Construction of expression systems for flaA and flaB genes of Helicobacter pylori and determination of immunoreactivity and antigenicity of recombinant proteins

AIM: To clone flagellin genes A (flaA) and B (flaB) from a clinical strain of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and to construct prokaryotic expression systems of the genes and identify immunity of the fusion proteins.METHODS: The flaA and flaBgenes from a clinical H pylori isolate Y06 were amplified by high fidelity PCR. The nucleotide sequences of target DNA amplification fragments from the two genes were sequenced after T-A cloning. The recombinant expression vector pET32a inserted with flaA and flaB genes was constructed, respectively. The expressions of FlaA and FlaB fusion proteins in E. Coli BL21DE3 induced by isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside (IPTG)at different concentrations were examined by SDS-PAGE.Western blot using commercial antibodies against whole cell of H pylori and immunodiffusion assay using self-prepared rabbit antiserum against FlaA (rFlaA) or FlaB (rFlaB)recombinant proteins were applied to the determination of the fusion proteins immunity. ELISA was used to detect the antibodies against rFlaA and rFlaB in sera of 125 H pylori infected patients and to examine rFlaA and rFlaB expression in 98 clinical isolates of H pylori, respectively.RESULTS: In comparison with the reported corresponding sequences, the nucleotide sequence homologies of the cloned flaA and flaB genes were from 96.28-97.13% and 96.31-97.73%, and their putative amino acid sequence homologies were 99.61-99.80% and 99.41-100% for the two genes, respectively. The output of rFlaA and rFlaB expressed by pET32a-flaA-BL21DE3 and pET32a-flaBBL21DE3 systems was as high as 40-50% of the total bacterial proteins. Both rFlaA and rFlaB were able to combine with the commercial antibodies against whole cell of H pylori and to induce rabbits to produce specific antibodies with the same 1:2 immunodiffusion titers after the animals were immunized with the two recombinant proteins. Ninety-eight and zero point 4 and 92.80% of the serum samples from 125 patients infected with H pylori were positive for rFlaA and rFlaB antibodies, respectively.One hundred percent and 98.98% of the 98 tested isolates of H pylori were detectable for rFlaA and rFlaB epitopes,respectively.CONCLUSION: Two prokaryotic expression systems with high efficiency of H pylori flaA and flaB genes were successfully established. The expressed rFlaA and rFlaB showed satisfactory immunoreactivity and antigenicity. High frequencies of FlaA and FlaB expression in different H pylori clinical strains and the general existence of specific antibodies against FlaA and FlaB in H pylori infected patients strongly indicate that FlaA and FlaB are excellent antigen candidates for developing H pylori vaccine.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by a novel L-nucleoside,β-L-D4A and related analogues

AIM: To explore the inhibition of β-L-D4A on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 2.2.15 cells derived from HepG2 cells transfected with HBV genome.METHODS: 2.2.15 cells were plated at a density of 5×10^4 per well in 12-well tissue culture plates, and treated with various concentrations of β-L-D4A for 6 days. In the end,5μl of medium was used for the estimation of HBsAg and HBeAg, the other medium was processed to obtain virions by a polyethlene glycol precipitation method. At the same time, intracellular DNA was also extracted and digested with HindⅢ. Both DNAs were subjected to Southern blot,hybridized with a ^32P-labeled HBV probe and autoradiophed.Intensity of the autoradiographic bands was quantitated by densitometric scans of computer and ED50 was calculated. Then Hybond-N membrane was washed and rehybridized with a ^32P-labeled mtDNA-specific probe, and effect of β-L-D4A on mitochondrial DNA was studied. 2.2.15 cells were also seeded in 24-well tissue culture plates,and cytotoxicity with different concentrations was examined by MTT method. ID50 was calculated. Structure-activity relationships between D2A and D4A were also studied as above.RESULTS: Autoradiographic bands were similar between supernatant and intracellular HBV DNA. Episomal HBV DNAwas inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. ED50 was 0.2μM. HBsAg or HBeAg was not apparently decreased, and inhibition of mitochondrial DNA was not obvious. The experiment of cytotoxicity gained ID50 at 200 μM.CONCLUSION: β-L-D4A possesses potent inhibitory effects on the replication of HBV in vitro with little cytotoxidty and mitochondrial toxicity, TI value is 1000. It is expected to be developed as a new clinically anti-HBV drug.

Oil A induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via caspase activation, redistribution of cell cycle and GADD expression

AIM: To explore the mechanisms of effects of oil A on apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells.METHODS: Cellular DNA content was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used for caspase-3 and PARP, caspase-7, caspase-9, cytochrome c, Bcl-2, Bax, Mcl-1, cyclinA, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6,P21, P27,GADD45, GADD153.RESULTS: The caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9activities were significantly increased as well as the cleavage of caspase-3, downstream substrate poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) was induced. The amount of cytochrome c in the cytosolic fraction was increased, while the amount of cytochrome c in the mitochondrial fraction was decreased after oil A treatment. The anti-apoptosis proteins Bcl-2and Mci-1 were decreased in parallel and Bax increased,indicating that Bcl-2 family proteins-mitochondria-caspase cascade was responsible for oil-induced apoptosis. The proportion of cells in the G0/G1 decreased in MiaPaCa-2and AsPC-1 cells after the treatment of oil A for 24 hours.The number of cells in S phase was increased in two cancer cell lines at 24 hours. Therefore, cells were significantly accumulated in G2/M phase. The cells with a sub-G0/G1DNA content, a hallmark of apoptosis, were seen at 24 hours both in MiaPaCa-2 and AsPC-1 cells following exposure to oil A. The expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1 was slightly decreased and cyclin D1 levels were markedly lowered in MiaPaCa-2 cells. The expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1 was markedly decreased and cyclin D1 levels were slightly lowered in AsPC-1 cells, while cydin E was not affected and the levels of CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 were unchanged in MiaPaCa-2 and AsPC-1 cells. In response to oil A, P21 expression was increased, but P27 expression was not affected. The expression of both GADD45 and GADD153was increased in two cell lines following oil A treatment.CONCLUSION: Oil A induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via activating caspase cascade, modifying cell cycle progress and changing cell cycle-regulating proteins and GADD expression.

Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid at 2-Amino-5-mercapto-[1, 3, 4]triazole Self-assembled Monolayers Gold Electrode

A newly synthesized reagent 2-amino-5-mercapto-[1, 3, 4]triazole (MATZ) has been usedto fabricate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode for the first time. The SAMselectrode was characterized by electrochemical methods and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM),the SAMs electrode can be used to determinate dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) simultaneouslywith a detection limit of 8×10-7 mol/L for DA and 1×10-6 mol/L for UA respectively. The SAMscan also be used to detect the contents of DA and UA in synthetic urine sample with satisfactoryresults.

Determination of 6-Mercaptopurine in Rat Blood by Microdialysis Coupled with High Performance Liquid Chromatography on a Functionalized Multi-wall Carbon Nanotubes Modified Electrode

A new chemically modified electrode(CME) immobilized on the surface of multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic groups was fabricated. The results indicate that the CME exhibits efficiently electrocatalytic oxidation of 6-mercaptopurine(6-MP). The CME can be used as the working electrode in the liquid chromatography for the determination of 6-MP. The peak current of 6-MP is linearly changed with its concentration ranging from 4.0×10 -7 to 1.0×10 -4 mol/L with the calculated detection limit (S/N=3) of 2.0×10 -7 mol/L. Coupled with microdialysis sampling, the method has been successfully applied to assessing the content of 6-MP in rat blood.

Clinicopathological and molecular genetic analysis of HNPCC in China

AIM: To explore the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in Chinese population. METHODS: We collected 16 Chinese HNPCC families from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Tumor tissues and peripheral white blood cells were studied using microdissection, microsatellite analysis, immunostaining of hMSH2 and hMLH1 proteins and direct DNA sequencing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes. RESULTS: (1) A total of 50 patients had CRC. Average age at diagnosis of the first CRC was 45.7 years; 40.9% and 28.7% of the CRCs were located proximal to the splenic flexure and in the rectum, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of the colorectal cancer patients had synchronous and metachronous CRC. 34.4% and 25% of the CRCs were poor differentiation cancer and mucinous adenocarcinoma, respectively. Fourteen extracoloni tumors were found, and the hepatic cancer was the most common tumor type. Twenty-one patients whose median survival time was 5.7 years died during 1-23 years. Twenty-nine patients have survived for 1-28 years, 58.6%, 41.4% and 24.1% patients have survived for more than 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively; (2) All nine tumor-tissues showed microsatellite instability (MSI) at more than two loci. Four tumor-tissues lost hMSH2 protein expression and one lost hMLH1 protein expression. Three pathological germline mutations were identified from five genetically analyzed families; two of three mutations had not been reported previously as they were a transition from C to A in exon 14 (codon 743) of hMSH2 and a TIC deletion in exon 14 (codon 530)of hMLH1. CONCLUSION: Chinese HNPCC have specific clinicopathological features, such as early onset, propensity to involve the proximal colon, and high frequency of multiple CRCs, liver cancer more frequent than endometrial cancer. Chinese HNPCC showed relatively frequent germline mutation of mismatch repair (MMR) genes that correlated closely with high-level MSI and loss of expression of MMR genes protein.

Inhibition of pancreatic stellate cell activity by adipose-derived stem cells

BACKGROUND：Pancreatic stellate cells（PSCs）play a critical role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis.In this study we used a novel method to isolate and culture rat PSCs and then investigated the inhibitory effects of adipose-derived stem cells（ADSCs）on activation and proliferation of PSCs.METHODS：Pancreatic tissue was obtained from SpragueDawley rats for PSCs isolation.Transwell cell cultures were adopted for co-culture of ADSCs and PSCs. PSCs prolifera- tion and apoptosis were determined using CCK-8 and flow cytometry, respectively, a-SMA expressions were analyzed using Western blotting. The levels of cytokines [nerve growth factor （NGF）, interleukin-10 （IL-10） and transforming growth factor-ill （TGF-[31）] in conditioned medium were detected by ELISA. Gene expression （MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1） was analyzed using qRT-PCR. RESULTS： This method produced 17.6_＋6.5 ~ 103 ceils per gram of the body weight with a purity of 90%-95% and a viability of 92%-97%. Co-culture of PSCs with ADSCs significantly inhib- ited PSCs proliferation and induced PSCs apoptosis. Moreover, a-SMA expression was significantly reduced in PSCs＋ADSCs compared with that in PSC-only cultures, while expression of fibrinolytic proteins （e.g., MMP-2 and MMP-9） was upregulated and anti-fibrinolytic protein （TIMP-1） was downregulated. In addition, NGF expression was up-regulated, but IL-10 and TGF-β1 expressions were down-regulated in the coculture conditioned medium compared with those in the PSC- only culture medium. CONCLUSIONS： This study provided an easy and reliable technique to isolate PSCs. The data demonstrated the inhibitory effects of ADSCs on the activation and proliferation of PSCs in vitro.

The reproductive toxicity of cadmium chloride in male mice

Objective: To study the reproductive toxicity of cadmium chloride in male mice. Methods: Male mice of 4 weeks old were administered cadium chloride at doses of 0.5, 2 or 8 mg·kg-1·day-1 i.p. for 10 days. At day 50, the males were mated with virgin females at 1: 2. The pregnancy rate, the litter size and the body weight of the offspring were recorded; at the same time the development of the testis, the testicular index, the germ cell miosis and the epididymal sperm count, motility and malformed sperm were observed in the intoxicated males. Results: The testicular index was lower in the 2 and 8 mg/kg groups than in the controls and 0.5 mg/kg groups (P< 0.05). In the 2 and 8 mg/kg groups, there were testicular maldeve-lopment, epididymal azoospermia and infertility. The pregnancy rate was lower in the 2 mg/kg group than in the control and 0.5 mg/ kg group (P<0.05). The ectopic pregnancy rate of the cadmium chloride group was not significantly different from that of the controls. The sperm count, motility and malformed sperm were not significantly different between the 0.5 mg/kg group and the controls. Conclusion: Cadmium chloride, at doses of 2 mg/kg or more, reduces the pregnancy rate, which may be related to testis maldevelopment and epididymal azoospermia. Androl

Red oil A5 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells

AIM: To study the effect of red oil A5 on pancreatic cancer cells and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Effect of different concentrations of red oil A5 on proliferation of three pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1, MiaPaCa-2 and S2013, was measured by 3H-methyl thymidine incorporation. Time-dependent effects of 1:32 000 red oil A5 on proliferation of three pancreatic cancer cell lines, were also measured by ^3H-methyl thymidine incorporation, and Time-course effects of 1:32 000 red oil A5 on cell number.The cells were counted by Z1-Coulter Counter. Fiowcytometric analysis of cellular DNA content in the control and red oil A5 treated AsPC-1, MiaPaCa-2 and $2013 cells,were stained with propidium iodide. TUNEL assay of red oil A5-induced pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis was performed. Western blotting of the cytochrome c protein in AsPC-1, MiaPaCa-2 and $2013 cells treated 24 hours with 1:32 000 red oil A5 was performed. Proteins in cytosolic fraction and in mitochondria fraction were extracted. Proteins extracted from each sample were electrophoresed on SDS-PAGE gels and then were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Cytochrome c was identified using a monoclonal cytochrome c antibody. Western blotting of the caspase-3 protein in AsPC-1, MiaPaCa-2 and S2013 cells treated with 1:32 000 red oil A5 for 24 hours was carried out. Proteins in whole cellular lysates were electrophoresed on SDS-PAGE gels and then transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Caspase-3 was identified using a specific antibody. Western blotting of polyADP ribose polymerase (PARP) protein in AsPC-1, MiaPaCa2 and S2013 cells treated with 1:32 000 red oil A5 for 24 hours was performed. Proteins in whole cellular lysates were separated by electrophoresis on SDS-PAGE gels and then transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. PARP was identified by using a monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Red oil A5 caused dose- and time-dependent inhibrdon of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Propidium iodide DNA staining showed an increase of the sub-G0/G1 cell population. The DNA fragmentation induced by red oil A5 in these three cell lines was confirmed by the TUNEL assayFurthermore, Western blotting analysis indicated that cytochrome c was released from mitochondda to cytosol during apoptosis,and caspase-3 was activated following red oil A5 treatment which was measured by procaspase-3 cleavage and PARP cleavage. CONCLUSION: These findings show that red oil A5 has potent anti-proliferative effects on human pancreatic cancer cells with induction of apoptosis in vitro.

Nude mice multi-drug resistance model of orthotopic transplantation of liver neoplasm and Tc-99m MIBI SPECT on p-glycoprotein

AIM: To establish a model of drug-resistant neoplasms using a nude mice model, orthotopic transplantation of liver neoplasm and sporadic abdominal chemotherapy. METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 were cultured and injected subdermally to form the tumor-supplying mice. The orthotopic drug-resistant tumors were formed by implanting the tumor bits under the envelope of the mice liver and induced by abdominal chemotherapy with Pharmorubicin. Physical examination, ultrasonography, spiral CT and visual inspection were used to examine tumor progression. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect expression of mdr1 mRNA and its encoded protein p-glycoprotein (p-gp). Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy was performed by obtaining planar abdominal images at 20 min after injection, and the liver/heart ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Post-implantation mortality was 0% (0/25), tumor implantation success was 90% (22/25), and the rate of implanting successfully for the second time was 100% (3/3). Tumor induction using Pharmorubicin was 80% (16/20). The mdrl mRNA expression of the induced group was 23 times higher than that of the control group, and p-gp protein expression was 13-fold higher compared to the control group. The liver/heart ratio (as assessed in vivo, using Tc-99m radiography) was decreased significantly in the induced group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: We have established an in vivo model of mdrl in nude mice by orthotopic transplantation of liver neoplasm coupled to chemotherapy. We propose that identification of drug resistance as characterized by decreased 99mTc-ppm radiography due to enhanced clearance by p-gp may be useful in detecting in vivo drug resistance, as well as a useful tool in designing more effective therapies.

Differences in Starch Chain Length Distribution and Structure Characteristics of Early-Indica Rice Under Different Temperature Treatments During Grain-Filling

Effects of temperature during grain-filling on chain length distribution and structure characteristics of 4 early-seasonindica rice cultivars were investigated under the environment-controlled conditions. The plants at flowering stage weresubjected to two temperature treatments until maturity (the mean dairy air temperature, 22 and 32C for optimum temperaturetreatment and high temperature treatment, respectively). The result showed that high temperature during grain-fillingsignificantly decreased the long B-chain content and increased the intermediate B-chain content. But the effect of hightemperature on other starch chains appeared to be cultivar-dependant. The crystalline characteristics of rice starch werealso affected by temperature during grain-filling. The intensity at 18 2q of X-ray diffraction pattern of rice samples underhigh temperature was higher than those under optimum temperature, though all rice starches performed A-crystallinetype. Moreover, the intensity at 18 2q was positive correlation with intermediate B-chain content and negative correlationwith long B-chain content.

The C-Terminal Portion of the Nucleocapsid Protein Demonstrates SARS-CoV Antigenicity

In order to develop clinical diagnostic tools for rapid detection of SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus) and to identify candidate proteins for vaccine development, the C-terminal portion of the nucleocapsid (NC) gene was amplified using RT-PCR from the SARS-CoV genome, cloned into a yeast expression vector (pEGH), and expressed as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Hisx6 double-tagged fusion protein under the control of an inducible promoter. Western analysis on the purified protein confirmed the expression and purification of the NC fusion proteins from yeast. To determine its antigenicity, the fusion protein was challenged with serum samples from SARS patients and normal controls. The NC fusion protein demonstrated high antigenicity with high specificity, and therefore, it should have great potential in designing clinical diagnostic tools and provide useful information for vaccine development.

Complete Genome Sequences of the SARS-CoV: the BJ Group (Isolates BJ01-BJ04)

Beijing has been one of the epicenters attacked most severely by the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus) since the first patient was diagnosed in one of the city's hospitals. We now report complete genome sequences of the BJ Group, including four isolates (Isolates BJ01, BJ02, BJ03, and BJ04) of the SARS-CoV.It is remarkable that all members of the BJ Group share a common haplotype, consisting of seven loci that differentiate the group from other isolates published to date. Among 42 substitutions uniquely identified from the BJ group, 32 are non-synonymous changes at the amino acid level. Rooted phylogenetic trees, proposed on the basis of haplotypes and other sequence variations of SARS-CoV isolates from Canada, USA, Singapore, and China, gave rise to different paradigms but positioned the BJ Group, together with the newly discovered GD01 (GD-Ins29) in the same clade, followed by the H-U Group (from Hong Kong to USA) and the H-T Group (from Hong Kong to Toronto), leaving the SP Group (Singapore) more distant. This result appears to suggest a possible transmission path from Guangdong to Beijing/Hong Kong, then to other countries and regions.

Genome Organization of the SARS-CoV

Annotation of the genome sequence of the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus) is indispensable to understand its evolution and pathogenesis. We have performed a full annotation of the SARS-CoV genome sequences by using annotation programs publicly available or developed by ourselves. Totally, 21 open reading frames (ORFs) of genes or putative uncharacterized proteins (PUPs) were predicted. Seven PUPs had not been reported previously, and two of them were predicted to contain transmembrane regions. Eight ORFs partially overlapped with or embedded into those of known genes, revealing that the SARS-CoV genome is a small and compact one with overlapped coding regions. The most striking discovery is that an ORF locates on the minus strand. We have also annotated non-coding regions and identified the transcription regulating sequences (TRS) in the intergenic regions. The analysis of TRS supports the minus strand extending transcription mechanism of coronavirus. The SNP analysis of different isolates reveals that mutations of the sequences do not affect the prediction results of ORFs.

DISTRIBUTION AND RESPONSE EVOKED BY MICROSTIMULATION OF THALAMUS NUCLEI IN PATIENTS WITH DYSTONIA AND TREMOR

The effect of 806 microstimulations were observed in 16 patients motor response was seen at 19 sites,the response with increased dystonia was seen at 28 sites.