Recent advances in chlorophyll biosynthesis

The importance of chlorophyll (Chl) to the process of photosynthesis is obvious, and there is clear evidence that the regulation of Chl biosynthesis has a significant role in the regulation of assembly of the photosynthetic apparatus. The understanding of Chl biosynthesis has rapidly advanced in recent years. The identification of genetic loci associated with each of the biochemical steps has been accompanied by a greater appreciation of the role of Chl biosynthesis intermediates in intracellular signaling. The purpose of this review is to provide a source of information for all the steps in Chl and bacteriochlorophyll a biosynthesis, with an emphasis on steps that are believed to be key regulation points.     

人凝血因子IX突变型研究现状

血友病B是一种性连锁隐性遗传病,其发病机制是位于X染色体上的人凝血因子IX(hFIX)基因发生了突变,导致血浆中hFIX含量或活性大幅下降,从而使得内源性凝血途径受到阻碍,无法进行正常的凝血。文章综述了hFIX基因及其编码蛋白质的结构和功能,并分类详细论述了血友病B中发现的几种主要突变类型。其中包括奠基者效应造成的突变、调控区的突变、编码区的突变、内含子剪切位点的突变及另外两种较为特殊的突变,同时介绍了这些突变所造成的生物学效应。最后还简要介绍了一种能提高hFIX蛋白凝血活性的突变类型(第338位Arg→Ala),并对其应用作了展望。     

5—氨乙酰丙酸与氨乙酰丙酸己酯对肝癌细胞的光动力作用比较

5 氨乙酰丙酸 (ALA)可在肿瘤内诱导原卟啉区 (PpIX)光敏剂形成 ,但其亲脂性极差 ,进入细胞的能力有限。脂化的ALA衍生物能增强其进入细胞的能力 ,增进细胞中PpIX的合成。比较了氨乙酰丙酸己酯 (He ALA)与ALA对肝癌细胞中PpIX的生成及光动力损伤作用。细胞的荧光显微图象显示 ,经He ALA培育后 ,细胞中生成了PpIX。PpIX分布在细胞质中 ;细胞的荧光光谱显示出PpIX的特征荧光峰 ,证实细胞中PpIX的生成。实验发现 ,0 .2mmol/L的He ALA药物浓度与 2mmol/LALA的药物浓度在细胞中生成的PpIX含量相当 ;予以相同剂量的光照射后 ,两者对细胞的光敏损伤程度相近 ,反映He ALA对癌细胞有更高的光动力损伤功效。因此在光动力治疗的应用中 ,He ALA是一种极有开发前景的新药物     

基于凝血因子IX基因剔除小鼠建立血友病乙转基因动物模型

为在凝血基因IX基因剔除小鼠基础上建立基因组中整合有含特定点突变的人凝血因子IX基因表达载体原转基因小鼠家系,为血友病乙的研究提供更接近临床实际的动物模型。利用体外定点突变技术,构建含有特定点突变的人凝因IX基因表达载体,该载体包括由人凝血因子IX编码区及第一内含子构成的人凝血因子IX基因（hFIXml）、4个拷贝的MCK增强子（MCKe）、鸡β－肌动蛋白启动子（bA）及PolyA,命名为pMe4bAIXml质粒。将其线性化后,用显微注射法注射入817只凝血因子IX基因剔除小鼠受精卵雄原核,再将它们分别回输45只假孕受体母鼠的输卵管中,共产仔69只,存活63只。采用PCR与基因组Southern杂交筛选法鉴定小鼠,证实6只小鼠基因组中整合有含特定点突变的pMe4bAIXml质粒,并对1只小鼠的PCR产物进行测序,证实转基因结构特征符合设计要求。     

Regulation of Magnesium Chelatase Activity during Excessive Accumulation of Porphyrins in Green Barley Leaves

Activity of magnesium chelatase was studied in green barley leaves treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). After this treatment, leaves accumulated excessive amounts of porphyrinic precursors of chlorophyll : protoporphyrin IX (PP), magnesium-protoporphyrin IX (MgPP), its monomethyl ester (MgPPE), and protochlorophyllide. The enzyme activity was found to be inversely dependent on the amount of MgPP formed from exogenous ALA. A conclusion was drawn about the existence of a mechanism for the regulation of the enzyme activity in vivo via its inhibition by the reaction product.     

A study of gene transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX in hemophilia B mice mediated by mini-adenoviral vector

Vector Gti'IX containing human clotting factor IX cDNA with intron 1 (hFIX mini-gene or Fi'IX) driven by CMV promoter was constructed based on the mini-adenoviral vector GT2073 (mini-Ad vector) with all viral protein coding sequences deleted. Mini-Ad packaging cell 293Cre4 was first transduced with Gti'IX, and then was transfected with helper-adenovirus AdLC8, thus mini-Ad virions AdGTi'IX were obtained. At the same time, previous normal adenoviral vector pAdSPi'IX containing viral genome and hFIX mini-gene was constructed, and then previous adenovirus (pre-Ad) AdSPi'IX was obtained as control. The ratio of helper-adenovirus among purified virons AdGTi'IX was less than 0.8%. 3T3 cells were transfected with AdGTi'IX and AdSPi'IX at a MOI of 50 per cell and ELISA result showed that transient expression level in vitro was 1.4±0.2 μg /106@24 h and 1.6±0.3 μg/106@24 h respectively. Each hemophilia B (FIX knock-out) mouse received celiac injection of 1×1010pfu AdGTi'IX or AdSPi'IX. The highest expression level of hFIX in mouse plasma was 590 ng/mL and 690 ng/mL respectively, and the expression time lasted for 16 weeks and 9 weeks respectively. The bleeding time reduced from over 30 min to 7.5 min, and 5-min blood lost reduced from 430 μL to 60 μL. The results of anti-Ad IgG assays indicated that immune response triggered by AdGTi'IX was obviously weaker than that triggered by AdSPi'IX. These results indicated that, compared with previous adenovirus (pre-Ad), the mini-Ad vector system prolonged the expression time of hFIX and reduced immune response, thus offering a promising result for further pre-clinical study.     

固氮红细菌(Rhodobacter azotoformans) 423 nm特征吸收峰成因与定位

【背景】在不产氧光合细菌中,因420-425nm特征峰位于类胡萝卜素(Carotenoid,Car)吸收区域,通常被认为是由Car积累引起,但固氮红细菌R7菌株呈现的423 nm特征峰不具备Car三指峰特征。【目的】阐明R7菌株423 nm特征吸收峰形成的物质基础及胞内定位。【方法】采用吸收光谱、薄层层析、高效液相色谱、质谱、超速离心和离子交换层析等方法阐明423 nm吸收峰形成原因。【结果】谷氨酸钠明显促进R7菌株活细胞呈现423 nm特征峰,色素提取液中该峰蓝移至415 nm,但其生长、细菌叶绿素(Bacteriochlorophyll,BChl)和Car含量大幅度降低,而添加酵母提取物则反之。色素组成分析表明,在检测到的色素成分中,只有镁卟啉单甲基酯Ⅸ (Magnesium Protoporphyrin Ⅸ Monomethylester,MPE)呈现415 nm特征吸收峰。MPE可定位于光合膜上并呈现出423 nm特征峰。对色素蛋白复合体(Pigment Protein Complex,PPC)的研究显示,添加谷氨酸和酵母提取物的菌体细胞虽然都检测到3种PPC组分[2个外周捕光复合体(Peripheral Light Harvesting Complex 2,LH2)和1个光反应中心(Reaction Center,RC)],但源自谷氨酸菌体细胞的RC和1个LH2则呈现423 nm特征吸收峰,表明R7菌株可产生2种不同类型的LH2,且MPE可定位于一种LH2和RC。【结论】R7菌株所呈现的423 nm特征峰不是由Car积累所致,而是由MPE积累所形成,且能与LH2和RC结合定位于光合膜上。MPE是BChl合成的中间产物,其合成受严格调控,不容易获得。MPE代谢调控的深入研究可为光合作用光氧化损伤与保护机理增添新内容。     

Time-Dependent Variations in the Coagulation Factors II,VII, IX,and X in Young and Elderly Volunteers

The existence of circadian (24-h) rhythms in the coagulation activity of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (Factors II, VII, IX, and X) were studied in six healthy young (18–30 years old) and six healthy elderly (69–75 years old) men. Aliquots of 5 ml of blood were obtained from each of the 12 subjects at six different time points over a 24-h period. Factors II, VII, and X were quantified by the prothrombin time test, whereas Factor IX was analyzed by the activated partial thromboplastin time test. Significant circadian variations were found for Factors II and VII in both age groups. The peak and trough values for Factor II were observed at 16: 00 and 00: 00 in young men and at 12: 00 and 16: 00 in elderly men. The amplitude of the rhythmic variation of Factor II was 3.3 ± 1.0 and 4.2 ± 0.9% in young and elderly volunteers, respectively. For Factor VII, the highest values were found during the activity period (08: 00–16: 00), while the lowest values occurred at night (00: 00) for both groups of subjects. The amplitude of the rhythms was twice as large in the young (6.2 ± 2.3%) as in the elderly (3.7 ± 0.8%). The data suggest that age does not alter significantly the chronobiology of Factors II and VII.     

Time-Dependent Variations in the Coagulation Factors II, VII, IX, and X in Young and Elderly Volunteers

The existence of circadian (24-h) rhythms in the coagulation activity of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (Factors II, VII, IX, and X) were studied in six healthy young (18-30 years old) and six healthy elderly (69-75 years old) men. Aliquots of 5 ml of blood were obtained from each of the 12 subjects at six different time points over a 24-h period. Factors II, VII, and X were quantified by the prothrombin time test, whereas Factor IX was analyzed by the activated partial thromboplastin time test. Significant circadian variations were found for Factors II and VII in both age groups. The peak and trough values for Factor II were observed at 16: 00 and 00: 00 in young men and at 12: 00 and 16: 00 in elderly men. The amplitude of the rhythmic variation of Factor II was 3.3 ± 1.0 and 4.2 ± 0.9% in young and elderly volunteers, respectively. For Factor VII, the highest values were found during the activity period (08: 00-16: 00), while the lowest values occurred at night (00: 00) for both groups of subjects. The amplitude of the rhythms was twice as large in the young (6.2 ± 2.3%) as in the elderly (3.7 ± 0.8%). The data suggest that age does not alter significantly the chronobiology of Factors II and VII.