Silent information regulator sirtuin 1 ameliorates acute liver failure via the p53/glutathione peroxidase 4/gasdermin D axis

BACKGROUND Acute liver failure(ALF)has a high mortality with widespread hepatocyte death involving ferroptosis and pyroptosis.The silent information regulator sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-mediated deacetylation affects multiple biological processes,including cellular senescence,apoptosis,sugar and lipid metabolism,oxidative stress,and inflammation.AIM To investigate the association between ferroptosis and pyroptosis and the upstream regulatory mechanisms.METHODS This study included 30 patients with ALF and 30 healthy individuals who underwent serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)testing.C57BL/6 mice were also intraperitoneally pretreated with SIRT1,p53,or glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)inducers and inhibitors and injected with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)/D-galactosamine(D-GalN)to induce ALF.Gasdermin D(GSDMD)^(-/-)mice were used as an experimental group.Histological changes in liver tissue were monitored by hematoxylin and eosin staining.ALT,AST,glutathione,reactive oxygen species,and iron levels were measured using commercial kits.Ferroptosis-and pyroptosis-related protein and mRNA expression was detected by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.SIRT1,p53,and GSDMD were assessed by immunofluorescence analysis.RESULTS Serum AST and ALT levels were elevated in patients with ALF.SIRT1,solute carrier family 7a member 11(SLC7A11),and GPX4 protein expression was decreased and acetylated p5,p53,GSDMD,and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)protein levels were elevated in human ALF liver tissue.In the p53 and ferroptosis inhibitor-treated and GSDMD^(-/-)groups,serum interleukin(IL)-1β,tumour necrosis factor alpha,IL-6,IL-2 and C-C motif ligand 2 levels were decreased and hepatic impairment was mitigated.In mice with GSDMD knockout,p53 was reduced,GPX4 was increased,and ferroptotic events(depletion of SLC7A11,elevation of ACSL4,and iron accumulation)were detected.In vitro,knockdown of p53 and overexpression of GPX4 reduced AST and ALT levels,the cytostatic rate,and GSDMD expression,restoring SLC7A11 depletion.Moreover,SIRT1 agonist and overexpression of SIRT1 alleviated acute liver injury and decreased iron deposition compared with results in the model group,accompanied by reduced p53,GSDMD,and ACSL4,and increased SLC7A11 and GPX4.Inactivation of SIRT1 exacerbated ferroptotic and pyroptotic cell death and aggravated liver injury in LPS/D-GalNinduced in vitro and in vivo models.CONCLUSION SIRT1 activation attenuates LPS/D-GalN-induced ferroptosis and pyroptosis by inhibiting the p53/GPX4/GSDMD signaling pathway in ALF.

Effects of Hg^(2+) on Isozymes of Peroxidase,Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase in Wheat Seedlings

[Objective] This work was aimed to explore the mechanism of Hg2+ toxicity on plants.[Method]Activities of peroxidase(POD),catalase(CAT)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were investigated in wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)seedlings under Hg2+ stress at different concentrations.[Result]① There were no obvious effects on the growth of seedlings when the concentration of Hg2+ was lower than 0.10 mmol/L.However,toxic effects on the growth of seedling were observed when the concentration of Hg2+ was higher than 0.10 mmol/L.② Different tissues showed different resistant ability in response to Hg2+ stress.The leaves and roots of wheat seedlings were more insensitive to Hg2+ toxicity.③ CAT was more sensitive to Hg2+ stress compared to POD and SOD.[Conclusion]The toxic effect was related to the concentration of Hg2+(0.10 mmol/L).The higher concentration of Hg2+ could affect the expression of POD,CAT,and SOD isozymes in the leaves,roots of wheat seedlings and germinated seeds,which further affect the normal metabolism of membrane lipid and inhibit the growth of wheat seedlings at last.

Effects of Catalase and Ascorbate Peroxidase on the Root Growth of Rice under Cadmium Stress

[Objective] The research aimed to study the correlations between catalase（CAT） and ascorbate peroxidase（ASP） and the growth and development of rice roots under cadmium stress.[Method] Taking rice variety Zhonghua No.11 as materials,the changes of rice seedlings under the treatment conditions of Cd,Cd＋CAT inhibitor,Cd＋APX inhibitor were studied.[Result] Under Cd stress,inhibition of CAT activity caused the significant inhibition on the growth of aerial parts,decreased the number of adventitious roots and lateral roots,but it can significant promote the elongation growth of adventitious roots and lateral roots.Moreover,the length of the first lateral root from root tip on the primary roots and adventitious roots was also increased than control.When APX activity was inhibited,the growth changes of rice were similar with that treated by CAT inhibitor.[Conclusion] CAT and APX may play important roles in the regulation of rice root system growth in both non-stress and Cd-stressed rice

Regulation of Heat Shock Factor AtHsfA1a on Ascorbate Peroxidase under Heat Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the regulation of heat shock factor AtHsfA1a on ascorbate peroxidase under heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. [Method] After heat stress treatment on transgenetic A. thaliana with silenced endogenetic AtHsfA1a gene and wild A. thaliana plants as materials, the change in activity of APX enzyme was analyzed by spectrophotometry, the expression level of APX gene was investigated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the binding condition of AtHsfAla with the promoter region of APX gene was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. [Result] The activity and mRNA level of APX in plants with silenced endogenetic AtHsfAla gene were higher than those in wild plants. Fragments of the promoter region of APX gene were not screened from the plants with silenced endogenetic AtHsfA1a gene, but found in wild plants. [Conclusion] This study provides a theoretical basis for the understanding of the important role of AtHsfAla in resistance to stress in plant, and is of great significance to the revealing of mechanism of resistance to stress in plant.

Polyethylene glycol fusion repair of severed rat sciatic nerves reestablishes axonal continuity and reorganizes sensory terminal fields in the spinal cord

Peripheral nerve injuries result in the rapid degeneration of distal nerve segments and immediate loss of motor and sensory functions;behavioral recovery is typically poor.We used a plasmalemmal fusogen,polyethylene glycol(PEG),to immediately fuse closely apposed open ends of severed proximal and distal axons in rat sciatic nerves.We have previously reported that sciatic nerve axons repaired by PEG-fusion do not undergo Wallerian degeneration,and PEG-fused animals exhibit rapid(within 2–6 weeks)and extensive locomotor recovery.Furthermore,our previous report showed that PEG-fusion of severed sciatic motor axons was non-specific,i.e.,spinal motoneurons in PEG-fused animals were found to project to appropriate as well as inappropriate target muscles.In this study,we examined the consequences of PEG-fusion for sensory axons of the sciatic nerve.Young adult male and female rats(Sprague–Dawley)received either a unilateral single cut or ablation injury to the sciatic nerve and subsequent repair with or without(Negative Control)the application of PEG.Compound action potentials recorded immediately after PEG-fusion repair confirmed conduction across the injury site.The success of PEG-fusion was confirmed through Sciatic Functional Index testing with PEG-fused animals showing improvement in locomotor function beginning at 35 days postoperatively.At 2–42 days postoperatively,we anterogradely labeled sensory afferents from the dorsal aspect of the hindpaw following bilateral intradermal injection of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase.PEG-fusion repair reestablished axonal continuity.Compared to unoperated animals,labeled sensory afferents ipsilateral to the injury in PEG-fused animals were found in the appropriate area of the dorsal horn,as well as inappropriate mediolateral and rostrocaudal areas.Unexpectedly,despite having intact peripheral nerves,similar reorganizations of labeled sensory afferents were also observed contralateral to the injury and repair.This central reorganization may contribute to the improved behavioral recovery seen after PEG-fusion repair,supporting the use of this novel repair methodology over currently available treatments.

通脉开窍丸治疗血管性痴呆模型大鼠海马区神经元的铁死亡变化

背景:研究表明铁死亡与血管性痴呆存在密切联系,通脉开窍丸对于改善血管性痴呆患者的认知功能有一定疗效,但其作用机制不明确。目的:基于核因子E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2,Nrf2)/血红素氧合酶1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)/谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4(glutathione peroxidase 4,GPX4)信号通路调控铁死亡探讨通脉开窍丸对血管性痴呆干预作用以及分子机制。方法:84只雄性SD大鼠,其中12只大鼠用作假手术组,其余大鼠用改良2-VO法制备成血管性痴呆的模型,成模后随机分为模型组、通脉开窍丸高、中、低剂量(27.6,13.8,6.9 g/kg)组、联合组[通脉开窍丸高剂量+ML385(20 mg/kg)]、盐酸多奈哌齐组(0.45 mg/kg),灌胃给药1次/d,联合组同时腹腔注射Nrf2抑制剂ML385,1次/d,连续4周。采用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠的学习记忆能力;苏木精-伊红染色观察各组大鼠海马组织中神经元病理学变化;比色法试剂盒检测大鼠血清中还原型谷胱甘肽、Fe^(2+)、丙二醛的浓度;普鲁士蓝染色法检测大鼠海马组织中铁沉积情况;透射电镜观察大鼠海马组织中神经元线粒体超微结构变化;蛋白免疫印迹法检测大鼠海马神经元Nrf2、HO-1、GPX4、XCT、铁蛋白重链1(ferritin heavy chain 1,FTH1)蛋白的表达。结果与结论:(1)与假手术相比,模型组大鼠逃避潜伏期时间明显延长(P<0.05),穿越平台次数明显减少(P<0.05);海马组织松散,神经元细胞核深染,染色质固缩甚至裂解;CA1区铁离子聚集;线粒体萎缩变小,线粒体嵴溶解消失,线粒体膜密度增厚;血清中Fe^(2+)、丙二醛水平上升,还原型谷胱甘肽水平下降(P<0.05);海马组织GPX4、HO-1、XCT、Nrf2、FTH1蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05)。(2)与模型组相比,通脉开窍丸各剂量组和盐酸多奈哌齐组大鼠平均逃避潜伏期均明显缩短(P<0.05),穿越平台次数增加(P<0.05);海马神经元恢复明显,CA1区神经元铁离子聚集明显减少,线粒体结构和功能好转;血清Fe^(2+)、丙二醛水平显著降低(P<0.05),血清还原型谷胱甘肽浓度及海马组织中GPX4,HO-1,XCT,Nrf2,FTH1蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.05)。(3)与通脉开窍丸高剂量组相比,盐酸多奈哌齐组治疗效果差异无显著性意义(P>0.05),联合组大鼠水迷宫逃避潜伏期时间延长(P<0.05),穿越平台次数减少(P<0.05),大鼠CA1区神经元病理改变情况不明显,铁沉淀增加,血清中丙二醛、Fe^(2+)浓度增加(P<0.05),还原型谷胱甘肽浓度减少(P<0.05),海马组织神经元线粒体萎缩变小,且Nrf2、XCT、HO-1、GPX4、FTH1蛋白的表达减少(P<0.05)。在一定范围内,通脉开窍丸剂量越高效果越好,且高剂量治疗效果不亚于盐酸多奈哌齐。(4)结果说明,通脉开窍丸可以减轻大鼠海马组织神经元病理改变,改善血管性痴呆大鼠的认知功能,其作用机制可能与Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4信号通路的激活抑制铁死亡有关。

毛蕊花糖苷抑制Erastin诱导的多巴胺能神经细胞系MN9D细胞铁死亡

背景:近年越来越多的研究证实多巴胺能神经元细胞铁死亡参与了帕金森病的发病,毛蕊花糖苷目前被证实具有抗氧化、抗炎和神经保护作用。目的:探讨毛蕊花糖苷对Erastin诱导的MN9D细胞铁死亡的保护效果及作用机制。方法:以MN9D细胞为研究对象,分为对照组、模型组(20μmol/L Erastin组)、Erastin+1μg/mL毛蕊花糖苷组、Erastin+5μg/mL毛蕊花糖苷组、Erastin+10μg/mL毛蕊花糖苷组。MN9D细胞在CO_(2)恒温培养箱中培养24 h,然后用不同质量浓度毛蕊花糖苷预处理8 h,再加入20μmol/L Erastin诱导24 h后,采用ELISA法检测还原型谷胱甘肽、超氧化物歧化酶、总铁离子、丙二醛水平,免疫组织化学法检测酪氨酸羟化酶的表达,Western blot法检测酪氨酸羟化酶、核因子红细胞-2相关因子2、血红素加氧酶1、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4蛋白表达。结果与结论:(1)与对照组相比,模型组还原型谷胱甘肽、超氧化物歧化酶水平明显减少(P<0.05),丙二醛和总铁离子水平明显增加(P<0.05);与模型组相比,毛蕊花糖苷1,5,10μg/mL组还原型谷胱甘肽、超氧化物歧化酶水平明显增加(P<0.05),丙二醛和总铁离子水平明减少(P<0.05);(2)与对照组相比,模型组酪氨酸羟化酶阳性细胞面积明显减少(P<0.05);与模型组相比,毛蕊花糖苷1,5,10μg/mL组酪氨酸羟化酶阳性细胞面积明显增加(P<0.05);(3)与对照组相比,模型组酪氨酸羟化酶、核因子红细胞-2相关因子2、血红素加氧酶1、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4的蛋白表达明显减少(P<0.05);与模型组相比,毛蕊花糖苷1,5,10μg/mL组酪氨酸羟化酶、核因子红细胞-2相关因子2、血红素加氧酶1、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4的蛋白表达明显增加(P<0.05)。结果提示:毛蕊花糖苷对Erastin诱导的MN9D细胞铁死亡具有明显的抑制作用,其机制可能通过作用于核因子红细胞-2相关因子2/血红素加氧酶1/谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4通路实现的。

中药调控成骨细胞铁死亡治疗激素性股骨头坏死

背景:有研究发现成骨细胞铁死亡可作为重要的发病机制诱导激素性股骨头坏死的发生与发展。随着祖国医学的发展,有学者发现某些中药单体、中药复方及中成药等可通过多种通路机制调控成骨细胞铁死亡,最终起到治疗激素性股骨头坏死的作用。目的:探讨成骨细胞铁死亡与激素性股骨头坏死的关系及中草药调控成骨细胞铁死亡治疗激素性股骨头坏死的作用机制,为激素性股骨头坏死的诊治提供新的思路。方法:以“铁死亡,激素性股骨头坏死,成骨细胞,中草药,糖皮质激素,铁代谢,活性氧,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶”为中文检索词,以“ferroptosis,Hormonal necrosis of the femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,ROS,GPX4”为英文检索词,检索中国知网、Pub Med、万方及维普数据库,筛选各数据库建库至2023年成骨细胞铁死亡与激素性股骨头坏死及中草药干预调控研究相关的文章,最终纳入74篇文献进行综述分析。结果与结论:(1)成骨细胞铁死亡在激素性股骨头坏死发病中起重要作用。(2)成骨细胞铁死亡的发生受到多种机制通路调控,如细胞内铁超载引起铁死亡;细胞发生脂质过氧化损伤细胞膜引起铁死亡;细胞膜上胱氨酸/谷氨酸逆向转运蛋白通过影响谷胱甘肽水平和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4活性,从而诱导铁死亡;细胞内发生芬顿反应产生大量活性氧引起铁死亡等。(3)中药单体淫羊藿苷等、中药复方青娥丸等及中成药补肾活血颗粒等均可通过调控成骨细胞铁死亡的发生,有助于防治激素性股骨头坏死。(4)目前关于成骨细胞铁死亡相关机制尚不明确,继续深入探明两者的作用机制,有望为临床治疗激素性股骨头坏死提供新选择。

Polyphenol Oxidase, Peroxidase and PhenylalanineAmmonium Lyase Induced in Postharvest Peach Fruitsby Inoculation with Pichia membranefaciensor Rhizopus stolonifer

Rhizopus rot of peach fruits could be significantly suppressed by Pichia membranefaciens. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonium-lyase (PAL) activities induced by inoculation with P. membrane faciens or R. stolonifer were studied in postharvest peach fruits. The activities of PPO and PAL in peaches increased significantly after being inoculated with P. membrane faciens + R. stolonifer by 24 h, the activities maintained at a high level throughout the experiment. Under the condition of infected with R. stolonifer alone, activity of PPO and PAL could also increased, but the levels were lower than those treated with P. membrane faciens+ R. stolonifer. However, fruits inoculaed with P. membrane-faciens + R. stolonifer or R. stolonifer alone did not stimulated POD activity. The results suggest that the activation of these defense enzymes is involved in the action of P. membrane faciens against R. stolonifer.

Imaging of Activity of Horseradish Peroxidase at β-Cyclodextrin Polymer by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

The activity of horseradish peroxidase at b-cyclodextrin polymer was imaged by scanning electrochemical microscopy using 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethylbenzide and H2O2 as the substrates.

Studies on Manganese Peroxidase Immobilized in Gelatin-containing Microemulsion-based Gels

The immobilized technique of manganese peroxidase(MnP) in gelatin-containing microemulsion-based gels and the effects of storage time and reuse times on its catalytic activity were studied. The results show that the MnP immobilized together with Mn 2+ and H_2O_2 could effectively oxidize syringaldazine in n-heptane. The immobilized MnP still had a high catalytic activity after one-month storage under a freezing condition. The reuse times have a relation to the amount of the immobilized H_2O_2. When the amount of the immobilized H_2O_2 is sufficient, the microemulsion-based gels containing MnP could be used many times.

Enhancement of Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase,Polyphenoloxidase,and Peroxidase in Cucumber Seedlings by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae) Infestation

In this study, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL）, polyphenoloxidase （PPO）, and peroxidase （POD） were assayed in cucumber seedlings （Cucumis sativus L.） at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after they were infested by Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） using spectrophotometric analysis. The results indicated that herbivore infestation increased the activities of PAL, PPO, and POD. The enzymes showed different activity levels at different times after the infestation. The PAL activity reached the first high peak by 23.1% at 6 h and the highest peak by 29.1% at 48 h compared to the control. The PPO activity reached the first high peak by 22.7% at 6 h and the highest peak by 52.6% at 24 h, and the POD activity reached the highest peak by 213.2% at 6 h and another higher peak value by 135.2% at 96 h. The results suggest that the enhanced activities of the enzymes may contribute to bioprotection of cucumber plants against B. tabaci infestation.

Cloning of catalase and expression patterns of catalase and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase from Exopalaemon carinicauda in response to low salinity stress

Catalase （CAT） and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase （Se-GPx） play a vital role in protecting organisms against various oxidative stresses by eliminating H202, The objective of this paper is to evaluate the roles of these antioxidant molecules in the ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda in response to low salinity stress. A complementary DNA （cDNA） containing the complete coding sequence of CAT was cloned from the hepatopancreas using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of CAT （2 649 bp） contains a 5＇-untranslated region （UTR） of 78 bp, a 3＇- UTR of 1 017 bp, with a poly （A） tail, and an open reading frame of 1 554 bp encoding a 517-amino-acid polypeptide with predicted molecular mass of 58.46 kDa and estimated isoelectric point of 6.64. This CAT sequence contained the proximal active site signature （60FDRERIPERWHAKGAG76）, proximal heme-ligand signature sequence （350RLFSYPDTH358） and three catalytic amino acid residues （His71, Asn144 and Tyr354）. Sequence comparison showed that the CAT deduced amino acid sequence of E. carinicauda shared 68%-92% of identities with those of other species. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that CAT mRNA was widely expressed in the hepatopancreas （highest）, hemocyte, eyestalk, heart, gill, muscle, ovary and stomach. Under low salinity stress, CAT and GPx mRNA expression levels both in the gill and hepatopancreas increased significantly at the first 48 h and 6 h respectively, indicating a tissue- and time-dependent antioxidant response in E. carinicauda. All these results indicate that E. carinicauda CAT is a member of the CAT family and might be involved in the acute response against low salinity stress.

Expression of lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium by multi-copy recombinant Pichia strain

The lipH2 gene, encoding the expression of lignin peroxidase, was cloned from Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 and expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33, a yeast. The cDNA of LiPH2 was generated from total RNA extracted from P chrysosporium by PCR with primers that do not contain a P. chrysosporium lignin peroxidase secretion signal. The gene was then successfully inserted into the expression vector pPICZα, and resulted in the recombinant vector pPICZα-lipH2. The transformation was conducted in two ways. One was using the wild Pichia pastoris as the recipients, which results in the recombinant P. pastoris with single or low lipH2 gene copy. The second was using P. pastoris and single or low lipH2 gene copy as the recipients, which results in the recombinant P. pastoris with multi-copies of lipH2 genes. This study firstly expressed the gene lipH2 in P. pastoris and achieved the successful expression of the lipH2 depending upon the generation of a recombinant strain that contained multiple copies. The lignin peroxidase activity reached a maximum of 15 U/L after 12 h induction.

Overexpression of a Cytosolic Ascorbate Peroxidase Gene, OsAPX2, Increases Salt Tolerance in Transgenic Alfalfa

Alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） is an important forage crop in the world and it is of great signiifcance for the improvement of its salt tolerance. To improve salt tolerance in alfalfa, a rice ascorbate peroxidase gene （OsAPX2） was introduced into alfalfa using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation with marker gene bar. The different T-DNA insertions in T1 transgenic alfalfa were identiifed by Southern hybridization. Three independent T2 transgenic lines were selected for stress analysis and the results showed that all of them were salt tolerant compared with wild-type plants. The transgenic plants had low levels of H2O2, malondialdehyde and relative electrical conductivity under salt and drought stresses. Moreover, the contents of chlorophyll and proline, and APX activity were high in transgenic plants under salt and drought stresses. Taken together, the overexpression of OsAPX2 enhances salt tolerance in alfalfa through scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Effects of different valences of cerium ion on conformation of Horseradish Peroxidase

Our previous studies demonstrated that Ce^4＋could induce reactive oxygen species （ROS） burst as a signal to promote pacilitaxel biosynthesis in suspension cultured Taxus cuspidate cells. To further understand the mechanism of cerium ions inducing ROS burst, circular dichroism （CD）, synchronous fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance （EPR） were used to detect them inducing conformational change of horseradish peroxidase （HRP）. Horseradish peroxidase activity was reduced by 78% by 0.1 mmol/L Ce^4＋, whereas it was only reduced by 28% by 0.1 mmol/L Ce^3＋. Circular dichroism spectra showed that the percentage of transition from helical content and other structure to β strands and flturns was 23.1 when induced by Ce^4＋, whereas it was only 13.2 when induced by Ce^3＋. In synchronous fluorescence spectra, Ce^4＋ led to red shift and intensity-elevation of tryptophan fluorescence emission maximum, whereas in the case of Ce^3＋, the results were a contrast to the above. Furthermore, g factor （gx and gy） in electron paramagnetic resonance （EPR） induced by Ce^4＋ and Ce^3＋ was significantly different. These results indicated that the different valence of cerium ion induced various conformations of HRP, and Ce^4＋ was more effective than Ce^3＋. This suggested that Ce^4＋ affected the burst of ROS through changing the conformation of oxidoreductase.

Differential Expression of Two Cytosolic Ascorbate Peroxidases and Two Superoxide Dismutase Genes in Response to Abiotic Stress in Rice

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) play central roles in the pathway for scavenging reactive oxygen species in plants, thereby contributing to the tolerance against abiotic stress. Here we report the responses of cytosolic SOD (cSOD; sodCc1 and sodCc2) and cytosolic APX (cAPX; OsAPX1 and OsAPX2) genes to oxidative and abiotic stress in rice. RNA blot analyses revealed that methyl viologen treatment caused a more prominent induction of cAPXs compared with cSODs, and hydrogen peroxide treatment induced the expression of cAPXs whereas cSODs were not affected. These results suggest that cAPXs play more important roles in defense against oxidative stress compared with cSODs. It is noted that cSODs and cAPXs showed coordinate response to abscisic acid treatment which induced both sodCc1 and OsAPX2. However, cSODs and cAPXs responded differentially to drought, salt and chilling stress, which indicates that cSOD and cAPX genes are expressed differentially in response to oxidative and abiotic stress in rice.

Glutathione peroxidase activity in cell cultures from different regions of human epididymis

Aim: To study the secretory activity and androgen regulation of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in epithelial cell cultures from human epididymis. Methods: Tissue was obtained from patients undergoing therapeutic orchidectomy for prostatic cancer. Epithelial cell cultures were obtained from the caput, corpus and cauda epididymides. Enzymatic activity was measured in conditioned media by colorimetric methods in absence or presence of 1, 10 or 100 nrnoI.L^(-1) testosterone. The effect of 1 μmol.L^(-1) flutamide was also evaluated. Results: GPx activity was higher in cultures from corpus and cauda than caput epididymidis. The presence of different concentrations of testosterone increase enzyme activity in cell cultures from all epididymal regions. Addition of flutamide reverses the androgen dependent increase of GPx activity. Conclusion: GPx activity is secreted from human epididymal cells in a region dependent manner and is regulated by androgens.

Artesunate Effect on Schistosome Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase and Cytochrome c Peroxidase as New Molecular Targets in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Mice

Objective To investigate the possible effect of artesunate （ART） on schistosome thioredoxin glutathione reductase （TGR） and cytochrome c peroxidase （CcP） in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Methods A total of 200 laboratory bred male Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups （50 mice in each group）. Group I： infected untreated group （Control group） received a vehicle of 1% sodium carbonyl methylcellulose （CMC-Na）; Group II： infected then treated with artesunate; Group III infected then treated with praziquantel, and group IV： infected then treated with artesunate then praziquantel. Adult S. mansoni worms were collected by Animal Perfusion Method, tissue egg counted, TGR, and CcP mRNA Expression were estimated of in $. mansoni adult worms by semi-quantitative rt-PCR. Results Semi-quantitative rt-PCR values revealed that treatment with artesunate caused significant decrease in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP in comparison to the untreated group. In contrast, the treatment with praziquantel did not cause significant change in expression of these genes. The results showed more reduction in total worm and female worm count in combined ART-PZQ treated group than in monotherapy treated groups by either ART or PZO, Moreover, complete disappearance （100%） of tissue eggs was recorded in ART-PZQ treated group with a respective reduction rate of 95.9% and 68.4% in ART- and PZQ-treated groups. Conclusion The current study elucidated for the first time that anti-schistosomal mechanisms of artesunate is mediated via reduction in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP. Linking these findings, addition of artesunate to praziquantel could achieve complete cure outcome in treatment of schistosomiasis.

An engineered <i>Phlebia radiata</i>manganese peroxidase: expression, refolding, purification and preliminary characterization

Manganese peroxidases (MnPs) are interesting enzymes in protein engineering, aimed at maximizing industrial bioprocesses such as lignin degradation and biofuel production. cDNA of the secreted short-type of MnP from Phlebia radiata (Pr-MnP3) has been successfully engineered and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five mutant genes (E40H, E44H, E40H/E44H, D186H and D186N) of recombinant Phlebia radiata MnP3 (rPr-MnP3) were generated. The wild-type and the mutant genes were expressed in Escherichia coli (W3110 strain) and the resultant body proteins were lysed, purified and refolded into active enzymes. 6% - 7% recovery of pure and fully active rPr-MnP3 for wild-type and mutants were obtained and the availability of rPr-MnP3 enzymes will greatly facilitate its structure-function relationships studies. rPr-MnP3 mass was characterised using SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Molecular weight of both the wild-type and mutant rPr-MnP3 enzymes was approximately 36 kDa. This describes the spectral characterization of the wild-type and mutant rPr-MnP3 enzymes with are very close similarities;substantially high spin haem enzymes. Therefore we report the engineering, cloning, expression, refolding/activation of MnP3 genes and preliminary characterization of the wild-type and mutant Phlebia radiata MnP3 enzymes.