Differentiation and immunosuppressive function of CD19^(+)CD24^(hi)CD27^(+) regulatory B cells are regulated through the miR-29a-3p/NFAT5 pathway

Background: Regulatory B cells(Bregs) is an indispensable element in inducing immune tolerance after liver transplantation. As one of the microRNAs(miRNAs), mi R-29a-3p also inhibits translation by degrading the target mRNA, and yet the relationship between Bregs and mi R-29a-3p has not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of miR-29a-3p on the regulation of differentiation and immunosuppressive functions of memory Bregs(m Bregs) and ultimately provide potentially effective therapies in inducing immune tolerance after liver transplantation. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to determine the levels of Bregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TaqMan low-density array miRNA assays were used to identify the expression of different miRNAs, electroporation transfection was used to induce mi R-29a-3p overexpression and knockdown, and dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the target gene of miR-29a-3p. Results: In patients experiencing acute rejection after liver transplantation, the proportions and immunosuppressive function of m Bregs in the circulating blood were significantly impaired. mi R-29a-3p was found to be a regulator of m Bregs differentiation. Inhibition of miR-29a-3p, which targeted nuclear factor of activated T cells 5(NFAT5), resulted in a conspicuous boost in the differentiation and immunosuppressive function of m Bregs. The inhibition of mi R-29a-3p in CD19~+ B cells was capable of raising the expression levels of NFAT5, thereby promoting B cells to differentiate into m Bregs. In addition, the observed enhancement of differentiation and immunosuppressive function of m Bregs upon mi R-29a-3p inhibition was abolished by the knockdown of NFAT5 in B cells. Conclusions: mi R-29a-3p was found to be a crucial regulator for m Bregs differentiation and immunosuppressive function. Silencing mi R-29a-3p could be a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for inducing immune tolerance after liver transplantation.

Association Analysis between a Polymorphism in the 5' Regulatory Region of the IL-6 Gene and Litter Size in Pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an IL-6 gene polymorphism, discovered in the 5＇ regulatory region, on porcine litter size. An association analysis was performed between the polymorphism and total number born （TNB） and number born alive （NBA） in 421 sows. The polymorphism was at Hpy188I within the 5＇ regulatory region of IL- 6 gene. Three genotypes of AA, AG, and GG were detected in Landrace, and two genotypes, AA and AG, were detected in Yorkshire and Duroc pigs. The A allele was the superior allele in all three breeds, with allele frequencies ranging from 0. 901 to 0.993. The IL-6 genotype was highly significantly associated with TNB and NBA in the third and following parities （ P 〈 0.01 ）, and with total parities （ P 〈 0.05）. In general, the TNB and NBA showed a tendency of GG 〉 AG 〉 AA, indicating that the common allele was the least favorable for litter size. Thus, there is an enormous opportunity to increase litter size if this effect is confirmed in other studies.

Study on the Knockout and the Soluble Prokaryotic Expression of VP5 Protein Transmembrane Region of IBDV

[Objective] The research aimed to construct the prokaryotic expression vector of VP5 protein of IBDV.The transmembrane region sequence of VP5 protein was knocked out.Moreover,the expression,separation and purification of objective protein were carried out.[Method] PCR technology was used to respectively amplify the extracellular and intracellular fragments of VP5 gene of IBDV.Then,the two fragments were simultaneously linked to pET-28b（＋）,and it was the vector-intracellular fragment-extracellular fragment-vector.The recombinant expression plasmid pET-VP5-FC and the improved pET-VP5-SC of VP5 whose transmembrane region gene fragment was knocked out were constructed.Then,the expression plasmid was transformed into BL21（DE3）.After IPTG induction,the recombinant protein was purified by Ni affinity chromatography and the gel filtration chromatography.[Result] The soluble expressed VP5 of IBDV was obtained.[Conclusion] The research laid the foundation for further studying the structure and function of VP5 protein.

Three 5’-flanking Regions of crtO Encoding β-carotene Oxygenase in Haematococcus pluvialis

Three separate 5＇-flanking regions （1.1 kb, 1.9 kb and 2.2 kb） of crtO were cloned through walking upstream. Results of sequence analysis show that three 5＇-flanking regions of crtO might have some similar putative cis-acting elements such as ABA （abscisic acid）-responsive element （ABRE）, C-repeat/dehydration responsive element （C-repeat/DRE）, light-responsive element （G-box, GAG-motif, I-box and ATC-motif）, wound-responsive element （WUN-motif）, auxin-responsive element （TGA-element）, MeJA-responsive element （TGACG-element） and MYB binding site （MBS）, except for typical TATA box or CCAAT box. These findings might mean diversiform regulatory patterns of crtO being in astaxanthin biosynthesis of Haematococcus pluvialis.

拮抗CC趋化因子受体5信号诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡并调节肿瘤微环境抑制肿瘤生长

目的探索拮抗CC趋化因子受体5(CCR5)信号通路对肿瘤生长和肿瘤微环境的影响。方法采用CCK8细胞毒试验研究CCR5选择性拮抗剂Maraviroc体外对小鼠Lewis肺腺癌细胞增殖的影响,并运用流式细胞术和RT-PCR检测肿瘤细胞凋亡和Caspase 8基因的表达。然后采用免疫荧光组织化学染色法研究了Maraviroc对小鼠体内肿瘤生长和肿瘤微环境中CD4^(+)和CD8^(+)以及Foxp3^(+)细胞比例的影响。结果拮抗CCR5信号在体内外均能够抑制癌细胞的生长。体外研究发现:CCR5拮抗剂可通过增强凋亡基因Caspase 8表达而诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。在小鼠体内,CCR5拮抗剂可明显增加肿瘤微环境中CD4^(+)和CD8^(+)细胞的浸润而减少Foxp3^(+)细胞的浸润。结论拮抗CCR5信号可能通过诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,逆转免疫抑制性肿瘤微环境而抑制肿瘤生长。

京津冀地区PM_(2.5)与CO_(2)的协同控制效应及调控因素研究

京津冀地区面临着二氧化碳(CO_(2))减排和细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))浓度降低的双重挑战,研究该地区CO_(2)与PM_(2.5)的协同控制效应及调控因素演变特征,对其经济高质量发展与环境改善具有重要意义。文章基于2005-2020年人口栅格数据、夜间灯光数据以及统计年鉴数据,利用协同控制效应坐标系法和时空地理加权回归模型评估了京津冀地区CO_(2)排放量和PM_(2.5)浓度的协同控制效应及调控因素作用机制的时空异质性。结果表明:(1)京津冀地区实现CO_(2)和PM_(2.5)协同控制效应的区域呈现上升-下降-上升的变化趋势,在2019年达到最高,最高占比68.15%。(2)第三产业发达、清洁能源丰富或产业布局合理的城市更易实现CO_(2)排放量与PM_(2.5)浓度的共控。(3)产业结构、研发支出、对外开放程度和降雨量为京津冀地区协同控制CO_(2)排放量和PM_(2.5)浓度的主要因素,但这些调控因素的作用存在时空异质性。

MS19通过抑制IRF5表达调控巨噬细胞极化减轻CTD-ILD肺部炎症的作用研究

目的 探讨MS19通过靶向干扰素调节因子5(IRF5)对结缔组织疾病相关肺间质病变(CTD-ILD)小鼠模型肺部炎症的治疗作用及其相关机制。方法 动物实验:构建CTD-ILD小鼠模型,予以MS19干预,研究MS19对CTD-ILD小鼠肺部炎症的影响。细胞实验:对RAW264.7细胞进行OE-IRF5转染,然后予以MS19干预,研究MS19对IRF5调控的巨噬细胞M1型极化及炎症反应的影响。结果 动物实验:CTD-ILD小鼠出现明显的肺部炎症,小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IRF5的表达增高、巨噬细胞M1型极化增加及促炎因子(TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β)的表达升高;而MS19干预后,CTD-ILD小鼠的肺部炎症减轻,BALF中IRF5表达降低、巨噬细胞M1型极化减少及促炎因子表达下降。细胞实验:脂多糖诱导巨噬细胞M1型极化、促炎因子表达增加;转染OE-IRF5后,巨噬细胞M1型极化增加、促炎因子表达增加;MS19干预后,巨噬细胞M1型极化减少、促炎因子表达减少。结论 MS19通过靶向抑制IRF5调控巨噬细胞极化及炎症反应,从而改善CTD-ILD的肺部炎症,为防治CTD-ILD提供潜在靶点和候选药物。

Quasispecies evolution in NS5A region of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b during interferon or combined interferon-ribavirin therapy

AIM: To evaluate the implication of substitutions in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein in the resistance of HCV during mono-interferon (IFN) or combined IFN-ribavirin (IFN-R) therapy. Although NS5A has been reported to interact with the HCV RNA- dependent RNA polymerase, NS5B, as well as with many cellular proteins, the function of NS5A in the life cycle of HCV remains unclear. METHODS: HCV quasispecies were studied by clon- ing and sequencing of sequential isolates from patients infected by HCV genotype 1b. Patients were treated by IFN-α2b for 3 mo followed by IFN-α2b alone or com- bined IFN-R therapy for 9 additional months. Patients were categorized intro two groups based on their re- sponse to the treatments: 7 with sustained virological re- sponse (SVR) (quasispecies = 150) and 3 non-respond- ers (NR) to IFN-R (quasispecies = 106). RESULTS: Prior to treatment, SVR patients displayed a lower complexity of quasispecies than NR patients. Most patients had a decrease in the complexity of quasispe- cies during therapy. Analysis of amino acids substitu- tions showed that the degree of the complexity of the interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) and the V3 domain of NS5A protein was able to discriminate thetwo groups of patients. Moreover, SVR patients displayed more variability in the NS5A region than NR patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that detailed mo- lecular analysis of the NS5A region may be important for understanding its function in IFN response during HCV 1b infection.

Future Precipitation Extremes in China under Climate Change and Their Physical Quantification Based on a Regional Climate Model and CMIP5 Model Simulations

The atmospheric water holding capacity will increase with temperature according to Clausius-Clapeyron scaling and affects precipitation.The rates of change in future precipitation extremes are quantified with changes in surface air temperature.Precipitation extremes in China are determined for the 21st century in six simulations using a regional climate model,RegCM4,and 17 global climate models that participated in CMIP5.First,we assess the performance of the CMIP5 models and RCM runs in their simulation of extreme precipitation for the current period(RF:1982-2001).The CMIP5 models and RCM results can capture the spatial variations of precipitation extremes,as well as those based on observations:OBS and XPP.Precipitation extremes over four subregions in China are predicted to increase in the mid-future(MF:2039-58)and far-future(FF:2079-98)relative to those for the RF period based on both the CMIP5 ensemble mean and RCM ensemble mean.The secular trends in the extremes of the CMIP5 models are predicted to increase from 2008 to 2058,and the RCM results show higher interannual variability relative to that of the CMIP5 models.Then,we quantify the increasing rates of change in precipitation extremes in the MF and FF periods in the subregions of China with the changes in surface air temperature.Finally,based on the water vapor equation,changes in precipitation extremes in China for the MF and FF periods are found to correlate positively with changes in the atmospheric vertical wind multiplied by changes in surface specific humidity(significant at the p<0.1 level).

Future temperature changes over the critical Belt and Road region based on CMIP5 models

Based on data of 22 models from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5(CMIP5),the performance of climate simulation is assessed and future changes under RCP2.6,RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 are projected over critical Belt and Road region.Compared with observations,the CMIP5 models simulate the linear trend and spatial distribution of the annual mean surface air temperature(SAT)better in the north(NBR)and south(SBR)of the Belt and Road region.The trend of the 22-model ensemble mean(CMIP5 MME)is 0.70/0.50
C per 100 years from 1901 to 2005,and the observed trend is 1.11/0.77
C per 100 years in the NBR/SBR region.After 1971,the relative error between CMIP5 MME and observations is 22%/15%in the NBR/SBR region.Seven/nine models are selected in the NBR/SBR to project future SAT changes under three RCP scenarios.For 2081e2100,warming in the NBR/SBR is projected to be(1.16±0.29)/(0.72±0.32)
C,(2.41±0.54)/(1.55±0.44)
C,and(5.23±1.02)/(3.33±0.65)
C for RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.Under the RCP scenarios,the NBR region shows greater warming than the SBR region.The most significant warming is expected in Kazakhstan and the northern part of the SBR.The associated uncertainty generally increases with time under the three RCP scenarios.Furthermore,increases in warming over the Belt and Road region are more remarkable under higher-emission scenarios than lower-emission ones.

Projected changes in mean and extreme climates over Hindu Kush Himalayan region by 21 CMIP5 models

Based on the outputs from 21 CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5) models, future changes in the mean temperature, precipitation and four climate extreme indices (annual maximum of daily maximum temperature (TXx), minimum of daily minimum temperature (TNn), annual total precipitation when the daily amount exceeds the 95th percentile of wet-day precipitation (R95p), and maximum consecutive 5-day precipitation (RX5day)) over Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region are investigated under the greenhouse gas concentration pathways of RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Two periods of the 21st century, 2036e2065 and 2066e2095, are selected, with the reference period is considered as 1976e2005. Results show general increase of the mean temperature, TXx and TNn under both scenarios, with the largest increases found during 2066e2095 under RCP8.5. Future precipitation is projected to increase over most part of HKH, except for the northwestern part. Intensification of the precipitation extremes is projected over the region. The uncertainties of mean temperature, TXx and TNn over the HKH1 subregions are the largest compared to the other three subregions and the overall HKH. Besides RX5day during 2036e2065 over HKH1, the uncertainties of R95p and RX5day tend to be larger following the increase of greenhouse gas concentrations. The multimodel ensemble medians of temperature and four extreme indices under RCP8.5 are projected to be larger than those under RCP4.5 in each of the subregions.

Association of rs10954213 Polymorphisms and Haplotype Diversity in Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-analysis

The rs10954213 polymorphism and the haplotype diversity in interferon regulatory factor 5 （1RF5） play a special role in systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） but with inconclusive results. We conducted a meta-analysis integrating case-control and haplotype variant studies in multiple ethnic populations to clearly discern the effect of these two variants on SLE. Eleven studies on the relation between rs10954213 polymorpisms in IRF5 and SLE were included and we selected a random effect model to calculate the pooled odds ratios （ORs） and the corresponding 95% confidence interval （95% CI）. A total of 6982 cases and 8077 controls were involved in the meta-analysis. The pooled results in- dicated that A allele was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE as compared with the IRF5 rS10954213 G allele （A vs. G, P〈0.00001） in all subjects. The same pattern of the results was also ob- tained in the European, African American, and Latin American. Asian population had a much lower prevalence of the A allele （49.1%） than any other population studied, and Europeans had the highest frequency of the IRF5 rs10954213 A allele （62.1%）. The significant association of increased SLE risk and TCA haplotype was indicated in the contrast of TCA vs. TTA as the pooled OR was 2.14 （P=0.002）. The same result was also found in the contrast of TCA vs. TTG as the pooled OR was 1.45 （P=-0.004）. This meta-analysis suggests that the A allele of rs10954213 and TCA haplotype （rs2004640-rs2070197-rs10954213） in IRF5 is associated with the increased risk of SLE in different ethnic groups, and its prevalence is ethnicity dependent.

Functional characterization of a Δ6 fatty acid desaturase gene and its 5′-upstream region cloned from the arachidonic acid-rich microalga Myrmecia incisa Reisigl(Chlorophyta)

It is suggested that Δ6 fatty acid desaturase(FAD) plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plants and microalgae. But why does it adapt to the changed environments such as nitrogen starvation is seldom understood. One Δ6 FAD gene( MiD6 fad) from an arachidonic acidrich microalga M yrmecia incisa Reisigl(Chlorophyta) was first heterologously expressed in S accharomyces cerevisiae for the identification of function. The fatty acid profile of transgenic yeast detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry illustrated that the enzyme MiD6 FAD could convert linoleic and ?-linolenic acids to γ-linolenic and stearidonic acids, respectively, demonstrating that M iD6 fad encoded a Δ6 FAD. A 1 965-bp fragment of the cloned 2 347-bp 5′-upstream region of M iD6 fad was next subcloned and fused upstream with green fluorescent protein(GFP) gene to replace the GAL1 promoter of the vector pYES2. The generated construct was transformed into S. cerevisiae for function determination. Confocal microscopic images of the transformed line illustrated that this inserted fragment could drive GFP expression, which was further verified by fluorescence intensity quantification and Western blot analysis using antiGFP antibody. The conversion efficiency(approximately 2%-3%) of MiD6 FAD was much lower than the reported ? 3 FAD and Δ6 elongase in this microalga, suggesting that MiD6 FAD catalysed the possible ratelimiting step for ArA biosynthesis. The presence of several putative c is-acting regulatory elements in this identified promoter sheds new light on the regulation mechanism research of Δ6 FAD transcription for the ArA production in M. incisa in changing environmental factors.

The hepatitis C virus 5’ untranslated region gene amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and its secondary structure

Objectives: To obtain very end full-length cDNA ofhepatitis C virus (HCV) 5’ untranslated region(5’UTR) and analyze its primary and secondarystructure.Methods: A patient infected genotype 2a HCV wasidentified by reverse transcription-nested polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) and restriction fragmentlength polymorphism (RFLP). Total RNA isolatedfrom the serum was used as template, and the cDNAof the 5’ untranslated region was amplified using rap-id amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The frag-ments were recombinated by A-T clone strategy, andthe recombinants were confirmed by RFLP andPCR, and sequenced subsequently. Secondary struc-tures were analysed by RNAdraw.Results: Very end full-length cDNA of genotype 2aHCV 5’ UTR was obtained by RACE. In five clonesobtained, three contained full-length 5’UTR cDNA;A21G, G170A, T222C, T247C, C339T substitutionswere found as compared to HC-J6. Homological re-sults of HCV-1, HC-J6, HC-C2, HC-J8 were 93.6%-94.4%, 92.1%-93%, 98.8%-99.7%, 96.2%-96.5%, respectively; however, the substitutions didnot alter secondary structure. Two of 5 clones weredeletions of 53bp and 135bp at the 5’terminal ofHCV 5’UTR, respectively.Conclusions: RACE can be used to obtain the full-length cDNA of 2a genotype HCV 5’UTR. Genes de-leted at the 5’ terminal of HCV circulate in hepatitisC patients.

Genomic structure analysis of SNC6, a progesterone-receptor associated protein gene, and cloning and characterization of its 5＇-flanking region

Objective: To analyze the genomic structure of SNC6, a progesterone\|receptor associated protein gene and its regulatory elements in its 5'\|flanking region. Methods: Genomic sequence from GenBank database (accession number: Z98048) covering the whole SNC6 gene was used to analyze the genomic structure of SNC6 and design primers for PCR amplification of its 5'\|flanking region. A 1894 bp fragment of the 5'\|flanking region \{(-1814\} to +75) was cloned by PCR using genomic DNA from a healthy donor peripheral blood lymphocyte as template. This fragment, as well as 3 shorter derivative fragments (1423 bp, 632 bp and 416 bp, which correspond to -1344 to +75, -552 to +75 and -337 to +75 respectively), were subcloned into pGL2 series luciferase reporter vectors. These constructs were introduced into colorectal cancer cell line SW620 for transient expression of reporter gene and luciferase activities were measured. Results: The genomic structure analysis showed there are 12 exons for SNC6 gene, which spans 32017 bp (nt71529 to nt39513 in Z98048 sequence). All transfected SW620 cells with the above 5\|flanking region\|containing constructs showed luciferase activities. The highest luciferase activities were measured in transfected cells with vectors containing 1894 bp fragments, and the lowest luciferase activities were measured in transfected cells with vectors containing 416 bp fragments. Luciferase activities were higher in transfected cells with vectors containing 632 bp fragments than that in transfected cells with vectors containing 1423 bp fragments. Conclusion: The basic transcription\|promoting element (promoter) for SNC6 expression resides between 0 to -337, and two transcription\|enhancing elements (enhancer) resides between -337 to -552 and -1344 to -1814, whereas one transcription\|inhibiting element (silencer) exists between -552 to -1344.

Geochemical Characteristics of C_5–C_7 Light Hydrocarbons in Gas Hydrates from the Permafrost Region of Qilian Mountains

As an important part of gas hydrates, light hydrocarbons （LHs）, especially C5 to C7 hydrocarbons with various monomer compounds, provide a wide variety of geological and geochemical information, which have received much attention from organic geochemists and petroleum geologists.

Evolutionary relationship of 5′-untranslated regions among Thai dengue-3 viruses,Bangkok isolates,during 24 year-evolution

Objective:To study evolutionary relationship of the 5'untranslated regions(5'UTRs) in low passage dengue3 viruses(DEN3) isolated from hospitalized children with different clinical manifestations in Bangkok during 24 year-evolution(1977-2000) comparing to the DEN3prototype(H87).Methods:The 5'UTRs of these Thai DEN3 and the H87 prototype were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced.Their multiple sequence alignments were done by Codon Code Aligner v 4.0.4 software and their RNA secondary structures were predicted by MFOLD software.Replication of five Thai DEN3 candidates comparing to the 1187 prototype were done in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines.Results:Among these Thai DEN3,the completely identical sequences of their first 89 nucleotides,their high-order secondary structure of 5'UTRs and three SNPs including the predominant C90 T,and two minor SNPs including A109 G and A112 G were found.The C90 T of Thai DEN3.Bangkok isolates was shown predominantly before 1977.Five Thai DEN3 candidates with the predominant C90 T were shown to replicate in human(HepG2) and the mosquito(C6/36) cell lines better than the H87 prototype.However,their highly conserved sequences as well as SNPs of the 5'UTR did not appear to correlate with their disease severity in human.Conclusions:Our findings highlighted evolutionary relationship of the completely identical 89 nucleotide sequence,the high-order secondary structure and the predominant C90 T of the 5'UTR of these Thai DEN3 during 24 year-evolution further suggesting to be their genetic markers and magic targets for future research on antiviral therapy as well as vaccine approaches of Thai DEN3.

Cloning and analysing of 5' flanking region of Xenopus organizer gene noggin

Xenopus organizer specific gene Noggin possessesnearly all the characterestic properties of the action of or-ganizer to specify the embryonic body axis. To analyzehow the maternal inherited factors cofltrol its expressionpattern, we cloned the 5’ regulatory region of noggn gene.The 1.5 kb upstream sequense could direct reporter geneto express in vivo and data from deletion analysis indi-cated that a 229 base pair fragmet is essential for acti-vating noggn expression. We further demonstrated thatthe response elements within this regulatory region wereindeed under the control of growth factor activin and Wntsignaling pathway components.

Polymorphism in the upstream regulatory region of human papilloma virus type 16 from the cervical cancer biopsies in Xinjiang Uygur women

To investigate the mutations in the upstream regulatory region (URR) of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) from the cervical cancer biopsies in Xinjiang Uygur women and its relationship to the high incidence of cervical cancer in the southern Xinjiang, the tissue DNA was extracted from the cervical cancer biopsies, and the URR segment of HPV-16 DNA was amplified, sequenced and analyzed. Thereafter, the polymorphism of URR in HPV-16 was then analyzed. It was demonstrated that the positive rate detected for the presence of URR in HPV-16 was 89.47% (17/19). Compared with the previously published sequence in URR of prototype HPV-16, some mutations were detected in the sequence of URR. The mutations in 17 URR fragments of HPV-16 could be divided into 11 patterns (XJU-1 to XJU-11) at nucleic acid level, in which each of XJU-1 and XJU-4 accounted for 23.53% (4/17), and other patterns of mutation accounted for 5.88% (1/17) . In comparison with the URR of prototype HPV-16, the DNA identity of these patterns was 98.50%-99.68% . In these 17 URR fragments, two point mutations occurred at position 7192 (G to T) and position 7520 (G to A) and they appeared to be constant in Xinjiang area. These two mutations were ubiquitous in the Asia-American type and conferred strong infection activity and carcinogenicity of this virus. In addition, the mutations at position 7729 (A to C), position 7843 (A to G) and position 7792 (C to T) could enhance its transcription activity considerably. It is concluded that some mutations occur in URR gene of HPV-16 in the cervical cancer biopsies taken from Uygur women in Xinjiang area, suggesting that certain relationship exists among the mutations in URR of HPV-16, the phylogeny of HPV-16 and the high incidence of cervical cancer in southern part of Xinjiang area.

Characterization of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) FoxD5 and its function in regulating myogenic regulatory factor

As one member of winged helix domain transcription factors, FoxD5 was reported to be a trunk organizer. Recent study showed that zebrafish foxd5 is expressed in the somites. To further understand the function of FoxD5 in fish muscle development, the FoxD5 gene was isolated from flounder. Its expression pattern was analyzed by in situ hybridization, while its function in regulating myogenic regulatory factor, MyoD, was analyzed by ectopic expression. It showed that flounder FoxD5 was firstly expressed in the tailbud, adaxial cells, and neural plate of the head. In flounder embryo, FoxD5 is expressed not only in forebrain but also in somite cells that will form muscle in the future. When flounder FoxD5 was over-expressed in zebrafish by microinjection, the expression of zebrafish MyoD in the somites was reduced, suggesting that FoxD5 is involved in myogenesis by regulating the expression of MyoD.