Effect of senescence marker protein 30 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells SRA01/04

AIM： To study the effect of senescence marker protein 30（SMP30） on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lens epithelial cell（HLEC） SRA01/04.METHODS： SMP30 overexpression（OE） and knock down（KD） type cell lines were cultivated by using two groups regucalcin（RGN; SMP30） lentiviral vectors（LVRGN, LV-RGN-RNAi） and the respective negative control virus infect SRA01/04 cells. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（q-PCR） analysis were used to determine RGN overexpression and knock down efficiency. We use cell counting kit-8（CCK8） assay to measure cell viability and 5-bromodeoxyuridine（Brd U） assay to test cell proliferation. Cell cycle was measured by PI FACS assay and cell apoptosis was tested by Annexin V-APC assay through flow cytometry. We use Western blot to measure the content of caspase-3 in SRA01/04.RESULTS： We used PCR and Western blot techniques to determine the successful transfection of SMP30 OE and KD SRA01/04 cell lines. By CCK8, Brdu and PI FACS cell cycle assay, it was found that the SMP30 OE group promoted cell proliferation（P〈0.05） compared with the control group, and the KD group inhibited cell proliferation（P〈0.05）. The results of Annexin V-APC signal staining detection indicated that compared with respective control group, the cell apoptosis rate was higher in KD group（P〈0.05） but lower in OE group（P〈0.01）. The expression of caspase-3 was down-regulated in OE group through Western blot assay and up-regulated in KD group compared with respective control group. CONCLUSION： Proliferation of SRA01/04 was promoted by SMP30 OE and apoptosis was suppressed. Increasing the expression of SMP30 may protect HLEC SRA01/04 against apoptosis in cataract.

Designing the lipid raft marker protein for synaptic vesicles

Lipid rafts are cholesterol-enriched microdomains and implicated in many essential physiological ac-tivities such as the neurotransmitter release.Many studies have been carried out on the function of rafts inthe plasma membranes,whereas little is known about the information of such microdomains in subcellularcompartments especially synaptic vesicles(SVs).In the well-studied plasma membranes,several proteinshave been recognized as raft markers,which are used to label or trace rafts.But the raft marker proteinon SVs has not been identified yet.Although some SV proteins,including VAMP and CPE,have beenfound in raft fractions,they cannot be used as markers due to their low abundance in rafts.In this work,we designed several chimera proteins and tested their characteristics for using as SV raft makers.First,we detected whether they located in SVs,and then the chimeras exhibiting the better localization in SVswere further examined for their enrichment in raft using detergent treatment and gradient density floatationanalysis.Our results indicate that one of the chimeric proteins is primarily located in SVs and distributedin raft microdomains,which strongly suggests that it could be served as a raft marker for SVs.

Ultrasensitive detection of DNA and protein markers in cancer cells

Cancer cells differ from normal cells in various parameters, and these differences are caused by genomic mutations and consequential altered gene expression. The genetic and functional heterogeneity of tumor cells is a major challenge in cancer research, detection, and effective treatment. As such, the use of diagnostic methods is important to reveal this heterogeneity at the single-cell level. Droplet microfluidic devices are effective tools that provide exceptional sensitivity for analyzing single cells and molecules. In this review, we highlight two novel methods that employ droplet microfluidics for ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids and protein markers in cancer cells. We also discuss the future practical applications of these methods.

Determination and Validation of Markers for Heat-Induced Damage in Wool Proteins

Protein-based animal fibres of commercial importance are frequently exposed to elevated temperatures during processing treatments. Hydrothermal processes cause protein deterioration, impacting negatively on the value or condition of these materials. This study was designed to investigate hydrothermal damage in wool proteins at the molecular level. The effect of hydrothermal damage on Type I and II intermediate filament proteins (keratins) extracted from wool was characterised using advanced quantitative techniques based on isobaric iTRAQ labelling and mass spectrometry. Many native peptides were observed to be degraded and modified. Amongst these, twenty keratin peptides were observed to consistently degrade during hydrothermal exposure. These peptides acted as molecular markers of damage – specific indicators of the extent of heat-induced protein damage. This technology will be of value in assessing the severity of damage imparted after high temperature exposure of protein-based animal fibres such as wool and cashmere during processes such as dyeing and carbonising, or even after high temperature human hair treatments. The identification of molecular damage markers identified within wool and other materials provides a new route to sensitive and specific evaluation of the effects of protein deterioration. It is anticipated that the utilisation of such markers will facilitate the development of targeted approaches to minimising processing damage to high-value fibres and protein-based biomaterials.

Chemometrics of differentially expressed proteins from colorectal cancer patients

AIM:To evaluate the usefulness of differentially expressed proteins from colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues for differentiating cancer and normal tissues.METHODS:A Proteomic approach was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins between CRC and normal tissues.The proteins were extracted using Tris buffer and thiourea lysis buffer (TLB) for extraction of aqueous soluble and membrane-associated proteins,respectively.Chemometrics,namely principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA),were used to assess the usefulness of these proteins for identifying the cancerous state of tissues.RESULTS:Differentially expressed proteins identified were 37 aqueous soluble proteins in Tris extracts and 24 membrane-associated proteins in TLB extracts.Based on the protein spots intensity on 2D-gel images,PCA by applying an eigenvalue > 1 was successfully used to reduce the number of principal components (PCs) into 12 and seven PCs for Tris and TLB extracts,respectively,and subsequently six PCs,respectively from both the extracts were used for LDA.The LDA classification for Tris extract showed 82.7% of original samples were correctly classified,whereas 82.7% were correctly classified for the cross-validated samples.The LDA for TLB extract showed that 78.8% of original samples and 71.2% of the cross-validated samples were correctly classified.CONCLUSION:The classification of CRC tissues by PCA and LDA provided a promising distinction between normal and cancer types.These methods can possibly be used for identification of potential biomarkers among the differentially expressed proteins identified.

Analysis of SSLP and Soluble Protein Contents in Leaves of Mutants Induced by High Pressure in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Rice variety Yuexiangzhan and its mutants induced by high pressure were studied using microsatcllite markers and soluble protein content analyses. Eleven of the 88 microsatellite primer pairs showed evident polymorphisms repeatedly, and the polymorphic frequencies were 3.4-11.3% between the mutants and Yuexiangzhan. The polymorphic markers were randomly located on chromosomes. The more similar the plant types of the mutants like their original variety, the less polymorphic loci were detected. In addition, there was variation in the soluble protein contents among the leaves of mutants, and the contents were significantly lower than those of the original variety.

Molecular Marker of Tumours

Molecular structure of the marker of tumour is determined by magneto-optical analysis of blood serum. The marker is the laevorotatory enantiomer of alanine. The cancer status of a subject is described by the number of molecules of the laevorotatory alanine enantiomer (-)ρ and the effectiveness of therapy is measured by the number of molecules of the dextrorotatory alanine enantiomer (+)ρ. The values of (-)ρ and (+)ρ are determined separately for the patient before and after therapy.

Synthesis and characteristic of a novel green fluorescent protein eYGFPuv

Recently, a novel green fluorescent protein eYGFPuv has been identified in the marine organism Chiridius poppei which displays high fluorescence intensity and can be visible by eyes in dark. Although strong green fluorescence was achieved in transgenic petunia, 3 expression cassettes (about 8 kb) complicate its application. In this study, to confirm whether 1 expression cassette could be used as a transgenic marker in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, eYGFPuv was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28α-eYGFPuv- His and plant binary expression vector 35S::eYGFPuv. Compared to EGFP, eYGFPuv protein exhibited stronger dazzling green fluorescence in E. coli under excited light at 365 nm and maintains steadily over a long period of time without degradation. When transiently expressed in tobacco leaves, eYGFPuv protein displayed strong green fluorescence. Moreover, the fluorescence of eYGFPuv protein also could be directly observed in living plant, and thus can be used easily as a marker to screen transformed lines in transgenic research. Overall, compared to previous studies on eYGFPuv tandem repeats, our data confirmed that single eYGFPuv sequence still possesses high fluorescence intensity and quenching resistance. Furthermore, because of small size of expression cassette,it is suitable for efficient transformation in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.

Characterization of seed storage protein patterns of four Iranian Pistachios using SDS-PAGE

We used SDSPAGE to evaluate and characterize the protein patterns of seed storage proteins in four pistachios cultivars (Akbari, Ahmad Aghaei, Fandoghi, and Kaleghouchi). Total protein content of pistachio seeds in all cultivars did not show any significant difference. Results of SDS PAGE pattern of a few protein bands were up regulated whereas some other bands showed down regulation. The identified protein patterns may be used protein marker for pistachio cultivars.

STUDY ON NUCLEAR MATRIX PROTEINS FROM HUMAN BREAST CARCINOMA

Objective To investigate the marker protein of human breast carcinoma from nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs). Methods NMPs were injected subcutaneously into rabbit to get antiserum, which was used to detect the NMPs specificity for breast carcinoma. Results There was an apparent positive band (100 kD) in the NMPs of breast carcinoma, which did not exist in normal breast and other tumors that were detected.Conclusion One or one group of 100 kD NMPs were found to be related to human breast carcinoma, which may be involved in the carcinogenesis and development of human breast carcinoma and valuable for breast carcinoma diagnosis.

Construction of Expression Vector Capable of Excising Selectable Marker Gene

[ Objective] This study was to construct an expression vector capable of excising selectable marker gene, further eliminating the effect of marker gene on the functional study of target gene. [ Method] By using Cre/LoxP site-specific recombination system, DsRed2-1 vector was modified by introducing LoxP se- quence and multiple cloning site sequence, then the TK gene was ligated into this vector for negative selection. [ Results] The fragments introduced were recom- bined at the molecular level under induced condition, and the specific red fluorescence was also observed in the recombinant vector transfected cells at the cellular level. [ Conclusion] It is feasible to use this Cre/loxP system to excise marker genes, showing a broad application prospect.

Relationship between C-Reactive Protein, White Blood Cell Count and Metabolic Syndrome in Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in people with diabetes confers increased cardiovascular and diabetes-specific micro- and macrovascular complications. The pathogenic pathways for metabolic syndrome are still issues for discussion especially in some special groups like those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent evidences suggest that inflammation may play a key role in MS. This study assessed the relationship between MS (and its component risks) and markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein {hs-CRP} and white blood cells {WBC}). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 108 patients with T2DM. Anthropometric measurements and clinical examination were conducted. Blood sample was collected for hs-CRP, WBC, glycated haemoglobin etc. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Ethical approval was granted and informed consent was obtained from participants. Results: Mean age of male and female participants were 58.00 ± 7.01 years and 55.48 ± 8.35 years respectively (p = 0.092). Eighty-two (75.9%) participants had metabolic syndrome. Median values of hs-CRP and total WBC were 0.89mg/L and 5.73 x103/mm3 respectively. On correlation, hs-CRP showed statistically significant association with waist circumference (r = 0.194;p = 0.044), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.191;p = 0.048) and serum triglycerides (p = 0.226;r = 0.019). There was no statistically significant association between WBC and the metabolic components. Conclusion: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high, and C-reactive protein was associated with waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglycerides.

Inflammatory markers and elderly patients with stroke

C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with unfavorable outcome in patients with acute ischemic syndromes and in patients with chronic stable angina.Elevated CRP levels suggestive of heightened inflammatory state in vascular conditions are often associated with elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.The aim of our study was to show the predictive importance of CRP and IL-6 levels in patients with ischemic stroke that has not been fully elucidated.Design We studied 647 consecutive elderly patients (>65 years) with stroke who were documented with ischemic stroke,presence of significant carotid atherosderosis and absence of atrial fibrillation.The study population included 150 patients (74 men,76 women,mean age 74±2).Patients underwent evaluation of high sensitive CRP and IL-6 levels at baseline,during hospitalization and at discharge.Results In-hospital mortality was 6%,1 year mertality was 15% and a second cerebrovascular event occurred in 12% of patients.Those with in- hospital events had significantly higher baseline CRP and IL-6 levels than patients without events (3.8+1.1 vs 1.9±0.9 mg/L,P<0.01 and 13.8±3.4 vs 6.3±2.1 pg/ml,P<0.01,respectively).Also CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in those patients with an event within 3 months of discharge compared to patients without an event (3.6±1.3 vs 1.1±0.7 mg/L,P<0.01 and 14.2±3.7 vs 5.4±1.6 pg/ml,P<001, respectively).Both base line CRP levels and IL-6 were predictive of events both in-hospital and after 3 months while CRP and IL-6 levels at baseline were not associated with a poor 1 year prognosis.Elevated CRP levels were associated with an unfavorable outcome only when IL-6 levels were also elevated.In a stepwise multivariate analysis IL-6 level was a stronger predictor of outcome than CRP.Conclusions In conclusion,elevated CRP and IL-6 levels may identify elderly patients at increased medium term risk,but do not predict one year events in this subset of patients.CRP levels predict events only when they are coupled with IL-6 levels.(J Ceriatr Cardiol 2004;1:44- 48.)

The Distribution of the Stress Protein HSP70 in the Cerebellum of Patients with Schizophrenia

Data accumulated from neuro-imaging, clinical and morphological studies suggest that the cerebellum is involved in cognitive functions and thus may be important in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia, since patients show cognitive abnormalities. In the present study, we have attempted to localize cellular metabolic dysfunctions applying the immunohistochemical and Western blot method to demonstrate the expression of the stress protein HSP70, which is a marker of cellular metabolic dysfunction in the brain. We studied the post mortem brains’ cerebellum of 12 normal controls and 10 schizophrenics. We have used the polyclonal antibody rabbit anti-HSP70 on paraffin sections as well as on nitrocellulose membranes. Bound antibody was detected using the indirect method of streptavidin-peroxidase-DAB. The results in the cerebellum of controls showed intense HSP70 immunoreaction in the synaptic glomeruli of the granular cell layer, in the cytoplasm and dendrites of Purkinje cells. In the same areas of the cerebellum of schizophrenics the HSP70 immunoreactivity was minimal. These results suggest that the reduced levels of HSP70 in the cerebellum are likely to contribute synergistically to the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. This may suggest abnormality of protective neural mechanisms in such pathological conditions.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To study whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) measurement can aid the assessment of disease activity and glucocorticoid treatment in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).METHODS:CRP levels were measured in 39 children with IBD undergoing colonoscopy [median age 12.8 years,Crohn's disease(CD) n=20],in 22 other children with IBD followed for acute response to glucocorticoids,and in 33 paediatric non-IBD patients.When standard CRP level was below detection limit(<5mg/L),hs-CRP was analyzed.RESULTS:Sixty-four percent(25/39) of the children with IBD undergoing colonoscopy displayed undetectable(<5mg/L) standard CRP levels.Of these,the hs-CRP measurement could not differentiate between active(median,0.2 mg/L,range,0.007-1.37,n=17) or quiescent(0.1 mg/L,0.01-1.89,n=8,P=NS) disease.Patients with ileocolonic CD had higher CRP levels(14mg/L,0.06-45,n=13) than patients with no ileal involvement(0.18 mg/L,0.01-9,n=7,P<0.01) or ulcerative colitis(UC)(0.13 mg/L,0.007-23,P<0.05).In children with active IBD treated with systemic glucocorticoids,the standard CRP was undetectable in 59% of the patients.The hs-CRP levels did not differ between patients that responded to steroid therapy and in non-responders.CONCLUSION:The measurement of hs-CRP did not prove useful in the assessment of disease activity or glucocorticoid treatment in paediatric IBD patients that had undetectable standard CRP.

The prognostic value of serum C-reactive protein-bound serum amyloid A in early-stage lung cancer

Background:Elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein(CRP) have been reported to have prognostic significance in lung cancer patients.This study aimed to further identify CRP-bound components as prognostic markers for lung cancer and validate their prognostic value.Methods:CRP-bound components obtained from the serum samples from lung cancer patients or healthy controls were analyzed by differential proteomics analysis.CRP-bound serum amyloid A(CRP-SAA) was evaluated by coimmunoprecipitation(IP).Serum samples from two independent cohorts with lung cancer(retrospective cohort,242patients;prospective cohort,222 patients) and healthy controls(159 subjects) were used to evaluate the prognostic value of CRP-SAA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:CRP-SAA was identified specifically in serum samples from lung cancer patients by proteomic analysis.CRP binding to SAA was confirmed by co-IP in serum samples from lung cancer patients and cell culture media.The level of CRP-SAA was significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls(0.37 ± 0.58 vs.0.03 ± 0.04,P < 0.001).Elevated CRP-SAA levels were significantly associated with severe clinical features of lung cancer.The elevation of CRPSAA was associated with lower survival rates for both the retrospective(hazard ration[HR]= 2.181,95%confidence interval[CI]= 1.641-2.897,P < 0.001) and the prospective cohorts(HR = 2.744,95%CI = 1.810-4.161,P < 0.001).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that CRP-SAA was an independent prognostic marker for lung cancer.Remarkably,in stages l-ll patients,only CRP-SAA,not total SAA or CRP,showed significant association with overall survival in two cohorts.Moreover,univariate and multivariate Cox analyses also showed that only CRP-SAA could be used as an independent prognostic marker for early-stage lung cancer patients.Conclusion:CRP-SAA could be a better prognostic marker for lung cancer than total SAA or CRP,especially in earlystage patients.

低温与无水胁迫下凡纳滨对虾肌肉品质劣变标记蛋白识别

【目的】探明凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)保活流通过程中低温和无水双重胁迫诱导肌肉品质劣变与差异表达蛋白之间的相关性,识别品质劣变的潜在标记蛋白。【方法】在模拟的海水环境中[溶解氧质量浓度为7.2 mg/L,温度控制在(12±1)℃]观察对虾在低温和无水胁迫下的生理反应,通过串联质谱标签蛋白质组学方法,分析环境胁迫导致的肝胰腺蛋白质组显著差异性变化,并将其与肌肉品质进行相关性分析。【结果】与正常对照组相比,低温组和低温+无水组分别鉴定了33和44个显著差异蛋白质(DEPs),这些蛋白质大多在溶酶体、糖酵解或糖异生、黏附等通路显著富集(P<0.05),同时胰蛋白酶-1、二肽基肽酶显著上调(P<0.05),而磷酸丙糖异构酶和醛脱氢酶显著下调(P<0.05)。此外,颜色和质构指标的变化与微管蛋白、凝溶胶蛋白、层黏连蛋白、内源性蛋白酶和代谢酶表达水平显著相关。【结论】本研究初次探明肝胰腺DEPs与肌肉品质间的内在联系,识别的典型DEPs可作为品质劣变的潜在标志蛋白,为监测无水运输期间凡纳滨对虾肌肉品质劣变提供分子靶标。

TMEM59的羧基端片段经与ATG5-ATG16L1-LC3B蛋白相互作用促进自噬

目的研究跨膜蛋白59(TMEM59)诱导自噬、TMEM59诱导自噬的部位及探讨TMEM59诱导自噬的相关通路。方法通过细胞转染、免疫共沉淀、免疫荧光等技术明确TMEM59能否诱导自噬及诱导自噬的部位,自噬流抑制剂处理明确TMEM59诱导自噬的相关通路。结果研究证实在Hela细胞中过表达TMEM59和TMEM59的羧基端片段(CTF)增加自噬标记蛋白微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3B)-Ⅱ的水平以及促进自噬流的发生,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但过表达TMEM59的氨基端片段(NTF)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。过表达TMEM59不会影响自噬激活剂雷帕霉素诱导的LC3B-Ⅱ水平增加,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),促进因抑制自噬溶酶体融合所导致的LC3B-Ⅱ水平增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。证实TMEM59、TMEM59-CTF与自噬相关基因蛋白(ATG)5、ATG16L1和LC3B相互作用。结论TMEM59-CTF诱导自噬发生在自噬起始之后和自噬溶酶体形成之前的阶段,与ATG5-ATG16L1-LC3B蛋白相互作用促进自噬。

lncSIL通过EZH2/P21/CDK6信号通路负向调控TGF-β1诱导的肺泡上皮细胞间质转化

目的研究在转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)诱导肺泡上皮细胞间质转化(EMT)进程中lncSIL的作用及其相关信号通路。方法采用Western blot法研究沉默lncSIL后对TGF-β1诱导EMT进程中细胞标志蛋白E-钙黏蛋白(E-cad)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和Ⅰ型胶原蛋白(ColⅠ)表达的影响;通过RNA pulldown分析lncSIL相互作用蛋白,并检测过表达或沉默lncSIL后对其靶基因组蛋白赖氨酸N-甲基转移酶(EZH2)以及下游因子P21蛋白(P21)和细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶6(CDK6)表达的影响,并结合流式细胞术分析lncSIL对细胞周期进程的作用。结果沉默lncSIL后,间质细胞标志蛋白α-SMA和Col I表达升高,肺泡上皮细胞标志蛋白E-cad表达下降;RNA pulldown实验结果显示EZH2是与lncSIL相互作用的靶蛋白,并且沉默lncSIL后EZH2表达升高,其下游基因P21表达下调,CDK6表达上调,同时S期细胞的数量显著升高;过表达lncSIL时,EZH2与CDK6表达下调,P21表达上调,同时S期细胞的数量明显降低。结论lncSIL通过负向调控EZH2/P21/CDK6信号通路抑制细胞周期进程进而抑制TGF-β1诱导的肺泡上皮细胞向间质转化。