放射损伤、烧伤与放烧复合伤血清成份对心肌细胞钙离子通道活动的影响

本实验研究了放射损伤、烧伤与放烧复合伤后血清成份对培养心肌细胞Ｌ－型钙离子通道活动的影响,结果表明：伤后血清对上述通道均有激活作用,从而改变细胞内钙离子水平,此可能为伤后心脏功能抑制的一个重要机理。在作用强度上,复合伤血清重于单一伤、烧伤重于放射损伤,这是导致不同伤后血清对心功能抑制程度不一的重要因素。对伤后血清成分作用的进一步研究表明：伤后血清大分子的作用不明显,主要是血清低分子与血清脂质起作用。其中,放烧复合伤血清低分子不仅使通道开放增加,还使膜片噪声增加,提示其作用包括改变其Ｌ－型钙离子通道活动与改变膜的物理特性二个方面,它们共同导致细胞的功能变化;血清脂质对钙通道的作用可被ＳＯＤ所抑制,表明其作用与氧自由基反应有关。至于伤后血清低分子与血清脂质中的具体毒性成分以及它们对Ｌ－型钙离子通道影响的调控机制,有待于进一步研究     

The cysteine 34 residue of A1M/α1-microglobulin is essential for protection of irradiated cell cultures and reduction of carbonyl groups

Abstract

α₁-microglobulin (A1M) is a 26 kDa plasma and a tissue protein belonging to the lipocalin family. The reductase and free radical scavenger A1M has been shown to protect cells and extracellular matrix against oxidative and irradiation-induced damage. The reductase activity was previously shown to depend upon an unpaired cysteinyl side-chain, C34, and three lysyl side-chains, K92, 118, and 130, located around the open end of the lipocalin pocket. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the cell and matrix protection by A1M is a result of its reductase activity by using A1M-variants with site-directed mutations of the C34, K92, K118, and K130 positions. The results show that the C34 side-chain is an absolute requirement for protection of HepG2 cell cultures against alpha-particle irradiation-induced cell death, upregulation of stress response and cell cycle regulation genes. Mutation of C34 also resulted in loss of the reduction capacity toward heme- and hydrogen peroxide-oxidized collagen, and the radical species 2,2´-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). Furthermore, mutation of C34 significantly suppressed the cell-uptake of A1M. The K92, K118, and K130 side-chains were of minor importance in cell protection and reduction of oxidized collagen but strongly influenced the reduction of the ABTS-radical. It is concluded that antioxidative protection of cells and collagen by A1M is totally dependent on its C34 amino acid residue. A model of the cell protection mechanism of A1M should be based on the redox activity of the free thiolyl group of the C34 side-chain and a regulatory role of the K92, K118, and K130 residues.     

EVOLUTIONARY INFERENCES FROM THE ANALYSIS OF EXCHANGEABILITY

Evolutionary inferences are usually based on statistical models that compare mean genotypes or phenotypes (or their frequencies) among populations. An alternative is to use the full distribution of genotypes and phenotypes to infer the “exchangeability” of individuals among populations. We illustrate this approach by using discriminant functions on principal components to classify individuals among paired lake and stream populations of threespine stickleback in each of six independent watersheds. Classification based on neutral and nonneutral microsatellite markers was highest to the population of origin and next highest to populations in the same watershed. These patterns are consistent with the influence of historical contingency (separate colonization of each watershed) and subsequent gene flow (within but not between watersheds). In comparison to this low genetic exchangeability, ecological (diet) and morphological (trophic and armor traits) exchangeability was relatively high—particularly among populations from similar habitats. These patterns reflect the role of natural selection in driving parallel adaptive changes when independent populations colonize similar habitats. Importantly, however, substantial nonparallelism was also evident. Our results show that analyses based on exchangeability can confirm inferences based on statistical analyses of means or frequencies, while also refining insights into the drivers of—and constraints on—evolutionary diversification.     

MEK2 regulates ribonucleotide reductase activity through functional interaction with ribonucleotide reductase small subunit p53R2

The p53R2 protein, a newly identified member of the ribonucleotide reductase family that provides nucleotides for DNA damage repair, is directly regulated by p53. We show that p53R2 is also regulated by a MEK2 (ERK kinase 2/MAP kinase kinase 2)-dependent pathway. Increased MEK1/2 phosphorylation by serum stimulation coincided with an increase in the RNR activity in U2OS and H1299 cells. The inhibition of MEK2 activity, either by treatment with a MEK inhibitor or by transfection with MEK2 siRNA, dramatically decreased the serum-stimulated RNR activity. Moreover, p53R2 siRNA, but not R2 siRNA, significantly inhibits serum-stimulated RNR activity, indicating that p53R2 is specifically regulated by a MEK2-dependent pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that the MEK2 segment comprising amino acids 65–171 is critical for p53R2–MEK2 interaction, and the binding domain of MEK2 is required for MEK2-mediated increased RNR activity. Phosphorylation of MEK1/2 was greatly augmented by ionizing radiation, and RNR activity was concurrently increased. Ionizing radiation-induced RNR activity was markedly attenuated by transfection of MEK2 or p53R2 siRNA, but not R2 siRNA. These data show that MEK2 is an endogenous regulator of p53R2 and suggest that MEK2 may associate with p53R2 and upregulate its activity.     

Eco-physiological modelling of leaf photosynthesis and adaptation analysis of Chinese ivy (Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis) in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China

The individual plant of Chinese ivy can produce three types of branches (creepy, climbing, and reproductive) during its development, which adapt to different environmental factors. An eco-physiological model was constructed to simulate leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of Chinese ivy (Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis) in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest based on leaf physiological and mathematical analysis. The model integrated the rate-limiting biochemical process of photosynthesis and the processes of stomatal regulation. Influence of environmental factors (solar radiation, temperature, CO₂ concentration, vapour pressure deficit, etc.) on P _N was also considered in our model; its parameters were estimated for leaves on three types of branch in the whole growing season. The model was validated with field data. The model could simulate P _N of leaf on three types of branches accurately. Influence of solar radiation on leaf P _N of three types of branches in different seasons was analyzed through the model with numerical analysis.     

冬小麦农田中净辐射的研究

本文对陕西泾阳地区冬小麦田净辐射进行了分段和分层模拟,取得了较好的拟合效果,相对误差在１０％以内。确定了麦田相对叶面积函数最大值的出现高度为４．５／７Ｈ,介于高粱（４／７Ｈ）和谷子（５／７Ｈ）之间。计算了不同发育期、不同层次至冠层顶部累积叶片的消光系数,结果表明,消光系数因发育期和叶片层次而异,拔节期,由旗叶向下,消光系数增大,乳熟期旗叶的消光系数最大,比拔节期大一倍,倒二叶以上两个层次叶片消光系数较小。就平均而言,冬小麦消光系数拔节期为０．５１,乳熟期为０．５６。本项成果为进一步开展麦田小气候研究提供了有意义的数据和方法。     

UV-B辐射对仙客来的生理效应

通过室内模拟试验,研究了不同强度UV-B辐射(10μW/cm2和20μW/cm2)对仙客来(Cyclamen persicum Mill)生理的影响。结果表明:(1)UV-B辐射的增加对仙客来叶片光合色素的含量具有影响;(2)叶片质膜透性随UV-B辐射强度的增加而增加,随UV-B辐射时间的延长而增加;(3)叶片类黄酮含量随UV-B辐射强度的增加而增加,且在40d时达到最大值;(4)增强UV-B辐射下,仙客来花瓣中的花青素含量增加。     

Treatment outcomes and late toxicities of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for 1091 Japanese patients with localized prostate cancer

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the treatment result of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in a large number of Japanese patients with prostate cancer.

Post-translational modifications of protein in response to ionizing radiation

Based on central dogma of genetics, protein is the embodiment and executor of genetic function, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of protein are particularly important and involved in almost all aspects of cell biology and pathogenesis. Studies have shown that ionizing radiation (IR) alters gene expression much more profoundly and a broad variety of cell-process pathways, lots of proteins are modified and activated. Our understanding of the protein in response to ionizing radiation is steadily increasing. Among the various biological processes known to induce radioresistance, PTMs have attracted marked attention in recent years. The present review summarizes the latest knowledge about how PTMs response to ionizing radiation and pathway analysis were conducted. The data provided insights into biological effects of IR and contributing to the development of novel IR-based strategies.