Overexpression of proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6 protein and its clinicopathological significance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Currently,intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)poses a continuing,significant health challenge,but the relationship has yet to be established between ICC and the proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6(PSMD6).AIM To investigate the protein expression and clinicopathological significance of PSMD6 in ICC.METHODS The potential impact of the PSMD6 gene on the growth of ICC cell lines was analyzed using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat knockout screening technology.Forty-two paired specimens of ICC and adjacent noncancerous tissues were collected.PSMD6 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to validate PSMD6 expression level,and its association with ICC patients’various clinicopathological characteristics was investigated.RESULTS The PSMD6 gene was found to be essential for the growth of ICC cell lines.PSMD6 protein was significantly overexpressed in ICC tissues(P<0.001),but showed no significant association with patient age,gender,pathological grade,or tumor-node-metastasis stage(P>0.05).CONCLUSION PSMD6 can promote the growth of ICC cells,thus playing a pro-oncogenic role.

Analysis of the potential biological value of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunitβin human cancer

BACKGROUND The pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunitβ(PDHB)gene which regulates energy metabolism is located in mitochondria.However,few studies have elucidated the role and mechanism of PDHB in different cancers.AIM To comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of PDHB was performed based on bioinformatics approaches to explore its tumor diagnostic and prognostic value and tumor immune relevance in cancer.In vitro experiments were performed to examine the biological regulation of PDHB in liver cancer.METHODS Pan-cancer data related to PDHB were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.Analysis of the gene expression profiles of PDHB was based on TCGA and Genotype Tissue Expression Dataset databases.Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to assess the correlation between PDHB expression and survival prognosis in cancer patients.The correlation between PDHB and receiver operating characteristic diagnostic curve,clinicopathological staging,somatic mutation,tumor mutation burden(TMB),microsatellite instability(MSI),DNA methylation,and drug susceptibility in pan-cancer was also analyzed.Various algorithms were used to analyze the correlation between PDHB and immune cell infiltration and tumor chemotaxis environment,as well as the co-expression analysis of PDHB and immune checkpoint(ICP)genes.The expression and functional phenotype of PDHB in single tumor cells were studied by single-cell sequencing,and the functional enrichment analysis of PDHB-related genes was performed.The study also validated the level of mRNA or protein expression of PDHB in several cancers.Finally,in vitro experiments verified the regulatory effect of PDHB on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of liver cancer.RESULTS PDHB was significantly and differently expressed in most cancers.PDHB was significantly associated with prognosis in patients with a wide range of cancers,including kidney renal clear cell carcinoma,kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma,breast invasive carcinoma,and brain lower grade glioma.In some cancers,PDHB expression was clearly associated with gene mutations,clinicopathological stages,and expression of TMB,MSI,and ICP genes.The expression of PDHB was closely related to the infiltration of multiple immune cells in the immune microenvironment and the regulation of tumor chemotaxis environment.In addition,single-cell sequencing results showed that PDHB correlated with different biological phenotypes of multiple cancer single cells.This study further demonstrated that down-regulation of PDHB expression inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion functions of hepatoma cells.CONCLUSION As a member of pan-cancer,PDHB may be a novel cancer marker with potential value in diagnosing cancer,predicting prognosis,and in targeted therapy.

Genetic diversity of the S-type small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia

Objective:To determine the genetic diversity of Plasmodium(P.)knowlesi isolates from Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia,targeting the S-type SSU rRNA gene and including aspects of natural selection and haplotype.Methods:Thirty-nine blood samples infected with P.knowlesi were collected in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.The S-type SSU rRNA gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction,cloned into a vector,and sequenced.The natural selection and haplotype of the S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences were determined using DnaSP v6 and illustrated using NETWORK v10.This study's 39 S-type SSU rRNA sequences and eight sequences from the Genbank database were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 11.Results:Overall,the phylogenetic analysis showed no evidence of a geographical cluster of P.knowlesi isolates from different areas in Malaysia based on the S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences.The S-type SSU rRNA gene sequences were relatively conserved and with a purifying effect.Haplotype sharing of the S-type SSU rRNA gene was observed between the P.knowlesi isolates in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo,but not between Sabah,Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.Conclusions:This study suggests that the S-type SSU rRNA gene of P.knowlesi isolates in Sabah,Malaysian Borneo,and Peninsular Malaysia has fewer polymorphic sites,representing the conservation of the gene.These features make the S-type SSU rRNA gene suitable for comparative studies,such as determining the evolutionary relationships and common ancestry among P.knowlesi species.

Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients caused by downregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunits

BACKGROUND The expression pattern of gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA)receptor subunits are commonly altered in patients with schizophrenia,which may lead to nerve excitation/inhibition problems,affecting cognition,emotion,and behavior.AIM To explore GABA receptor expression and its relationship with schizophrenia and to provide insights into more effective treatments.METHODS This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with schizophrenia treated at our hospital and 126 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during the same period.The expression levels of the GABA receptor subunits were detected using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.The recognized cognitive battery tool,the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery,was used to evaluate the scores for various dimensions of cognitive function.The correlation between GABA receptor subunit downregulation and schizophrenia was also analyzed.RESULTS Significant differences in GABA receptor subunit levels were found between the case and control groups(P<0.05).A significant difference was also found between the case and control groups in terms of cognitive function measures,including attention/alertness and learning ability(P<0.05).Specifically,as the expression levels of GABRA1(α1 subunit gene),GABRB2(β2 subunit gene),GABRD(δsubunit),and GABRE(εsubunit)decreased,the severity of the patients’condition increased gradually,indicating a positive correlation between the downregulation of these 4 receptor subunits and schizophrenia(P<0.05).However,the expression levels of GABRA5(α5 subunit gene)and GABRA6(α6 subunit gene)showed no significant correlation with schizophrenia(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Downregulation of the GABA receptor subunits is positively correlated with schizophrenia.In other words,when GABA receptor subunits are downregulated in patients,cognitive impairment becomes more severe.

Cardioprotective Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil against Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy:Possible Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Subunits

Objective:Cymbopogon citratus(DC.)Stapf is a medicinal and edible herb that is widely used for the treatment of gastric,nervous and hypertensive disorders.In this study,we investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil,the main active ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus,on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods:The compositions of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil(CCEO)were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with 16.9µg/L CCEO for 1 h followed by 10µmol/L ISO for 24 h.Cardiac hypertrophy-related indicators and NLRP3 inflammasome expression were evaluated.Subsequently,transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq)and target verification were used to further explore the underlying mechanism.Results:Our results showed that the CCEO mainly included citronellal(45.66%),geraniol(23.32%),and citronellol(10.37%).CCEO inhibited ISO-induced increases in cell surface area and protein content,as well as the upregulation of fetal gene expression.Moreover,CCEO inhibited ISO-induced NLRP3 inflammasome expression,as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase content and downregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3,ASC,CASP1,GSDMD,and IL-1β,as well as reduced protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,pro-caspase-1,caspase-1(p20),GSDMD-FL,GSDMD-N,and pro-IL-1β.The RNA-seq results showed that CCEO inhibited the increase in the mRNA levels of 26 oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes.Our further experiments confirmed that CCEO suppressed ISO-induced upregulation of mt-Nd1,Sdhd,mt-Cytb,Uqcrq,and mt-Atp6 but had no obvious effects on mt-Col expression.Conclusion:CCEO inhibits ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the regulation of several oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.

Is 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 6 a potential molecular target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma?

In this editorial we comment on the article by Tang et al published in the recent issue of World Journal of Hepatology.Drug therapy of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(iCCA)poses an enormous challenge since only a small proportion of patients demonstrate beneficial responses to therapeutic agents.Thus,there has been a sustained search for novel molecular targets for iCCA.The study by Tang et al evaluated the role of 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 6(PSMD6),a 19S regulatory subunit of the proteasome,in human iCCA cells and specimens.The authors employed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)knockout screening technology integrated with the computational CERES algorithm,and analyzed the human protein atlas(THPA)database and tissue microarrays.The results show that PSMD6 is a gene essential for the proliferation of 17 iCCA cell lines,and PSMD6 protein was overexpressed in iCCA tissues without a significant correlation with the clinicopathological parameters.The authors conclude that PSMD6 may play a promoting role in iCCA.The major limitations and defects of this study are the lack of detailed information of CRISPR knockout screening,in vivo experiments,and a discussion of plausible mechanistic cues,which,therefore,dampen the significance of the results.Further studies are required to verify PSMD6 as a molecular target for developing novel therapeutics for iCCA.In addition,the editorial article summarizes the latest advances in molecular targeted drugs and recently emerging immunotherapy in the clinical management of iCCA,development of proteasome inhibitors for cancer therapy,and advantages of CRISPR screening technology,computational methods,and THPA database as experimental tools for fighting cancer.We hope that these comments may provide some clues for those engaged in the field of basic and clinical research into iCCA.

Cloning and Sequence of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor α Subunit from Chilo suppressalis

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a significant role in excitatory synaptic transmission in insects and are the target for chloronicotinyl and nereistoxin insecticides.In recent years,Chilo suppressalis,an economically important pest of rice,developed high resistance against monosultap,a nereistoxin insecticide acting on nAChR.In order to reveal the hypothesized target insensitive mechanism,studies on the molecular property of nAChR from Chilo suppressalis are required.In this study,the full length cDNA of nAChR α subunit from this pest was cloned by RT-PCR.Sequence analysis shows that it is a novel nAChR α subunit,which was named as Cs α 1(Genbank accession No.AF418987).It contains 1?997?bp nucleotides and involves an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a mature protein of 509 amino acids excluding a signal peptide of 24 amino acids.The deduced amino acid sequence was 52%-94% identical to the reported insect nAChR genes.

Bioinformatics Analysis on α Subunit Gene of Phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima

[Objective]The α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima was studied in order to provide a basis for the subsequent study of phycobiliprotein.[Method] Amino acids composition,signal peptides,hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity and trails-membrane topological structure of α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima which registered in GenBank（GenBank AF441177） were analyzed and predicted by the tools of bioinformatic analysis.Meanwhile,phylogenetic tree was constructed based on α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima,and its molecular evolution was also analyzed.[Result]The phycobiliprotein was rich in amino acids,which not only contained 18 kinds of essential amino acids,but also contained some non-essential amino acids like glycine,aspartic acid,etc.;Analysis on signal peptides and trails-membrane topological structure showed that the phycobiliprotein belonged to intracellular protein;Analysis on hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity showed that the phycobiliprotein belonged to hydrophilic protein;Phylogenetic analysis showed that the phycobiliprotein had a high homology with Arthrospira,which reached 99%-100%.[Conclusion]The study provided a certain reference for studying the relationship and interaction between α subunit and β subunit.

Identification of the Rice Vacuolar ATPase B Subunit Gene and Its Expression Pattern Analysis Under Phosphorus Deficiency

A vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase.) B subunit gene has been cloned and characterized front a phosphorus starvation induced rice root subtractive cDNA library by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method and RT-PCR amplification. This gene encodes a polypeptide of 487 amino acid residues, containing a conservative ATP binding site and with a molecular weight of 54.06 kD and an isoelectric point of 4.99, southern analysis of the. genomic DNA indicates that V-ATPase B subunit is encoded by a single gene in rice genome. The amino acid homologies of V-ATPase B subunits among different organisms range from 76% to 97% and reveals that the evolution of V-ATPase B subunit is accompanied with the biological evolution. Expression pattern analysis indicated that the maximal expression of V-ATPase B subunit gene occurred at an early stage (6 - 12 h) after phosphorus starvation in roots, and lately stage (24 - 48 It) in leaves. Under phosphorus deficiency, the up-regulated expression of V-ATPase gene was presumed to strengthen the proton transport and provide the required energy to maintain an electrochemical gradient across the tonoplast to facilitate Phosphorus transport.

人源蛋白酶体α亚基6(Proteasome subunit alpha 6)在酿酒酵母表面展示

为构建人源蛋白酶体α亚基6(α6)的酵母展示体系,研制其单克隆抗体用于抗体表位分析和研究泛素-蛋白酶体途径,建立绕过重组抗原表达及纯化制备、将展示重组抗原直接应用于抗体检测的方法.在酵母展示表达载体pICAS中引入His.tag标签,将编码α6的基因PSA6_HUMAN克隆到酵母表面展示载体pICAS-H上,用流式细胞仪检测其抗原表位活性,以表面展示α6的重组酵母细胞,结合酶联吸附免疫检测技术,建立酵母(yeast)-ELISA检测技术,应用于检测小鼠单克隆抗体及单抗效价.酵母细胞培养48h后获得抗原α6的高效表面展示,展示的α6具有良好的抗原活性和特异性,将α6的展示酵母用于yeast-ELISA的初步实验结果显示可有效检测和筛选到抗α6抗体.

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of ATPase Beta Subunit Gene from Eleutherococcus senticosus

[Objective] This study aimed to clone and analyze the cDNA of ATPase β subunit gene from Eleutherococcus senticosus.[Method] A pair of homologous primers was designed according to the chloroplast ATPase β subunit gene sequences of the known species;then the gene cDNA of E.senticosus were amplified by RT-PCR and compared with that of the known species;its structure was predicted finally.[Result] 1 099 bp of ATPase beta subunit cDNA of E.senticosus which encodes 366 amino acids was amplified by RT-PCR.Sequence comparison and structure prediction showed that amino acids encoded by the ATPase beta subunit gene of E.senticosus shared the highest homology,up to 96.41% with that of Oryza sativa.In the secondary structure,the protein contained 171 alpha helixes accounting for 46.72%,53 extended strands accounting for 14.48%,27 beta sheets accounting for 7.38% and 115 random coils which took up 31.42%.The amino acids 262-271 were the symbolic site of ATPase β subunit.The whole peptide chain had no obvious hydrophobic region and was primarily confirmed as a hydrophilic protein.[Conclusion] The cNDA of ATPase β subunit gene cloned from E.senticosus in this study will provide reference for learning the effect of energy metabolism on secondary metabolism,structure and function of ATPase in E.senticosus.

Immune Effect of Combination of Universal Molecular Adjuvant and IBDV Subunit

In order to evaluate the immune effect of the protein expressed by the universal vector pET-mLTA-CTLA-4 plus IBDV subunit, the fusion protein mLTA-CTLA-4 was expressed and purified. Protein toxicity tests were carried out on rabbits.The VP2 gene of infectious bursal virus was amplified by RT-PCR, and lately used for pET-VP2 construction. Ten-day-old free healthy chickens were chosen for a grouped test, including the mLTA-CTLA-4（at different doses） plus VP2 groups, IBDV living vaccine group and control group. Serum and mucosal samples were collected regularly and the neutralization titers of IgG and IgA were assayed, while an animal protection test was conducted to determine the protection rate. The results showed that the protein m LTA-CTLA-4 was non-toxic and its protection rate was100%. IgG or IgA levels in the IBDV vaccine group were slightly higher than those in recombinant protein groups. These results indicated that the recombinant protein mLTA-CTLA-4 could be applied with IBDV subunit vaccine to protect chickens from infection.

Acute and chronic excitotoxicity in ischemic stroke and late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Stroke and Alzheimer's disease are common neurological disorders and often occur in the same individuals.The comorbidity of the two neurological disorders represents a grave health threat to older populations.This review presents a brief background of the development of novel concepts and their clinical potentials.The activity of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca^(2+)influx is critical for neuronal function.An ischemic insult induces prompt and excessive glutamate release and drastic increases of intracellular Ca^(2+)mainly via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors,particularly of those at the extrasynaptic site.This Ca^(2+)-evoked neuronal cell death in the ischemic core is dominated by necrosis within a few hours and days known as acute excitotoxicity.Furthermore,mild but sustained Ca^(2+)increases under neurodegenerative conditions such as in the distant penumbra of the ischemic brain and early stages of Alzheimer's disease are not immediately toxic,but gradually set off deteriorating Ca^(2+)-dependent signals and neuronal cell loss mostly because of activation of programmed cell death pathways.Based on the Ca^(2+)hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease and recent advances,this Ca^(2+)-activated“silent”degenerative excitotoxicity evolves from years to decades and is recognized as a unique slow and chronic neuropathogenesis.The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit GluN3A,primarily at the extrasynaptic site,serves as a gatekeeper for the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity and is neuroprotective against both acute and chronic excitotoxicity.Ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease,therefore,share an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-and Ca^(2+)-mediated mechanism,although with much different time courses.It is thus proposed that early interventions to control Ca^(2+)homeostasis at the preclinical stage are pivotal for individuals who are susceptible to sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementia.This early treatment simultaneously serves as a preconditioning therapy against ischemic stroke that often attacks the same individuals during abnormal aging.

Characterization of High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits and Their Coding Genes from Aegilops umbellulata

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits and their coding genes from Aegilops umbellulata Zhuk. (UU, 2n = 2x = 14) were characterized using SDS-PAGE analysis and molecular approaches. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the 1Ux subunits from four different accessions possessed electrophoretic mobilities close to, or slower than, that displayed by the 1Dx2.2 subunit of common wheat. The electrophoretic mobilities of the 1Uy subunits were generally similar to those shown by the 1Dy subunits of common wheat. The complete open reading frames of the 1Ux and 1Uy genes were amplified by PCR and subsequently cloned and sequenced. Amino acid sequence comparisons suggested that the primary structure of the 1Ux and 1Uy subunits were identical to that of published HMW glutenin subunits from related species, Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata were most closely related to those encoded by the D genome of Triticeae.

Non-SMC condensin Ⅰ complex subunit D2 and non-SMC condensin Ⅱ complex subunit D3 induces inflammation via the IKK/NF-κB pathway in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic,nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease with undefined pathogenesis.Non-SMC condensin I complex subunit D2(NCAPD2)and non-SMC condensin II complex subunit D3(NCAPD3)play pivotal roles in chromosome assembly and segregation during both mitosis and meiosis.To date,there has been no relevant report about the functional role of NCAPD2 and NCAPD3 in UC.AIM To determine the level of NCAPD2/3 in intestinal mucosa and explore the mechanisms of NCAPD2/3 in UC.METHODS Levels of NCAPD2/3 in intestinal tissue were detected in 30 UC patients and 30 healthy individuals with in situ hybridization(ISH).In vitro,NCM60 cells were divided into the NC group,model group,si-NCAPD2 group,si-NCAPD3 group and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 group.Inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA,IKK and NF-κB were evaluated by western blot,and IKK nucleation and NF-κB volume were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS Compared with expression in healthy individuals,NCAPD2 and NCAPD3 expression in intestinal tissue was significantly upregulated(P<0.001)in UC patients.Compared with levels in the model group,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-αin the si-NCAPD2,si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 groups were significantly downregulated(P<0.01).IKK and NF-κB protein expression in the si-NCAPD2,si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Moreover,IKK nucleation and NF-κB volume were suppressed upon si-NCAPD2,si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 transfection.CONCLUSION NCAPD2/3 is highly expressed in the intestinal mucosa of patients with active UC.Overexpression of NCAPD2/3 promotes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by modulating the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Oral Immunization of Mice With Vaccine of Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Expressing Helicobacter pylori Urease B Subunit

Objective To prepare the live recombinant vaccine of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 expressing Helicobacterpylori （H. pylori） B subunit （UreB） and to determine whether it could be used as an oral vaccine against H. pylori infection. Methods Using genomic DNA of H. pylori Sydney strain （SS1） as template, the H. pylori UreB gene fragment was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the expression vector pTC01. The recombinant plasmid pTC01-UreB was then transferred into LBS000 to obtain modified forms, and further conversed into the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 to obtain recombinant SL3261/pCT01-UreB as an oral immunization reagent, which was then used to orally immunize Balb/c mice twice at a three-week interval. Twelve weeks later, anti-UreB IgA antibodies in intestinal fluid and IgG antibodies in sera were determined by ELISA. The relating data in control groups （including body weight, gastric inflammation, etc.） were also collected. Results The sequencing analysis showed that the UreB gene fragment amplified by PCR was consistent with the sequence of the H. pylori UreB gene. The restriction enzyme digestion revealed that the correct pTC01-UreB was obtained. SDS-PAGE and Western blot showed that a 61KD protein was expressed in SL3261/pTC01-UreB, which could be recognized by anti-H, pylori UreB antiserum and was absent in the control containing only Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 strain. The multiple oral immunization with SL3261/pTC01-UreB could significantly induce H. pylori specific mucosal IgA response as well as serum IgG responses. IFN-T and IL-10 levels were significantly increased in SL3261/pTC01-UreB group, and no obvious side effect and change in gastric inflammation were observed. Conclusion The attenuated vaccine of Salmonella typhimurium expressing H. pylori UreB can be used as an oral vaccine against H. pylori infection.

Analysis of Dynamic Accumulation of Three Types of Glutenin Subunits and Their Content in Relation to Sedimentation Value in Common Wheat

The biosynthetic time and accumulations of A-, B-, and C-type glutenin subunits in 7 winter wheat cultivars with different quality （strong, medium, weak gluten） were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The results showed that no glutenin subunit was observed within 8 d after anthesis. Parts or all A-, B-, and C-type subunits appeared around day 12 in different cultivars. Other A-, B-, and C-type subunits appeared gradually. The accumulation of A-, B-, and C-type subunits fluctuated before maturity. The results of analysis of correlation between the ratios of A/T （total content of glutenin subunits）, A/C, AJ （B＋C）, （A＋B）/C, and （A＋B）/T and SDS-sedimentation value suggested that they were more significant. The negative correlation between the ratio of （B＋C）/T and SDS-sedimentation value was more significant, and the correlations between the ratio C/T and the SDS-sedimentation value were significantly negative.

Overexpression of chaperonin containing TCP1, subunit 3 predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the value of chaperonin containing TCP1,subunit 3(CCT3) to predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and determine its function in HCC progression.METHODS:CCT3 expression levels were examined in human non-cancerous liver tissues and a variety of HCC cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting.CCT3 expression was suppressed by small interfering RNA.The effects of reducing CCT3 expression in HCC cells were tested.The3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay,cell counting experiment,cell cycle assay,apoptosis assay and invasion assay were employed to evaluate cell functions in vitro.Immunohistochemistry was performed on HCC specimens.In addition,CCT3 expression in HCC specimens was also assessed at the protein and mRNA level.Associations between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed,along with the possible mechanisms involved in CCT3's function in HCC progression.RESULTS:The expression levels of CCT3 mRNA and protein were upregulated in HCC cell lines in contrast to adjacent non-cancerous tissues.Reducing CCT3 expression not only suppressed cell proliferation in cell counts,MTT assay,cell cycle assay and induced cell apoptosis(P < 0.05 vs negative control),but also inhibited the tumor cell invasion capacity in vitro {P< 0.01 vs negative control).Overexpression of CCT3 in the nuclei of cancer cells in HCC specimens(58of 104 patients,55.8%) was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients(3-year survival rate,55.5%vs 84.2%,P = 0.020) after hepatectomy.Mechanistic analyses showed that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) activation was decreased even when stimulated by interleukin-6 after knocking down CCT3 in the HepG2 cell line.CONCLUSION:Overexpression of CCT3 in the nuclei of cancerous cells is associated with HCC progression.CCT3 may be a target that affects the activation of STAT3 in HCC.

Cloning of vacuolar H^+ -ATPase subunit c genes from Japanese iris, and functional characterization in yeast

Five different isoforms （IrlVHA-c1-c5） of V-ATPase subunit c （VHA-c） were cloned from a Japanese iris （Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis Fisch. Koidz） cDNA library using degenerate primers PCR and the 5＇-RACE technique. The sequence analysis showed the open reading frame （ORF） of the IrlVHA-c1 c5 to be 495 bp, corresponding to a protein of 164 amino acids. Among the five isoforms, IrlVHA-c1 and IrlVHA-c2 are completely homologous. The IrlVHA-c protein is localized at the vacuolar membrane as indicated by a green fluorescent protein （GFP） marker. Its over-expression in yeast could enhance yeast tolerance to NaCl stress. These results show that there are at least five genes encoding different isoforms of IrlVHA-c in Japanese iris and IrlVHA-c is important for the function of V-ATPase.

Evaluating the immune responses of mice to subcutaneous immunization with Helicobacter pylori urease B subunit

Background： Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterial pathogen that expresses a strong urease activity, is associated with the development of gastroduodenal disease. Urease B subunit, one of the two structural subunits of urease, was expressed in E. coil BL21 （DE3） strain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of He/icobacter py/ori urease B subunit on the immune responses in mice by subcutaneous immunization. Methods： The mice were immunized and boosted with Helicobacter pylori urease B subunit antigen subcutaneously three times with 2-wk intervals between the immunizations and boosters. The mice in the control group were immunized with PBS. The adjuvant group received PBS containing complete/incomplete freund＇s adjuvant identical to antigen group without Helicobocter pylori urease B subunit antigen. Four weeks after the final booster, all the mice were sacrificed. Blood was collected on d 0, 14, 28 and 56 before immunization, booster and sacrifice, respectively. Immediately after sacrifice, gastric liquid and spleen were collected for antibody and cytokine analyses. Results： Urease B subunit increased the concentrations of serum and gastric anti-urease B antigen specific IgG, and the levels of interteukin-4 and interferon-y in splenocytes of the mice （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： This study demonstrated that recombinant responses in mice by subcutaneous immunization, which against Helicobocter pylori. urease B subunit can induce systemic and local immune might be used as the effective component of vaccine