Action of lipolytical enzymes in biphasic organic-aqueous systems: dynamics of the irreversible Michaelis-Menten reaction

Through simple model analysis, the mass action kinetic model for lipolytic enzymes in biphasic aqueous-organic systems can be simplified using the quasi-steady state assumption (or the quasi-equilibrium state assumption) for the adsorbed enzyme E* or the enzyme-substrate complex E*S. Some parameter combinations leading to the above assumptions are derived confirmed by full numerical integration of the whole enzymatic process. The results may be classified into three categories: (1) the quasi-equilibrium state assumption for E*, (2) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*, and (3) the quasi-steady state assumption for E*S. Further simplification for both E* and E*S is also discussed. (c) 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Maturation and fertilization of porcine oocytes in vitro

Four experiments were conducted to study 1) factors affecting porcine oocyte maturation in culture medium and 2) a new method for oocyte maturation outside the porcine body. In Experiment 1, five groups of oocytes were cultured in m-TCM199 or m-KRB medium for 24 to 28, 32 to 36 or 40 to 42 hours and then were fertilized in vitro. The cleavage rate (two to four-cell stage) of oocytes cultured for 32 to 36 hours was significantly higher than those of the other oocytes. The results indicate that a suitable culture period for the in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes is 32 to 36 hours. In Experiment 2, four groups of oocytes were cultured in m-KRB or m-KRB supplemented with PFF, PMSG or FSH for in vitro maturation, and the cleavage rates of oocytes were 7.94, 22.56, 30.23 and 23.26%, respectively, after in vitro fertilization. The results show that porcine follicular fluid (PFF) and gonadotrophins added to the culture medium promote porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. In Experiment 3, oocytes were cultured in m-KRB or m-TCM199, supplemented with both gonadotrophin and pocine folliclar fluid for maturation in vitro. After fertilization in vitro, the cleavage rates of oocytes were 26.32 and 27.93% for the two media. The results indicate that the difference between m-KRB and m-TCM199 was insignificant when the media were used to culture porcine oocytes. But there was a significant difference when PFF and gonadotrophins were added to the basic media. In Experiment 4, porcine oocytes were transferred into the reproductive tracts of other animals for maturation. After 34 to 36 hours, the oocytes were collected and fertilized in vitro. The cleavage rates of oocytes were 10.42, 28.45, 3.33 and 36.36%, respectively, for the oocytes matured in mouse uterine horns, rat uterine horns, rat oviducts or rabbit oviducts. The results show that porcine oocytes can be matured in the reproductive tracts of other animals.     

Studying bona fide SARS-CoV-2 biology in a BSL-2 biosafety environment using a split-virus-genome system

<正>Dear Editor,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2) was identified as the pathogen causing the coronavirus disease(COVID-19), which sometimes resulted in fatal pneumonia(Hu et al., 2021). SARS-CoV-2 is a biosafety level 3(BSL-3) pathogen, and the requirement for high containment conditions is a bottleneck for basic research on viral biology.     

KPC1 expression and essential role after acute spinal cord injury in adult rat

KPC1 (Kip1 ubiquitylation-promoting complex 1) is the catalytic subunit of the ubiquitin ligase KPC, which regulates the degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27^kip1 at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. To elucidate the expression and role of KPC1 in nervous system lesion and repair, we performed an acute spinal cord contusion injury (SCI) model in adult rats. Western blot analysis showed a significant up-regulation of KPC1 and a concomitant down-regulation of p27^kip1 following spinal injury. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence revealed wide expression of KPC1 in the spinal cord, including expression in neurons and astrocytes. After injury, KPC1 expression was increased predominantly in astrocytes, which highly expressed PCNA, a marker for proliferating cells. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated increased interactions between p27^kip1 and KPC1 4 days after injury. To understand whether KPC1 plays a role in astrocyte proliferation, we applied LPS to induce astrocyte proliferation in vitro. Western blot analysis demonstrated that p27^kip1 expression was negatively correlated with KPC1 expression following LPS stimulation. Immunofluorescence analysis showed subcellular localizations of p27^kip1 and KPC1 were also changed following the stimulation of astrocytes with LPS. These results suggest that KPC1 is related to the down-regulation of p27^kip1; this event may be involved in the proliferation of astrocytes after SCI.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: A set of primer pairs for amplifying the complete mitochondrial DNA of endangered Chinese egret (Aves, Ardeidae, Egretta eulophotes)

The Chinese egret is a globally endangered species. Here we describe a set of primer pairs to amplify its entire mtDNA. The polymerase chain reaction products (1000–2000 bp) were successfully amplified by using this primer set and were then sequenced and aligned. The contiguous mtDNA sequences of the Chinese egret were assembled to be a circular molecule (17 579 bp). This primer set was also confirmed to be useful for six other species of ardeid birds. The versatility of this primer set will provide a groundwork for further studies on the genetic structure and molecular evolution of the ardeid species.     

神经生长因子对大鼠视觉诱发电位的影响

目的和方法：本研究主要通过电生理方法,测定经CS2所致视神经损害的大鼠在治疗前后视觉诱发电位的变化,以证实神经生长因子对受损神经的治疗效果。结果：大鼠视神经损伤模型经神经生长因子治疗20d后,模式反转诱发电位和闪光诱发电位的潜伏期与对照组相比均有明显的缩短,并有量－效关系。结论：神经生长因子能明显改善视神经传导功能,提示神经生长因子对视神经损伤有一定的治疗作用。     

The potentiation role of hepatopoietin on activator protein-1 is dependent on its sulfhydryl oxidase activity

Hepatopoietin (HPO) is a novel hepatotrophic growth factor that stimulates hepatocyte proliferation by two pathways. In the first, intracellular HPO specifically modulates the activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway through JAB1 (Jun activation domain-binding protein 1), whereas in the second, extracellular HPO triggers the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by binding its specific receptor on the cell surface. In this report we demonstrate that HPO is a flavin-linked sulfhydryl oxidase, and the invariant CXXC (Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Cys) motif in HPO is essential for the enzyme activity of HPO but not for its dimerization nor for its binding ability with JAB1. Two intramolecular disulfides were identified in HPO by mass spectrometry, one of which is formed by the redox CXXC cysteine residues. HPO site-directed mutants (Cys/Ser) at active sites, which lost sulfhydryl oxidase activity, could not increase c-Jun phosphorylation and failed to potentiate JAB1-mediated AP-1 activation. However, the mutants still have mitogenic stimulation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation effects on HepG2 cells. Thus, it can be concluded that the potentiation role of HPO on AP-1 is dependent on its sulfhydryl oxidase activity.     

Activation of STAT3 stimulates AHSP expression in K562 cells

Studies on the chaperone proteinα-hemoglobin stabilizing protein(AHSP)reveal that abundant AHSP in erythroid cells enhance the cells’tolerance to oxidative stress imposed by excessα-hemoglobin in pathological conditions.However,the potential intracellular modulation of AHSP expression itself in response to oxidative stress is still unknown.The present study examined the effect and molecular mechanism of STAT3,an oxidative regulator,on the expression of AHSP.AHSP expression increased in K562 cells upon cytokine IL-6-induced STAT3 activation and decreased in STAT3 knock-down K562 cells.Regulation of AHSP in oxidative circumstance was then examined inα-globin-overloaded K562 cells,and real-time PCR showed strengthened expression of both AHSP and STAT3.ChIP analysis showed binding of STAT3 to AHSP promoter and binding was significantly augmented with IL6 stimulation and uponα-globin overexpression.Dual luciferase reporter assays of the wildtype and mutated SB3 element,an IL-6RE site,in the AHSP promoter in K562 cells highlighted the direct regulatory effect of STAT3 on AHSP gene.Finally,direct binding of STAT3 to SB3 site of AHSP promoter was confirmed with EMSA assays.Our work reveals an adaptive AHSP regulation mediated by the redox-sensitive STAT3 signaling pathway,and provides clues to the therapeutic strategy for AHSP enhancement.     

73例中国人血友病甲基因突变的分析

我们用Southern blotting、PCR、变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)和DNA测序等方法对73例血友病甲患者(经上海瑞金医院测定血浆FVⅢ:C和vWF:Ag诊断,其中无亲缘关系患者65例,按FVⅢ:C水平分为轻、中、重三型。FVⅢ:C< 2%为重型,共47例;FVⅢ:C 2%-5%为中型,共9例;FVⅢ:C5%-25%为轻型,共1 7例)进行FVⅢ基因突变检测。共检出内含子22倒位23例,均为重型,约占重型的49%,与国外报道相似。余下50例(其中无亲缘关系者45)用PCR-DGG E分析所有外显子及其侧翼内含子序列,发现异常条带则进行DNA测序。在17例患者中检出突变13种,其中无义突变5种,均为重型;错义突变6种,除1例外都是轻中型;小缺失2例,都是重型;其中,AA466Lys(AAG)-Thr(ACG)、719Tyr(TAC)-Stop(TAG)、AA826 Asp(GAC)-Glu(GAA)、312Ile(ATC)-xxC及AA1551-1552del(AGAA)为新发现的突变。有亲缘关系的患者都有相同的基因突变,而在无亲缘关系患者未发现相同突变。基因突变与临床表现基本相符。 Abstract:We use Southern blotting,PCR,denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE)and DNA sequencing to detect gene mutations of haemophilia A in Chinese population.73 cases(47 severe)(FVIII:C<2%),9 moderate(FVIII:C 2%~5%),17 mild(FVIII:C 5%~25%)of haemophilia A were first screened with Southern blotting,23 were found to be the intron 22 inversion type,all being severe cases.The remaining 50 cases without intron 22 in version were examined with PCR-DGGE.Genomic DNA were amplified using GC-clamped primers covering all the exons and all flanking intron regions.Abnormal bands were sequenced.13 different mutations were identified,including 5 nonsense mutations,6 missense mutations and 2 small deletions.5 mutations,AA466Lys(AAG)-Thr(ACG),AA719Tyr(TAC)-Stop(TAG),AA826Asp(GAC)-Glu(GAA),AA312Ile(ATC)-xxC and AA1551-1552del(AGAA)have not been reported before.Generally the genetic defects correspond to the clinical conditions.