FERM domain promotes resveratrol-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells via inhibition of NO production

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) consists of an N-terminal band 4.1; ezrin, radixin, moesin (FERM) domain; tyrosine kinase domain; and C-terminal FA targeting domain. Here we show that ectopically expressed FERM is largely located in the cytosolic fraction under quiescent conditions. We further found that this ectopically expressed FERM domain aggravates endothelial cell apoptosis triggered by 100 μM resveratrol, whereas FERM had no effect on apoptosis induced by TNF-α. We determined that resveratrol at low doses (<20 μM) promotes phosphorylation (S1177) of eNOS via an AMPK-dependent pathway. The presence of the FERM domain blocked this resveratrol-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. Thus, the pro-apoptotic activity of cytosolic FERM domain is at least partially mediated by down-regulation of NO, a critical cell survival factor. Consistently, we found that the apoptosis induced by cytosolic FERM in the presence of resveratrol was reversed by an NO donor, SNAP. In conclusion, FERM located in the cytosolic fraction plays a pivotal role in aggravating cell apoptosis through diminishing NO production.     

小哺乳动物化石牙齿釉质碳、氧同位素测试方法简介及应用前景

探讨古环境和古气候变化与哺乳动物演化之间的关系是目前古生物学研究领域中的一个热点,而哺乳动物化石牙齿釉质的碳、氧同位素分析是恢复古环境和古气候的一个重要手段。以往的哺乳动物化石牙齿釉质稳定同位素分析多集中在大哺乳动物化石,这主要是受到技术手段的限制,所需的样品量较大所决定的。但最近几年随着激光和离子显微探针技术的应用,对小哺乳动物化石(如啮齿类和兔形类)的牙齿釉质碳、氧同位素的分析和应用日趋成熟和广泛。除了传统的化学处理方法之外,对小哺乳动物化石牙齿釉质碳、氧同位素的分析还有以下三种方法:1)激光剥蚀气相色谱/同位素比值质谱分析;2)直接激光氟化技术;3)离子显微探针技术(SHRIMPII)。这些技术需要的样品量少,对标本的破损小,准确度和精密度高,所以在小哺乳动物化石和一些珍贵标本(如古人类化石)的稳定同位素分析中起到了重要作用。相对于大哺乳动物化石,小哺乳动物化石数量多、演化速度快,更能反映多个层位长时间序列的古环境和气候变化;而且小哺乳动物通常没有长距离迁徙的行为,栖息地局限,所以更能准确反映化石埋藏地点的古环境和气候状况。     

植物Rab蛋白的研究进展

Rab蛋白是小G蛋白超级家族中的成员之一。通过Rab蛋白氨基酸序列的系统进化分析表明,植物Rab家族又可分为8个亚家族,分别为RabA、RabB、RabC、RabD、RabE、RabF、RabG和RabH。Rab蛋白一般位于胞内特异膜系统的胞质面,它们是小泡运输的关键调节因子。Rab蛋白有非常保守的结构域,同时又具有功能多样性,它们在细胞分化、顶端优势、花粉管发育、根瘤形成以及生物和非生物胁迫反应中均起着非常重要的作用。该文对近年来国内外有关植物Rab蛋白的结构特点及其多样性功能的研究进展进行综述。     

Dietary Resistant Starch Reduces Histone Acetylation on the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Gene in the Jejunum

We have reported that dietary resistant starch (RS) reduces glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) mRNA levels along the jejunoileum in both normal and diabetic rats. In this study, we found that jejunal reduction of the GIP gene by feeding normal rats dietary RS was associated with decreases in histone H3 and H4 acetylation on the promoter/enhancer region of the gene.     

IBP-mediated suppression of autophagy promotes growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells via activating mTORC2/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway

Interferon regulatory factor-4 binding protein (IBP) is a novel upstream activator of Rho GTPases. Our previous studies have shown that ectopic expression of IBP was correlated with malignant behaviors of human breast cancer cells, and invasive human breast cancer had high expression of IBP that promoted the proliferation of these cells. However, it remains unknown whether autophagy inhibition contributes to IBP-mediated tumorigenesis. In this study, we for the first time, reported that upregulation of IBP expression significantly suppressed the autophagy of breast cancer cells, and downregulation of IBP expression markedly induced autophagy of these cells. Further investigation revealed that IBP effectively counteracted autophagy by directly activating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and upregulating phosphorylation of Akt on ser473 and FOXO3a on Thr32. Moreover, IBP-mediated suppression of autophagy was dependent on mTORC2/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Finally, our results demonstrated that IBP-mediated breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo was strongly correlated with suppression of mTORC2-dependent autophagy. These findings suggest that the anti-autophagic property of IBP has an important role in IBP-mediated tumorigenesis, and IBP may serve as an attractive target for treatment of breast cancer.     

Evaluating the “recovery level” of endangered species without prior information before alien invasion

For maintaining social and financial support for eradication programs of invasive species, quantitative assessment of recovery of native species or ecosystems is important because it provides a measurable parameter of success. However, setting a concrete goal for recovery is often difficult owing to lack of information prior to the introduction of invaders. Here, we present a novel approach to evaluate the achievement level of invasive predator management based on the carrying capacity of endangered species estimated using long‐term monitoring data. In Amami‐Oshima Island, Japan, where the eradication project of introduced small Indian mongoose is ongoing since 2000, we surveyed the population densities of four endangered species threatened by the mongoose (Amami rabbit, the Otton frog, Amami tip‐nosed frog, and Amami Ishikawa's frog) at four time points ranging from 2003 to 2011. We estimated the carrying capacities of these species using the logistic growth model combined with the effects of mongoose predation and environmental heterogeneity. All species showed clear tendencies toward increasing their density in line with decreased mongoose density, and they exhibited density‐dependent population growth. The estimated carrying capacities of three endangered species had small confidence intervals enough to measure recovery levels by the mongoose management. The population density of each endangered species has recovered to the level of the carrying capacity at about 20–40% of all sites, whereas no individuals were observed at more than 25% of all sites. We propose that the present approach involving appropriate monitoring data of native organism populations will be widely applicable to various eradication projects and provide unambiguous goals for management of invasive species.     

胸腔镜与传统手术方法对非小细胞肺癌患者的临床疗效

目的:比较电视胸腔镜手术与传统手术方法对非小细胞肺癌治疗的临床效果.方法:选择2010年5月至2012年6月本院收治的非小细胞肺癌患者84例,随机分为VATS组和OT组,各42例,VATS组行全胸腔镜肺叶切除术;OT组行传统开胸肺叶切除术.比较两组患者手术时间、淋巴结清扫数、术中出血量、术后引流时间、住院天数、术后疼痛和并发症发生情况,观察并比较两组患者术后3d血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10水平.结果:VATS组术后引流时间、住院时间明显短于OT组(P＜0.05);两组手术时间、淋巴结清扫数、术中出血量及并发症发生率比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05);VATS组术后1d、3d疼痛评分明显低于OT组(P＜0.05);VATS组术后3d血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10水平明显低于OT组(P＜0.05).结论:与传统手术相比,电视胸腔镜手术对患者创伤较小,患者术后炎症反应较低,痛苦较小,可作为非小细胞肺癌的推荐手术方式.