Regulator of G protein signaling 6 mediates exercise-induced recovery of hippocampal neurogenesis,learning,and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.

Heterotrimeric G protein α subunit is involved in rice brassinosteroid response

Heterotrimeric G proteins are known to function as messengers in numerous signal transduction pathways.The nullmutation of RGA(rice heterotrimeric G protein α subunit),which encodes the α subunit of heterotrimeric G proteinin rice,causes severe dwarfism and reduced responsiveness to gibberellic acid in rice.However,less is known aboutheterotrimeric G protein in brassinosteroid(BR)signaling,one of the well-understood phytohormone pathways.In thepresent study,we used root elongation inhibition assay,lamina inclination assay and coleoptile elongation analysis todemonstrated reduced sensitivity of dl mutant plants(caused by the null mutation of RGA)to 24-epibrassinolide(24-epiBL),which belongs to brassinosteroids and plays a wide variety of roles in plant growth and development.Moreover,RGA transcript level was decreased in 24-epiBL-treated seedlings in a dose-dependent manner.Our results show thatRGA is involved in rice brassinosteroid response,which may be beneficial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Gprotein signaling and provide a novel perspective to understand BR signaling in higher plants.

A Dominant Locus, qBSC-1, Controls β Subunit Content of Seed Storage Protein in Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merri.)

Soybean seed storage protein is one of the most important plant vegetable proteins, and β subunit is of great significance to enhance soybean protein quality and processing property. F2 segregated population and residual heterozygous lines（RHL） derived from the cross between Yangyandou（low level of β subunit） and Zhonghuang 13（normal level of β subunit） were used for mapping of β subunit content. Our results showed that β subunit content was controlled by a single dominant locus, qBSC-1（β subunit content）, which was mapped to a region of 11.9 cM on chromosome 20 in F2 population of 85 individuals. This region was narrowed down to 2.5 cM between BARCSOYSSR_20_0997 and BARCSOYSSR_20_0910 in RHL with a larger population size of 246 individuals. There were 48 predicted genes within qBSC-1 region based on the reference genome（Glyma 1.0, Williams 82）, including the two copies of β subunit coding gene CG4. An InDel marker developed from a thymine（TT） insertion in one copy of CG4 promoter region in Yangyandou cosegregrated with BARCSOYSSR_20_0975 within qBSC-1 region, suggesting that this InDel marker maybe useful for marker-assisted selection（MAS）.

Gene Cloning and Expression Analysis of G Protein αq Subunit from Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée)

The cDNA encoding the G protein αq subunit was isolated from the antennae of Helicoverpa assulta （Guen6e） by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and named as HassGαq. Sequencing analysis showed that the fulllength of HassGαq open reading frame （ORF） is 1 062 bp, 353 amino acid residues are encoded. The predicted molecular weights （MW） and isoelectric point （PI） are 41.5 kD and 5.15, respectively. HassGαq gene was then constructed into expression vector pGEX-4T-2 for over expression in prokaryotic cells. The SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that induced by Isopropyl-β-D-Thiogalactoside （IPTG）, the GST-HassGαq fusion protein is expressed in Escherichia coil BL21, and its MW was found to be about 66 kD nearly equal to the predicted. In addition, RT-PCR analysis showed that the expressions of HassGαq are not tissue specific.

G-protein beta 3 subunit polymorphisms and essential hypertension： a case-control association study in northern Han Chinese

Objective To explore the association between the three polymorphisms [ C825T, C1429T and G（-350）A] of the gene encoding the G protein beta 3 subunit （GNB3） and hypertension by performing a case-control study in the northern Han Chinese population. Methods We recnaited 731 hypertensive patients and 673 control subjects （the calculated power value was 〉 0.8）. Genotyping was performed to identify C825T, C1429T and G（-350）A polymorphisms using the TaqMan assay. Comparisons of allelic and genotypic frequencies between cases and controls were made by using the chi-square test. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between the three polymorphisms of GNB3 gene under different genetic models （additive, dominant and recessive models）. Results The genotype dis- tribution and allele frequencies of C825T, C1429T and G（-350）A polymorphisms did not differ significantly between hypertensive patients and control subjects, either when the full sample was assessed, or when the sample was stratified by gender. No significant association was observed between C825T, C 1429T and G（-350）A polymorphisms and the risk of essential hypertension in any genetic model. Linkage dis- equilibrium was only detected between C825T and C 1429T polymorphisms. Haplotype analyses observed that none of the three estimated haplotypes significantly increased the risk of hypertension. Conclusions Our study suggested that the GNB3 gene polymorphisms [C825T, C 1429T and G（-350）A] were not significantly associated with essential hypertension in northern Han Chinese population.

Gene Cloning and Tissue-Specific Expression of G Protein β Subunit in Microplitis mediator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

A gene encoding a novel G protein β subunit of β1 subclass, GβMmed was isolated from Microplitis mediator （Hymenoptera： Braconidae）. The full-length sequence of GβMmed is 1 119 bp, the cDNA contains a 1 023 bp open reading frame that encodes a protein with 340 amino acids, and the predicted molecular weight of GβMmed is 37.23 kDa and isoelectric point is 5.86. By the quantitative real-time RT-PCR method, the tissue-specific expression and quantitative changes in the developmental expression profile of GβMmed were detected. It was found that GβMmed was abundantly expressed in M. mediator antennae, head （without antennae）, thorax, abdomen, legs and the wings, and especially at high levels in abdomen. In antennae, expression varied through 1st day before emergence to 5-d-old adults, and had equal expression levels detected in females and males in total. In head, GβMmed expresses while initially high in females, and have another peaked in stage 4 and 1st day, in males showed a peak of GβMmed expression prior to emergence and relatively low levels after emergence. In female abdomen GβMmed expression levels have two peaks in stage 1 and the 5th d, but just have one peak in male abdomen in stage 1. In all other tissues expression was low and stable.

High expression of protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B''alpha predicts poor outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND Protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B''alpha(PPP2R3A)gene has been reported in other tumors,but the influence of PPP2R3A gene expression on the occurrence,development,and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remains unclear.AIM To investigate whether the PPP2R3A gene could be used to predict tumor recurrence and survival of HCC patients after liver transplantation(LT).METHODS Diseased liver tissues of HCC patients after LT were collected as well as their clinical data and follow-up information.The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of PPP2R3A protein in the tissues of 108 patients with primary liver cancer.Theχ2 test was used to analyze the relationship between PPP2R3A protein expression levels and the clinicopathological features of tumors.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze overall postoperative survival.The COX proportional hazard model was used to analyze adverse prognostic factors.RESULTS Immunohistochemistry showed that the PPP2R3A protein was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of HCC cells.Compared to corresponding peritumoral tissues,expression was higher in HCC tissues(P≤0.001).Correlation analysis showed that high PPP2R3A expression was correlated with preoperative serum alphafetoprotein(AFP)levels(P=0.003),tumor-node-metastasis-t stage(P≤0.001),and envelope invasion(P=0.001).Univariate analysis showed that overall survival(P≤0.001)and recurrence-free survival(P=0.025)of patients with high PPP2R3A expression(≥4 points)were poor compared to those with low expression(<4 points).The overall survival rates or recurrence-free survival rates at 1,2,and 3 years with high PPP2R3A expression were 73%,38%,and 23%or 31%,23%,and 23%,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that high PPP2R3A expression(hazard ratio=2.900,95%confidence interval:1.411–5.960,P=0.004)was an independent survival risk factor of HCC patients after LT,and it was also an independent predictor of postoperative tumor recurrence.This study also showed in patients with AFP≥400 ng/mL,the overall survival(P≤0.001)and recurrencefree survival(P=0.023)of those with high PPP2R3A expression were significantly worse compared to those with low PPP2R3A expression.When PPP2R3A expression was low,the overall survival rate(P=0.461)or recurrence-free survival rate(P=0.072)after LT in patients with AFP<400 ng/mL and≥400 ng/mL was not significantly difference.The 1,2,and 3 year survival rate of patients with low PPP2R3A expression and AFP<400 ng/mL were 98%,80%,and 69%,respectively,while patients who met Hangzhou criteria had a posttransplant 1,2,and 3 years overall survival rate of 89%,66%,and 55%,respectively.CONCLUSION High expression of PPP2R3A might be a potential marker for predicting poor prognosis of HCC after LT.Combined with serum AFP levels,PPP2R3A might enhance the accuracy of predicting HCC outcome in patients after LT and supplement the efficacy of the Hangzhou criteria.

F-box only protein 2 exacerbates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting the hydroxyl CoA dehydrogenase alpha subunit

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major health burden with an increasing global incidence.Unfortunately,the unavailability of knowledge underlying NAFLD pathogenesis inhibits effective preventive and therapeutic measures.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of NAFLD.METHODS Whole genome sequencing(WGS)analysis was performed on liver tissues from patients with NAFLD(n=6)and patients with normal metabolic conditions(n=6)to identify the target genes.A NAFLD C57BL6/J mouse model induced by 16 wk of high-fat diet feeding and a hepatocyte-specific F-box only protein 2(FBXO2)overexpression mouse model were used for in vivo studies.Plasmid transfection,co-immunoprecipitation-based mass spectrometry assays,and ubiquitination in HepG2 cells and HEK293T cells were used for in vitro studies.RESULTS A total of 30982 genes were detected in WGS analysis,with 649 up-regulated and 178 down-regulated.Expression of FBXO2,an E3 ligase,was upregulated in the liver tissues of patients with NAFLD.Hepatocyte-specific FBXO2 overexpression facilitated NAFLD-associated phenotypes in mice.Overexpression of FBXO2 aggravated odium oleate(OA)-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells,resulting in an abnormal expression of genes related to lipid metabolism,such as fatty acid synthase,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha,and so on.In contrast,knocking down FBXO2 in HepG2 cells significantly alleviated the OA-induced lipid accumulation and aberrant expression of lipid metabolism genes.The hydroxyl CoA dehydrogenase alpha subunit(HADHA),a protein involved in oxidative stress,was a target of FBXO2-mediated ubiquitination.FBXO2 directly bound to HADHA and facilitated its proteasomal degradation in HepG2 and HEK293T cells.Supplementation with HADHA alleviated lipid accumulation caused by FBXO2 overexpression in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION FBXO2 exacerbates lipid accumulation by targeting HADHA and is a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD。

Genetic predisposition to essential hypertension in a Mongolian population Detecting the C825T polymorphism of the G-protein beta 3 subunit gene

BACKGROUND： The prevalences of hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, etc. are higher in Mongolian population because of the influence of various factors including genetics, geography, diet, etc. Therefore, it is helpful for prevention to develop researches on the genetics of various diseases including hypertension in Mongolian population. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the association between C825T polymorphisms of G-protein beta 3 subunit gene （GNB3）, the important candidate gene of various disease of cardiovascular system, and Mongolian patients with essential hypertension. DESIGN： A comparative observation. SETTINGS： Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical College; Wulate Houqi Red Cross Society. PARTICIPANTS： Totally 267 Mongolian residents, whose blood relations of 3 generations were all Mongolians, were selected from Wulate Houqi, Inner Mongolia. The patients were screened based on the diagnostic standard of hypertension set by WHO in 1999, and the enrolled subjects were divided into two groups according to the level of blood pressure： ① Normal blood pressure group （n =124）： 64 males and 60 females, systolic blood pressure （SBP） 〈 140 mm Hg （1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa）, diastolic blood pressure （DBP） 〈 90 mm Hg;②Essential hypertension group （n =143）： 71 males and 72 females, including 60 patients with simple high SBP （SBP ranged 145 to 195 mm Hg, whereas DBP 〈 90 mm Hg）. METHODS： Peripheral venous blood （5 mL） was drawn from all the subjects, the genome DNA was extracted, and the polymorphisms of the GNB3 C825T genotype were detected with the Sequenom system. Polyrnerase chain reaction （PCR） experiment and SNP detection were performed in Beijing Huada gene laboratory. Then the univariate analysis of variance was applied in the sample comparison among groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the genotypes and allele frequencies. The odd ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CI） were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The distributions of GNB3 C825T genotypes and alleles were observed. RESULTS： All the 267 Mongolian subjects were involved in the analysis of results.① GNB3 C825T genotypes： In Mongolian population, the frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotypes at GNB3 C825T site in the essential hypertension group （48%, 41%, 11%） were not obvious different from those in the normal blood pressure group （43%, 47%, 10%, x^2 =0.162, P =0.688; OR：1.176, 95%CI： 0.533- 2.592）, whereas there were also no obvious differences between the simple high SBP group （57%, 35%, 8%） and the normal blood pressure group （x^2 =0.733, P =0.392; OR：1.957, 95%CI： 0.623- 6.143）. ②GNB3 C825T alleles： In Mongolian population, The frequencies of C and T alleles in the essential hypertension group （69%, 31%） were not obviously different from those in the normal blood pressure group （67%, 33%, x^2 =0.094, P = 0.759; OR：0.945, 95%CI：0.657 - 1.358）, whereas there were also no obvious differences between the simple high SBP group （74%, 26%） and the normal blood pressure group （ x^2 =2.133, P =0.144; OR：0.697, 95%CI： 0.428- 1.133）. CONCLUSION： GNB3 C825T site may be not a genetic marker of essential hypertension and simple high SBP in Mongolian population.

G αi, and G βγ, subunits have opposite effects on dexmedetomidine-induced sedation

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of G_(αi) and G_(βγ) subunits on dexmedetomidine(DMED)-induced sedation.METHODS Kunming mice were randomly placed into three groups(DMED group,DMED+dbcAMP/rolipram/gallein/M119 group,dbcAMP/rolipram/gallein/M119 group) to explore the regulation of dbcAMP/rolipram/gallein/M119 on DMED-induced sedation by establishing loss of righting reflex(LORR) model.DbcAMP/rolipram was intracerebroventricular injected and gallein/M119 was intraperitoneal injected 15 min before DMED intravenous injection.In CHO-α2 A-AR cells,after administration of DMED/gallein/M119,the regulation on the cAMP accumulation stimulated by Forskolin(FSK) was detected,so was the intracellular calcium ion concentration([Ca2 + ]i.The levels of pERK/pCREB were detected by Western Blot to explore the key signal molecules involved in DMED-induced sedation.RESULTS The ED50 of DMED-induced LORR(200.0 nmol·kg^(-1)) was increased to 375.0 or433.3 nmol·kg^(-1) by pre-treatment with cAMP analog dbcAMP(50 nmol/5μl per mouse) or phosphodies.terase 4 inhibitor rolipram(100 nmol/5μl per mouse).In addition,the ED50 of DMED-induced LORR was decreased to 113.6 or 136.5 nmol·kg^(-1) when pre-treated with G_(βγ) subunits inhibitor M119(100 mg·kg^(-1))or gallein(100 mg·kg^(-1)) respectively.Administration of dbcAMP,rolipram,gallein or M119 alone had little effect on LORR of mice.Gallein(10 μmol·L^(-1)) significantly inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumu.lation in CHO-α2A-AR cells.Compared with G_(βγ) subunits inhibitors or DMED alone,[Ca^(2+)]i and pERK1/2 significantly increased after co-administration of G_(βγ) subunits inhibitors with DMED.DbcAMP(5 μmol·L^(-1))or rolipram(5 μmol·L^(-1)) alone had little effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation,but decreased DMEDinduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation after co-administration with DMED.G_(βγ) subunit inhibitors treatment increased DMED-induced phosphorylation of CREB,whereas dbcAMP or rolipram had little effect on pCREB induced by DMED.CONCLUSION G_(βγ) subunits might inhibit DMED-induced sedation through cAMP and pERK1/2 pathway,which was opposite to G_(αi) subuint.

Efficient and Soluble Expression of α Protein of Clostridium perfringens and Preparation of Genetic Engineering Subunit Vaccine

[Objective] The paper was to develop genetic engineering vaccine that can express α exotoxin antigen protein efficiently without destroying its immunogenicity for preventing and controlling the diseases caused by Clostridium perfringens. [Method] Efficiently expressed soluble recombinant α protein was obtained from Escherichia coli expression system by optimizing codon,removing signal peptide,selecting sequences with better hydrophilicity and antigenicity,and optimizing expression conditions. [Result] Mice obtained higher serum antibody level when immunized by α protein,and the immune protection rates against type A,type B,type C and type D C. perfringens were 100%,90%,85% and 90%,respectively. The antibody titer of mice within 7-14 d after the third immunization reached the peak. [Conclusion]The α protein has good immunogenicity,and can be further used to develop genetic engineering subunit vaccines for preventing C. perfringens.

Recombinant outer membrane protein F-B subunit of LT protein as a prophylactic measure against Pseudomonas aeruginosa burn infection in mice

AIM: To study immunogenicity of outer membrane protein F(Opr F) fused with B subunit of LT(LTB), against Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa). METHODS: The Opr F, a major surface exposed outer membrane protein that is antigenically conserved in various strains of P. aeruginosa, is a promising immunogen against P. aeruginosa. In the present study recombinant Opr F and Opr F-LTB fusion gene was cloned, expressed and purified. BALB/c mice and rabbits were immunized using recombinant Opr F and Opr F-LTB and challenged at the burn site with P. aeruginosa lethal dose of 104 CFU. The protective efficacy of rabbit anti Opr F Ig G against P. aeruginosa burn infection was investigated by passive immunization. RESULTS: It has been well established that the LTB is a powerful immunomodulator with strong adjuvant activity. LTB as a bacterial adjuvant enhanced immunogenicity of Opr F and anti Opr F Ig G titer in serum was increased. Experimental findings showed significantly higher average survival rate in burned mice immunized with Opr F-LTB than immunized with Opr F or the control group. Rabbits anti Opr F Ig G brought about 75% survival of mice following challenge with P. aeruginosa. Post challenge hepatic and splenic tissues of mice group immunized with Opr F-LTB had significantly lower bacterial load than those immunized with Opr F or the control groups. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that LTBfused Opr F might be a potential candidate protein for a prophylactic measure against P. aeruginosa in burn infection.

Long non-coding RNA CDKN2B-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via E2F transcription factor 1/G protein subunit alpha Z axis

BACKGROUND A series of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have been reported to play a crucial role in cancer biology.Some previous studies report that lncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 is involved in some human malignancies.However,its role in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has not been fully deciphered.AIM To decipher the role of CDKN2B-AS1 in the progression of HCC.METHODS CDKN2B-AS1 expression in HCC was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The malignant phenotypes of Li-7 and SNU-182 cells were detected by the CCK-8 method,EdU method,and flow cytometry,respectively.RNA immunoprecipitation was executed to confirm the interaction between CDKN2B-AS1 and E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1).Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to verify the binding of E2F1 to the promoter of G protein subunit alpha Z(GNAZ).E2F1 and GNAZ were detected by western blot in HCC cells.RESULTS In HCC tissues,CDKN2B-AS1 was upregulated.Depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells,and the depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 also induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.CDKN2B-AS1 could interact with E2F1.Depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited the binding of E2F1 to the GNAZ promoter region.Overexpression of E2F1 reversed the biological effects of depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 on the malignant behaviors of HCC cells.CONCLUSION CDKN2B-AS1 recruits E2F1 to facilitate GNAZ transcription to promote HCC progression.

G-protein β subunit AGB1 positively regulates salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis

The heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins（G-proteins） in eukaryotes consisted of α, β and γ subunits and are important in molecular signaling by interacting with G-protein-coupled receptors（GPCR）, on which to transduce signaling into the cytoplast through appropriate downstream effectors. However, downstream effectors regulated by the G-proteins in plants are currently not well defined. In this study, the transcripts of AGB1, a G protein β subunit gene in Arabidopsis were found to be down-regulated by cold and heat, but up-regulated by high salt stress treatment. AGB1 mutant（agb1-2） was more sensitive to high salt stress than wild-type（WT）. Compared with WT, the cotyledon greening rates, fresh weight, root length, seedling germination rates and survival rates decreased more rapidly in agb1-2 along with increasing concentrations of Na Cl in normal（MS） medium. Physiological characteristic analysis showed that compared to WT, the contents of chlorophyll, relative proline accumulation and peroxidase（POD） were reduced, whereas the malonaldehyde（MDA） content and concentration ratio of Na＋/K＋ were increased in agb1-2 under salt stress condition. Further studies on the expression of several stress inducible genes associated with above physiological processes were investigated, and the results revealed that the expressions of genes related to proline biosynthesis, oxidative stress response, Na＋ homeostasis, stress- and ABAresponses were lower in agb1-2 than in WT, suggesting that those genes are possible downstream genes of AGB1 and that their changed expression plays an important role in determining phenotypic and physiologic traits in agb1-2. Taken together, these findings indicate that AGB1 positively regulates salt tolerance in Arabidopsis through its modulation of genes transcription related to proline biosynthesis, oxidative stress, ion homeostasis, stress- and ABA-responses.

Association between G-protein β3 subunit gene and isolated systolic blood pressure elevation of greater than 130 mmHg: A large-scale cross-sectional study in the Japanese population

AIM To investigate whether GNB3 C825 T single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) contributes to systolic blood pressure(SBP) ≥ 130 mmH g in a large-scale cross-sectional study among the Japanese population with diastolic blood pressure(DBP) < 85 mmH g. METHODS We analyzed 11008 Japanese subjects, including 2797 cases(SBP ≥ 130 and DBP < 85 mmH g) who were not taking anti-hypertensive medication and 8211 controls(SBP < 130 and DBP < 85 mmH g), all of whom enrolled in the genome banking project of the 21 st Century COE(Center of Excellence) Program at Jichi Medical University. Subjects were divided into four groups according to gender(male and female) and age(≤ 49 years and ≥ 50 years). GNB3 gene polymorphism was determined using the TaqM an probe method. We compared the frequencies of alleles and genotypes between cases and controls by chi-squared test. The strength of the associations was estimated by odds ratios(ORs) and 95%CI by using logistic regression analysis. The ORs were adjusted for age and body mass index. RESULTS Allele and genotype distributions significantly differed between cases and controls only in males aged ≤ 49 years. Compared to the CC genotype, a significant OR was obtained in the TT genotype among males aged ≤ 49 years.CONCLUSION This study indicates that the TT genotype of the GNB3 C825 T SNP may contribute to SBP elevation of greater than 130 mmH g compared to the CC genotype in Japanese males aged ≤ 49 years.

EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON GENE EXPRESSION OF α- SUBUNIT OF Go-PROTEIN IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF RATS WITH HYPERTENSIVE CEREBRAL HEMORRAGE

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on gene expr ession o f α subunit of Go-protein in the brain of rats with hypertensive cerebral hem or rage and study its underlying mechanisms of EA in ameliorating cerebral hemorrag e. Methods: A total of 130 SD rats were randomly divided into nor mal control gro up (n=10), sham operation group (n=40), model group (n=40) and EA group (n=40). The latter 3 groups were further divided into 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h (tim e course s) subgroups, with 10 rats being in each subgroup. The hypertensive cerebral hem orrage model was induced by injecting 1 μL of collagenase (0.5 U/μL collagena se Type Ⅶ) and heparin (7 U/μL) into the caudate nucleus in rats with renovascul ar hypertension (by clipping the bilateral renal arteries). The gene expression of α subunit of Go-protein in the hippocampus tissue of rats was detected with No rthern blotting hybridization analysis. EA (continuous waves, 120 pulses/min in frequency, 1 mA in intensity and duration of 30 min) was applied to "Shuigou" (水沟 GV 26), bilateral "Neiguan"(内关 PC 6) and bilateral "Housanli"(Zusanl i, 足三里 ST 36). Results: The gene expression of α subunit of Go-protein in th e hippocampus tis sue of the rats was obviously downregulated in hypertensive cerebral hemorrage m odel group and significantly upregulated after EA treatment wit h the extension of time. Conlusion: EA may relieve cerebral hemorr age by regulating the gene transcription of α subunit of Go-protein and incre asing the expression of Go-α protein. This may be one of the molecular mechani sm s of EA in improving hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.

Isolation and Characterization of Storage Protein Subunit-null-dwarf Mutants in Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.)

Dwarfing is useful to reduce plant height,when breeding high-yielding and non-lodging crops.In this study,a set of natural storage protein subunit-null dwarf mutants of soybean was reported that showed strongly reduced plant stature and deficiency in various 7S and 11S subunits,designated as snd1 mutants.Under normal growth conditions,the snd1 mutants showed a severe dwarf phenotype,with plant height of about 25 cm.Compared with wild-type DN47,the mutant snd1 exhibited no obvious morphological differences at the early stage of development.All the snd1 mutants examined had fewer nodes and shorter than normal internodes;the leaves were similar in shape to normal parents,but were dark-green at the mature stage.The flower size was similar to DN47;however,the flowering period was shorter than in the wild-type.Significant variation was noted for protein content,oil content of the seeds and size of seeds(weight of 100 seeds)among 17 snd1 dwarf lines.Genetic analysis indicated that the dwarfism of snd1 was controlled by a single recessive gene.The snd1 dwarf mutant had markedly different dynamic levels of the endogenous hormones gibberellin(GA),brassinosteroid,indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid,at the seedling stage.Exogenous GA3 treatment led to recovery of the plant height phenotype of the snd1 mutant;GA3 at 0.1 mm had the largest effect on enhancing plant height.Using molecular markers,snd1 gene was approximately mapped in an interval of 603 kb between markers Satt166 and Satt561 on chromosome 19.Snd1 mutant provided valuable material for hypoallergenic soybean breeding and the snd1 gene might be a novel gene related to plant height in soybean.

Protein A/G亲和层析在HCV抗体纯化中的应用效果

目的分析蛋白A/G亲和层析柱在纯化抗HCV血清的影响因素,以便选择最佳使用条件提高ProteinA/G亲和柱的利用效率。方法分别将抗HCV血清用不同处理方式、不同上样方式、不同使用次数的亲和柱进行纯化,并收集纯化样品进行检测、分析。结果用饱和硫酸铵粗纯后,在蛋白A/G亲和层析柱的纯化效果更好;样品在亲和柱内吸附30min可提高亲和柱的对目的蛋白的吸附。结论使用初纯的抗体并增加吸附时间能提高亲和层析柱的利用率,并有效延长亲和柱的使用寿命。

用protein G纯化口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体的特性分析

目的为了获得高效价和高纯度的O型口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体。方法用O型口蹄疫乳鼠毒(LD50=10-8.5)感染免疫小鼠,按有限稀释法和ELISA方法筛选出阳性杂交瘤细胞株,制备单抗腹水,所收腹水用50%和45%的饱和硫酸铵沉淀,再用proteinG亲和层析柱进行亲和层析纯化单体,并用SDS-PAGE和单抗检测方法分析其纯化抗体的纯度和活性。结果经3次亚克隆获得了一株杂交瘤细胞株(10E6),抗体亚类鉴定为IgG2a;SDS-PAGE电泳显示,纯化的抗体纯度较高,只有IgG2a的重链和轻链,而没有其它杂蛋白带;单抗ELISA检测方法显示,纯化的抗体具有良好的活性,其效价为1∶102400,高于腹水效价。结论用proteinG亲和层析法获得了高纯度和高效价的单克隆抗体,将为O型口蹄疫病毒的基础研究和应用研究奠定基础。

基于Kisspeptin/GPR54系统探讨新加二甲地黄汤对PCOS模型大鼠卵泡发育的影响

目的探讨经新加二甲地黄汤干预后的多囊卵巢综合征(polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)模型大鼠的卵泡发育情况及其可能存在的效应机制。方法筛选28只拥有规律动情周期的雌性SD大鼠,随机分为正常对照组、模型组、中药组及西药组,每组7只。除正常对照组外,其余三组均连续予来曲唑-羧甲基纤维素混悬液0.1mg/(kg·d)灌胃,以构建PCOS大鼠模型。自第22天起,中药组以新加二甲地黄汤5.268g/(kg·d)灌胃,西药组以炔雌醇环丙孕酮片0.286mg/(kg·d)灌胃,正常对照组及模型组均以10ml/(kg·d)蒸馏水灌胃。3周后比较各组大鼠卵巢系数,苏木精-伊红染色观察各组大鼠卵巢组织形态学改变,对各组大鼠血清激素均采用酶联免疫吸附试验进行检测,蛋白质印迹法检测卵巢亲吻素(kisspeptin,Kp)、G蛋白偶联受体54(G-protein-coupled receptor 54,GPR54)蛋白表达水平。结果与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠卵巢内呈现为囊状扩张和闭锁的卵泡增多,其颗粒细胞层数变少,卵巢系数增大;血清睾酮(testosterone,T)、黄体生成素(luteinizing hormone,LH)、Kp水平升高;血清卵泡刺激素(follicle stimulating hormone,FSH)、雌二醇(estradiol,E2)水平及大鼠卵巢组织中Kp、GPR54蛋白表达均显著降低(P<0.05)。予中药干预后,与模型组比较,中药组大鼠卵巢囊样扩张卵泡数量变少,颗粒细胞的层数增多,存在近成熟的卵泡,并见少量黄体存在;大鼠血清LH、T、Kp水平下降,血清FSH、E2水平及卵巢Kp、GPR54蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.05)。结论PCOS模型大鼠的卵泡发育情况经新加二甲地黄汤干预后得以改善,该治疗机制可能为通过调控Kisspeptin/GPR54系统影响FSH和LH的释放,以此影响激素含量,调整卵巢功能,使卵泡发育和排卵能力得以改善。