土壤病毒生态学研究方法

病毒是地球上最丰富的生物实体,每克土壤中可包含数以亿计的病毒,它不仅影响土壤中其它微生物的群落组成、土壤元素的生物地球化学循环,还会影响土壤微生物的物种进化,甚至影响植物、动物和人体健康。目前人们对土壤中病毒的种类及丰度、分布特征以及功能引起的生态环境效应还知之甚少。在概述病毒生态学研究方法的基础上,对土壤病毒的提取、纯化、定量及分子生态学方法等基本流程进行了比较分析,以期建立一套快速简便、高效稳定的适用于土壤病毒研究的方法,并用于研究土壤病毒的多样性及分布特征,探讨病毒在环境中的生存和传播机制,为土壤病毒的防控及开发利用提供支撑。     

MicroRNAs and their role in viral infection

Recently, a class of about 22 nucleotides (nt) small RNA has been discovered in many eukaryotes, termed microRNAs (miRNAs), which have a variety of functions. Many recent findings have demonstrated that viruses can also encode their own miRNAs. Meanwhile, other findings reveal a relationship between host miRNA and viral infection. These findings suggest a tight relationship between host and viral infection via miRNA pathway. This article introduces the miRNAs encoded by viruses and reviews the advances of the interaction of the mammalian host miRNAs and viral infection.     

HIV-1进攻靶细胞的机制及相应环节抑制剂

HIV－1是导致获得性免疫缺陷综合症（AIDS）的流行最广、破坏力最强的病毒。HIV－1分两个步骤特异性地进攻CD4^ 细胞：一是利用表面糖蛋白gp120和靶细胞膜上的受体结合;二是通过跨膜糖蛋白gp41使病毒的包膜和靶细胞的质膜发生融合,经过上述步骤,病毒的核心蛋白和遗传物质得以进入人体,然其中进行复制,遇时,细胞膜的稳定性被破坏,细胞的内外环境失去平衡,最终导致细胞死亡。HIV－1进攻靶细胞的机制研究所取得的成就为研制安全有效的抗HIV／AIDS药物提供了新的思路和方向。     

Length, mass, and denaturation of double-stranded RNA molecules compared with DNA

The contour lengths of linear, double-stranded (ds) RNAs from mycovirus PcV and Pseudomonas bacteriophage ø6 have been measured with samples prepared for the electron microscope from 0.05 to 0.5 M NH₄Cl solutions. A linear dependence of contour length on the logarithm of ionic strength was found and compared with that of dsDNA (pBR322, linearized and open-circular forms). Conditions for molecular weight determinations of any natural dsRNA by electron microscopy have been established, and the method has been calibrated with ø6 dsRNA of known nucleotide sequence. The results imply that dsRNA in 0.20 M NH₄Cl solution has a rise per basepair of 0.271 nm, which is shorter than that in the A-conformation (4%) and in the A′-conformation (10%). The thermal behavior of dsRNA in terms of melting temperature and exhibition of fine structure of melting curves was found to be generally similar to that of dsDNA, as expected from the literature. Folding of dsRNA in ethanolic solution was similar to that of dsDNA. However, in contrast to dsDNA, coiled coils could not be induced by ethanol, which is consistent with dsRNA being stiffer than dsDNA. Concerning dsDNA, the results show that a contraction in rise per basepair by 0.1 nm is coupled with an increase in the winding angle between basepairs by 0.47°, as qualitatively predicted by polyelectrolyte theory.     

In-depth Profiling and Quantification of the Lysine Acetylome in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with a Trapped Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide with limited therapeutic options. Comprehensive investigation of protein posttranslational modifications in HCC is still limited. Lysine acetylation is one of the most common types of posttranslational modification involved in many cellular processes and plays crucial roles in the regulation of cancer. In this study, we analyzed the proteome and K-acetylome in eight pairs of HCC tumors and normal adjacent tissues using a timsTOF Pro instrument. As a result, we identified 9219 K-acetylation sites in 2625 proteins, of which 1003 sites exhibited differential acetylation levels between tumors and normal adjacent tissues. Interestingly, many novel tumor-specific K-acetylation sites were characterized, for example, filamin A (K865), filamin B (K697), and cofilin (K19), suggesting altered activities of these cytoskeleton-modulating molecules, which may contribute to tumor metastasis. In addition, we observed an overall suppression of protein K-acetylation in HCC tumors, especially for enzymes from various metabolic pathways, for example, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid metabolism. Moreover, the expression of deacetylase sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) was upregulated in HCC tumors, and its role of deacetylation in HCC cells was further explored by examining the impact of SIRT2 overexpression on the proteome and K-acetylome in Huh7 HCC cells. SIRT2 overexpression reduced K-acetylation of proteins involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including energy metabolism. Furthermore, cellular assays showed that overexpression of SIRT2 in HCC cells inhibited both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Taken together, our findings provide valuable information to better understand the roles of K-acetylation in HCC and to treat this disease by correcting the aberrant acetylation patterns.     

Nitrogen-molybdenum-manganese co-fertilization reduces nitrate accumulation and enhances spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) yield and its quality

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is considered a nitrogen (N) intensive plant with high nitrate (NO₃^?) accumulation in its leaves. The current study via a two-year field trial introduced an approach by combining N fertilization from different sources (e.g., ammonium nitrate; 33.5 % N, and urea; 48 % N) at different rates (180, and 360 kg N ha^?1) with the foliar spraying of molybdenum (Mo) as sodium molybdate, and/or manganese (Mn) as manganese sulphate at rates of 50 and 100 mgL^?1 of each or with a mixture of Mo and Mn at rates of 50 and 50 mg L^?1, respectively on growth, chemical constituents, and NO₃^? accumulation in spinach leaves. Our findings revealed that the highest rate of N fertilization (360 kg N ha^?1) significantly increased most of the measured parameters e.g., plant length, fresh and dry weight plant^?1, number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area plant^?1, leaf pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn), total soluble carbohydrates, protein content, net assimilation rate, and NO₃^? accumulation, but decreased leaf area ratio and relative growth rate. Moreover, plants received urea-N fertilizer gave the highest values of all previous attributes when compared with ammonium nitrate –N fertilizers, and the lowest values of NO₃^? accumulation. The co-fertilization of N-Mo-Mn gave the highest values in all studied attributes and the lowest NO₃^? accumulation. The best treatment was recorded under the treatment of 360 kg N-urea ha^?1 in parallel with the combined foliar application of Mo and Mn (50 + 50 mg L^?1). Our findings proposed that the co-fertilization of N-Mo-Mn could enhance spinach yield and its quality, while reducing NO₃^? accumulation in leaves, resulting agronomical, environmental and economic benefits.     

Protective effects of zinc on cadmium toxicity in rodents

A study of acute and subacute toxicity of cadmium ions [Cd(II)] was carried out on male Swiss mice and Sprague-Dawley rats with and without previous administration of zinc chloride. The LD₅₀ of Cd(II) as cadmium sulfate (ip) was lower in animals previously given 10 mg/kg of zinc(II) chloride (sc). Factors such as animal weight variations, biochemical parameters, and accumulation patterns of Cd(II) and Zn(II) were taken into consideration when the subacute toxicity was evaluated. Alteration of the activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) was observed in short-term-exposure (<6 h) cases. These alterations reverted to normal after 1 wk. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in serum are also changed, especially so in the groups given CdSO₄ alone. In the experimental groups treated with ZnCl₂ prior to administration of cadmium, proteinuria was detected 5 wk after the treatment. Also at 5 wk, both Zn-treated and nontreated groups showed an abnormally low liver mass with respect to total body mass. Both Cd and Zn are retained preferentially in the liver but show also in the kidneys. If CdSO₄ and ZnCl₂ are given simultaneously, especially after 1 wk of treatment, Cd is accumulated in greater amounts in these organs when compared to the groups given only cadmium sulfate.     

Gene transfer to skeletal muscle using hydrodynamic limb vein injection: current applications,hurdles and possible optimizations

Hydrodynamic limb vein injection is an in vivo locoregional gene delivery method. It consists of administrating a large volume of solution containing nucleic acid constructs in a limb with both blood inflow and outflow temporarily blocked using a tourniquet. The fast, high pressure delivery allows the musculature of the whole limb to be reached. The skeletal muscle is a tissue of choice for a variety of gene transfer applications, including gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy or other myopathies, as well as for the production of antibodies or other proteins with broad therapeutic effects. Hydrodynamic limb vein delivery has been evaluated with success in a large range of animal models. It has also proven to be safe and well‐tolerated in muscular dystrophy patients, thus supporting its translation to the clinic. However, some possible limitations may occur at different steps of the delivery process. Here, we have highlighted the interests, bottlenecks and potential improvements that could further optimize non‐viral gene transfer following hydrodynamic limb vein injection.