A review of the botany,traditional uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Nepeta tenuifolia Briq.

Phytochemistry Reviews - Nepeta tenuifolia (N. tenuifolia) is a common aromatic herb that is widespread in East Asia. The aerial parts and spikes can be used as the traditional phytomedicines for...     

Multifaceted roles of Arabidopsis PP6 phosphatase in regulating cellular signaling and plant development

Reversible protein phosphorylation catalyzed by kinases and phosphatases is a major form of posttranslational regulation that plays a central role in regulating many signaling pathways. While large families of both protein kinases and protein phosphatases have been identified in plants, kinases outnumber phosphatases. This raises the question of how a relatively limited number of protein phosphatases can maintain protein phosphorylation homeostasis in a cell. Recent studies have shown that Arabidopsis FyPP1 (Phytochrome-associated serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1) and FyPP3 encode the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 6 (PP6), and that they directly binds to the A subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2AA proteins), and SAL (SAPS domain-like) proteins to form the heterotrimeric PP6 holoenzyme complex. Emerging evidence is suggesting that PP6, acts in opposition with multiple classes of kinases, to regulate the phosphorylation status of diverse substrates and subsequently numerous developmental processes and responses to environmental stimuli.     

RNA silencing: a remarkable parallel to protein-based immune systems in vertebrates?

Sequence-specific gene silencing by double-strand RNA has been observed in many eukaryotes. Accumulating data suggest that it is the major antiviral defense mechanism in plants and invertebrates. The discovery that this cellular mechanism is also highly conserved though somewhat impaired in mammals has stimulated debate about the evolution of antiviral systems. Here we suggest that the existence of the interferon response as an evolutionary intermediate could account for both the relative decline of RNA silencing and the development of protein-based immune systems in vertebrates. In addition, we emphasize the opportunities presented by RNA silencing and the deeper understanding of vertebrate antiviral systems that is needed.     

应用组织芯片技术研究MMP-9和PCNA在宫颈癌组织中的表达及其意义

目的探讨MMP-9和PCNA在宫颈癌组织中的联合表达、相关性及其临床意义。方法采用组织芯片和免疫组化技术检测143例宫颈浸润癌(ICC)、20例癌旁正常宫颈上皮(NCE)中MMP-9和PCNA的表达,统计分析MMP-9、PCNA表达与病理分级、临床分期和淋巴结转移等临床病理因素的关系。结果 MMP-9、PCNA在宫颈癌组织中的阳性率分别为89.5%(128/143)和93.7%(134/143),较正常宫颈组织中的阳性率40.0%(8/20)和15.0%(3/20)显著增高(P=0.000)。MMP-9的表达与病理分级(r=0.342,P=0.000)、淋巴结转移(r=0.197,P=0.018)和间质浸润深度(r=0.203,P=0.015)呈正相关。PCNA表达与临床分期(r=0.228,P=0.006)、病理分级(r=0.330,P=0.000)呈正相关。MMP-9和PCNA在宫颈癌组织中的表达强度呈正相关(r=0.228,P=0.006),二者表达一致的比例高达87.41%(125/143)。结论MMP-9和PCNA在宫颈癌中的异常表达与肿瘤的分化、侵袭和发展密切相关,联合检测二者的表达对于进一步理解宫颈癌的生物学行为和判断预后有一定价值。     

Immure response induced by oral DNA vaccination against FMDV delivered by attenuated Salm onella choleraesuis C500

A recombinant strain of Salmonella choleraesuis C500, containing a eukaryotic expression plasmid pBO1 with the immune-dominant epitope of foot-and-mouth disease virus, was constructed. Specific immune response to this recombinant strain was evaluated by oral administration of the recombinant live bacteria pBO1/S. cho in rabbits. Results showed that T cell response and specific antibody production were elicited. This approach may present a general strategy for eliciting immune responses with DNA vaccine delivered by live bacterial vectors. The stimulated indexes of T lymphoproliferation by specific antigens of FMDV in rabbits, can reach up to 11.0 and an antibody titer of 1/32 as detected in the erum with liquid block ELISA. __________ Translated From Journal of Fudan University(Natural Science), 2005,44(4)[译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版), 2005,44(4)]