The p53 isoforms are differentially modified by Mdm2

The discovery that the single p53 gene encodes several different p53 protein isoforms has initiated a flurry of research into the function and regulation of these novel p53 proteins. Full-length p53 protein level is primarily regulated by the E3-ligase Mdm2, which promotes p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Here, we report that all of the novel p53 isoforms are ubiquitinated and degraded to varying degrees in an Mdm2-dependent and -independent manner, and that high-risk human papillomavirus can degrade some but not all of the novel isoforms, demonstrating that full-length p53 and the p53 isoforms are differentially regulated. In addition, we provide the first evidence that Mdm2 promotes the NEDDylation of p53β. Altogether, our data indicates that Mdm2 can distinguish between the p53 isoforms and modify them differently.     

MALE PEACH APHID ATTRACTION IN THE FIELD BY SEX PHEROMONES1)

Abstract Field trials by sex pheromone of aphid to trap peach aphids Myzus persicae have been carried out in 1995 and in 1996. Suitable time and the effect of ratio of two components nepetalactone and nepetalactol to apply the lure have been observed.     

轮生钩藻的形态特征及其系统位置

十年前在云南省早泥盆世的地层中发现了轮生钩藻(Uncataella verticillata),限于当时的材料,其分类位置未定。本研究所用材料采自它的模式标本产地,化石植物保存良好,首次发现了着生在植物体上的雌性生殖器官——藏卵器。根据藏卵器和植物体其它部分显示的形态特征,本文修订了它的原始描述并对其系统位置进行了探讨,认为轮生钩藻是一种原始的轮藻植物,很可能属于直立轮藻目直立轮藻科中的一个成员。     

Modulation of SPARC Expression during Butyrate-Induced Terminal Differentiation of Cultured Human Keratinocytes: Regulation via a TGF-β-Dependent Pathway

Expression of SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine), a 43-kDa extracellular matrix-associated glycoprotein involved in tissue remodeling, was quantitated during normal human keratinocyte (NHK) growth in culture and as a function of sodium n-butyrate (NaB)-induced differentiation to mature enucleate cornified envelopes (CEs). Low levels of SPARC expression were observed in the basal-like cells of control NHKs, with isolated cells showing intense SPARC expression on the ventral surface. After addition of NaB, SPARC expression increased and the pattern of expression shifted to one involving predominantly suprabasal cells (i.e., spinous cells, pre-CEs, and mature CEs). Dense deposits of SPARC often surrounded the mature CEs. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that approximately 13% of NHKs expressed SPARC within 24 h of seeding into culture. This fraction of SPARC⁺ cells increased with time and peaked immediately postconfluence (31.3 ± 6.3% SPARC⁺). Cellular SPARC expression then decreased to baseline levels during entrance into plateau phase growth. SPARC was detectable in all phases of the cell cycle. SPARC levels were more intense and heterogeneous within the G₂/M and G₁ phases while S phase cells exhibited relatively homogeneous, low intensity, SPARC expression. During NaB-induced NHK differentiation, SPARC intracellular content increased prior to the onset of CE formation (i.e., 2 days after its addition) followed by a period of extracellular accumulation which coincided with the time of maximal CE generation (i.e., Days 4 and 5 after NaB addition). Correlation of cell size with anti-SPARC immunoreactivity revealed a predominance of SPARC expression in cells with a suprabasal phenotype. NHKs cultured on fibronectin (FN), an established modulator of epidermal cell maturation in vitro, showed a similar response to NaB. In general, however, the level of NaB-induced SPARC expression was considerably reduced in FN cultures correlating with a lower efficiency of CE formation. Induced SPARC expression was, in large part, dependent on autocrine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production since incubation in the presence of NaB + neutralizing antibodies to TGF-β inhibited both the expression of SPARC by 72% and development of mature CEs.     

滇水金凤转录因子TT8的克隆及表达分析

为探究滇水金凤(Impatiens uliginosa L.)TT8(TRANSPARENT TESTA 8)基因的功能和表达特性,并解析其对滇水金凤花色的影响,研究以滇水金凤花器官为材料,通过RT-PCR等技术克隆IuTT8基因,并对其进行生物信息学分析;利用qRT-PCR分析该基因在不同花色和不同花发育阶段的表达模式。结果表明,(1)成功克隆得到滇水金凤IuTT8基因,其编码区全长为2 136 bp,编码711 aa,为亲水性不稳定蛋白,gDNA全长为3 938 bp,共有6个内含子;结构域分析发现该蛋白属于bHLH超家族成员,与喜马拉雅凤仙花、山茶等物种的TT8蛋白同源且Motif基序相似。(2)IuTT8与同属植物喜马拉雅凤仙花的聚在一支,相似性约86.34%;多序列比对和系统进化分析显示TT8蛋白的结构域高度保守。(3)IuTT8基因在4种不同花色滇水金凤及其4个不同发育阶段均有表达,除白色外,其表达量均随花发育的进行呈先升后降的趋势;且IuTT8基因的表达量与花色呈正相关,其中以深红色表达量最高,白色表达量最低,深红色S3的表达量约为白色S2时期的48倍。研究表明滇水金凤I...     

异色瓢虫若虫对麦三叉蚜的捕食作用

研究表明,异色瓢虫高龄若虫捕食麦二叉蚜的功能反应为ＨｏｌｌｉｎｇⅡ型反应,喜好捕食低龄若蚜;在４０℃下捕食率最低,１０℃次之,２５℃最高．在１０～２５℃内捕食率ｙ与温度ｘ的关系为ｙ＝２８．１３０３＋２．６６６５ｘ,在２５～４０℃内为ｙ＝１９９．９２７５－３．６４２ｘ;在种内干扰条件下,其捕食作用率Ｅ与开敌密度Ｐ的关系为Ｅ＝０．６８９７Ｐ－０．７９３０,搜索常数Ｑ为０．６８９７,干扰系数ｍ为０．７９３０;其分摊竞争强度Ｉ与异色瓢虫密度Ｐ的关系为Ｉ＝０．０４００＋１．０３８３ｌｏｇＰ．     

Protective Effects of Pyridoxal Phosphate Against Glucose Deprivation-Induced Damage in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract: When hippocampal cultures were deprived of glucose, massive release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an indicator of neuronal death, occurred via NMDA receptor activation. Addition of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP; 1 and 10 µ M ) inhibited this LDH release in a concentration-dependent manner. Prior exposure to PLP evoked more potent inhibitory effects on LDH release compared with those treated at the onset of glucose deprivation. Furthermore, PLP inhibited the reduction of intracellular content of pyruvate induced by glucose deprivation, which was accompanied by the reversal of intracellular ATP depletion. A noteworthy elevation of extracellular glutamate in response to glucose deprivation was completely reversed by addition of PLP. Aminooxyacetic acid, a potent inhibitor of PLP-dependent enzymes, antagonized the effects of PLP on LDH release, pyruvate production, and ATP formation. These results suggest that PLP protects neurons from glucose deprivation-induced damage by enhancing the formation of energy-yielding products and relieving extracellular load of glutamate. The observed phenomena further indicate that PLP might be used prophylactically against neuronal death induced by metabolic disorders.     

急进高海拔时健康人夜间睡眠、呼吸状态和血氧饱和度的变化

在海拔2300m选择健康成年男性5人,急进抵海拔4660m,用多导监测仪分别在两地连续7h监测夜间睡眠、呼吸状态和血氧饱和度变化,进行自身对比。结果发现:(1)急进高海拔后,总睡眠时间、有效睡眠指数、Ⅲ～Ⅳ期深睡眠均较中度高原减少(p<0.01);总觉醒时间、Ⅰ～Ⅱ期浅睡眠高海拔较中度高原增多(p<0.05):(2)急进高海拔后,有3名健康人出现周期性呼吸,其中1名健康者出现周期性呼吸119次,伴有中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停,最低Sao_2为78％;(3)同海拔高度夜间睡眠时与清醒时Sao_2相比较,中度高原下降4.2％,高海拔下降11.2％(p<0.01);高海拔与中度高原夜间清醒时Sao_2相比较下降7.4％,睡眠时下降14.4％(p<0.001)。结果提示:(1)睡眠加重了高原人原有的低氧血症;(2)低氧血症导致睡眠结构的紊乱和睡眠质量的降低;(3)睡眠中出现的周期性呼吸,应视为机体的一种自我保护机制;(4)频发的周期性呼吸或睡眠呼吸暂停将影响大脑机能。