The in vivo highly tissue-dependent abscisic acid (ABA) specific-binding sites localized in cytosol were identified and characterized in the flesh of developing apple ( Malus pumila L. cv. Starkrimon) fruits. ABA bind...The in vivo highly tissue-dependent abscisic acid (ABA) specific-binding sites localized in cytosol were identified and characterized in the flesh of developing apple ( Malus pumila L. cv. Starkrimon) fruits. ABA binding activity was scarcely detectable in the microsomes and the cytosolic fraction isolated from the freshly harvested fruits via an in vitro ABA binding incubation of the subcellular fractions. If, however, instead that the subcellular fractions were in vitro incubated in H-3-ABA binding medium, the flesh tissue discs were directly in vivo incubated in H-3-ABA binding medium, a high ABA binding activity to the cytosolic fraction isolated from these tissue discs was detected. The in vivo ABA binding capacity of the cytosolic fraction was lost if the tissue discs had been pretreated with boiling water, indicating that the ABA binding needs a living state of tissue. The in vivo tissue-dependent binding sites were shown to possess protein nature with both active serine residua and thiol-group of cysteine residua in their functional binding center. The ABA binding of the in vivo tissue-dependent ABA binding sites to the cytosolic fraction was shown to be saturable, reversible, and of high affinity. The scatchard plotting gave evidence of two different classes of ABA binding proteins, one with a higher affinity ( Kd = 2.9 nmol/L) and the other with lower affinity ( Kd = 71.4 nmol/L). Phaseic acid, 2-trans-4-trans-ABA or cis-trans-(-)-ABA had substantially no affinity to the binding proteins, indicating their stereo-specificity to bind physiologically active ABA. The time course, pH- and temperature-dependence of the in vivo tissue-dependent binding proteins were determined. It is hypothesized that the detected ABA-binding proteins may be putative ABA-receptors that mediate ABA signals during fruit development.展开更多
To investigate apoptosis in mouse leukemia cell (WEHI-3) induced by Econazoleand its mechanism. Methods: Apoptosis induced by Econazole was examined by flow cytometry. Freecalcium ([Ca^(2+])i) was determined by Fura-2...To investigate apoptosis in mouse leukemia cell (WEHI-3) induced by Econazoleand its mechanism. Methods: Apoptosis induced by Econazole was examined by flow cytometry. Freecalcium ([Ca^(2+])i) was determined by Fura-2 fluorescein load technique. The protein was isolatedfrom endoplasmic reticulum of WEHI-3 cells, and then the expression of caspase-12 and caspase-7 wasdetected by Western blot. Results: WEHI-3 cells exhibited typical change of apoptosis when they weretreated by Econazole. [Ca^(2+)]i was significantly higher in Econazole-treated group than incontrol group. The expression of caspase-12 and caspase-7 was increased with the increase ofEconazole concentration. Conclusion: Caspase-12 may play a key role in WEHI-3 apoptosis induced byEconazole.展开更多
Starch degradation in cells is closely associated with cereal seed germination, photosynthesis in leaves, carbohydrate storage in tuberous roots, and fleshy fruit development. α_Amylase is considered as one of the ke...Starch degradation in cells is closely associated with cereal seed germination, photosynthesis in leaves, carbohydrate storage in tuberous roots, and fleshy fruit development. α_Amylase is considered as one of the key enzymes catalyzing starch breakdown, but up to date its role in starch breakdown in living cells remains unclear because the enzyme was often shown extrachloroplastic in living cells. The present experiment showed that α_amylase activity was progressively increasing concomitantly with the decreasing starch concentrations during the development of apple ( Malus domestica Borkh cv. Starkrimson) fruit. The apparent amount of α_amylase assessed by Western blotting also increased during the fruit development, which is consistent with the seasonal changes in the enzyme activity. The enzyme subcellular_localization studies via immunogold electron_ microscopy technique showed that α_amylase visualized by gold particles was predominantly located in plastids, but the gold particles were scarcely found in other subcellular compartments. A high density of the enzyme was observed at the periphery of starch granules during the middle and late developmental stages. These data proved that the enzyme is compartmented in its functional sites in the living cells of the fruit. The predominantly plastid_distributed pattern of α_amylase in cells was shown unchanged throughout the fruit development. The density of gold particles (α_amylase) in plastids was increasing during the fruit development, which is consistent with the results of Western blotting. So it is considered that α_amylase is involved in starch hydrolysis in plastids of the fruit cells.展开更多
Objective： To block the apoptosis of T lymphocytes induced by Fas/FasL in order to establish a method of the large-scale preparation of large amounts of tumor-specific cytoxic T-lymphocytes （CTL）. Methods： Liver c...Objective： To block the apoptosis of T lymphocytes induced by Fas/FasL in order to establish a method of the large-scale preparation of large amounts of tumor-specific cytoxic T-lymphocytes （CTL）. Methods： Liver cancer cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes （TIL） were isolated from FasL positive fresh specimens, and co-cultured. Specific CTL were activated and prepared in the presence of the co-stimulation of monoclonal antibody CD28. Then the blocking and activation of apoptosis of T lymphocytes was activated by soluble Fas receptor, which was detected by cytometry and DNA ladder test simultaneously. The apoptosis-blocking effect was compared with the control group. Furthermore, the changes of T cell proliferation and killing activity were detected by the method of ^3H thymidine incorporation and ^51Cr release test. Results： There was a significant increase in apoptosis rate in unblocking group compared with blocking group and quiescent group, with the unblocking group of 47.82%±0.13%, quiescent group of 3.76%±0.25%, and the blocking group of 8.22%±0.26% respectively （P〈0.01）. T cell-ladder appeared in unblocking group by DNA ladder test. Both the killing ability and proliferation rate of T cells were significantly increased after blocking. There was significant difference among blocking group, unblocking group and quiescent group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： With this method we obtained large amounts of tumor-specific T lymphocytes, which was able to kill liver cancer cells effectively.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatoc...AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatocyte targeting BSA-NP-GL based on active targeting technology mediated by specific binding site of GL on rat cellular membrane. METHODS: Calcein loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Cal-BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin was conjugated to the surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of Cal-BSA-NP by sodium periodate oxidization, which resulted in calcein-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified by glycyrrhizin (Cal-BSA-NP-GL). The morphology of the two types of prepared nanoparticles (NP) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of NP was measured with a laser particle size analyzer. The interaction between Cal-BSA-NP-GL and primary cultured hepatocytes was studied through cellular uptake experiments. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NPGL and Cal-BSA-NP by rat hepatocytes was determinedby fluorospectrophotometry. Uptake characteristics were investigated through experiments of competitive inhibition of specific binding site of GL. RESULTS: Both Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP had regular spherical surfaces. The average diameter of CalBSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP was 77 and 79 nm respectively. The uptake amount of the two NP by hepatocytes reached its maximum at 2 h after incubation. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NP-GL by rat hepatocytes was 4.43-fold higher than that of Cal-BSA-NP. There was a significant difference in the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP by hepatocytes (P＜0.01). The uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL was inhibited when GL was added previously to isolated rat hepatocytes, and the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP was not affected by GL.CONCLUSION: A binding site of GL is present on the surface of rat hepatocytes, BSA-NP-GL may be internalized via this site by hepatocytes and can be used as a drug carrier for active targeting of delivery drugs to hepatocytes.展开更多
AIM： To explore the expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, survivin and the cell apoptosis during the development of tree shrew hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, the relationship between expression of these genes, its impact...AIM： To explore the expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, survivin and the cell apoptosis during the development of tree shrew hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, the relationship between expression of these genes, its impact on HCC development, and its relation to cell apoptosis. METHODS： Tree shrew HCC was induced with aflatoxin B1 （AFB1）, and regular biopsy of liver tissues was carried out and the biopsy tissues were collected during cancer inducement. Liver biopsy tissue and HCC tissue were collected from 35 pre-cancerous experimental animals at wk 30 and 60 and at the 30^th, 60^th, and 90^th -wk. Liver biopsy tissues were collected from 13 blank control animals at wk 30, 60, and 90. Expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin at each stage was examined by immunohistochemistry method. Apoptotic cells were detected in situ by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling （TUNEL） technique. RESULTS： The apoptosis rate of normal hepatic cells was extremely low, whereas it increased during the formation of HCC. Expression of the apoptosis-related genes p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin during the formation of HCC presented an increasing tendency. Expression of p53 did not noticeably relate to that of bcl-2, bax, and survivin, whereas expression of bcl-2 and bax was closely related. In HCC, p53 did not present a distinct relation to cell apoptosis, whereas its high level expression was probably related to liver cell proliferation. Survivin negatively correlated apoptosis index, and its overexpression could inhibit cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION： Apoptosis-related genes p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin are all related to the occurrence of HCC. The anti-apoptosis effect of bcl-2 is influenced by bax, and ratio bcl/bax reflects more correctly the extent of cell apoptosis.展开更多
文摘The in vivo highly tissue-dependent abscisic acid (ABA) specific-binding sites localized in cytosol were identified and characterized in the flesh of developing apple ( Malus pumila L. cv. Starkrimon) fruits. ABA binding activity was scarcely detectable in the microsomes and the cytosolic fraction isolated from the freshly harvested fruits via an in vitro ABA binding incubation of the subcellular fractions. If, however, instead that the subcellular fractions were in vitro incubated in H-3-ABA binding medium, the flesh tissue discs were directly in vivo incubated in H-3-ABA binding medium, a high ABA binding activity to the cytosolic fraction isolated from these tissue discs was detected. The in vivo ABA binding capacity of the cytosolic fraction was lost if the tissue discs had been pretreated with boiling water, indicating that the ABA binding needs a living state of tissue. The in vivo tissue-dependent binding sites were shown to possess protein nature with both active serine residua and thiol-group of cysteine residua in their functional binding center. The ABA binding of the in vivo tissue-dependent ABA binding sites to the cytosolic fraction was shown to be saturable, reversible, and of high affinity. The scatchard plotting gave evidence of two different classes of ABA binding proteins, one with a higher affinity ( Kd = 2.9 nmol/L) and the other with lower affinity ( Kd = 71.4 nmol/L). Phaseic acid, 2-trans-4-trans-ABA or cis-trans-(-)-ABA had substantially no affinity to the binding proteins, indicating their stereo-specificity to bind physiologically active ABA. The time course, pH- and temperature-dependence of the in vivo tissue-dependent binding proteins were determined. It is hypothesized that the detected ABA-binding proteins may be putative ABA-receptors that mediate ABA signals during fruit development.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30370595).
文摘To investigate apoptosis in mouse leukemia cell (WEHI-3) induced by Econazoleand its mechanism. Methods: Apoptosis induced by Econazole was examined by flow cytometry. Freecalcium ([Ca^(2+])i) was determined by Fura-2 fluorescein load technique. The protein was isolatedfrom endoplasmic reticulum of WEHI-3 cells, and then the expression of caspase-12 and caspase-7 wasdetected by Western blot. Results: WEHI-3 cells exhibited typical change of apoptosis when they weretreated by Econazole. [Ca^(2+)]i was significantly higher in Econazole-treated group than incontrol group. The expression of caspase-12 and caspase-7 was increased with the increase ofEconazole concentration. Conclusion: Caspase-12 may play a key role in WEHI-3 apoptosis induced byEconazole.
文摘Starch degradation in cells is closely associated with cereal seed germination, photosynthesis in leaves, carbohydrate storage in tuberous roots, and fleshy fruit development. α_Amylase is considered as one of the key enzymes catalyzing starch breakdown, but up to date its role in starch breakdown in living cells remains unclear because the enzyme was often shown extrachloroplastic in living cells. The present experiment showed that α_amylase activity was progressively increasing concomitantly with the decreasing starch concentrations during the development of apple ( Malus domestica Borkh cv. Starkrimson) fruit. The apparent amount of α_amylase assessed by Western blotting also increased during the fruit development, which is consistent with the seasonal changes in the enzyme activity. The enzyme subcellular_localization studies via immunogold electron_ microscopy technique showed that α_amylase visualized by gold particles was predominantly located in plastids, but the gold particles were scarcely found in other subcellular compartments. A high density of the enzyme was observed at the periphery of starch granules during the middle and late developmental stages. These data proved that the enzyme is compartmented in its functional sites in the living cells of the fruit. The predominantly plastid_distributed pattern of α_amylase in cells was shown unchanged throughout the fruit development. The density of gold particles (α_amylase) in plastids was increasing during the fruit development, which is consistent with the results of Western blotting. So it is considered that α_amylase is involved in starch hydrolysis in plastids of the fruit cells.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 03030302).
文摘Objective： To block the apoptosis of T lymphocytes induced by Fas/FasL in order to establish a method of the large-scale preparation of large amounts of tumor-specific cytoxic T-lymphocytes （CTL）. Methods： Liver cancer cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes （TIL） were isolated from FasL positive fresh specimens, and co-cultured. Specific CTL were activated and prepared in the presence of the co-stimulation of monoclonal antibody CD28. Then the blocking and activation of apoptosis of T lymphocytes was activated by soluble Fas receptor, which was detected by cytometry and DNA ladder test simultaneously. The apoptosis-blocking effect was compared with the control group. Furthermore, the changes of T cell proliferation and killing activity were detected by the method of ^3H thymidine incorporation and ^51Cr release test. Results： There was a significant increase in apoptosis rate in unblocking group compared with blocking group and quiescent group, with the unblocking group of 47.82%±0.13%, quiescent group of 3.76%±0.25%, and the blocking group of 8.22%±0.26% respectively （P〈0.01）. T cell-ladder appeared in unblocking group by DNA ladder test. Both the killing ability and proliferation rate of T cells were significantly increased after blocking. There was significant difference among blocking group, unblocking group and quiescent group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： With this method we obtained large amounts of tumor-specific T lymphocytes, which was able to kill liver cancer cells effectively.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30271613
文摘AIM: To investigate the uptake difference between bovine serum albumin nanoparticle (BSA-NP) and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified byglycyrrhizin (BSA-NP-GL) and to develop a novel hepatocyte targeting BSA-NP-GL based on active targeting technology mediated by specific binding site of GL on rat cellular membrane. METHODS: Calcein loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Cal-BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin was conjugated to the surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of Cal-BSA-NP by sodium periodate oxidization, which resulted in calcein-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with their surface modified by glycyrrhizin (Cal-BSA-NP-GL). The morphology of the two types of prepared nanoparticles (NP) was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of NP was measured with a laser particle size analyzer. The interaction between Cal-BSA-NP-GL and primary cultured hepatocytes was studied through cellular uptake experiments. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NPGL and Cal-BSA-NP by rat hepatocytes was determinedby fluorospectrophotometry. Uptake characteristics were investigated through experiments of competitive inhibition of specific binding site of GL. RESULTS: Both Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP had regular spherical surfaces. The average diameter of CalBSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP was 77 and 79 nm respectively. The uptake amount of the two NP by hepatocytes reached its maximum at 2 h after incubation. The uptake amount of Cal-BSA-NP-GL by rat hepatocytes was 4.43-fold higher than that of Cal-BSA-NP. There was a significant difference in the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL and Cal-BSA-NP by hepatocytes (P＜0.01). The uptake of Cal-BSA-NP-GL was inhibited when GL was added previously to isolated rat hepatocytes, and the uptake of Cal-BSA-NP was not affected by GL.CONCLUSION: A binding site of GL is present on the surface of rat hepatocytes, BSA-NP-GL may be internalized via this site by hepatocytes and can be used as a drug carrier for active targeting of delivery drugs to hepatocytes.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Department of Guangxi,No. 0143058,No. 0144002The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39860072
文摘AIM： To explore the expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, survivin and the cell apoptosis during the development of tree shrew hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, the relationship between expression of these genes, its impact on HCC development, and its relation to cell apoptosis. METHODS： Tree shrew HCC was induced with aflatoxin B1 （AFB1）, and regular biopsy of liver tissues was carried out and the biopsy tissues were collected during cancer inducement. Liver biopsy tissue and HCC tissue were collected from 35 pre-cancerous experimental animals at wk 30 and 60 and at the 30^th, 60^th, and 90^th -wk. Liver biopsy tissues were collected from 13 blank control animals at wk 30, 60, and 90. Expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin at each stage was examined by immunohistochemistry method. Apoptotic cells were detected in situ by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling （TUNEL） technique. RESULTS： The apoptosis rate of normal hepatic cells was extremely low, whereas it increased during the formation of HCC. Expression of the apoptosis-related genes p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin during the formation of HCC presented an increasing tendency. Expression of p53 did not noticeably relate to that of bcl-2, bax, and survivin, whereas expression of bcl-2 and bax was closely related. In HCC, p53 did not present a distinct relation to cell apoptosis, whereas its high level expression was probably related to liver cell proliferation. Survivin negatively correlated apoptosis index, and its overexpression could inhibit cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION： Apoptosis-related genes p53, bcl-2, bax, and survivin are all related to the occurrence of HCC. The anti-apoptosis effect of bcl-2 is influenced by bax, and ratio bcl/bax reflects more correctly the extent of cell apoptosis.
