小鼠肝脏细胞质膜蛋白质组的提取和二维液相色谱分离

目的提取小鼠肝脏细胞质膜蛋白并建立一种利用二维液相色谱法分离细胞质膜蛋白质组的方法。方法采用差速离心结合蔗糖密度梯度离心分离和富集分小鼠肝脏细胞质膜蛋白,样品经脱盐及用起始缓冲液置换后,进行一维色谱聚焦分离,然后收集pH8.5～4.0之间的组分进行二维反相高效液相色谱分离,最后将获得的二维UV图通过ProteoVue软件转换成UV/pI图谱。结果成功提取了肝脏细胞质膜蛋白,并通过二维液相色谱成功建立了小鼠肝脏细胞质膜蛋白的二维UV/pI图谱,收集了一维色谱聚焦分离的pH8.5～4.0区间的16个组分,并将每个组分分进行二维色谱分离后转换为UV/pI图谱。结论为进一步全面研究小鼠肝脏细胞质膜蛋白功能和疾病差异蛋白质组研究打下了基础。

细胞通信：内部过程

人体的小小细胞蕴藏着神奇的内部通信网络。了解这些网络是如何组织起来的．可能有助于科学家开发对付众多严重疾痛的新疗法。

Methyl-CpG binding proteins in the nervous system

Classical methyl-CpG binding proteins contain the conserved DNA binding motif methyl-cytosine binding domain(MBD), which preferentially binds to methylated CpG dinucleotides. These proteins serve as transcriptional repressors,mediating gene silencing via DNA cytosine methylation. Mutations in methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) have beenlinked to the human mental retardation disorder Rett syndrome, suggesting an important role for methyl-CpG bindingproteins in brain development and function. This mini-review summarizes the recent advances in studying the diversefunctions of MeCP2 as a prototype for other methyl-CpG binding proteins in the development and function of thevertebrate nervous system.

Screening of hepatocyte proteins binding to F protein of hepatitis C virus by yeast two-hybrid system

AIM： To investigate the biological function of F protein by yeast two-hybrid system. METHODS： We constructed F protein bait plasmid by cloning the gene of F protein into pGBKT7, then recombinant plasmid DNA was transformed into yeast AH109 （a type）. The transformed yeast AH109 was mated with yeast Y187 （α type） containing liver cDNA library plasmid in 2×YPDA medium. Diploid yeast was plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium （SD/-Trp-Leu-HisAde） containing X-α-gal for selection and screening. After extracting and sequencing plasmids from positive （blue） colonies, we underwent sequence analysis by bioinformatics. RESULTS： Thirty-six colonies were selected and sequenced. Among them, 11 colonies were zymogen granule protein, 5 colonies were zinc finger protein, 4 colonies were zinc-α-2-glycoprotein, 1 colony was sialyltransferase, 1 colony was complement control protein factor I, 1 colony was vitronectin, and 2 colonies were new genes with unknown function. CONCLUSION： The yeast two-hybrid system is an effective method for identifying hepatocyte proteins interacting with F protein of hepatitis C virus. F protein may bind to different proteins. 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Tudor and its domains: germ cell formation from a Tudor perspective

In many metazoan species, germ cell formation requires the germ plasm, a specialized cytoplasm which often con-tains electron dense structures. Genes required for germ cell formation in Drosophila have been isolated predominantlyin screens for maternal-effect mutations. One such gene is tudor (tud); without proper tud function germ cell formationdoes not occur. Unlike other genes involved in Drosophila germ cell specification tud is dispensable for other somaticfunctions such as abdominal patterning. It is not known how TUD contributes at a molecular level to germ cell forma-tion but in tud mutants, polar granule formation is severely compromised, and mitochondrially encoded ribosomal RNAsdo not localize to the polar granule. TUD is composed of 11 repeats of the protein motif called the Tudor domain. Thereare similar proteins to TUD in the germ line of other metazoan species including mice. Probable vertebrate orthologuesof Drosophila genes involved in germ cell specification will be discussed.

A PSTAIRE CDK-like protein localizes in nuclei and cytoplasm of Physarum polycephalum and functions in the mitosis

CDKs play key roles in controlling cell cycle progression in all eukaryotes. In plants, multiple CDKs are present,among which the best characterized CDKs are PSTAIRE CDKs. In this study, we carried out Western blot,immunoelectron microscopy and antibody treatment with an anti-PSTAIRE monoclonal antibody to explore the subcellular localization and functions of PSTAIRE CDKs in Physarum polycephalum. The results of Western blot and immunoelectron microscopy showed that in P. polycephalum, a PSTAIRE CDK-like protein was 34 kD in molecular weight and located in both nuclei and cytoplasm. In nuclei, the protein was mainly associated with chromosomes and nucleoli. The expression of the PSTAIRE CDK-like protein in both the plasmodia and nuclei showed little fluctuation through the whole cell cycle. When treated with an anti-PSTAIRE monoclonal antibody at early S phase, the cells were arrested in S phase, and the mitotic onset of P. polycephalum was blocked for about 1 h when treated at early G2 phase.Our data indicated that the PSTAIRE CDK- like protein has a direct bearing on the mitosis.

P68 RNA helicase is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein

P68 RNA helicase is a prototypical DEAD box RNA helicase. The protein plays a very important role in early organ development and maturation. Consistent with the function of the protein in transcriptional regulation and pre-mRNA splicing, p68 was found to predominately localize in the cell nucleus. However, recent experiments demon- strate a transient cytoplasmic localization of the protein. We report here that p68 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of p68 is mediated by two nuclear localization signal and two nuclear exporting signal sequence elements. Our experiments reveal that p68 shuttles via a classical RanGTPase-dependent pathway.

Intravenous injection of mesenchymal stem cells is effective in treating liver fibrosis

AIM: To compare the influence of different transplant sites in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy for liver fibrosis. METHODS: MSCs isolated from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were induced into hepatocyte-like cells. Liver fibrosis in SD rats was induced with carbon tetrachloride. Following hepatocyte induction in vitro, 4',6-diamidino- 2-phenylindole (DAPI)-labeled MSCs were transplanted by intravenous, intrahepatic, and intraperitoneal injection. Histopathological staining, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical analysis were used to compare the morphological and functional liver regeneration among different MSC injection modalities. The expression differences of interleukins, growth factor, extracellular matrix, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase were examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) andenzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Four days after exposure to hepatocyte differentiation medium, MSCs that did not express hepatocyte markers could express α-fetoprotein, albumin, and cytokeratin 18. The results of histopathological staining, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical analysis indicated that intravenous injection is more effective at rescuing liver failure than other injection modalities. DAPI-labeled cells were found around liver lobules in all three injection site groups, but the intravenous group had the highest number of cells. PCR and ELISA analysis indicated that interleukin-10 (IL-10) was highest in the intravenous group, whereas il1β, il6, tnfα and tgfβ, which can be regulated by IL10 and are promoters of liver fibrosis, were significantly lower than in the other groups. CONCLUSION: MSC administration is able to protect against liver fibrosis. Intravenous injection is the most favorable treatment modality through promotion of IL10 expression.

AKT1 and AKT2 Promote Malignant Transformation in Human Brain Glioma LN229 Cells

OBJECTIVE To confirm the role played by AKT1 and AKT2 in the β- catenin/Tcf-4 signaling pathway in promoting malignant transfor- mation of glioma cells. METHODS LN229 cells were divided into five groups： a control group, acetone （ACE）group, acetylsalicylic acid （ASA; aspirin） group, ASA＋AKT1 plasmid group and ASA＋AKT2 plasmid group. Western blot and PCR were used to detect the expression of AKT1 and AKT2 after dealing with ASA and transferring AKTI/2 genes into LN229 cells. Cell proliferation was determined by flow cytometry, cell invasion was evaluated by transwell assay and cell apoptosis was detected with annexin V staining. The molecules regulating proliferation and invasion were examined by western blot analysis. RESULTS Aspirin down-regulates AKT1 and AKT2 expression by modulating β-cateninfrcf-4 activity. AKT1 and AKT2 can enhance cell proliferation and invasion by up-regulating the expression of cyclin-D and matrix metalloprotein-9 （MMP-9） in LN229 glioma cells. CONCLUSION AKT1 and AKT2 play an important role in the β- catenin/Tcf-4 signaling pathway promoting malignant transformation; AKT1 is more effective than AKT2. AKT1 and AKT2 may be potential targets for brain glioma therapy and an effective way to prevent metastasis of gliomas.

The keratin intermediate filament-like system in maize protoplasts

The application of Penman's method of cell fractionation to plant protoplasts leads to our finding of keratin intermediate filament(IF)-like system in maize protoplasts,which was identified by using immunogold labelling with monoclonal antibody of cytokeratin from animal cells.Many gold particles were found to be bound on filaments,linked by 3 nm filaments.After further digestion and extraction with DNase I and ammonium sulphate.IF-like framework-lamina-nuclear matrix system was shown under electron microscope.That IF system exists in plant protoplasts just like in animal cells,and their main component is keratin-like protein.

Nectin-like Molecule 1 Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of U251 Glioma Cells by Regulating the Expression of An Extracellular Matrix Protein Osteopontin

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of nectin-like molecule 1(NECL1) inhibiting the migration and invasion of U251 glioma cells.Methods We infected U251 glioma cells with adeno-nectin-like molecule 1(Ad-NECL1) or empty adenovirus(Ad).Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to observe the migration of U251 cells incubated with the cell supernatant from Ad-NECL1 or Ad infected U251 cells.DNA microarray was applied to screen the gene expression profile after the restoration of NECL1 in U251 glioma cell lines.The differential expression of osteopontin(OPN),a gene related to migration and invasion,was further analyzed with semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot,and immunohistochemistry.Results The restoration of NECL1 inhibited migration of U251 cells significantly(P<0.05).Altogether 195 genes were found differentially expressed by microarray,in which 175 were up-regulated and 20 down-regulated,including 9 extracellular matrix proteins involved in the migration of cells.Both mRNA and protein expressions of OPN,the most markedly reduced extracellular matrix protein,were found decreased in U251 cells after restoration of NECL1.Immunohistochemical assay also detected an increase of OPN in glioma tissues,related with the progressing of malignant grade.Conclusion A link might exist between NECL1 and the extracellular matrix protein OPN in inhibiting the migration and invasion of U251 glioma cells.

Ribotrap Analysis of Proteins Associated with FHL3 3'Untranslated Region in Glioma Cells

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.

Expression and characterization of Mac-1-FP fusion protein in CHO cells

Objective: To construct mammalian cell expression vectors for Mac-1 with CFP and YFP and apply FRET to study the dimerization and function of CD11 b( Mac-1 α subunit) and CD18(Mac-1 β subunit). Methods: The mammalian cell expression vector for CD11b fused with CFP at the carboxyl terminal was constructed to create recombinant plasmid of pCD11b-CFP. Then pCD11b-CFP was co-transfected with pYFP-CD18 into CHO cell, a fibroblast like cell line, as a target cell within which there are some signal pathways involved in inflammatory stimulation but without endogenous Mac-1. Then CHO cells stably expressing both CD11b-CFP and YFP-CD18 fusion proteins were selected by Western blot and laser scanning confocal microscope. Results: The cyan and yellow fluorescence in co-transfected positive CHO cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope. CHO-Mac-1-FP cells stably expressing both CD11b-CFP and YFP-CD18 fusion proteins were obtained as demonstrated by Western blot successfully. The adhesive activity of CHO-Mac-1-FP cells with CHO-1CAM-1 cells was increased markedly by treatment with PMA, suggesting the translocation of GD11b-CFP and YFP-CD18 to the plasma membrane in CHO-Mac-1-FP cells and dimerization of CD11b-CFP and YFP-CD18 just as the function of the wild type Mac-1. Conclusion: CHO-Mac-1-FP cells with adhesive activity are established successfully, thus CHO-Mac-1-FP cells may be useful for the study of Mac-1 by FRET and for other purposes.

Proteomics of the differential protein expressions in human glioma cell line U251 cells infected with human cytomegalovirus,as demonstrated by the surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization(SELDI)protein chip system

The proteomics of the differential protein expressions in human glioma cell line U251 cells infected with human cytomegalovirus （HCMV） was investigated at the protein level by using the surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization （SELDI） protein chip system in order to develop a method of study for the pathogenesis of HCMV infection. In this study, the cultured U251 cells were infected with HCMV in good condition and the supernatants of lysates and the extracellular fluids of the cultivated infected cells were quantitatively defined for the expressed proteins. The proteomics of the differential protein expression in cells before and after infection was analyzed by WCX2 arrays on the protein chip reader. It was demonstrated that the eytopathic effects of infected cells appeared on the 5th day after infection, however, the differential protein expression was evident at 6 h after infection as revealed by RT-PCR and mass spectrometry. The protein peaks captured from different batches of samples, from the same sample detected with different arrays or for the different times were all equivalent. With the molecular weight range from 2000 Da to 3000 Da, chip captured 82 peaks from the intracellular fluids and 11 protein peak from the cellular fluid in which compared with the control group, the protein peaks with molecular weight of 13 536.3 Da, 10 046.1 Da and 17 106.2 Da were close to those of β-amyloid protein, caspase-1 precursor and LPS-induced TNF-α factor respectively, which showed brief up-regulation 4 h after infection, and continued to raise 48 h later. These results infer that these proteins may be related to the apoptosis induced by HCMV infection, thus suggesting that the apoptosis induced by HCMV infection may play a role in the pathogenesis of HCMV infection.

Study on Apoptosis-Inducing Effect of XIAP Antisense Oligonucleotides on Glioblastoma Cells in Vitro

OBJECTIVE To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of XIAP antisense oligonucleotides on glioblastoma cells in vitro. METHODS There were 4 groups in our experiment. Group A, as a cell control group, had normal cell culture and no treatment applied. Group B, as a blank control group, had normal cell culture and no liposome control of ASODN. Group C was N-ODN. Group D was the ASODN group. RT-PCR and Western blot assay were conducted to detect the expression of XIAP in all A-172 ceil groups after treatment with XIAP antisense oligonucleotides （ASODN）. MTT assay and flow-cytometry （FCM） detection were used to detect the ability of cell anchoring growth and apoptotic rates of all groups. The processing time was 72 h. RESULTS The expression of XIAP in the A-172 cells was greatly down-regulated, after treated with XIAP-ASODN. Among different concentrations of ASODN, the 300nM was the most optimal one. The down-regulation of XIAP obviously inhibited the succinate dehydrogenase （SDH） activity of the A-172 cells and the increased apoptotic rate of A-172 cells （87.45%） was significantly higher than that of the A-172 in the control groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION The XIAP-ASODN can effectively regulate the expression of the XIAP down, as a result, inhibit the growth of the glioblastoma cells （A-172） and obviously increase the apoptotic rate of the A-172 cells. The results killing role of XIAP-ASODN to the of the study manifest an overt glioblastoma cells.

Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in bladder carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To detect the level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) mRNA in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC), and to estimate the prognosis for bladder tumor based on the quality and quantity of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA. METHODS: Thirty-five samples of human BTCC and 15 normal fresh bladder tissues were studied by RT-PCR analysis followed by computer-assisted image analysis. RESULTS: The level of the MMP-2 mRNA in BTCC was significantly increased compared with that in normal bladder epithelium. The positive rates of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA were 71.4% and 65.7% in BTCC, and 66.7% and 60.0% in the normal bladder wall. The expression intensity of the MMP-2 mRNA by image analysis tended to increase with tumor grading and staging, which showed statistical significance. Similarly, the MMP-2 to TIMP-2 ratio also showed statistically significant difference between normal bladder tissue and bladder carcinoma (P

Effect of the same mechanical loading on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in vitro

Purpose： To investigate the influence of the same mechanical loading on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Methods： Primary osteoblasts, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs, cultured in osteoinductive medium） and RAW264.7 cells cultured in osteoclast inductive medium were all subjected to a 1000μstrain （μs） at 1 Hz cyclic mechanical stretch for 30 min （twice a day）. Results： After mechanical stimulation, the alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity, osteocalcin protein level of the osteoblasts and BMSCs were all enhanced, and the mRNA levels of ALP and collagen type I increased. Additionally, extracellular-deposited calcium of both osteoblasts and BMSCs increased. At the same time, the activity of secreted tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells, matrix metalloproteinase-9 protein levels of RAW264.7 cells and the extracellular calcium solvency all decreased. Conclusion： The results demonstrated that 1000 μs cyclic mechanical loading enhanced osteoblasts activity, promoted osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs and restrained osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.

Effect of Chinese herbs on immunoglobulin A nephropathy:a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the main causes of renal fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that the metabolic enzyme of ECM is associated with renal fibrosis. In this study, we applied randomly controlled trial to check the curative effect of Chinese herbs on patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Twenty-six patients were randomly divided into group A (control group) treated with Western Medicine and group B (treatment group) treated with combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine. Blood and urine tests were done before treatment and after 8-week treatment. RESULTS: The levels of the main composition of ex- tracellular matrix (MC-ECM), the metabolic enzyme of ECM (ME-ECM) and some cytokines in group B decreased more obviously than those in group A after 8-week treatment. So did the level of 24-hour urine protein. However, Metal matrix protease (MMP)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in group B increased more obviously than those in group A after 8-week treatment. No effects on the renal function were found in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study provided important information on using the combination of TCM with Western Medicine to inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis in patients with IgAN.

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein after tractive spinal cord injury in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after tractive spinal cord injury in rats and to explore the recovery of spinal cord function. METHODS: The rats were subjected to tractive spinal cord injury at T13-L2. Cortical somatosensory-evoked potential (CSEP) was closely monitored and when P1-N1 wave amplitude decreased to 70% of that before operation, a small-bore catheter was inserted below the injured plane through subarachnoid cavity. In the treatment groups, 20 microl of bFGF solution (containing 20 microg of bFGF) was injected through the catheter right after the operation and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. In the control group, same volume of normal saline was injected and every four rats were killed at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 d after the operation. Combined behavior score (CBS) and electro-physiological examination were adopted to evaluate function recovery. Expression of GFAP was observed by immuno-histochemical staining and was analyzed quantitatively by computer image analysis. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in GFAP-positive cells between bFGF treatment group and the control group (P

The mitosis and immunocytochemistry of olfactory ensheathing cells from nasal olfactory mucosa

Objective： To culture olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） of rats in vitro and to investigate its morphology, mitosis and immunocytochemistry, and to explore if the OECs could be a new donation for transplantation. Methods： OECs were harvested from olfactory mucosa of Sprague Dawleys rats based on the differing rates of attachment of the various cell types, followed by glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, nerve growth factor （ NGF）, anti-low affinity receptor for NGF （ NGFRp75 ）, brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） , neurotrophino3 （ NTo3 ） and S-100 immunocytochemistry. The morphological changes and mitosis were observed under a phase contrast microscope at different culture time. Results - Three morphologically distinct types of cells, bipolar, multipolar and flat morphology were present in the primary culture of adult rat olfactory mucosa. Mitosis was characterized by a retraction of all processes, forming a sphere that divided into spherical daughter cells, the daughter cells sent out their processes. The OECs were immunoreactive for GFAP, NGFRp75, S-100, NGF, BDNF and NT-3. Conclusions： The OECs from nasal olfactory mucosa cultivated in the medium with fetal bovine serum could survive, divide, differentiate, and express the neurotrophin. It may become an accessible source for autologous grafting in spinal cord injury.