[Objective] To discuss the effects of major mapping methods for DNA sequence on the accuracy of protein coding regions prediction,and to find out the effective mapping methods.[Method] By taking Approximate Correlatio...[Objective] To discuss the effects of major mapping methods for DNA sequence on the accuracy of protein coding regions prediction,and to find out the effective mapping methods.[Method] By taking Approximate Correlation(AC) as the full measure of the prediction accuracy at nucleotide level,the windowed narrow pass-band filter(WNPBF) based prediction algorithm was applied to study the effects of different mapping methods on prediction accuracy.[Result] In DNA data sets ALLSEQ and HMR195,the Voss and Z-Curve methods are proved to be more effective mapping methods than paired numeric(PN),Electron-ion Interaction Potential(EIIP) and complex number methods.[Conclusion] This study lays the foundation to verify the effectiveness of new mapping methods by using the predicted AC value,and it is meaningful to reveal DNA structure by using bioinformatics methods.展开更多
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a member of the Entero-virus genus of the Picomaviridae family and is the major cause of Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Different strains from Gansu were cloned and the ...Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a member of the Entero-virus genus of the Picomaviridae family and is the major cause of Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Different strains from Gansu were cloned and the P1 protein was sequenced and analysed. Results indicate that there are three kinds of EV71 infections prevalent in Gansu. The VP 1 protein from one of these strains, 55F, was expressed. The recombinant protein was expressed with high level and reacted specifically with the EV71 patient antibody, the recombinant protein was also applied to raise antiserum in rabbits and after the fourth injection a high titer of antiserum was detected by ELISA assay. These data are useful for further clarification of prevalent EV71 strains in the north of China at the molecular level and provide a basis for EV71 diagnosis.展开更多
The fine-tuned expression dynamics of the effector genes are pivotal for the transition from vegetative growth to host colonization of pathogenic filamentous fungi.However,mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation ...The fine-tuned expression dynamics of the effector genes are pivotal for the transition from vegetative growth to host colonization of pathogenic filamentous fungi.However,mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of these genes remain largely unknown.Here,through comparative transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing(ChIP-seq)analyses of the methyltransferase PoKmt6 in rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae(syn.Magnaporthe oryzae),we found that PoKmt6-mediated H3K27me3 deposition was enriched mainly at fast-evolving regions and contributed to the silencing of a subset of secreted proteins(SP)and transposable element(TE)families during the vegetative growth of P.oryzae.Intriguingly,we observed that a group of SP genes,which were depleted of H3K27me3 modification,could also be silenced via the H3K27me3-mediated repression of the nearby TEs.In conclusion,our results indicate that H3K27me3 modification mediated by PoKmt6 regulates the expression of some SP genes in fast-evolving regions through the suppression of nearby TEs.展开更多
Objective. To ascertain the relationship between the Ala54Thr variation of FABP2 gene and general as well as regional adipose tissue depots. Subjects. 165 subjects, in which 86 were sub...Objective. To ascertain the relationship between the Ala54Thr variation of FABP2 gene and general as well as regional adipose tissue depots. Subjects. 165 subjects, in which 86 were subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) [age 54 45±9 80, male/female 1 05,body mass index (BMI)26 48±4 01] and 79 were subjects with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)(age 55 86±10 00,male/female 1 08,BMI 26 75±3 30). Design and measurements. An association study of FABP2 Ala54Thr variation detected by PCR/HhaI digestion with general and regional adipose tissue depots determined by BMI and magnetic resonance imaging [abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue area (SA and VA) and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue area (FA)]. Results. The geneotype and allele frequencies of FABP2 Ala54Thr variation in Chinese were quite close to the frequencies in American Caucasians and Pima Indians reported in the literature. Significant difference in genotype frequency distribution was observed between FA subgroups comparisons (FA≥75cm 2 versus FA<75cm 2 )in NIDDM subjects (X 2 =11 460,P=0 003),with significantly increased in Thr54 carrier[Thr54(+)]genotype frequency and Thr54 allele frequency in NIDDM subject with FA<75cm 2 (odd ratio for genotype was 4 62,X 2 =10 112,P=0 001;and for allele=2 36,X 2 =5 379,P=0 020).The FA in NIDDM Thr54(+)subgroup was significantly lower than that in subjects with NIDDM Thr54( )sugroup(61 19±21 51cm 2 versus 75 36±31 70cm 2 ,P=0 021). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that FABP2 Thr54 genotype variation was an independent factor contributing to the variation of FA in NIDDM(P=0 003). Conclusion. FABP2 is associated with regional adipose tissue depot.The decreased femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue depot in NIDDM subjects is related to FABP2 Thr54 variant.展开更多
The co-existence of multiple cell components in tissue samples is the main obstacle for precise molecular evaluation on defined cell types. Based on morphological examination, we developed an efficient approach for pa...The co-existence of multiple cell components in tissue samples is the main obstacle for precise molecular evaluation on defined cell types. Based on morphological examination, we developed an efficient approach for paralleled RNA and protein isolations from an identical histological region in frozen tissue section.The RNA and protein samples prepared were sufficient for RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, and the results obtained were well coincident each other as well as with the corresponding parameters revealed from immunohistochemical examinations. By this way, the sampling problem caused by cell-cross contamination can be largely avoided, committing the experimental data more specific to a defined cell type. These novel methods thus allow us to use single tissue block for a comprehensive study by integration of conventional cytological evaluations with nucleic acid and protein analyses.展开更多
The hydrophobic effect is the major factor that drives a protein molecule towards folding and to a great degree the stability of protein structures. Therefore the knowledge of hydrophobic regions and its prediction is...The hydrophobic effect is the major factor that drives a protein molecule towards folding and to a great degree the stability of protein structures. Therefore the knowledge of hydrophobic regions and its prediction is of great help in understanding the structure and function of the protein. Hence determination of membrane buried region is a computationally intensive task in bioinformatics. Several prediction methods have been reported but there are some deficiencies in prediction accuracy and adaptability of these methods. Of these proteins that are found embedded in cellular membranes, called as membrane proteins, are of particular importance because they form targets for over 60% of drugs on the market. 20-30% of all the proteins in any organism are membrane proteins. Thus transmembrane protein plays important role in the life activity of the cells. Hence prediction of membrane buried segments in transmembrane proteins is of particular importance. In this paper we have proposed signal processing algorithms based on digital filter for prediction of hydrophobic regions in the transmembrane proteins and found improved prediction efficiency than the existing methods. Hydrophobic regions are extracted by assigning physico-chemical parameter such as hydrophobicity and hydration energy index to each amino acid residue and the resulting numerical representation of the protein is subjected to digital low pass filter. The proposed method is validated on transmembrane proteins using Orientation of Proteins in Membranes (OPM) dataset with various prediction measures and found better prediction accuracy than the existing methods.展开更多
Objective To screen the proteins associated with four-and-a-half LIM domains 3(FHL3) 3' untranslated region(3'UTR) in glioma cells. Methods Western blot was adopted to detect the regulatory effect of poly(C)-b...Objective To screen the proteins associated with four-and-a-half LIM domains 3(FHL3) 3' untranslated region(3'UTR) in glioma cells. Methods Western blot was adopted to detect the regulatory effect of poly(C)-binding protein 2(PCBP2) on FHL3. Biotin pull-down and sliver staining were employed to screen and verify the candidate binding proteins of FHL3 3'UTR. Then liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) and molecule annotation system were used to identify and analyze the candidate binding proteins. Immunoprecipitation was conducted to study the interaction between PCBP2 and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1(PTBP1), a binding protein identified by LC-MS/MS. Results PCBP2 could bind to FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR-A and inhibited the expression of FHL3 in T98 G glioms cells. 22 candidate binding proteins were identified. Among them, there were 11 RNA binding proteins, including PCBP2. PTBP1 associated with FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR and interacted with PCBP2 protein. Conclusion PCBP2 and PTBP1 can both associate with FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR through forming a protein complex.展开更多
[Objective] The paper was to develop a subunit vaccine candidate for prevention and control of goose parvovirus infection. [Method]Based on the prokaryotic expression system, the antigenic epitopes and locations of th...[Objective] The paper was to develop a subunit vaccine candidate for prevention and control of goose parvovirus infection. [Method]Based on the prokaryotic expression system, the antigenic epitopes and locations of the structural protein VP3 were predicted by software analysis,and the region displaying a large portion of antigenic epitopes was amplified by PCR. The target VP3 DNA fragment was inserted into pET-30 a-VP3 vector, was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 competent cells for protein expression and animal test. The SPF chickens were immunized with the recombinant protein and the antisera were collected for neutralization test by using a goose embryo fibroblast. [Result] The recombinant plasmid was constructed, and the target region of VP3 protein was expressed efficiently in a soluble form. The neutralizing titers of antisera could reach up to-2.608. [Conclusion] The target region displaying a large portion of antigenic epitopes of the structural protein VP3 could be expressed efficiently in soluble form, and the expressed protein could induce neutralizing antibodies in SFP chicken.展开更多
AIM To detect hyper-conserved regions in the hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene(HBX) 5' region that could be candidates for gene therapy.METHODS The study included 27 chronic hepatitis B treatmentnaive patients in vari...AIM To detect hyper-conserved regions in the hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene(HBX) 5' region that could be candidates for gene therapy.METHODS The study included 27 chronic hepatitis B treatmentnaive patients in various clinical stages(from chronic infection to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, both HBeA g-negative and HBeA g-positive), and infected with HBV genotypes A-F and H. In a serum sample from each patient with viremia > 3.5 log IU/m L, the HBX 5' end region [nucleotide(nt) 1255-1611] was PCRamplified and submitted to next-generation sequencing(NGS). We assessed genotype variants by phylogenetic analysis, and evaluated conservation of this region by calculating the information content of each nucleotide position in a multiple alignment of all unique sequences(haplotypes) obtained by NGS. Conservation at the HBx protein amino acid(aa) level was also analyzed.RESULTS NGS yielded 1333069 sequences from the 27 samples, with a median of 4578 sequences/sample(2487-9279, IQR 2817). In 14/27 patients(51.8%), phylogenetic analysis of viral nucleotide haplotypes showed a complex mixture of genotypic variants. Analysis of the information content in the haplotype multiple alignments detected 2 hyper-conserved nucleotide regions, one in the HBX upstream non-coding region(nt 1255-1286) and the other in the 5' end coding region(nt 1519-1603). This last region coded for a conserved amino acid region(aa 63-76) that partially overlaps a Kunitz-like domain.CONCLUSION Two hyper-conserved regions detected in the HBX 5' end may be of value for targeted gene therapy, regardless of the patients' clinical stage or HBV genotype.展开更多
The messenger RNA 3'-untranslated region(3'UTR)plays an important role in regulation of gene expres-sion on the posttranscriptional level. The 3'UTR con-trols gene expression via orchestrated interactionbe...The messenger RNA 3'-untranslated region(3'UTR)plays an important role in regulation of gene expres-sion on the posttranscriptional level. The 3'UTR con-trols gene expression via orchestrated interactionbetween the structural components of mRNAs(cis-ele-ment) and the specific trans-acting factors(RNA bind-ing proteins and non-coding RNAs). The crosstalk ofthese factors is based on the binding sequences and/or direct protein-protein interaction, or just functionalinteraction. Much new evidence that has accumulatedsupports the idea that several RNA binding factors canbind to common mRNA targets: to the non-overlappingbinding sites or to common sites in a competitive fash-ion. Various factors capable of binding to the sameRNA can cooperate or be antagonistic in their actions.The outcome of the collective function of all factorsbound to the same mRNA 3'UTR depends on manycircumstances, such as their expression levels, affinity to the binding sites, and localization in the cell, which can be controlled by various physiological conditions. Moreover, the functional and/or physical interactions of the factors binding to 3'UTR can change the character of their actions. These interactions vary during the cell cycle and in response to changing physiological condi-tions. Abnormal functioning of the factors can lead to disease. In this review we will discuss how alterations of these factors or their interaction can affect cancer development and promote or enhance the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Understanding these altera-tions and their impact on 3'UTR-directed posttran-scriptional gene regulation will uncover promising new targets for therapeutic intervention and diagnostics. We will also discuss emerging new tools in cancer di-agnostics and therapy based on 3'UTR binding factors and approaches to improve them.展开更多
In the present study, we examined the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanfi (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) once a day for 14 consecutive days in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve ...In the present study, we examined the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanfi (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) once a day for 14 consecutive days in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. In addition, concomitant changes in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression and synaptic ultrastructure of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region were examined. The thermal pain threshold (paw withdrawal latency) was increased significantly in both groups at 2 weeks after electroacupuncture intervention compared with 2 days of electroacupuncture. In ovariectomized rats with chronic constriction injury, the analgesic effect was significantly reduced. Electroacupuncture for 2 weeks significantly diminished the injury-induced increase in synaptJc cleft width and thinning of the postsynaptJc density, and it significantly suppressed the down-regulation of intracellular calcium/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region. Repeated electroacupuncture intervention had a cumulative analgesic effect on injury-induced neuropathic pain reactions, and it led to synaptic remodeling of hippocampal neurons and upregulated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kJnase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region.展开更多
Curcumin exerts a neuroprotective effect on Alzheimer’s disease;however,it is not known whether microRNAs are involved in this protective effect.This study was conducted using swAPP695-HEK293 cells as an Alzheimer’s...Curcumin exerts a neuroprotective effect on Alzheimer’s disease;however,it is not known whether microRNAs are involved in this protective effect.This study was conducted using swAPP695-HEK293 cells as an Alzheimer’s disease cell model.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were treated with 0,0.5,1,2,5,and 10μM curcumin for 24 hours.The changes in miR-15b-5p,miR-19a-3p,miR-195-5p,miR-101-3p,miR-216b-5p,miR-16-5p and miR-185-5p expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA and protein levels of amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were transfected with miR-15b-5p mimic,or treated with 1μM curcumin 24 hours before miR-15b-5p inhibitor transfection.The effects of curcumin on amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 levels were evaluated by western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Luciferase assays were used to analyze the interaction between miR-15b-5p and the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.The results show that amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βexpression were enhanced in swAPP695-HEK293 cells compared with HEK293 parental cells.Curcumin suppressed the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βand up-regulated the expression of miR-15b-5p in swAPP695-HEK293 cells.In addition,we found a negative association of miR-15b-5p expression with amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βlevels in the curcumin-treated cells.Luciferase assays revealed that miR-15b-5p impaired the luciferase activity of the plasmid harboring the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.These findings indicate that curcumin down-regulates the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βin swAPP695-HEK293 cells,which was partially mediated by miR-15b-5p via targeting of the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the reciprocal modulation between microRNA(miRNA) and DNA methylation via exploring the correlation between miR-373 and methyl-CpGbinding domain protein(MBD)2.METHODS:MiR-373 expression was examined...AIM:To investigate the reciprocal modulation between microRNA(miRNA) and DNA methylation via exploring the correlation between miR-373 and methyl-CpGbinding domain protein(MBD)2.METHODS:MiR-373 expression was examined using the TaqMan miRNA assay.Methylation of miR-373 was investigated using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction,and recruitment of methyl binding proteins was studied using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.Mutation analysis was conducted using the QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis kit.The activity of miR-373 gene promoter constructs and targeting at MBD2-three prime untranslated region(3'UTR) by miR-373 were evaluated by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.RESULTS:In hilar cholangiocarcinoma,miR-373 decreased and was closely associated with poor cell differentiation,advanced clinical stage,and shorter survival.The promoter-associated CpG island of miR-373 gene was hypermethylated and inhibited expression of miR-373.MBD2 was up-regulated and enriched at the promoter-associated CpG island of miR-373.Methylation-mediated suppression of miR-373 required MBD2 enrichment at the promoter-associated CpG island,and miR-373 negatively regulated MBD2 expression through targeting the 3'UTR.CONCLUSION:MiR-373 behaves as a direct transcriptional target and negative regulator of MBD2 activity through a feedback loop of CpG island methylation.展开更多
The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Ki...The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Kip1 protein has dual roles for both cancer prevention and promotion. For example, numerous nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically increase the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. On the other hand, pro-cancer agents (like glucose, insulin and other growth factors frequently seen in obesity and/or diabetes) specifically decrease the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Unlike expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins, expression of p27Kip1 protein is very unusual. The mRNA of p27Kip1 has a very long and unusual 5’-untranslated region (from -575 to -1 in human). It appears that the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA forms two alternative secondary structures. One increases the expression of p27Kip1 protein when anti-cancer agents are added and another decrease the expression of p27K1p1 when pro-cancer agents are added. For this short concept proposal, Dr. Albert Einstein’s “visualized thought experiments (German: Gedanken experiment)” were used as a fundamental tool for understanding how either anti- or pro-cancer agents bring the primary structure of the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA into two alternative secondary structures, thereby either increasing or decreasing, respectively, the translation initiation of p27Kip1 protein.展开更多
SsrA peptide tag from Mycoplasma fl orum has been developed as a versatile biotechnology tool to control orthogonal degradation of tagged proteins in Escherichia coli . Here, using the systematic deletion mutants of m...SsrA peptide tag from Mycoplasma fl orum has been developed as a versatile biotechnology tool to control orthogonal degradation of tagged proteins in Escherichia coli . Here, using the systematic deletion mutants of mf -ssrA tag, we demonstrated that the residues in two separate regions have diff erent functions in mf -Lon-mediated specifi c orthogonal target protein degradation in E. coli . The deletion of multiple residues, up to six amino acids, did not fatally abolish its specifi c degradation activity, instead of being able to improve the stability of the tagged protein in the presence of endogenous proteases before mf -Lon expression in E. coli . Except for previously identifi ed essential residues, the region adjacent to the C-terminal of the mf -ssrA tag was involved in mf -Lon and endogenous protease-mediated degradation. Moreover, the deletion of specifi c residues made the mf -ssrA tag more eff ective and compact. The mf -ssrA tag can be implemented in synthetic biology and bioengineering for development of synthetic circuits.展开更多
Cellular NDA and AgNOR Protein contents were evaluated byautomatic image analysis in tissue sections stained hy combined Feulgen-AgNOR staining method in 9 normal colonic mucosae, 45 colorectal adenomas and 27 adenoca...Cellular NDA and AgNOR Protein contents were evaluated byautomatic image analysis in tissue sections stained hy combined Feulgen-AgNOR staining method in 9 normal colonic mucosae, 45 colorectal adenomas and 27 adenocarcinomas. The results indicated that during the course that the normal colonical mucosa developed to colorectal adenocarcinoma via adenoma the DNA and AgNOR protein contents increased gradually and there were very significant correlationships between the DNA and the AgNOR protein contents of adenoma group and adenocarcinoma group. However, there were considerahle overlaping in the DNA or AgNOR Protein content and considerahle overlaping cases between adenoma and normal colonic mucosa groups and between adenoma and adenocarcinoma groups. But the overlaping scope in NDA and AgNOR Protein content and the number of overlaping cases were reduced significantly by assessing the correlationship between the DNA and AgNOR protein content. Therefore, it is much more reliable to distinguish colorectal adenomas from adnocarcinomas by using the correlationship between the cellular DNA and the AgNOR Protein contents in the same specimens.展开更多
Transmembrane proteins are some special and important proteins in cells. Because of their importance and specificity, the prediction of the transmembrane regions has very important theoretical and practical significan...Transmembrane proteins are some special and important proteins in cells. Because of their importance and specificity, the prediction of the transmembrane regions has very important theoretical and practical significance. At present, the prediction methods are mainly based on the physicochemical property and statistic analysis of amino acids. However, these methods are suitable for some environments but inapplicable for other environments. In this paper, the multi-sources information fusion theory has been introduced to predict the transmembrane regions. The proposed method is test on a data set of transmembrane proteins. The results show that the proposed method has the ability of predicting the transmembrane regions as a good performance and powerful tool.展开更多
The nucleax mains attachment regions(MARs) and the binding nuclear matrix proteins in the 5’-flalildng cisacting elements of the humanε-globin gene have been examined. Using in vitro DNA-matrix binding assay,it has ...The nucleax mains attachment regions(MARs) and the binding nuclear matrix proteins in the 5’-flalildng cisacting elements of the humanε-globin gene have been examined. Using in vitro DNA-matrix binding assay,it has been shown that the positive stage-specific regulatory element (ε-PREII, -446bp-419bp) upstream of this gene could specifically associate with the nuclear matrix from K562 cells, indicating thatε-PREII mad be an erythroidspecilic facultstive MAR. In gel mobility shift assay and Southwestern blotting assal an eothroid-specific nuclear matrix protein (ε-NMPk) in K562 cells has been revealed to bind to this positive regulatory element (E-PREII). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the silencer (-392hp -177bp) uP8tream of the humanε-globin gene could associate with the nuclear matrices from K562, HEL and Raji cells. In addition, the nucleax matrix proteins prepared from these three cell lines could also bind to this silencer, suggesting that this silencer element linght be a constitutive nuclear mains attachment region (constitutive MAR). Our results demonstrated that the nucleax madrid and nuclear mains proteins lxilght play an important role in the regulation of the human 5-globin gene expression.展开更多
基金Supported by Ningxia Natural Science Foundation (NZ1024)the Scientific Research the Project of Ningxia Universities (201027)~~
文摘[Objective] To discuss the effects of major mapping methods for DNA sequence on the accuracy of protein coding regions prediction,and to find out the effective mapping methods.[Method] By taking Approximate Correlation(AC) as the full measure of the prediction accuracy at nucleotide level,the windowed narrow pass-band filter(WNPBF) based prediction algorithm was applied to study the effects of different mapping methods on prediction accuracy.[Result] In DNA data sets ALLSEQ and HMR195,the Voss and Z-Curve methods are proved to be more effective mapping methods than paired numeric(PN),Electron-ion Interaction Potential(EIIP) and complex number methods.[Conclusion] This study lays the foundation to verify the effectiveness of new mapping methods by using the predicted AC value,and it is meaningful to reveal DNA structure by using bioinformatics methods.
文摘Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a member of the Entero-virus genus of the Picomaviridae family and is the major cause of Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Different strains from Gansu were cloned and the P1 protein was sequenced and analysed. Results indicate that there are three kinds of EV71 infections prevalent in Gansu. The VP 1 protein from one of these strains, 55F, was expressed. The recombinant protein was expressed with high level and reacted specifically with the EV71 patient antibody, the recombinant protein was also applied to raise antiserum in rabbits and after the fourth injection a high titer of antiserum was detected by ELISA assay. These data are useful for further clarification of prevalent EV71 strains in the north of China at the molecular level and provide a basis for EV71 diagnosis.
基金the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1805232,31770156,and 32172365)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2021M690637)。
文摘The fine-tuned expression dynamics of the effector genes are pivotal for the transition from vegetative growth to host colonization of pathogenic filamentous fungi.However,mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of these genes remain largely unknown.Here,through comparative transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing(ChIP-seq)analyses of the methyltransferase PoKmt6 in rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae(syn.Magnaporthe oryzae),we found that PoKmt6-mediated H3K27me3 deposition was enriched mainly at fast-evolving regions and contributed to the silencing of a subset of secreted proteins(SP)and transposable element(TE)families during the vegetative growth of P.oryzae.Intriguingly,we observed that a group of SP genes,which were depleted of H3K27me3 modification,could also be silenced via the H3K27me3-mediated repression of the nearby TEs.In conclusion,our results indicate that H3K27me3 modification mediated by PoKmt6 regulates the expression of some SP genes in fast-evolving regions through the suppression of nearby TEs.
文摘Objective. To ascertain the relationship between the Ala54Thr variation of FABP2 gene and general as well as regional adipose tissue depots. Subjects. 165 subjects, in which 86 were subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) [age 54 45±9 80, male/female 1 05,body mass index (BMI)26 48±4 01] and 79 were subjects with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)(age 55 86±10 00,male/female 1 08,BMI 26 75±3 30). Design and measurements. An association study of FABP2 Ala54Thr variation detected by PCR/HhaI digestion with general and regional adipose tissue depots determined by BMI and magnetic resonance imaging [abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue area (SA and VA) and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue area (FA)]. Results. The geneotype and allele frequencies of FABP2 Ala54Thr variation in Chinese were quite close to the frequencies in American Caucasians and Pima Indians reported in the literature. Significant difference in genotype frequency distribution was observed between FA subgroups comparisons (FA≥75cm 2 versus FA<75cm 2 )in NIDDM subjects (X 2 =11 460,P=0 003),with significantly increased in Thr54 carrier[Thr54(+)]genotype frequency and Thr54 allele frequency in NIDDM subject with FA<75cm 2 (odd ratio for genotype was 4 62,X 2 =10 112,P=0 001;and for allele=2 36,X 2 =5 379,P=0 020).The FA in NIDDM Thr54(+)subgroup was significantly lower than that in subjects with NIDDM Thr54( )sugroup(61 19±21 51cm 2 versus 75 36±31 70cm 2 ,P=0 021). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that FABP2 Thr54 genotype variation was an independent factor contributing to the variation of FA in NIDDM(P=0 003). Conclusion. FABP2 is associated with regional adipose tissue depot.The decreased femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue depot in NIDDM subjects is related to FABP2 Thr54 variant.
基金This work was supported in part by NationalNatural Science Foundation of China(No.39470767and No.396101300419)and by a special grantfrom Liaoning Provincial Committee for Science andTechnology,China(No.963010)
文摘The co-existence of multiple cell components in tissue samples is the main obstacle for precise molecular evaluation on defined cell types. Based on morphological examination, we developed an efficient approach for paralleled RNA and protein isolations from an identical histological region in frozen tissue section.The RNA and protein samples prepared were sufficient for RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, and the results obtained were well coincident each other as well as with the corresponding parameters revealed from immunohistochemical examinations. By this way, the sampling problem caused by cell-cross contamination can be largely avoided, committing the experimental data more specific to a defined cell type. These novel methods thus allow us to use single tissue block for a comprehensive study by integration of conventional cytological evaluations with nucleic acid and protein analyses.
文摘The hydrophobic effect is the major factor that drives a protein molecule towards folding and to a great degree the stability of protein structures. Therefore the knowledge of hydrophobic regions and its prediction is of great help in understanding the structure and function of the protein. Hence determination of membrane buried region is a computationally intensive task in bioinformatics. Several prediction methods have been reported but there are some deficiencies in prediction accuracy and adaptability of these methods. Of these proteins that are found embedded in cellular membranes, called as membrane proteins, are of particular importance because they form targets for over 60% of drugs on the market. 20-30% of all the proteins in any organism are membrane proteins. Thus transmembrane protein plays important role in the life activity of the cells. Hence prediction of membrane buried segments in transmembrane proteins is of particular importance. In this paper we have proposed signal processing algorithms based on digital filter for prediction of hydrophobic regions in the transmembrane proteins and found improved prediction efficiency than the existing methods. Hydrophobic regions are extracted by assigning physico-chemical parameter such as hydrophobicity and hydration energy index to each amino acid residue and the resulting numerical representation of the protein is subjected to digital low pass filter. The proposed method is validated on transmembrane proteins using Orientation of Proteins in Membranes (OPM) dataset with various prediction measures and found better prediction accuracy than the existing methods.
基金Supported by Peking Union Medical College Youth Fundthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(3332013052)
文摘Objective To screen the proteins associated with four-and-a-half LIM domains 3(FHL3) 3' untranslated region(3'UTR) in glioma cells. Methods Western blot was adopted to detect the regulatory effect of poly(C)-binding protein 2(PCBP2) on FHL3. Biotin pull-down and sliver staining were employed to screen and verify the candidate binding proteins of FHL3 3'UTR. Then liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) and molecule annotation system were used to identify and analyze the candidate binding proteins. Immunoprecipitation was conducted to study the interaction between PCBP2 and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1(PTBP1), a binding protein identified by LC-MS/MS. Results PCBP2 could bind to FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR-A and inhibited the expression of FHL3 in T98 G glioms cells. 22 candidate binding proteins were identified. Among them, there were 11 RNA binding proteins, including PCBP2. PTBP1 associated with FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR and interacted with PCBP2 protein. Conclusion PCBP2 and PTBP1 can both associate with FHL3 mRNA 3'UTR through forming a protein complex.
基金Supported by Youth Fund Project of Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2014CQ009)Science and Technology Development Program of Binzhou City(2013GG0304)
文摘[Objective] The paper was to develop a subunit vaccine candidate for prevention and control of goose parvovirus infection. [Method]Based on the prokaryotic expression system, the antigenic epitopes and locations of the structural protein VP3 were predicted by software analysis,and the region displaying a large portion of antigenic epitopes was amplified by PCR. The target VP3 DNA fragment was inserted into pET-30 a-VP3 vector, was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 competent cells for protein expression and animal test. The SPF chickens were immunized with the recombinant protein and the antisera were collected for neutralization test by using a goose embryo fibroblast. [Result] The recombinant plasmid was constructed, and the target region of VP3 protein was expressed efficiently in a soluble form. The neutralizing titers of antisera could reach up to-2.608. [Conclusion] The target region displaying a large portion of antigenic epitopes of the structural protein VP3 could be expressed efficiently in soluble form, and the expressed protein could induce neutralizing antibodies in SFP chicken.
基金Supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III,No.PI15/00856the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF),No.PI15/00856
文摘AIM To detect hyper-conserved regions in the hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene(HBX) 5' region that could be candidates for gene therapy.METHODS The study included 27 chronic hepatitis B treatmentnaive patients in various clinical stages(from chronic infection to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, both HBeA g-negative and HBeA g-positive), and infected with HBV genotypes A-F and H. In a serum sample from each patient with viremia > 3.5 log IU/m L, the HBX 5' end region [nucleotide(nt) 1255-1611] was PCRamplified and submitted to next-generation sequencing(NGS). We assessed genotype variants by phylogenetic analysis, and evaluated conservation of this region by calculating the information content of each nucleotide position in a multiple alignment of all unique sequences(haplotypes) obtained by NGS. Conservation at the HBx protein amino acid(aa) level was also analyzed.RESULTS NGS yielded 1333069 sequences from the 27 samples, with a median of 4578 sequences/sample(2487-9279, IQR 2817). In 14/27 patients(51.8%), phylogenetic analysis of viral nucleotide haplotypes showed a complex mixture of genotypic variants. Analysis of the information content in the haplotype multiple alignments detected 2 hyper-conserved nucleotide regions, one in the HBX upstream non-coding region(nt 1255-1286) and the other in the 5' end coding region(nt 1519-1603). This last region coded for a conserved amino acid region(aa 63-76) that partially overlaps a Kunitz-like domain.CONCLUSION Two hyper-conserved regions detected in the HBX 5' end may be of value for targeted gene therapy, regardless of the patients' clinical stage or HBV genotype.
文摘The messenger RNA 3'-untranslated region(3'UTR)plays an important role in regulation of gene expres-sion on the posttranscriptional level. The 3'UTR con-trols gene expression via orchestrated interactionbetween the structural components of mRNAs(cis-ele-ment) and the specific trans-acting factors(RNA bind-ing proteins and non-coding RNAs). The crosstalk ofthese factors is based on the binding sequences and/or direct protein-protein interaction, or just functionalinteraction. Much new evidence that has accumulatedsupports the idea that several RNA binding factors canbind to common mRNA targets: to the non-overlappingbinding sites or to common sites in a competitive fash-ion. Various factors capable of binding to the sameRNA can cooperate or be antagonistic in their actions.The outcome of the collective function of all factorsbound to the same mRNA 3'UTR depends on manycircumstances, such as their expression levels, affinity to the binding sites, and localization in the cell, which can be controlled by various physiological conditions. Moreover, the functional and/or physical interactions of the factors binding to 3'UTR can change the character of their actions. These interactions vary during the cell cycle and in response to changing physiological condi-tions. Abnormal functioning of the factors can lead to disease. In this review we will discuss how alterations of these factors or their interaction can affect cancer development and promote or enhance the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Understanding these altera-tions and their impact on 3'UTR-directed posttran-scriptional gene regulation will uncover promising new targets for therapeutic intervention and diagnostics. We will also discuss emerging new tools in cancer di-agnostics and therapy based on 3'UTR binding factors and approaches to improve them.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30472241,90709031 and 30973796the Ministry of Science and Technology of China("973"Project),No.2007CB512505+1 种基金provided by the Foundation of Hainan Province,No.310054the Health Department of Hainan Province,Qiong-Wei-45
文摘In the present study, we examined the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanfi (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) once a day for 14 consecutive days in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. In addition, concomitant changes in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression and synaptic ultrastructure of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region were examined. The thermal pain threshold (paw withdrawal latency) was increased significantly in both groups at 2 weeks after electroacupuncture intervention compared with 2 days of electroacupuncture. In ovariectomized rats with chronic constriction injury, the analgesic effect was significantly reduced. Electroacupuncture for 2 weeks significantly diminished the injury-induced increase in synaptJc cleft width and thinning of the postsynaptJc density, and it significantly suppressed the down-regulation of intracellular calcium/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region. Repeated electroacupuncture intervention had a cumulative analgesic effect on injury-induced neuropathic pain reactions, and it led to synaptic remodeling of hippocampal neurons and upregulated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kJnase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province of China,No.2016A020226022(to HYL)the Medical and Health Technology Project of Guangzhou of China,No.20161A011068(to HYL)the Guangzhou Science Technology and Innovation Commission of China,No.201704020043(to QCG)
文摘Curcumin exerts a neuroprotective effect on Alzheimer’s disease;however,it is not known whether microRNAs are involved in this protective effect.This study was conducted using swAPP695-HEK293 cells as an Alzheimer’s disease cell model.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were treated with 0,0.5,1,2,5,and 10μM curcumin for 24 hours.The changes in miR-15b-5p,miR-19a-3p,miR-195-5p,miR-101-3p,miR-216b-5p,miR-16-5p and miR-185-5p expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA and protein levels of amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.swAPP695-HEK293 cells were transfected with miR-15b-5p mimic,or treated with 1μM curcumin 24 hours before miR-15b-5p inhibitor transfection.The effects of curcumin on amyloid precursor protein,amyloid-β40 and amyloid-β42 levels were evaluated by western blot assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Luciferase assays were used to analyze the interaction between miR-15b-5p and the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.The results show that amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βexpression were enhanced in swAPP695-HEK293 cells compared with HEK293 parental cells.Curcumin suppressed the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βand up-regulated the expression of miR-15b-5p in swAPP695-HEK293 cells.In addition,we found a negative association of miR-15b-5p expression with amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βlevels in the curcumin-treated cells.Luciferase assays revealed that miR-15b-5p impaired the luciferase activity of the plasmid harboring the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.These findings indicate that curcumin down-regulates the expression of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid-βin swAPP695-HEK293 cells,which was partially mediated by miR-15b-5p via targeting of the 3′-untranslated region of amyloid precursor protein.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31172389)the Special Project of Marine Renewable Energy from the State Oceanic Administration(No.SHME2011SW02)the Shanghai Universities Peak Discipline Project of Aquaculture
文摘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.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 81071998Hubei Natural Science Foundation,No.2008CDB159Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education,No. 20070487114
文摘AIM:To investigate the reciprocal modulation between microRNA(miRNA) and DNA methylation via exploring the correlation between miR-373 and methyl-CpGbinding domain protein(MBD)2.METHODS:MiR-373 expression was examined using the TaqMan miRNA assay.Methylation of miR-373 was investigated using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction,and recruitment of methyl binding proteins was studied using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.Mutation analysis was conducted using the QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis kit.The activity of miR-373 gene promoter constructs and targeting at MBD2-three prime untranslated region(3'UTR) by miR-373 were evaluated by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.RESULTS:In hilar cholangiocarcinoma,miR-373 decreased and was closely associated with poor cell differentiation,advanced clinical stage,and shorter survival.The promoter-associated CpG island of miR-373 gene was hypermethylated and inhibited expression of miR-373.MBD2 was up-regulated and enriched at the promoter-associated CpG island of miR-373.Methylation-mediated suppression of miR-373 required MBD2 enrichment at the promoter-associated CpG island,and miR-373 negatively regulated MBD2 expression through targeting the 3'UTR.CONCLUSION:MiR-373 behaves as a direct transcriptional target and negative regulator of MBD2 activity through a feedback loop of CpG island methylation.
文摘The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Kip1 protein has dual roles for both cancer prevention and promotion. For example, numerous nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically increase the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. On the other hand, pro-cancer agents (like glucose, insulin and other growth factors frequently seen in obesity and/or diabetes) specifically decrease the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Unlike expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins, expression of p27Kip1 protein is very unusual. The mRNA of p27Kip1 has a very long and unusual 5’-untranslated region (from -575 to -1 in human). It appears that the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA forms two alternative secondary structures. One increases the expression of p27Kip1 protein when anti-cancer agents are added and another decrease the expression of p27K1p1 when pro-cancer agents are added. For this short concept proposal, Dr. Albert Einstein’s “visualized thought experiments (German: Gedanken experiment)” were used as a fundamental tool for understanding how either anti- or pro-cancer agents bring the primary structure of the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA into two alternative secondary structures, thereby either increasing or decreasing, respectively, the translation initiation of p27Kip1 protein.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21476167 and No. 21778039)
文摘SsrA peptide tag from Mycoplasma fl orum has been developed as a versatile biotechnology tool to control orthogonal degradation of tagged proteins in Escherichia coli . Here, using the systematic deletion mutants of mf -ssrA tag, we demonstrated that the residues in two separate regions have diff erent functions in mf -Lon-mediated specifi c orthogonal target protein degradation in E. coli . The deletion of multiple residues, up to six amino acids, did not fatally abolish its specifi c degradation activity, instead of being able to improve the stability of the tagged protein in the presence of endogenous proteases before mf -Lon expression in E. coli . Except for previously identifi ed essential residues, the region adjacent to the C-terminal of the mf -ssrA tag was involved in mf -Lon and endogenous protease-mediated degradation. Moreover, the deletion of specifi c residues made the mf -ssrA tag more eff ective and compact. The mf -ssrA tag can be implemented in synthetic biology and bioengineering for development of synthetic circuits.
文摘Cellular NDA and AgNOR Protein contents were evaluated byautomatic image analysis in tissue sections stained hy combined Feulgen-AgNOR staining method in 9 normal colonic mucosae, 45 colorectal adenomas and 27 adenocarcinomas. The results indicated that during the course that the normal colonical mucosa developed to colorectal adenocarcinoma via adenoma the DNA and AgNOR protein contents increased gradually and there were very significant correlationships between the DNA and the AgNOR protein contents of adenoma group and adenocarcinoma group. However, there were considerahle overlaping in the DNA or AgNOR Protein content and considerahle overlaping cases between adenoma and normal colonic mucosa groups and between adenoma and adenocarcinoma groups. But the overlaping scope in NDA and AgNOR Protein content and the number of overlaping cases were reduced significantly by assessing the correlationship between the DNA and AgNOR protein content. Therefore, it is much more reliable to distinguish colorectal adenomas from adnocarcinomas by using the correlationship between the cellular DNA and the AgNOR Protein contents in the same specimens.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 60874105, 61174022)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (No. NCET-08-0345)the Chongqing Natural Science Foundation (No. CSCT, 2010BA2003)
文摘Transmembrane proteins are some special and important proteins in cells. Because of their importance and specificity, the prediction of the transmembrane regions has very important theoretical and practical significance. At present, the prediction methods are mainly based on the physicochemical property and statistic analysis of amino acids. However, these methods are suitable for some environments but inapplicable for other environments. In this paper, the multi-sources information fusion theory has been introduced to predict the transmembrane regions. The proposed method is test on a data set of transmembrane proteins. The results show that the proposed method has the ability of predicting the transmembrane regions as a good performance and powerful tool.
文摘The nucleax mains attachment regions(MARs) and the binding nuclear matrix proteins in the 5’-flalildng cisacting elements of the humanε-globin gene have been examined. Using in vitro DNA-matrix binding assay,it has been shown that the positive stage-specific regulatory element (ε-PREII, -446bp-419bp) upstream of this gene could specifically associate with the nuclear matrix from K562 cells, indicating thatε-PREII mad be an erythroidspecilic facultstive MAR. In gel mobility shift assay and Southwestern blotting assal an eothroid-specific nuclear matrix protein (ε-NMPk) in K562 cells has been revealed to bind to this positive regulatory element (E-PREII). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the silencer (-392hp -177bp) uP8tream of the humanε-globin gene could associate with the nuclear matrices from K562, HEL and Raji cells. In addition, the nucleax matrix proteins prepared from these three cell lines could also bind to this silencer, suggesting that this silencer element linght be a constitutive nuclear mains attachment region (constitutive MAR). Our results demonstrated that the nucleax madrid and nuclear mains proteins lxilght play an important role in the regulation of the human 5-globin gene expression.