Reactive oxygen species from mitochondria mediate SW480 cells apoptosis induced by Na2SeO3

A number of selenium compounds have been found to inhibit tumorigenesis in a variety of animal and cell models. In order to explore the molecular mechanism involved in the anticarcinogenesis activity of selenium, we examined the effects of sodium selenite on cell viabilty, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δω _m ) in human colonic carcinoma cells SW480. The result from MTT test showed that sodium selenite reduced cell viability. Morophologic and flow cytometric results indicated that Na₂SeO₃ induced the apoptosis of SW480 cells. Na₂SeO₃ increased the generation of intracellular ROS, whereas BAPTA-AM, rotenone, and NaCN completely inhibited the increase of ROS induced by Na₂SeO₃. Na₂SeO₃ also caused the disruption of Δω _m . The intracellular ROS increase and apoptosis induced by Na₂SeO₃ were significantly decreased by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase. These data suggest that the ROS mediate apoptosis induced by Na₂SeO₃ and mitochondria may be a major source of Na₂SeO₃-induced ROS.     

Novel thermoresponsive nonviral gene vector: P(NIPAAm-co-NDAPM)-b-PEI with adjustable gene transfection efficiency

A thermoresponsive cationic copolymer, poly( N-isopropylacrylamide- co- N-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide)- b-polyethyleneimine (P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI), was designed and synthesized as a potential nonviral gene vector. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI in water measured by UV-vis spectroscopy was 38 degrees C. P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI as the gene vector was evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity, buffer capability determined by acid-base titration, DNA binding capability characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis and particle size analysis, and in vitro gene transfection. P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI copolymer exhibited lower cytotoxicity in comparison with 25 kDa PEI. Gel retardation assay study indicated that the copolymer was able to bind DNA completely at N/P ratios higher than 30. At 27 degrees C, the mean particle sizes of P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI/DNA complexes decreased from 1200 to 570 nm corresponding to the increase in N/P ratios from 10 to 60. When the temperature changed to 37 degrees C, the mean particle sizes of complexes decreased from 850 to 450 nm correspondingly within the same N/P ratio range due to the collapse of thermoresponsive PNIPAAm segments. It was found that the transfection efficiency of P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI/DNA complexes was higher than or comparable to that of 25 kDa PEI/DNA complexes at their optimal N/P ratios. Importantly, the transfection efficiency of P(NIPAAm- co-NDAPM)- b-PEI/DNA complexes could be adjusted by altering the transfection and cell culture temperature.     

Functionalized thermoresponsive micelles self-assembled from biotin-PEG-b-P(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)-b-PMMA for tumor cell target

Novel micelles, comprising hydrophilic PEG shells, hydrophobic PMMA cores, and thermosensitive P(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm) segments were self-assembled from the biotin-PEG-b-P(NIPAAm-co-HMAAm)-b-PMMA triblock copolymer. The thermosensitive micelles exhibited superior stability and showed thermotriggered drug release behavior upon temperature alterations. The fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy studies confirmed that the self-assembled biotinylated micelles can be specifically and efficiently bonded to cancer cells with the administration of biotin-transferrin, suggesting that the multifunctional micelles have great potential as drug carriers for tumor targeting chemotherapy.     

Functions and Regulation of Circular Dorsal Ruffles

Cells construct a number of plasma membrane structures to meet a range of physiological demands. Driven by juxtamembrane actin machinery, these actin-based membrane protrusions are essential for the operation and maintenance of cellular life. They are required for diverse cellular functions, such as directed cell motility, cell spreading, adhesion, and substrate/matrix degradation. Circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) are one class of such structures characterized as F-actin-rich membrane projections on the apical cell surface. CDRs commence their formation minutes after stimulation as flat, open, and immature ruffles and progressively develop into fully enclosed circular ruffles. These “rings” then mature and contract centrifugally before subsiding. Serving a critical function in receptor internalization and cell migration, CDRs are thus highly dynamic but transient formations. Here, we review the current state of knowledge concerning the regulation of circular dorsal ruffles. We focus specifically on the biochemical pathways leading to CDR formation in order to better define the roles and functions of these enigmatic structures.     

小鼠孤雌胚早期发育过程中γ-微管蛋白的动态变化

微管蛋白是构成微管的主要蛋白,其中α、β亚单位形成异二聚体,而γ-微管蛋白在微管组装中起作用。为了研究小鼠早期孤雌胚中廿微管蛋白的动态变化,本实验采用了免疫荧光化学染色与激光共聚焦显微镜观察相结合的方法,在SrCl2激活的卵母细胞减数分裂以及早期孤雌胚有丝分裂过程中对γ-微管蛋白进行了定位观察。结果显示,SrCl2和细胞松弛素B（cytochalasin B,CB）诱导的第二次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅱ ofmeiosis,MII）小鼠卵母细胞恢复减数分裂,并且纺锤体始终与质膜平行,表明纺锤体旋转被抑制,但核分裂不受影响。减数分裂过程中γ-微管蛋白主要定位于中期纺锤体两极和后期分开的染色单体之间;孤雌活化两雌原核形成以后,γ-微管蛋白聚集在两雌原核周围。在早期孤雌胚有丝分裂间期无定形的γ-微管蛋白均匀分布于核;前中期γ-微管蛋白向两极移动,遍布于整个纺锤体区。有丝分裂中期、后期和末期廿微管蛋白的分布变化与减数分裂相似。结果表明,SrCl2和CB激活的MII卯母细胞产生杂合二倍体;γ-微管蛋白具有促微管负极帽形成和稳定微管的功能,从而促进纺锤体的形成;分裂后期和末期廿微管蛋白的重新分布可能是由纺锤体牵引同源染色体分离所诱导的：γ-微管蛋白负责两雌原核的迁移靠近。     

TDP-43在神经退行性疾病中的功能和作用

核蛋白TAR DNA/RNA结合蛋43(TDP-43)目前被认为是肌萎缩侧索硬化症(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,ALS)、额颞叶变性(frontotemporal lobar degeneration,FTLD)等神经退行性疾病的病理学标记蛋白。在中枢神经系统中,TDP-43作为必要的转录调控因子,参与mRNA前体的剪接,维持RNA稳态和运输。在突变和过表达TDP-43的转基因啮齿类动物模型中,受损伤的神经元呈现出胞核和胞质中TDP-43泛素化、磷酸化聚集,以及细胞周期进程的改变。在此,着重阐述基于TDP-43突变或过表达建立神经退行性疾病动物模型的研究进展,探讨其发病机制、病理学改变及治疗方法。     

多胞质玉米胚乳淀粉粒性状的扫描电镜观察

１１种多胞质系玉米胚乳淀粉粒的扫描电镜观察表明：不同的细胞质对细胞核有不同程度的互作,３种甜质胞质玉米的胚乳淀粉粒多呈球形,排列紧密,存在一定的共性;４种雄性不育胞质玉米的胚乳淀粉粒多呈不规则形,除（Ｔ）Ｍｏ１７外,排列疏松。这１１种玉米胚乳淀粉粒的平均直径为９．７８μｍ￣１４．６９μｍ,通过玉米胚乳淀粉粒形态特征的观察,在玉米淀粉性状和玉米籽粒的商品价值关系上进行一定程度探索,为玉米的进一步发展     

气相色谱质谱联用技术对栝楼籽油亚麻酸和亚油酸含量的分析

通过皂化法和尿素包合法对热榨、冷榨栝楼（Trichosanthes kirilowii）籽油进行提取,采用气相色谱-质谱联用（GC-MS）技术检测分析栝楼籽油中亚麻酸、亚油酸成分、含量。结果表明,热榨栝楼籽油中亚麻酸相对含量为4.16%～11.58%,亚油酸相对含量为68.62%～95.84%。冷榨栝楼籽油中不含亚麻酸成分。此方法适用于栝楼籽油的成分分析。