Identification of the lysine and histidine transporter family in Camellia sinensis and the characterizations in nitrogen utilization

In plants,the lysine and histidine transporter(LHT)family represent a class of proteins that mediate the uptake,translocation,and utilization of amino acids.The tea plant(Camellia sinensis)is a perennial evergreen with a relatively high level of amino acids.However,systematic identification and molecular characterization of the LHT gene family has rarely been reported in tea plants.In this study,22 CsLHTs were identified from the‘Shuchazao’genome and classified into two groups.The modeled three-dimensional structure and the conserved domains presented a high similarity among the LHTs proteins.Moreover,it was predicted that a few genes were conserved through the analysis of the physiochemical characters,structures and cis-elements in promoters.The expression patterns in tea plants revealed that CsLHT7 was mainly expressed in the roots,and CsLHT4 and CsLHT11 exhibited relatively high expression in both the roots and leaves.Moreover,the expression of all three genes could be induced by organic nitrogen.Additionally,heterogeneous expression of CsLHT4,CsLHT7 and CsLHT11 in Arabidopsis thaliana decreased the aerial parts biomass compared with that in WT plants while significantly increased the rosette biomass only for CsLHT11transgenic plants versus WT plants.Overall,our results provide fundamental information about CsLHTs and potential genes in N utilization for further analysis in tea plants.

Expression of fragile histidine triad in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its relation with cell proliferation and apoptosis

AIM: To evaluate the expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene protein, product of a candidate tumor suppressor, and to investigate the relationship between FHIT, cell apoptosis and proliferation, and pathological features of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Forty-seven HCC and ten normal liver specimens were collected during surgical operation between 2001 and 2003. FHIT and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry, and apoptotic level was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay on the tissue sections. RESULTS: All normal liver tissues showed a strong expression of FHIT, whereas 28 of 47 (59.6%) carcinomas showed a significant loss or absence of FHIT expression (P= 0.001). The proportion of reduced FHIT expression in those carcinomas at stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ (70.6%) and in those with extrahepatic metastasis (86.7%) showed an increasing trend compared with those at stages HI (30.8%, P= 0.013) and those without metastasis (46.9%, P = 0.010) respectively. Apoptotic incidence in advanced TNM stage carcinoma and those with positive FHIT expression was higher than that in early stage carcinoma (P=0.030) and in those with negative FHIT expression (P=0.044) respectively. The proliferating potential of hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with FHIT expression (P= 0.016) and the aggressive feature (P = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the survival time of these 47 patients correlated with TNM stage, FHIT expression and metastasis. CONCLUSION: There is marked loss or absence of FHIT expression, as well as abnormal apoptosis-prdiferation balance in HCC. FHIT may play an important role in carcinogenesis and development of HCC.

Decreased fragile histidine triad expression in colorectal cancer and its association with apoptosis inhibition

AIM： To detect the expression of fragile histidine triad （FHIT） in normal colorectal tissue, colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer （CRC） tissue, and to analyze its relationship with the clinicopathological features of CRC, and apoptosis-associatecl proteins （Bcl-2, Bax, survivin） and apoptosis in colorectal cancer. METHODS： FHIT mRNA analysis was performed by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） assay. Tissue microarray （TMA） was established to detect the expression of FHIT, Bcl-2, Bax and survivin genes in 80 CRC tissue specimens, 16 colorectal adenoma tissue specimens and 16 hemorrhoid （PPH） tissue specimens during the same period of time as the control. Citrate-microwave-SP was used as immunohistochemical method. The relationship between clinicopathological factors, such as differentiation grades and 5-year survival rate was observed. TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptosis index in 80 CRC tissue specimens. RESULTS： Ten out of 26 （38.5%） CRC tissue specimens expressed aberrant FHIT transcripts, none of the aberrant FHIT transcripts was observed in the matchednormal tissue and colorectal adenoma tissue by nested RT-PCR assay. The positive rate of FHIT gene expression in normal colorectal tissue, colorectal adenoma and carcinoma tissue was 93.75%, 68.75% and 46.25%, respectively. Clinicopathological analysis of patients showed that the decreased FHIT gene expression was not associated with age, sex, serum CEA levels, tumor site and size, histological classification. However, the expression of FHIT was correlated with differentiation grades, pathological stages, lymph node metastases and 5-year survival rate after operation. The positive rate of apoptosis-associated proteins （Bax, Bcl-2 and survivin） in CRC tissue was 72.50%, 51.25% and 77.50%, respectively. The expression of these apoptosisassociated proteins in CRC tissue was correlated with the expression of FHIT. The mean apoptosis index in FHIT negative tumors was significantly lower than that in FHIT- positive tumors （5.41 ± 0.23 vs 0.56 ± 0.10, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： The FHIT gene plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis and decreased FHIT expression plays a key role in the initiation and progression of colorectal carcinoma.

Effect of fragile histidine triad gene transduction on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM:To evaluate the inhibitory effects of human fragile histidine triad(FHIT) gene on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma line Hep3B in vitro. METHODS:A recombinant pcDNA3.1(+) /FHIT including the functional region of FHIT gene was constructed and transferred into human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. mRNA and protein expression of the FHIT gene in the transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. The effect of FHIT on proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Changes in cell cycle and apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry. Five mice received subcutaneous transplantation of Hep3B-FHIT;5 mice received subcutaneous transplantation of normal Hep3B and Hep3B-C as controls. The body weight of nude mice and tumor growth were measured. RESULTS:RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the expression level of FHIT-mRNA and FHIT protein was higher in Hep3B cells after infection withpcDNA3.1(+) /FHIT. The growth of Hep3B cells treated with pcDNA3.1(+) /FHIT was significantly inhibited. The pcDNA3.1(+) /FHIT-transfected Hep3B cells showed a significantly higher cell rate at G0-G1 phase and increased apoptosis in comparison with controls(P < 0.05) . The growth of transplanted tumor was inhibited markedly by FHIT. Tumors arising from the Hep3B-FHIT cells occurred much later than those arising from the Hep3B and Hep3B-C cells. The growth of Hep3B-FHIT cells was slow and the tumor volume was low. CONCLUSION:Transduction of FHIT gene inhibits the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and induces cell apoptosis in vivo and in vitro.

Bile acid increases expression of the histamine-producing enzyme,histidine decarboxylase,in gastric cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of bile acid on the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC), which is a major enzyme involved in histamine production, and gene expression of gastric transcription factors upon cooperative activation.

Thermokinetics of Liquid-Liquid Reaction of Dy(NO_3)_3 with Histidine

The thermokinetics of liquid liquid reaction of dysprosium nitrate with histidine were studied using a microcalorimeter. On the basis of experimental and calculated results, three thermodynamic parameters (the activation enthalpy, the activation entropy and the activation free energy), the rate constant, three kinetic parameters (the activation energy, the pre exponential constant and the reaction order) were obtained. On the basis of thermodynamics and kinetics, the formation reaction of the complex was discussed.

Aberrant crypt focus and fragile histidine triad protein in sporadic colorectal carcinoma

AIM:To characterize aberrant crypt focus (ACF) in adjoining mucosa in sporadic colorectal carcinoma and to evaluate fragile histidine triad (Fhit) protein and Ki67. METHODS:ACF was identified grossly and classified histologically in 75 resected specimens. ACF was typed into hyperplastic ACF (HACF) and dysplastic ACF (DACF). Sections of ACF, carcinoma and normal colonic mucosa as control were studied for Fhit and Ki67 expressions by immunohistochemistry and were grouped according to staining intensity and the number of positive stained cells observed in different histological groups. Comparison was done between the different groups by Pearson's χ 2 test and γ test for the ordinal data. P value < 0.05 was considered as significant.RESULTS:Age range was 40 to 86 years in males (mean = 43.36) and 45 to 70 years in females (mean = 56). HACF was identified in all cases studied in the non-tumorous colonic mucosa; ACF was observed as non-contiguous scattered foci, which supports the hypothesis of acquisition of single focus monoclonality by colonic epithelial cells in tumor generation. Twenty-four (32%) had DACF and were observed as closure to carcinoma foci. Intensity of Fhit expression:(1) HACF 40% exhibited strong intensity, similar to normal, moderate in 36% and weak in 24%; (2) DACF strong in 25%, moderate in 37.5% and weak in 37.5%; and (3) carcinoma negative in 16%, strong in 43% and moderate and weak in 28.5% each. Significant difference was observed in intensity of the Fhit protein expressions by HACF and DACF (P < 0.05). Tumor in older patients showed a stronger Fhit intensity compared to younger patients (P = 0.036). Vegetarian diet intake and nonsmokers showed stronger Fhit intensities. Advanced stage tumor, non-vegetarian diet and younger age was associated with loss of Fhit protein. Ki67 positivity was an extended crypt pattern in HACF and DACF showed extension up to the neck region of the crypts and surface epithelium. Carcinomas showed a marked increase in Ki67 expression (P < 0.05). Fhit protein had an inverse association with Ki67 expression. CONCLUSION:Weaker Fhit intensity was associated with smoking, non-vegetarian diet intake and increasing Ki67 expression. Loss of Fhit protein expression is possibly influenced by environmental factors like smoking and non-vegetarian diet intake.

Fragile histidine triad gene alterations are not essential for hepatocellular carcinoma development in South Korea

AIM: To establish the role of FHIT in the pathogenesis hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We examined genomic alterations, as well as, mRNA and protein expression patterns from the FHIT gene, in 48 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. Additionally, p53 mutations were analyzed. RESULTS: Aberrant FHIT transcripts were detected in 11 of 48 surrounding non-tumor liver tissues and 27 of 48 HCC samples (22.9% vs 56.3%, P = 0.002). No point mutations were identified within the open reading frame region of FHIT. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the FHIT locus was detected in 4 of 42 informative cases for D3S1300, and 3 of 29 informative cases for D3S1313. Reduced expression of FHIT protein (Fhit) was observed in 8 (16.7%) of 48 HCC samples, with complete loss of Fhit in only 1 case. There were no associations with abnormal transcripts, LOH, and Fhit expression. p53 mutations were identified in 9 of the 48 HCC cases. However, none of the cases displayed a G to T transversion at p53 codon 249. CONCLUSION: Aberrant FHIT transcripts were more common in HCC tissues as compared to non-cancerous liver tissues. However, Fhit expression was lost or reduced in a minor fraction of HCC tissues, while it was strongly expressed in non-cancerous liver tissues.Therefore, our study suggests that FHIT plays a role in relatively few HCC cases in South Korea.

Loss of fragile histidine triad protein expression in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM： To investigate the expression of fragile histidine triad （FHIT） protein in 64 patients with ulcerative colitis （UC） and Crohn＇s disease （CD）, and its relation with clinicopathological data. METHODS： Rabbit-anti-FHIT antibody was used to detect FHIT protein expression in 64 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） by citrate-microwave-streptavidin （SP）-HRP immunohistochemical method. RESULTS： The positive FHIT protein expression was 22.79% ± 16.16%, 42.14% ± 16.82% in active and remittent phases of UC, 36.07% ± 19.23% in CD, and 57.05% ±8.86% in normal colon mucosa. Statistically significant differences in FHIT protein expression were observed between the active and remittent phases of UC, between the active phase of UC and normal colon mucosa, as well as between the remittent phase of UC and normal colon mucosa, and between CD and normal colon mucosa. CONCLUSION： Our results show that FHIT protein expression is completely absent or reduced in IBD, suggesting that the FHIT gene might be associated with the oncogenesis and progression of IBD, an early event from inflammatory conditions to carcinoma in IBD.

Examination of Correlation between Histidine and Cadmium Absorption by Eleagnus angustifolia L.,Vitisvinifera L.and Nerium oleander L.Using HPLC-MS and ICP-MS

In this study,HPLC-MS and ICP-MS methods wereused for the determination of histidine and cadmiumin Eleagnusangustifolia L.,Vitisvinifera L.and Nerium oleander L.leaves taken from industrial area including Gaziantep and Bursa cities.To histidine determination by HPLC-MS,flow rate of mobile phase,fragmentor potential,injection volume and column temperature were optimized as 0.2mL·min^(-1),70V,15μL and 20℃,respectively.For extraction of histidine from plants,distilled water was used by applying on 90℃and 30min.The concentrations(as mg·kg^(-1))of histidine were found to be in range of 8~22for Eleagnusangustifolia L.,10~33for Vitisvinifera L.and 6~11for Nerium oleander L.The concentrations of cadmium were found to be in ranges of 6~21μg·kg^(-1) for Vitisvinifera L.15~110μg·kg^(-1) for Eleagnusangustifolia L.and 63~218μg·kg^(-1) for Nerium oleander L.

Enthalpies of Solution of Complexes of Rare Earth Nitrate with L-α-Histidine in Water

The enthalpies of solution in water of complexes of RE(NO 3) 3 (RE=La～Nd, Sm～Lu, Y) with L α Histidine (His) were measured at 298.15 K. The standard enthalpies of formation of RE(His) 3+ (aq) were calculated. The 'tetrad effect' regularity was observed from the curve, which is the enthalpies of solution plotted against the atomic numbers of the elements in lanthanide series.

Urinary Concentrations of Hydroxyproline and 3-Methyl Histidine in Postpartum Cow

The urinary concentrations of hydroxyproline (HYPRO)and 3 -methyl histidine (3 - MEHIS) were de- termined in 16 Chinese-Holstein cows. The objectives of the experiment were to find out thhe relationship between collagen and myosin ddegradation and uterine involution in the postpartum cow. The results in the experiment showed that the mean concentrations of HYPRO and 3-MEHIS were 138.32±22.99 and 37.09 ±3.90 nmol·mL-1,respectively,for the cows during the days between 60-90 postpartum,and for the cows immediately after calving the concentrations of HYPRO and 3 -MEHIS reduced from 284.30 and 65.48 nmol ·mL-1 on the day one after calving to the normal level of 109.18 and 33.51 nmol·mL^-1 on the day 50 post- partum,respectively. There was a good correlation between the urinary concentrations of both HYPRO and 3 -MEHIS and the diameters of the involuting uterus (r = 0. 79).

Crystal Structure of 2,6-Dihistidine Dimethyl Ester Pyridine Acylamine Monohydrate

The crystal structure of the title compound,C21H25N7O7,has been determined in the orthorhombic space group C222（1） with a=8.993（10）,b=12.149（14）,c=22.20（2）A and Z=4.There exist intramolecular C-H…O and N-H…N hydrogen bonds in the title crystal structure.The intermolecular N-H…N and C-H…O hydrogen bonds together with π-π stacking interactions（face-to-face） link the molecules into an infinite three-dimensional supramolecular network.

Peripheral Concentration of Hydroxyproline and 3-methyl-histidine in Postpartum Cow

A total of 16 Friesian cows were used in the study to determine the peripheral concentration of hydroxyproline(HYPRO) and 3 methyl histidine(3 MEHIS).The objectives of the experiment were to find out the relationship between collagen and myosin degradation and uterine involution in the postpartum cow.The results showed tht the mean concentrations of HYPRO and 3 MEHIS were 13.47±2.38 and 18.35±2.77 n mole/mL,respectively,for the cows during the days 60～90 postpartum.And for the cows immediately after calving the concentrations of HYPRO and 3 HEHIS reduced from 34.29 and 28.06 nmole/mL on the day one after calving to the normal lever of 13.23 and 17.97 n mole on the day 50 postpartum,respectively.There was a good correlation between the peripheral concentrations of both HYPRO and 3 MEHIS and the diameters of the involuting uterus(r=0.8128).

Loss of fragile histidine triad and amplification of 1p36.22 and 11p15.5 in primary gastric adenocarcinomas

AIM: To investigate the genomic copy number alterations that may harbor key driver genes in gastric tumorigenesis. METHODS: Using high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), we investigated the genomic alterations of 20 advanced primary gastric adenocarcinomas (seventeen tubular and three mucinous) of Chinese patients from the Jilin province. Ten matching adjacent normal regions from the same patients were also studied. RESULTS: The most frequent imbalances detected in these cancer samples were gains of 3q26.31-q27.2, 5p, 8q, 11p, 18p, 19q and 20q and losses of 3p, 4p,18q and 21q. The use of high-resolution array CGH increased the resolution and sensitivity of the observed genomic changes and identified focal genetic imbalances, which included 54 gains and 16 losses that were smaller than 1 Mb in size. The most interesting focal imbalances were the intergenic loss/homozygous deletion of the fragile histidine triad gene and the amplicons 11q13, 18q11.2 and 19q12, as well as the novel amplicons 1p36.22 and 11p15.5. CONCLUSION: These regions, especially the focal amplicons, may harbor key driver genes that will serve as biomarkers for either the diagnosis or the prognosis of gastric cancer, and therefore, a large-scale investigation is recommended.

Studies on the Interactions between Potassium oxalato-oxodiperoxovanadate and Histidine by NMR and MS

Multi-nuclear NMR and ESI-MS have been applied to study the interactions between oxalato-oxodiperoxovanadate and histidine in neutral solution. Coordination between the complex and histidine was monitored by V-51 NMR. A pair of new isomers produced via vanadium atom binding separately to N1 and N3 of the imidazole ring of histidine was characterized by several spectroscopic methods. Experimental results show that the structure activity relationship of peroxovanadium complexes bearing organic ligands may be related to the specific recognition between peroxovanadium and histidine residue of tyrosine phosphatase.

Identification of a sensor histidine kinase (BfcK) controlling biofilm formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum

Clostridium acetobutylicum has been extensively exploited to produce biofuels and solvents and its biofilm could dramatically improve the productivities.However,genetic control of C.acetobutylicum biofilm has not been dissected so far.Here,to identify potential genes controlling C.acetobutylicum biofilm formation,over 40 gene candidates associated with extracellular matrix,cell surface,cell signaling or gene transcription,were tried to be disrupted to examine their individual impact.A total of 25 disruptants were finally obtained over years of attempts,for which biofilm and relevant phenotypes were characterized.Most of these disruptants formed robust biofilm still,or suffered both growth and biofilm defect.Only a strain with a disrupted histidine kinase gene(CA_C2730,designated bfcK in this study)abolished biofilm formation without impairing cell growth or solvent production.Further analysis revealed that bfcK could control flagellar biogenesis and cell motility at protein levels.The bfcK also appeared to repress the phosphorylation of a serine/threonine protein kinase(encoded by CA_C0404)that might negatively regulate biofilm formation.Based on these findings,possible bfcK-mediated mechanisms for biofilm formation were proposed.This is a big step toward understanding the biofilm formation in C.acetobutylicum and will help further engineering of its biofilm-based industrial processes.

SYNTHESIS OF α-AMINO-β-(4-IMIDAZOLYL)-ETHYLPHOSPHONIC ACID,THE PHOSPHONOISOSTERE OF HISTIDINE

A short synthesis starting from 4-imidazolylmethanol(2)was developed for the phosphonoisostere of histidine,-amino-β-(4-imidazolyl)- ethylphosphosphonic acid,His(P)(1).The synthesis features Wittig-Horner reaction of aldehyde(4)with diphosphonate(5)followed by selective detritylation with 50% formic acid.

Cellulose Beads Modified by Histidine:Preparation and Adsorption Behavior

Porous cellulose beads modified by histidine (PCBH) were prepared. The adsorption capacity of PCBH for divalent Mg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions were determined. The effects of the temperature, the initial pH value, the concentration of metal ion and PCBH ligand on the adsorption of Cu(II) Hg (II) were discussed. The adsorption process fitted to Freundlich adsorption isotherms for both metal ions. Adsorption rate constants were also found.

EXPRESSION OF FRAGILE HISTIDINE TRIAD AND P53 IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Objective： To investigate the expression offragile histidine triad （FHIT） and p53 protein in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and explore the relationship between their expressions and the clinicopathological features. Methods： FHIT protein and p53 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry in 76 cases of NSCLCs and matched normal lung tissues. Results： Fifty-one cases （67.1%） showed negative expression of FHIT （apparent reduction or loss） and thirty-seven cases （48.7%） showed p53 positive expression （overexpression）. The difference was significant （P=0.04）. However, there was no significant difference in FHIT expression between the p53-positive group and the p53-negative group （64.9% versus 69.2%, P=0.686）. The negative rate of FHIT protein expression was higher in squamous cell carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma, in moderately and poorly differentiated carcinoma than in well-differentiated carcinoma, and in cases with smoking history than in cases without smoking history （P〈0.05）. There was no relationship between FHIT expression and clinical stage or lymph node metastasis. The negative FHIT expression was not an independent predictor of overall survival （P=0.338）. Conclusion： The frequency of negative expression of FHIT protein is higher than that of positive expression of p53 in NSCLCs. The negative expression of FHIT is independent of the expression of p53. The change of expression of FHIT may play a role in the smoking related lung tumorigenesis while it may have no relationship with the progress of NSCLC or prognosis of the patients.