocysts (Control: 52.0 ± 3.0 vs PES Day 4: 39.2 ± 2.4, P < 0.05). Independent of FCS withdrawal or PES addition to culture media, the in vivo control group had lesser lipid accumulation, a lower apoptosis rate, and greater cryotolerance (P < 0.05). The increased lipid content was moderately correlated with apoptosis in vitrified blastocysts (r = 0.64, P = 0.01). In contrast, the increased apoptosis in fresh blastocysts was strongly correlated with apoptosis in vitrified blastocysts (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001). Therefore, using only 2.5% FCS and the addition of PES from Day 4, increased the survival of IVP embryos after vitrification. Moreover, embryo quality, represented by the fresh apoptosis rate, was better than lipid content for predicting embryo survival after vitrification.     

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) for the detection of brucellosis and tularaemia antigens

The detection of brucellosis and tularaemia infection agents is of particular interest for medical practice. The possibility of using enhanced chemiluminescence reactions for the determination of these agents is studied in this work. Light intensity depends on both the conjugate concentration used and the conditions at which the adsorption was performed. Optimal conditions for these test-systems were: ～ 20 μg/mL of Ig and 200 μg/mL (titre 1:20) of conjugate. As is seen from the chemiluminescent and spectrophotometric results the lowest determined concentrations are 10 and 30 ng/mL (for brucellosis) and 1 and 5 ng/mL (for tularaemia), respectively. Calibration curves in the antigen concentrations ranging from 10 to 2500 ng/mL (for brucellosis) and from 1 to 500 ng/mL (for tularaemia) are observed. Optical density depends linearly on the logarithm of the antigen concentration from 30 to 5000 ng/mL (for brucellosis) and from 5 to 250 ng/mL (for tularaemia). The results obtained permit the conclusion that the chemiluminescence method can be used in enzyme immunoanalysis for brucellosis and tularaemia antigens.     

PPM1D regulates p21 expression via dephoshporylation at serine 123

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 plays a critical role in regulating cell cycle and cell proliferation. We previously cloned the dog p21 gene and found that unlike human p21, dog p21 is expressed as 2 isoforms due to the proline-directed phosphorylation at serine 123 (S123). Here, we identified that PPM1D, also called Wip1 and a Mg²⁺-dependent phosphatase, dephosphorylates dog p21 protein at serine 123. Specifically, we showed that the level of S123-phosphorylated dog p21 is increased by a PPM1D inhibitor in a dose-dependent manner. We also showed that over-expression of PPM1D decreases, whereas knockdown of PPM1D increases, the level of S123-phosphorylated dog p21 regardless of p53. Additionally, in vitro phosphatase assay was performed and showed that phosphorylated S123 in dog p21 is dephosphorylated by recombinant rPPM1D, which contains the catalytic domain of human PPM1D (residue 1–420), but not by the phosphatase dead rPPM1D (D314A). Furthermore, dephosphorylation of S123 by rPPM1D can be abrogated by PPM1D inhibitor or by withdrawal of Mg²⁺. Finally, we showed that upon PPM1D inhibition, the level of S123-phosphorylated dog p21 was increased, concomitantly with decreased expression of cyclin A, cyclin B, Rb, and PCNA. Together, our results indicate that PPM1D functions as a phosphatase of dog p21 at serine 123 and plays a role in cell cycle control via p21.     

Probing the interaction between p53 and the bacterial protein azurin by single molecule force spectroscopy

p53 is a human tumour suppressor which regulates multiple cellular processes, including cell growth, genomic stability and cell death. Recent works have demonstrated the bacterial redox protein azurin to enter cancer cells and induce apoptosis through p53 stabilization, resulting in a tumour growth regression. Azurin has been shown to bind p53 although many details of the complex formed by these two proteins are still poorly characterized. Here, we get insight into the kinetics of this complex formation, by exploring the interaction between p53 and azurin in their environment by single molecule force spectroscopy. To this aim, azurin has been linked to the atomic force microscope tip, whereas p53 has been immobilized onto a gold substrate. Therefore, by performing force-distance cycles we have detected specific recognition events between p53 and azurin, displaying unbinding forces of around 70 pN for an applied loading rate of 3 nN s(-1). The specificity of these events has been assessed by the significant reduction of their frequency observed after blocking the p53 sample by an azurin solution. Moreover, by measuring the rupture force as a function of the loading rate we have determined the dissociation rate constant of this complex to be approximately 0.1 s(-1). Our findings are here discussed in connection with results obtained in bulk experiments, with the aim of clarifying some molecular details of the p53-azurin complex that may help designing new anticancer strategy.     

shASPP2 H22稳转肝癌细胞系的构建及ASPP2敲低对H22移植瘤小鼠血管生成的影响

摘要 目的：构建小鼠shASPP2 H22稳转肝癌细胞系,观察ASPP2敲低对血管生成的影响。方法：针对小鼠ASPP2基因设计了3个不同的shRNA干扰序列（Y18421,Y18422,Y18423）及1个对照序列（GL427NC2）,采用双酶切（Age Ⅰ和EcoR Ⅰ）及质粒连接构建重组质粒,使用菌落PCR和测序比对进行鉴定;使用293T细胞将各重组质粒包装慢病毒并测定滴度;将 shASPP2和对照慢病毒质粒转染H22细胞,采用流式细胞术测定转染效率;采用qRT-PCR、Western Blot法观察shASPP2慢病毒对H22细胞ASPP2的干扰效果;采用CCK8法观察ASPP2敲低对H22细胞增殖的影响;采用Western Blot法观察ASPP2敲低对H22细胞及上清VEGF表达和分泌的影响;采用细胞注射法建立小鼠ASPP2敲低H22细胞皮下移植瘤模型,游标卡尺法观察肿瘤体积大小,采用活体激光共聚焦观察肿瘤血管生成情况,采用Western Blot法观察肿瘤组织VEGF的表达。结果：双酶切、菌落PCR和测序鉴定结果表示各重组质粒构建成功;各重组质粒经慢病毒包装后,测定显示Y18421、Y18422、Y18423和GL427NC2慢病毒质粒的滴度分别为3.40×10⁸ TU/mL、4.08×10⁸ TU/mL、5.49×10⁸ TU/mL和1.7×10⁹ TU/mL;Y18421、Y18422、Y18423及GL427NC2慢病毒质粒转染效率分别为：86.2 %、69.6 %、60.8 %和76.9 %。与GL427NC2 H22细胞相比,Y18421 H22细胞的ASPP2 mRNA及蛋白的表达明显降低（P<0.01,P<0.05）;Y18421细胞在培养24,48,72 h后增殖速率显著增加（P<0.0001,P<0.001,P<0.01）;Y18421细胞及上清的VEGF表达显著升高（P<0.001,P<0.01,P<0.05）。与GL427NC2 细胞移植瘤相比,Y18421细胞移植瘤体积明显增大（P<0.05）,总血管长度显著增加（P<0.05）,VEGF蛋白的表达明显上调（P<0.05）。结论：小鼠shASPP2 H22稳转肝癌细胞系构建成功,ASPP2敲低可能通过上调VEGF的表达促进小鼠H22细胞移植瘤血管生成。     

miR-455-5p靶向SOCS3抑制RSV感染致气道上皮炎症反应的机制研究

摘要 目的：揭示miR-455-5p对呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）感染致气道上皮细胞炎症反应的作用机制。方法：qRT-PCR检测30例健康体检儿童（健康组）、RSV感染轻症组（n=41）和重症组（n=31）患儿血清miR-455-5p水平。将16HBE细胞分为Control组、NC-agomir组、miR-455-5p-agomir组、NC-antagomir组、miR-455-5p-antagomir组。使用Lipofectamine 3000转染16HBE细胞后培养48 h后,分为Blank组、NC组（转染了NC-agomir的细胞）、RSV+NC-agomir组、RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组,用RSV病毒液感染RSV+NC-agomir组和RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组16HBE细胞,Blank组和NC组16HBE细胞正常培养。用CCK-8法和EdU法检测细胞增殖、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡、ELISA法检测上清液中TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平,qRT-PCR检测miR-455-5p和SOCS3的mRNA水平,Western blot检测SOCS3、IFN-α、STAT1、STAT2、p-STAT1和p-STAT2的蛋白水平。结果：与健康组相比,轻症组和重症组患儿的血清miR-455-5p水平降低（P<0.05）。与轻症组相比,重症组的血清miR-455-5p水平降低（P<0.05）。与Control组和NC-agomir组相比,miR-455-5p-agomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率升高（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率降低（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平降低（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平降低（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平升高（P<0.05）。与Control组和NC-antagomir组相比,miR-455-5p-antagomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率降低（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率升高（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平升高（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平升高（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。与Blank组和NC组相比,RSV+NC-agomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率降低（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率升高（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平升高（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平升高（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。与RSV+NC-agomir组相比,RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率升高（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率降低（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平降低（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平降低（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平升高（P<0.05）。结论：miR-455-5p在RSV感染患儿血清中下调,上调miR-455-5p通过抑制SOCS3的转录和表达从而激活RSV感染的16HBE细胞中IFN-α介导的抗病毒反应。     

MYH9: structure,functions and role of non-muscle myosin ⅡA in human disease

MYH9-related diseases (MYH9-RD) are a group of autosomal dominant diseases caused by mutations in the MYH9 gene, which are featured by thrombocytopenia, giant platelets and granulocyte cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. MYH9-RD patients generally suffer from bleeding syndromes, progressive kidney disease, deafness, or cataracts. Here, we reported on a case of MYH9-RD. A novel heterozygous mutation of MYH9 (c.2344-2345delGTinsTA, p.T782Y) was discovered by targeted sequencing technology. Immunofluorescence analysis of neutrophils confirmed abnormal aggregation of MYH9 protein. The results of this study should expand the MYH9 gene mutation spectrum and provide reference for subsequent researchers and genetic counseling.