Regulation of fibronectin and laminin binding activity in cultured human lymphoblastic cell lines

The current study shows that a clonal derivative of the Jurkat cell line up-regulates both the avidity and density of the α 6/β1 receptor in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). This derivative attaches to fibronectin and, to a lesser degree, laminin constitutively. Adhesion and spreading are dramatically up-regulated following treatment with PMA. The response on fibronectin peaks within 4 hours, is insensitive to cyclohexaminde, can be blocked by monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to the β1 and α 5 subunits of the β1 family of integrins, and is not associated with increased expression of the α 5 or β1 epitopes at the cell surface. In contrast, the response on laminin is biphasic. The early phase parallels the response on fibronectin. The second phase peaks after 48–72 hours of treatment with PMA, is sensitive to cycloheximide, can be blocked by Mabs to the β1 and α 6 subunits, and is associated with increased expression of the α 6 epitope. Both the density independent and dependent responses to PMA in Jurkat cells are blocked by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. The HSB-2, CEM, Molt-4, and HPB-ALL T-lymphoblastic cell lines also up-regulate attachment to fibronectin and laminin following treatment with PMA. All four lines constitutively attach to fibronectin and show rapid up-regulation of attachment following treatment with PMA. None of the lines attach to laminin prior to PMA treatment; however, specific adhesion developed after 4–120 hours of treatment. The most mature lines (Jurkat and HPB-ALL) up-regulated adhesion on laminin more rapidly than the less phenotypically mature lines (CEM, Molt-4, and HSB-2). In summary, clonal derivatives of the Jurkat cell line up-regulated attachment to laminin through protein kinase dependent increases in α /β1 receptor avidity and density. In addition, the expression of functional receptors for laminin is linked to developmental maturity in a series of T-lymphoblastic cell lines. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

GoFigure: automated Gene Ontology annotation

SUMMARY: We have developed a web tool to predict Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The tool accepts an input DNA or protein sequence, and uses BLAST to identify homologous sequences in GO annotated databases. A graph is returned to the user via email. AVAILABILITY: The tool is freely available at: http://udgenome.ags.udel.edu/frm_go.html/     

聚羟基脂肪酸酯的应用展望

聚羟基脂肪酸酯(Polyhydroxyalkanoates,简称PHA)是由微生物合成的天然高分子基材料,作为微生物碳源和能源的储备物质。目前,PHA的单体种类有150多种,致使PHA的品种繁多、材料学性质各不相同。PHA具有材料多变性、非线性光学性能、压电性能、气体阻隔性能、热塑性、生物可降解性、良好的生物相容性等特点,使其在塑料包装、化工、医药、农业、生物能源等诸多领域的具有很大的应用前景。文中系统介绍了目前PHA的应用和未来的发展。     

药用植物栀子的组织培养

栀子(Gardenia jasminoides)为药用木本植物。以栀子果皮、种子团和种子为外植体,研究不同激素配比及不同培养方式对愈伤组织诱导和芽分化的影响。研究结果表明,培养基成分为MS+0.5 mg·L–12,4-D+0.25 mg·L–16-BA较适宜果皮和种子愈伤组织的诱导,诱导率分别为83.3%和88.5%;培养基成分为MS+1.0 mg·L–12,4-D+1.0 mg·L–16-BA较适宜种子团愈伤组织的诱导,诱导率为78.1%。3种外植体诱导的愈伤组织中,只有种子愈伤组织能通过液体培养分化出芽;TDZ对芽分化有明显的促进作用;最佳的芽分化培养基为MS+0.05 mg·L–1NAA+0.10 mg·L–1TDZ,其愈伤组织分化率为8.75%。该研究以栀子种子为外植体,并获得了再生植株,为药用植物栀子转基因体系的建立奠定了基础。     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel synthetic chalcone derivatives as anti-tumor agents targeting Cat L and Cat K

A series of chalcone derivatives bearing benzamide or benzenesulfonamide moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-tumor effect on HCT116, MCF7 and 143B cell lines in vitro. SAR analysis showed that compounds bearing a benzenesulfonamide group had greater potency than those bearing a benzamide group. It was also shown that compounds with a mono-methyl or mono-halogen group at the 3-position on the terminal phenyl ring were more effective than those with trifluoromethyl or methoxy groups. Compound 8e exhibited the most potent anti-tumor activities against HCT116, MCF7 and 143B cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 0.597, 0.886 and 0.791 μM, respectively. Molecular docking studies and enzymatic assays demonstrated that the anti-tumor activity of compound 8e might be regulated by Cat L and Cat K.     

Clinical and genetic characteristics of cystic fibrosis in CHINESE patients: a systemic review of reported cases

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare disease most commonly seen in Caucasians. Only a few Chinese CF patients have been described in literature, taking into account the large population of China. In this systematic review, we collected the clinical and genetic information of 71 Chinese CF patients based on all available data. Compared with Caucasians, Chinese CF patients often present atypical symptoms, mainly displaying symptoms of pulmonary infection with fewer digestive symptoms. An ethnicity-specific CFTR variant spectrum was also observed in CF patients of Chinese origin, with p.Gly970Asp as the most common mutation while p.Phe508del, the most common pathogenic mutation in CF patients of Caucasian origin, is rare, suggesting the necessity of a Chinese-specific CFTR variant screening panel. Besides, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis should be routinely considered, especially for those with unidentified mutations. Potential under-diagnosis of CF in Chinese patients might be caused by a combination of atypical clinical features and genetic heterogeneity in Chinese CF patients, the inaccessibility of sweat and genetic testing facilities, and the one-child policy in China. With the approval of promising small molecule correctors and potentiators, molecular characterization of Chinese-specific CFTR mutations will help to realize more precise treatment for Chinese CF patients.     

New method for rapidly estimating population densities of the concealed wood‐borer Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the field

To rapidly estimate pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, population densities in forests, the vertical distributions of M. alternatus oviposition sites and larvae on infested Masson pines (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) were studied. Results showed that the number of oviposition sites on sections of trunks between 0 and 2 m above ground was significantly greater than on sections of trunk above 2 m, and the vertical distribution had a significant logarithmic relationship with trunk height. The larval number of M. alternatus on dead infested trees had a significant difference among heights of trunks. Sections on trunks at 2–4 m usually contained the largest number of M. alternatus larvae, while the number of larvae on trunks above 10 m declined significantly, as well as in the 1 m section of trunk at the base. The vertical distribution of M. alternatus larvae on dead infested pines showed a distinct parabolic relationship with trunk height. The number of oviposition sites of M. alternatus on infested Masson pine trunks revealed a significant exponential relationship with the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees. A significant positive linear relationship also was observed between M. alternatus larval number and DBH on the host pine trees, as well as between the numbers of larvae and oviposition sites on an individual tree. The total number of larvae in an infested tree could be calculated easily using an established equation, through counting the number of oviposition sites at 3–4 m of trunk aboveground. This study developed a practical method for rapid estimation of M. alternatus populations.     

Unique Protein Profiles of Extracellular Vesicles as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Early and Advanced Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular communication via transferring proteins and other biological molecules and have been recently investigated as biomarkers of disease. Sensitive and specific biomarkers are required for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The present study screens for abnormal EV proteins in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a quantitative proteomics strategy involving LC‐MS/MS to identify ideal biomarkers for NSCLC diagnosis. EVs are enriched from the sera of early and advanced NSCLC patients and healthy controls and from cell culture supernatants of lung adenocarcinoma and bronchial epithelial cell lines. In the sera and supernatants, 279 and 632 differentially expressed proteins, respectively, are associated with signaling pathways including extracellular membrane–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Thirty‐two EV proteins are identified at the intersection of differentially expressed proteins between the NSCLC groups and cell lines. Based on bioinformatics analysis, in silico immunohistochemical, and PRM verification, fibronectin is selected for following in vitro studies and validation with an independent cohort. Fibronectin on EVs is estimated to perform well in the diagnosis of NSCLC patients based on AUC, showing great potential for clinical use and demonstrating the efficacy of this method for EV‐associated biomarker screening.