The cytological mechanism of plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus is an interesting research topic with only a limited number of published articles. The results indicate that the sperms of Pinus tabu...The cytological mechanism of plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus is an interesting research topic with only a limited number of published articles. The results indicate that the sperms of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. contain abundant plastids, mitochondria and organelle DNA. These data provide reliable cytological evidence of paternal plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus . The results are in line with the confirmed general rule of paternal plastid inheritance in Pinaceae. But whether mitochondria in sperm cells can be transmitted into the embryos is an issue needs further developmental studies. Another important finding is that contrary to earlier classification of the male gamete of Pinaceae into the male nuclei type, the results reveal that male gametes in Pinus tabulaeformis are actually cells. However, the sperm cells are only surrounded by plasma membranes without cell walls. The larger leading sperm cell in a pollen tube section is long in shape, with a large amount of cytoplasm; while the second sperm cell is smaller, round in shape and contains less cytoplasm. Whether this feature of the male gamete type could be considered as a representative characteristic of the family is discussed and further conclusions await more experimental evidences from studies on plants from different species.展开更多
[Objective] Pollen mother cell miosis and male gametophyte development of pumpkin were observed in this study, to provide some cytological basis for pumpkin anther or microspore culture. [Method] Ehrlich＇s hematoxyli...[Objective] Pollen mother cell miosis and male gametophyte development of pumpkin were observed in this study, to provide some cytological basis for pumpkin anther or microspore culture. [Method] Ehrlich＇s hematoxylin staining-methyl salicylate clearing technique was used for observation and research of the variation of cell structure and chromosomal behavior during pollen mother cell miosis and male gametophyte development of ‘Tianhong＇ pumpkin. [Result] The meiosis in pollen moth- er cells of pumpkin was simultaneous cytokinesis. In the process of nuclear division, nuclear membrane and nucleolus of pumpkin pollen mother cells gradually disappeared in the metaphase I and reappeared in telophase I , phragmoplast formed between the two generated crescent-shaped nuclei without cell wall, the phragmoplast gradually disappeared in the metaphase II and reappeared in telophase II. Phragmoplast spread outward from the center of spindle during the second division was connected with that formed on the central interface of two nuclei during the first division, cell wall of microspores generated from periphery to center. Most of the tetrads contained four sub-cells while a few contained extra small cells. During the period of uniuclete microspore at periphery, the single nucleolus split into 2-3 or more small nucleoli, mature pollen grain was two-celled. Mononucleate pollen cells were mostly appeared in the flower buds with length of 1.0-2.0 cm, which could be used as an important indicator to collect materials for anther or microspore culture. [Conclusion] This study laid the foundation for research of the cytogenetics of pumpkin.展开更多
Identification of tumour necrosis factor apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), a TNF family ligand, sparked a torrent of research, following an initial observation that it could kill tumour cells, but spare normal cells....Identification of tumour necrosis factor apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), a TNF family ligand, sparked a torrent of research, following an initial observation that it could kill tumour cells, but spare normal cells. Almost a decade after its discovery, and with five known receptors, the true physiological role of TRAIL is still debated and its anti-tumorigenic properties limited by potential toxicity. This review takes a comprehensive look at the story of this enigmatic ligand, addressing its remaining potential as a therapeutic and providing an overview of the TRAIL receptors themselves.展开更多
Magnesium （Mg^2＋） is abundant in plant cells and plays a critical role in many physiological processes. A 10-member gene family AtMGT （also known as AtMRS2） was identified in Arabidopsis, which belongs to a eukar...Magnesium （Mg^2＋） is abundant in plant cells and plays a critical role in many physiological processes. A 10-member gene family AtMGT （also known as AtMRS2） was identified in Arabidopsis, which belongs to a eukaryote subset of the CorA superfamily, functioning as Mg^2＋ transporters. Some family members （AtMGT1 and AtMGT10） function as high-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter and could complement bacterial mutant or yeast mutant lacking Mg^2＋ transport capability. Here we report an AtMGT family member, AtMGT9, that functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter, and is essential for pollen development. The functional complementation assay in Salmonella mutant strain MM281 showed that AtMGT9 is capable of mediating Mg^2＋ uptake in the sub-millimolar range of Mg^2＋. The AtMGT9 gene was expressed most strongly in mature anthers and was also detectable in vascular tissues of the leaves, and in young roots. Disruption of AtMGT9 gene expression resulted in abortion of half of the mature pollen grains in heterozygous mutant ＋/mgt9, and no homozygous mutant plant was obtained in the progeny of selfed ＋/mgt9 plants. Transgenic plants expressing AtMGT9 in these heterozygous plants can recover the pollen phenotype to the wild type. In addition, At- MGT9 RNAi transgenic plants also showed similar abortive pollen phenotype to mutant ＋/mgt9. Together, our results demonstrate that AtMGT9 functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter that plays a crucial role in male gametophyte development and male fertility.展开更多
AIM: Because of a major resistance to chemotherapy, prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poor. New treatments are required and gene therapy may be an option. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-ind...AIM: Because of a major resistance to chemotherapy, prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poor. New treatments are required and gene therapy may be an option. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in multiple malignant tumors, and using adenoviral vectors has shown a targeted tumor-specific therapy. However, repeated administration of adenoviral vectors can lead to cell resistance, which may be caused by the initial coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). One technique to overcome resistance is the use of modified adenoviral vectors containing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. In this study we constructed an adenoviral vector (designated Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD) with RGD-modified fibers, expressing the TRAIL gene from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter, and evaluated its antitumor activity in HCC cell lines.METHODS: To investigate the effects of Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD in human HCC cell lines Hep G2 and Hep 3b, cells were infected with Ad/CMV-GFP (vector control), Ad/gTRAIL (positive control), and Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD. Phosphatebuffered saline (PBS) was used as control. Cell viability was determined by proliferation assay (XTT), and apoptosis induction by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS).RESULTS: Cells treated with Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD and Ad/ gTRAIL showed a significantly reduced cell viability in comparison to PBS and Ad/CMV-GFP treatment in both cell lines. Whereas, treatment with PBS and Ad/CMVGFP had no cell-killing effect. The reduced cell viability was caused by induction of apoptosis as shown by FACS analysis. The amount of apoptotic cells was similar after incubation with Ad/gTRAIL and Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD. CONCLUSION: The new RGD modified vector Ad/TRAILF/RGD could become a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC, adenovirus resistant tumors, and CAR low or negative cancer cells.展开更多
Objectives： To explore the mechanism of development and aggressiveness in gastric carcinomas by investigating the expression and role of CD97 and its cellular ligand CD55 in gastric carcinomas. Methods： Tumor and co...Objectives： To explore the mechanism of development and aggressiveness in gastric carcinomas by investigating the expression and role of CD97 and its cellular ligand CD55 in gastric carcinomas. Methods： Tumor and corresponding normal mucosal tissue, collected from 39 gastric carcinoma patients, were examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for the expression of CD97 and CD55. Results： CD97^stalk was strongly stained on scattered tumor cells or small tumor cell clusters at the invasion front of gastric carcinomas. The expression of CD97^stalk was frequently observed in tumors of stage Ⅰ and T1 gastric carcinoma patients. The expression of CD97^stalk between Stage Ⅰ and Stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ specimens showed significant difference （P〈0.05）, between T1 and T2, T3, T4 specimens also showed significant difference （P〈0.05）. Specimens with tumor invasion depth limited in mucosa of T1 specimens showed higher positive CD55 expression than specimens with the same tumor invasion depth in T2, T3, T4 specimens, the expression of CD55 between T1 and T2, T3, T4 specimens was significantly different （P〈0.05）. There was strong correlation between the distribution patterns of CD97^stalk and CD55 on tumor tissues （r=0.73, P〈0.05）. Signet ring cell carcinomas frequently contained strong CD97^stalk and CD55-staining. Conclusions： Our results suggest that CD97^stalk is probably involved in the growth, invasion and aggressiveness of gastric carcinomas by binding its cellular ligand CD55. CD97^stalk and CD55 could be useful as molecular markers for prognosis and therapy of gastric carcinoma patients.展开更多
0216681 坦桑尼亚强烈的长期传播地区有症状的病人中恶性疟原虫配子母细胞血症的动力学/Akim N I//Am J Trop Med Hyg.-2000,63(3-4).-199～203 医科图0216682 用微量滴定盘杂交测试法近期对在朝鲜再次出现的间日疟疾DNA诊断的试验/Chai...0216681 坦桑尼亚强烈的长期传播地区有症状的病人中恶性疟原虫配子母细胞血症的动力学/Akim N I//Am J Trop Med Hyg.-2000,63(3-4).-199～203 医科图0216682 用微量滴定盘杂交测试法近期对在朝鲜再次出现的间日疟疾DNA诊断的试验/Chai J Y//Am J Trop Med Hyg.-2000,63(1-2).-80～84展开更多
文摘The cytological mechanism of plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus is an interesting research topic with only a limited number of published articles. The results indicate that the sperms of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. contain abundant plastids, mitochondria and organelle DNA. These data provide reliable cytological evidence of paternal plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus . The results are in line with the confirmed general rule of paternal plastid inheritance in Pinaceae. But whether mitochondria in sperm cells can be transmitted into the embryos is an issue needs further developmental studies. Another important finding is that contrary to earlier classification of the male gamete of Pinaceae into the male nuclei type, the results reveal that male gametes in Pinus tabulaeformis are actually cells. However, the sperm cells are only surrounded by plasma membranes without cell walls. The larger leading sperm cell in a pollen tube section is long in shape, with a large amount of cytoplasm; while the second sperm cell is smaller, round in shape and contains less cytoplasm. Whether this feature of the male gamete type could be considered as a representative characteristic of the family is discussed and further conclusions await more experimental evidences from studies on plants from different species.
基金Supported by Project of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education (JHZD06-7)Qing Lan Project of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (2008 No.30)~~
文摘[Objective] Pollen mother cell miosis and male gametophyte development of pumpkin were observed in this study, to provide some cytological basis for pumpkin anther or microspore culture. [Method] Ehrlich＇s hematoxylin staining-methyl salicylate clearing technique was used for observation and research of the variation of cell structure and chromosomal behavior during pollen mother cell miosis and male gametophyte development of ‘Tianhong＇ pumpkin. [Result] The meiosis in pollen moth- er cells of pumpkin was simultaneous cytokinesis. In the process of nuclear division, nuclear membrane and nucleolus of pumpkin pollen mother cells gradually disappeared in the metaphase I and reappeared in telophase I , phragmoplast formed between the two generated crescent-shaped nuclei without cell wall, the phragmoplast gradually disappeared in the metaphase II and reappeared in telophase II. Phragmoplast spread outward from the center of spindle during the second division was connected with that formed on the central interface of two nuclei during the first division, cell wall of microspores generated from periphery to center. Most of the tetrads contained four sub-cells while a few contained extra small cells. During the period of uniuclete microspore at periphery, the single nucleolus split into 2-3 or more small nucleoli, mature pollen grain was two-celled. Mononucleate pollen cells were mostly appeared in the flower buds with length of 1.0-2.0 cm, which could be used as an important indicator to collect materials for anther or microspore culture. [Conclusion] This study laid the foundation for research of the cytogenetics of pumpkin.
文摘Identification of tumour necrosis factor apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), a TNF family ligand, sparked a torrent of research, following an initial observation that it could kill tumour cells, but spare normal cells. Almost a decade after its discovery, and with five known receptors, the true physiological role of TRAIL is still debated and its anti-tumorigenic properties limited by potential toxicity. This review takes a comprehensive look at the story of this enigmatic ligand, addressing its remaining potential as a therapeutic and providing an overview of the TRAIL receptors themselves.
基金Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr Michael E Maguire （Case Western Reserve University, USA） for providing the Salmonella mutant strain MM281 and advice on tracer uptake. This work was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China （30370794）, Hunan Young Scientist Program （03JJY1003）, and Hunan Provincial NSFC （08JJ3088）.
文摘Magnesium （Mg^2＋） is abundant in plant cells and plays a critical role in many physiological processes. A 10-member gene family AtMGT （also known as AtMRS2） was identified in Arabidopsis, which belongs to a eukaryote subset of the CorA superfamily, functioning as Mg^2＋ transporters. Some family members （AtMGT1 and AtMGT10） function as high-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter and could complement bacterial mutant or yeast mutant lacking Mg^2＋ transport capability. Here we report an AtMGT family member, AtMGT9, that functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter, and is essential for pollen development. The functional complementation assay in Salmonella mutant strain MM281 showed that AtMGT9 is capable of mediating Mg^2＋ uptake in the sub-millimolar range of Mg^2＋. The AtMGT9 gene was expressed most strongly in mature anthers and was also detectable in vascular tissues of the leaves, and in young roots. Disruption of AtMGT9 gene expression resulted in abortion of half of the mature pollen grains in heterozygous mutant ＋/mgt9, and no homozygous mutant plant was obtained in the progeny of selfed ＋/mgt9 plants. Transgenic plants expressing AtMGT9 in these heterozygous plants can recover the pollen phenotype to the wild type. In addition, At- MGT9 RNAi transgenic plants also showed similar abortive pollen phenotype to mutant ＋/mgt9. Together, our results demonstrate that AtMGT9 functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter that plays a crucial role in male gametophyte development and male fertility.
基金Supported by the NCI grants RO1 CA 092487-01A1 and RO1 CA 08582-01 A1 (to BF)a grant from the WM Keck Foundationan NIH Core Grant CA 16672
文摘AIM: Because of a major resistance to chemotherapy, prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poor. New treatments are required and gene therapy may be an option. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in multiple malignant tumors, and using adenoviral vectors has shown a targeted tumor-specific therapy. However, repeated administration of adenoviral vectors can lead to cell resistance, which may be caused by the initial coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). One technique to overcome resistance is the use of modified adenoviral vectors containing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. In this study we constructed an adenoviral vector (designated Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD) with RGD-modified fibers, expressing the TRAIL gene from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter, and evaluated its antitumor activity in HCC cell lines.METHODS: To investigate the effects of Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD in human HCC cell lines Hep G2 and Hep 3b, cells were infected with Ad/CMV-GFP (vector control), Ad/gTRAIL (positive control), and Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD. Phosphatebuffered saline (PBS) was used as control. Cell viability was determined by proliferation assay (XTT), and apoptosis induction by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS).RESULTS: Cells treated with Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD and Ad/ gTRAIL showed a significantly reduced cell viability in comparison to PBS and Ad/CMV-GFP treatment in both cell lines. Whereas, treatment with PBS and Ad/CMVGFP had no cell-killing effect. The reduced cell viability was caused by induction of apoptosis as shown by FACS analysis. The amount of apoptotic cells was similar after incubation with Ad/gTRAIL and Ad/TRAIL-F/RGD. CONCLUSION: The new RGD modified vector Ad/TRAILF/RGD could become a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC, adenovirus resistant tumors, and CAR low or negative cancer cells.
基金Project (No. 2004C34010) supported by the Science and Technology Bureau of Zhejiang Province, China
文摘Objectives： To explore the mechanism of development and aggressiveness in gastric carcinomas by investigating the expression and role of CD97 and its cellular ligand CD55 in gastric carcinomas. Methods： Tumor and corresponding normal mucosal tissue, collected from 39 gastric carcinoma patients, were examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for the expression of CD97 and CD55. Results： CD97^stalk was strongly stained on scattered tumor cells or small tumor cell clusters at the invasion front of gastric carcinomas. The expression of CD97^stalk was frequently observed in tumors of stage Ⅰ and T1 gastric carcinoma patients. The expression of CD97^stalk between Stage Ⅰ and Stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ specimens showed significant difference （P〈0.05）, between T1 and T2, T3, T4 specimens also showed significant difference （P〈0.05）. Specimens with tumor invasion depth limited in mucosa of T1 specimens showed higher positive CD55 expression than specimens with the same tumor invasion depth in T2, T3, T4 specimens, the expression of CD55 between T1 and T2, T3, T4 specimens was significantly different （P〈0.05）. There was strong correlation between the distribution patterns of CD97^stalk and CD55 on tumor tissues （r=0.73, P〈0.05）. Signet ring cell carcinomas frequently contained strong CD97^stalk and CD55-staining. Conclusions： Our results suggest that CD97^stalk is probably involved in the growth, invasion and aggressiveness of gastric carcinomas by binding its cellular ligand CD55. CD97^stalk and CD55 could be useful as molecular markers for prognosis and therapy of gastric carcinoma patients.
