白藜芦醇合酶基因的克隆及丹参的转化

目的为探索利用分子生物学技术培育新型药用植物的新途径,将外源的白藜芦醇合酶(RS)基因导入到丹参中表达,以改善或增加丹参的效用。方法根据已公布的核苷酸序列,利用引物悬挂延伸法,经过3次扩增,最终从葡萄基因组DNA中获得完整的RScDNA基因序列;以质粒pBin438为基础,构建含有RS目的基因的组成型植物表达载体。在根癌农杆菌介导下,利用叶盘法转化丹参,进而通过PCR、PCR-Southern杂交对不同的转基因植株进行筛选与检测。结果总共得到了45棵卡那霉素抗性植株,经PCR和PCR-Southern杂交检测,确定葡萄RS基因已整合到部分转基因丹参苗的基因组中。结论成功建立了白藜芦醇合酶基因转化丹参的体系,并获得了转基因植株。     

Harmaline and harmalol inhibit the carcinogen-activating enzyme CYP1A1 via transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms

Dioxins are known to cause several human cancers through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Harmaline and harmalol are dihydro-β-carboline compounds present in several medicinal plants such as Peganum harmala. We have previously demonstrated the ability of P. harmala extract to inhibit TCDD-mediated induction of Cyp1a1 in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of harmaline and its main metabolite, harmalol, on dioxin-mediated induction of CYP1A1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Our results showed that harmaline and harmalol at concentrations of (0.5-12.5μM) significantly inhibited the dioxin-induced CYP1A1 at mRNA, protein and activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The role of AhR was determined by the inhibition of the TCDD-mediated induction of AhR-dependent luciferase activity and the AhR/ARNT/XRE formation by both harmaline and harmalol. In addition, harmaline significantly displaced [(3)H]TCDD in the competitive ligand binding assay. At posttranslational level, both harmaline and harmalol decreased the protein stability of CYP1A1, suggesting that posttranslational modifications are involved. Moreover, the posttranslational modifications of harmaline and harmalol involve ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and direct inhibitory effects of both compounds on CYP1A1 enzyme. These data suggest that harmaline and harmalol are promising agents for preventing dioxin-mediated effects.     

Central and peripheral controls of swimming in anuran larvae

The isolated nervous system of the bullfrog tadpole (Rana catesbeiana or clamitans) spontaneously exhibits patterned motoneuronal discharges which are the basis for swimming. In vitro recordings from the ventral roots showed that motoneurons on one side of the cord burst in alternation with those on the other side. On each side of the cord, motoneuron bursts occurred in synchrony the entire length of the cord. Patterned activity was found only in the medial motoneurons which innervate the muscles used for swimming. Lateral motoneurons innervating the limbs exhibited unpatterned bursting. The pattern generating mechanism is distributed along the length of the spinal cord. Proprioceptive information entering via the dorsal roots is not necessary for generation of the basic pattern of alternating activity, but interacts with the centrally generated pattern to produce a rostrocaudal lag of activity. These results are compared to those found using the dogfish and possible ontogenetic complications discussed.     

Identification of metabolic pattern and bioactive form of resveratrol in human medulloblastoma cells

Cancer preventive reagent trans-resveratrol is intracellularly biotransformed to different metabolites. However, it is still unclear whether trans-resveratrol exerts its biological effects directly or through its metabolite(s). This issue was addressed here by identifying the metabolic pattern and the bioactive form of resveratrol in a resveratrol-sensitive human medulloblastoma cell line, UW228-3. The cell lysates and condition media of UW228-3 cells with or without 100 μM resveratrol treatment were analyzed by HPLC and LC/MS which revealed (1) that resveratrol was chemically unstable and the spontaneous generation of cis-resveratrol reduced resveratrol's anti-medulloblastoma efficacy and (2) that resveratrol monosulfate was the major metabolite of the cells. To identify the bioactive form of resveratrol, a mixture-containing approximately half fraction of resveratrol monosulfate was prepared by incubating trans-resveratrol with freshly prepared rat brain lysates. Medulloblastoma cells treated by 100 μM of this mixture showed attenuated cell crisis. The overall levels of the three brain-associated sulfotransferases (SULT1A1, 1C2 and 4A1) were low in medulloblastoma cells in vivo and in vitro in comparison with that in human noncancerous and rat normal cerebella; resveratrol could more or less up-regulate the production of these enzymes in UW228-3 cells but their overall level was still lower than that in normal cerebellum tissue. Our study thus demonstrated for the first time that trans-resveratrol is the bioactive form in medulloblastoma cells in which the expression of brain-associated SULTs was down-regulated, resulting in the increased intracellular bioavailability and anti-medulloblastoma efficacy of trans-resveratrol.     

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers for matrix-mediated cancer gene therapy

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) are recombinant polymers designed from silk fibroin and mammalian elastin amino acid repeats. These are versatile materials that have been examined as controlled release systems for intratumoral gene delivery. SELP hydrogels comprise monodisperse and tunable polymers that have the capability to control and localize the release and expression of plasmid DNA and viruses. This article reviews recent developments in the synthesis and characterization of SELP hydrogels and their use for matrix-mediated gene delivery.     

Resveratrol inhibits cell apoptosis by suppressing long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) XLOC_014869 during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

BackgroundAcute lung injury (ALI) is a common clinical complication with a high mortality rate. Resveratrol (Res) has been shown to protect against ALI, but the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this process is still unclear.MethodsMale rats (n=20) aged 7–8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups: control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS + Res, and LPS + dexamethasone (Dexa). Intragastric administration of Res (0.5 mg/kg) or Dexa (1.5 mg/kg) was performed 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5 mg/kg). Lung tissue, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were sampled 6 h after LPS treatment for inflammatory factor detection, pathological detection, lncRNA sequencing and bioinformatical analysis, and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to verify the sequencing results. LPS, Res, and RNA interference were used in rat alveolar epithelial cells experiments to confirm the protective of Res/lncRNA against ALI.ResultsRes pretreatment inhibited lung injury and the increase of inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS. The differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs (P<0.05 and |fold change| >2) were mainly involved in the signaling pathway of immunity, infection, signaling molecules and interactions. Among the lncRNAs and mRNAs, 26 mRNAs and 23 lncRNAs had high levels in lungs treated with LPS but decreased with Res, and 17 mRNAs and 27 lncRNAs were at lower levels in lungs treated with LPS but increased with Res. lncRNA and adjacent mRNA analysis showed that lncRNAs XLOC_014869 and the adjacent gene Fos, and the possible downstream genes Jun and Faslg were increased by LPS, but these changes were attenuated by Res. Pretreatment with Res reduced LPS-induced lung tissue apoptosis. Similarly, Res treatment and knockdown of lncRNA XLOC_014869 reduced LPS-induced apoptosis and the levels of Fos, c-Jun, and Fas-L.ConclusionsRes can inhibit the increase of lncRNAs XLOC_014869 caused by LPS stimulation and inhibit lung cell apoptosis. These effects may be due to lncRNA XLOC_014869 mediation of the pro-apoptotic factors (Fos, c-Jun, and Fas-L).     

Musculoskeletal symptoms after jejunoileal shunt surgery for intractable obesity. Clinical and immunologic studies.

We studied a group of 27 patients, who underwent jejunoileal bypass surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity, because of the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms. These patients were divided into three clinical groups: Group 1 consisted of 13 patients in whom arthritis, arthralgias and morning stiffness and/or myalgia developed following intestinal surgery. Group II consisted of seven patients who had similar musculoskeletal complaints but whose symptoms could not be definitely related to surgery because they antedated the surgery or because of the presence of other known causes of arthritis. Group III consisted of seven control patients who were free of musculoskeletal symptoms prior to or after surgery.In group I, the musculoskeletal symptoms developed three weeks to 48 months after surgery, with a mean interval of nine months. All patients complained of polyarthralgia and morning stiffness. Nine patients had polyarthritis, with predominant involvement of large joints in four patients and a symmetric polyarthritis in five. The arthritis was transitory, lasting from two to eight weeks, and was responsive to anti-inflammatory agents. The patients were followed from two to 11 years after bypass surgery. Four patients continued to have recurrent mild arthritis and morning stiffness. In none had permanent joint deformities developed. The symptoms of the patients in group II were generally similar to those in group I, transitory and causing no residual deformities.Mixed cryoglobulins consisting of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and the Clq component of complement (Clq) were commonly found in patients in groups I and II but not in group III. Antibodies to Escherichia coli and rheumatoid factor were found to be selectively concentrated in the cryoproteins indicating that these antibodies participated in the formation of these immune complexes. Circulating immune complexes were detected by a platelet aggregation test in 30 per cent of the patients in group I, 40 per cent of those in group II and none of those in group III. HL-A typing showed no significant correlation with any particular tissue type in the patients.Our studies indicate that the arthritis that occurs in patients after jejunoileal bypass surgery is transitory and does not lead to permanent joint deformities. The presence of immune complexes suggests that they may be important in the pathogenesis of this complication of jejunoileal bypass surgery.     

Dihydroceramide intracellular increase in response to resveratrol treatment mediates autophagy in gastric cancer cells

Resveratrol has both apoptosis and autophagy-promoting activities in different cancer cells. Dihydroceramide is the immediate precursor of the apoptotic mediator ceramide in the de novo sphingolipid synthesis pathway. Here we demonstrate that resveratrol induces autophagy in HGC-27 cells, with no sign of cell death. Autophagy occurs after an increase in dihydroceramides by inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. The effects of resveratrol are mimicked by a dihydroceramide desaturase inhibitor. These results demonstrate that resveratrol-induced autophagy occurs with a rise in intracellular dihydroceramide levels as the result of inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturases activity and that dihydroceramide accumulation is responsible for autophagy promotion.     

[3H]dopamine release by d-amphetamine from striatal synaptosomes of reserpinized rats

The injection of reserpine, 5 mg/kg i.p. (ipRes), the regimen employed by a majority of investigators, results in synaptosomal and vesicular preparations which are incompletely reserpinized as determined by [³H]dopamine ([³H]DA) accumulation. Reserpine administered by the subcutaneous route, 5 mg/kg (scRes), appears to produce complete reserpinization. Release of [³H]DA by d-amphetamine (Amph) was observed from striatal synaptosomes prepared both from normal rats and those pretreated with reserpine intraperitoneally but not from those injected subcutaneously. In the more completely reserpinized scRes synaptosomes, so little [³H]DA had accumulated that release by Amph was not measurable, indicating that if a labile, reserpine-resistant, extravesicular DA storage pool releasable by Amph is present under these conditions, it must be extremely small. In scRes monoamine oxidase (MAO)-inhibited preparations, Amph released preloaded [³H]DA located in the cytosol in the absence of functional vesicles. Although Chromatographic analysis of the superfusate from ipRes striatal synaptosomes showed that significant amounts of preloaded [³H]DA were released by Amph, the level of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid was not increased over controls, indicating that Amph releases only DA and not its metabolite and is also acting as a MAO inhibitor. No [³H]DA could be released by Amph from superfused hyposmotically shocked normal or ipRes synaptosomes, suggesting that an intact membrane is required for Amph-induced release.