Overexpression of small glutamine-rich TPR-containing protein promotes apoptosis in 7721 cells

It is known that small glutamine-rich TPR-containing protein (SGT) is the member of TPR motif family. However, the biological functions of SGT remain unclear. In this paper, we report that SGT plays a role in apoptotic signaling. Ectopic expression of SGT enhances DNA fragment and nucleus breakage after the induction of apoptosis. Increasing mRNA level of SGT is also observed in 7721 cells undergoing apoptosis, knockdown the expression of endogenous SGT contributes to the decrease of apoptosis of 7721 cells. Deletion analysis reveals that TPR domain is critical to pro-apoptotic function of SGT. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the PARP cleavage and cytochrome c release are enhanced when SGT is overexpressed in 7721 cells during apoptosis. Collectively, our results indicate that SGT is a new pro-apoptotic factor.     

层黏连蛋白1aminin-511的研究进展

Laminin-511是层黏连蛋白（laminin）家族中高度保守的一员,在早期胚胎及成体多种组织的基底膜中广泛分布。Laminin-511通过其肽链的相应区域与细胞受体及基底膜成分连接,参与维持基底膜的完整性和调节细胞的多种生物学功能。该文在概述laminin-511的结构特点、作用机制的基础上,对其在胚胎发育、干细胞研究中的功能作一综述。     

Therapeutic effects of lactosyl derivative Gu-4 in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that is characterized by persistent recurrence of joint inflammation leading to cartilage and bone destruction. The present anti-arthritis therapies failed to achieve satisfactory remission in all patients; therefore, it is still necessary to develop novel approaches to fulfill the demand in clinic. Here, we reported the therapeutic effects of lactosyl derivative Gu-4, a synthetic compound that was previously identified as a selective inhibitor against leukocyte integrin CD11b, in a bovine type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. First, prophylactic administration of Gu-4 (1.2728?mg/kg) to rats by intraperitoneal injection every 2?days from the first day of collagen immunization significantly decreased the incidence of CIA, diminished the mean paw volume increase, and reduced the number of swollen paws. Second, administration of Gu-4 (1.2728?mg/kg) to rats at early-onset stage of CIA prevented the progression of the pathological process of RA, accelerated the remission of paw edema, and declined the arthritis score; after 5?weeks treatment, X-ray and histological examinations were carried out, the ankle joint of hind limb of Gu-4 treated CIA rats exhibited slighter bone erosion and much less inflammatory cell infiltration compared to those of saline treated animals; furthermore, Gu-4 remarkably attenuated the production of rheumatoid factor (RF) in the serum of CIA rats as determined by ELISA. Moreover, we performed in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and found that Gu-4 significantly inhibited the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes isolated from CIA rats in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that Gu-4 can effectively ameliorate CIA and might be an alternative option for the treatment of RA.     

一株乙腈降解菌的鉴定及其生物学特性

【目的】明确乙腈降解菌BX2的分类地位及生物学特性,评价其处理含乙腈废水的可行性。【方法】通过形态特征、生理生化特性以及系统发育分析对菌株BX2进行鉴定。考察温度、初始pH及接种量等因素对菌株生长的影响,确定菌株的最佳生长条件及在该条件下的乙腈降解能力。测定菌株BX2对NaCl的耐受能力。【结果】乙腈降解菌BX2的形态特征及生理生化特性与紫红红球菌(Rhodococcus rhodochrous)最相近。其16S rRNA、gyrB、secA1基因序列与紫红红球菌的相似性分别为99.37%、99.29%、97.87%。最佳生长条件为35℃,初始pH 7.5,接种量1%。此条件下,菌株BX2在16 h内对浓度为800 mg/L乙腈的降解率为95.87%。菌株BX2在NaCl含量高于6%的培养基中无法生长。【结论】菌株BX2被鉴定为紫红红球菌。该菌株有较强的环境适应能力,可降解高浓度乙腈,在含氰废水的生物修复中有很好的应用前景。     

Dimerization of Hepatitis E Virus Capsid Protein E2s Domain Is Essential for Virus–Host Interaction

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a non-enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus, is transmitted in a faecal-oral manner, and causes acute liver diseases in humans. The HEV capsid is made up of capsomeres consisting of homodimers of a single structural capsid protein forming the virus shell. These dimers are believed to protrude from the viral surface and to interact with host cells to initiate infection. To date, no structural information is available for any of the HEV proteins. Here, we report for the first time the crystal structure of the HEV capsid protein domain E2s, a protruding domain, together with functional studies to illustrate that this domain forms a tight homodimer and that this dimerization is essential for HEV–host interactions. In addition, we also show that the neutralizing antibody recognition site of HEV is located on the E2s domain. Our study will aid in the development of vaccines and, subsequently, specific inhibitors for HEV.     

Study on Mechanisms of Colonization of Nitrogen-Fixing PGPB, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Klebsiella pneumoniae</Emphasis> NG14 on the Root Surface of Rice and the Formation of Biofilm

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) refer to the bacteria beneficial to plants, and they may affect the growth and development of plants directly or indirectly. This article studied the activities of nitrogen fixation and colonization of a strain of PGPB, Klebsiella pneumoniae NG14, which was isolated from the rice root surface. The results showed that NG14 harbouring the nifH gene had nitrogenase activity, ¹⁵N₂-fixing activity, and was able to colonize on the root surface and within the cavity of root vascular tissues of rice. Using proteomics technology to study the differences and changes of membrane proteins (MP) of NG14 bacterial biofilm in non-biological surface, 28 proteins showing significant differences before and after the formation of bacterial biofilm have been identified, in which the precursors of membrane pore protein OmpC relevant to osmotic stress resistance was up-regulated. This study would have positive significance on further understanding of the direct and indirect promotion effects of PGPB and related mechanisms.