Mitochondrial genomes of Anisakis simplex and Contracaecum osculatum (sensu stricto) – Comparisons with selected nematodes

Anisakid nematodes parasitize mainly fish, marine mammals and/or fish-eating birds, and can be transmitted to a range of fish-eating mammals, including humans, where they can cause gastrointestinal disease linked to larval infection or allergic responses. In spite of the animal and human health significance of these parasites, there are still gaps in our understanding of the systematics, biology, epidemiology and ecology of anisakids. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA provides useful genetic markers for investigations in these areas, but complete mt genomic data have been lacking for most anisakids. In the present study, the mt genomes of Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Contracaecum osculatum sensu stricto were amplified from genomic DNA by long-range polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using 454 technology. The circular mt genomes of these species were 13,926 and 13,823 bp, respectively, and each of them contained 12 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes consistent for members of the Ascaridida, Oxyurida, Spirurida, Rhabditida and Strongylida. These mt genomes provide a stepping-stone for future comparative analyses of a range of anisakids and a basis for reinvestigating their genetic relationships. In addition, these markers might be used in prospecting for cryptic species and exploring host affiliations.     

Genetic classification of Echinococcus granulosus cysts from humans, cattle and camels in Libya using mutation scanning-based analysis of mitochondrial loci

We genetically classified Echinococcus granulosus from humans, cattle and camels in Libya utilizing DNA regions (designated pcox1 and pnad1) within the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) mitochondrial genes, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of pcox1 and pnad1 amplicons derived from genomic DNA samples from individual cysts (n = 176) revealed four distinct electrophoretic profiles for each locus. Direct sequencing of selected amplicons representing each of these profiles defined four different sequence types for each locus, which were present in five different combinations (designated haplotypes A–E) amongst all 176 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequence data for these five haplotypes, together with a range of well-defined reference sequences, inferred that all cyst isolates from humans (n = 55) and a small number from cattle (13% of 38) belonged to the G1–G3 complex of E. granulosus (or E. granulosus sensu stricto), whereas most (87%) cysts from cattle and all 83 of them from camels were linked to the G6–G10 complex (or Echinococcus canadensis). The present study provides a foundation for future large-scale studies of the epidemiology and ecology of E. granulosus in Libya and other African countries.     

Mitochondrial K<Subscript>ATP</Subscript> channel-dependent and -independent phases of ischemic preconditioning against myocardial infarction in the rat

To obtain insight into the role of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (mitoK(ATP)) channel in ischemic preconditioning (PC), we aimed to clarify the mitoK(ATP) channel-dependent phase of PC in two PC protocols with different intervals between PC ischemia and an index ischemia. The possible contribution of mitoK(ATP) channel opening to protein kinase C activation in PC was also examined by Western blotting. Myocardial infarction was induced by 30-min coronary occlusion/2-h reperfusion in rat hearts in situ, and infarct size was expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (% IS/AR). PC was performed with 2 episodes of 5-min ischemia, and each heart was subjected to 30-min ischemia either 5 min or 20 min after PC. At 5 min after PC, both PKC-delta and -epsilon were translocated and the myocardium was protected against infarction (% IS/AR = 28.3 +/- 2.7 % vs. 72.7 +/- 2.2 in controls p < 0.05). Pretreatment with a selective mitoK(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 10 mg/kg), abolished the cardioprotection but not PKC translocation by PC. At 20 min after PC, PKC translocation remained at the same level as that 5 min after PC, but the anti-infarct tolerance was attenuated (%IS/AR = 43.5 +/- 4.7 %). Injection of 5-HD after PC did not affect anti-infarct tolerance at 5 min after PC but abolished the protection at 20 min after PC without any effects on PKC. These results suggest that the mitoK(ATP) channel plays a role in triggering of PC in a PKC-independent manner and that the role of the mitoK(ATP) channel as a mediator of protection is detectable after, but not before, the PC effect starts to decay without a change in the level of PKC translocation in the rat heart.     

The effect of Coenzyme Q10 on reperfusion injury in canine myocardium

The mechanism of mitochondrial damage during reperfusion injury of ischemic myocardium was studied using mongrel dogs in vivo and isolated mitochondria in vitro. Seventy-seven adult dogs were divided into three groups: the control group (n = 38), the Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)-5 mg group (n = 24), and the CoQ10-15 mg group (n = 15). In the control group, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of the dog was occluded for 15 min followed by 5 min of reperfusion after 40 min of premedication with physiological saline. In both CoQ10 groups, 5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of CoQ10 was infused intravenously for 20 min and then physiological saline was administered for 20 min before 15 min occlusion of the LAD. Subsequently, reperfusion was allowed for 5 min. Each group was further divided into two subgroups depending on the presence (arrhythmia group) or the absence (non-arrhythmia group) of ventricular arrhythmias. Immediately after 15 min occlusion, myocardial samples were taken from the normal and reperfused areas to measure CoQ10 content of myocardium. Heart mitochondria were prepared after 5 min of reperfusion from both areas. Arrhythmias appeared in 12 of 38 dogs in the control group (32%), two of 24 dogs in the CoQ10-5 mg group (8%) and none of 15 dogs in the CoQ10-15 mg group (0%). Premedication with CoQ10 increased tissue CoQ10 content in a dose-dependent manner. In the CoQ10-5 mg group, the increase in CoQ10 content of dogs with reperfusion arrhythmias was relatively less than that of dogs without reperfusion arrhythmias. In each group, mitochondrial function was decreased in the arrhythmia group compared to that of the non-arrhythmia group. The increase in free fatty acid (FFA) content and the decrease in phospholipid content were also observed in mitochondria from the reperfused area of each arrhythmia group. The increase in FFA and mitochondrial dysfunction were induced by the incubation of mitochondria in vitro with phospholipase (PLase) A2 or PLase C, and protected by the addition of CoQ10. These results suggest that PLase plays an important role in the development of mitochondrial damage associated with reperfusion.     

A Novel Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Correction Method for Mitochondrial Ca2+ Measurement with FURA-2-FF in Single Permeabilized Ventricular Myocytes of Rat

Fura-2 analogs are ratiometric fluoroprobes that are widely used for the quantitative measurement of [Ca²⁺]. However, the dye usage is intrinsically limited, as the dyes require ultraviolet (UV) excitation, which can also generate great interference, mainly from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) autofluorescence. Specifically, this limitation causes serious problems for the quantitative measurement of mitochondrial [Ca²⁺], as no available ratiometric dyes are excited in the visible range. Thus, NADH interference cannot be avoided during quantitative measurement of [Ca²⁺] because the majority of NADH is located in the mitochondria. The emission intensity ratio of two different excitation wavelengths must be constant when the fluorescent dye concentration is the same. In accordance with this principle, we developed a novel online method that corrected NADH and Fura-2-FF interference. We simultaneously measured multiple parameters, including NADH, [Ca²⁺], and pH/mitochondrial membrane potential; Fura-2-FF for mitochondrial [Ca²⁺] and TMRE for Ψ_m or carboxy-SNARF-1 for pH were used. With this novel method, we found that the resting mitochondrial [Ca²⁺] concentration was 1.03 µM. This 1 µM cytosolic Ca²⁺ could theoretically increase to more than 100 mM in mitochondria. However, the mitochondrial [Ca²⁺] increase was limited to ~30 µM in the presence of 1 µM cytosolic Ca²⁺. Our method solved the problem of NADH signal contamination during the use of Fura-2 analogs, and therefore the method may be useful when NADH interference is expected.     

槲皮素抑制异烟肼诱导的L-02细胞线粒体氧化应激性DNA损伤

目的:探讨活性氧(ROS)介导的线粒体氧化损伤在异烟肼(INH)诱导L-02细胞DNA损伤中的作用及槲皮素对细胞的保护作用。方法:建立体外培养INH致肝细胞L-02损伤的模型,将细胞分为对照(control)组、INH组、槲皮素低剂量(Que low)及高剂量(Que high)组。利用彗星试验评价细胞DNA损伤;制备L-02细胞线粒体,应用荧光探针DCFH-DA和rhodamine 123检测细胞线粒体ROS水平及线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm);采用TBA法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量;应用黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性;采用Western blotting法检测细胞中Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达,计算Bax/Bcl-2值。结果:INH可诱导L-02细胞DNA损伤,使细胞线粒体ROS水平、细胞MDA含量及Bax/Bcl-2值明显增高,并使细胞ΔΨm值和SOD活性明显下降。而槲皮素能减轻细胞DNA损伤,减少细胞ROS水平,增加细胞ΔΨm值,降低细胞MDA含量,增加SOD活性,减少Bax/Bcl-2值。结论:INH可通过诱导细胞线粒体氧化应激导致L-02细胞DNA损伤。槲皮素能减轻INH诱导L-02细胞的DNA损伤,对L-02细胞具有保护作用,可能与其抑制ROS介导的线粒体氧化损伤有关。     

BARF1表达下调通过活化caspase依赖的线粒体通路诱导EBV阳性胃癌细胞凋亡

目的:研究BARF1表达下调对EBV阳性胃癌细胞凋亡的影响,以及BARF1基因沉默介导细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法:siRNA和NCsiRNA分别转染NUGC3和SNU719细胞,运用Western blot测定细胞中BARF1、Bcl-2、Bax、细胞色素C、caspase 3和caspase 9的蛋白表达;RT-PCR测定BARF1、Bcl-2和Bax mRNA的表达;台盼蓝染色法测定细胞存活率;Annexin V-FITC/PI染色法和流式细胞仪测定细胞凋亡;细胞凋亡因子抗体芯片分析细胞中凋亡相关蛋白的表达;线粒体膜电位检测试剂盒测定线粒体膜电位;免疫共沉淀检测细胞中Apaf-1和caspase 9的相互作用。结果:与空白对照组和阴性对照组相比,BARF1基因沉默显著诱导NUGC3和SNU719细胞凋亡,而线粒体膜电位显著降低。BARF1沉默基因能促进促凋亡蛋白的表达并抑制抗凋亡蛋白的表达,Bcl-2/Bax比例显著降低;而caspase抑制剂能抑制由BARF1基因沉默介导的细胞凋亡。在siRNA转染的细胞中,caspase 3和caspase 9蛋白发生裂解,细胞色素C的浓度显著高于阴性对照组,Apaf-1蛋白与caspase 9蛋白在细胞质中能够发生相互作用。结论:BARF1基因沉默通过线粒体途径调节Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达进而诱导NUGC3和SNU719细胞凋亡,并呈caspase通路依赖关系。     

慢性胰腺炎增生性胰管上皮细胞线粒体DNA突变的意义

目的探讨慢性胰腺炎增生性胰管上皮细胞线粒体DNA调控序列D-环突变的意义。方法利用PCR技术扩增46份来自11例慢性胰腺炎不同程度的胰腺导管增生性上皮细胞和其各自正常组织的线粒体DNA全序列。使用核苷同源序列（BLAST）分析病变组织的线粒体DNA。结果9份标本D-环共有15个突变点，增生性导管上皮细胞D-环至少存在一个以上异常点。异常D-环随病变进展程度呈进行性增加趋势．从单纯性导管上皮细胞肥大性增生的26．1％增至腺瘤样增生的80．0％（P〈0．01）。结论D-环异常程度与病变程度近乎呈平行性发展，异常D-环可作为检测增生性胰管上皮性组织病变的标志物。