The in situ spectral methods for examining redox status of c-type cytochromes in metal-reducing/oxidizing bacteria

The membrane-associated c-type cytochromes(c-Cyts) have been well known as the key enzymes mediating extracellular electron transfer to terminal electron acceptors, resulting in biogeochemical elemental transformation, contaminant degradation, and nutrient cycling. Although c-Cyts-mediated metal reduction or oxidation have been mainly investigated with the purified proteins of metal reducing/oxidizing bacteria, the in vivo behavior of c-Cyts is still unclear, given the difficulty in measuring the proteins of intact cells. Fortunately, the in situ spectroscopy would be ideal for measuring the reaction kinetics of c-Cyts in intact cells under noninvasive physiological conditions. It can also help the establishment of kinetic/thermodynamic models of extracellular electron transfer processes, which are essential to understand the electron transfer mechanisms at the molecular scale. This review briefly summarizes the current advances in spectral methods for examining the c-Cyts in intact cells of dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria and Fe(Ⅱ)-oxidizing bacteria.

The role of polymorphic cytochrome P450 gene(CYP2B6)in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia(B-CLL)incidence and outcome among Egyptian patients

Cytochromes P450(CYPs)play a prominent role in catalyzing phase I xenobiotic biotransformation and account for about 75%of the total metabolism of commercially available drugs,including chemotherapeutics.The gene expression and enzyme activity of CYPs are variable between individuals,which subsequently leads to different patterns of susceptibility to carcinogenesis by genotoxic xenobiotics,as well as differences in the efficacy and toxicity of clinically used drugs.This research aimed to examine the presence of the CYP2B6*9 polymorphism and its possible association with the incidence of B-CLL in Egyptian patients,as well as the clinical outcome after receiving cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.DNA was isolated from whole blood samples of 100 de novo B-CLL cases and also from 100 sex-and age-matched healthy individuals.The presence of the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism was examined by PCR-based allele specific amplification(ASA).Patients were further indicated for receiving chemotherapy,and then they were followed up.The CYP2B6*9 variant indicated a statistically significant higher risk of B-CLL under different genetic models,comprising allelic(T-allele vs.G-allele,OR=4.8,p<0.001)and dominant(GT+TT vs.GG,OR=5.4,p<0.001)models.Following cyclophosphamide chemotherapy,we found that the patients with variant genotypes(GT+TT)were less likely to achieve remission compared to those with the wild-type genotype(GG),with a response percentage of(37.5%vs.83%,respectively).In conclusion,our findings showed that the CYP2B6*9(G516T)polymorphism is associated with B-CLL susceptibility among Egyptian patients.This variant greatly affected the clinical outcome and can serve as a good therapeutic marker in predicting response to cyclophosphamide treatment.

Creation of cytochrome P450 catalysis depending on a non-natural cofactor for fatty acid hydroxylation

Cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyze diverse oxidative transformations at the expense of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH),however,their applications remain limited largely because NADPH is cost-prohibitive for biocatalysis at scale yet tightly regulated in host cells.A highly challenging task for P450 catalysis has been to develop an alternative and biocompatible electrondonating system.Here we engineered P450 BM3 to favor reduced nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide(NCDH)and created non-natural cofactor-dependent P450 catalysis.Two outstanding mutants were identified with over 640-fold NCDH preference improvement and good catalytic efficiencies of over15,000 M^(-1)s^(-1)for the oxidation of the fatty acid probe 12-(para-nitrophenoxy)-dodecanoate.Molecular docking analysis indicated that these mutants bear a compacted cofactor entrance.Upon fusing with an NCD-dependent formate dehydrogenase,fused proteins functioned as NCDH-specific P450catalysts by using formate as the electron donor.Importantly,these mutants and fusions catalyzed NCDH-dependent hydroxylation of fatty acids with similar chain length preference to those by natural P450 BM3 in the presence of NADPH and also similar regioselectivity for subterminal hydroxylation of lauric acid.As P450 BM3 and its variants are catalytically powerful to take diverse substrates and convey different reaction paths,our results offer an exciting opportunity to devise advanced cell factories that convey oxidative biocatalysis with an orthogonal reducing power supply system.

Cytochrome C在大鼠SAH后早期脑损伤的表达及意义

目的:本实验采用枕大池注血法建立大鼠蛛网膜下腔出血动物模型,通过研究细胞色素C(Cytochrome C)在动物体内和体外表达变化,探讨c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)信号传导通路是否参与了蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)后早期脑损伤(EBI)的发生、发展,并进一步探讨JNK在EBI中的作用及意义。方法:随机选取120只大鼠采用枕大池注血法建立标准SAH动物模型。随机将其分为6组:分别为正常组(n=20),假手术组(Sham组,n=20),SAH组(n=20),SAH+DMSO(二甲基亚砜)组(n=20),SAH+SP600125(10mg/kg)组(n=20)和SAH+SP600125(30mg/kg)组(n=20)。利用TUNEL显色法检测大脑皮层区域细胞凋亡现象情况;运用Western Blotting法动态检测脑组织Cytochrome C蛋白表达情况。结果:(1)蛛网膜下腔出血后大鼠神经行为功能异常;Western Blot法检测大脑皮质Cytochrome C表达增加;蛛网膜下腔出血后24h,通过TUNEL检测大脑皮层区脑组织细胞的异常染色、结构紊乱等凋亡征象。(2)SP600125干预后,大鼠神经行为功能异常有所好转;检测大脑皮质Cytochrome C值减少,实验组大脑皮层细胞凋亡征象减少。结论:神经元细胞凋亡途径是蛛网膜下腔出血后早期脑损伤过程中重要的病理生理机制;JNK信号传导通路可能通过诱导细胞凋亡而促进早期脑损伤的发生、发展;SP600125可能通过抑制JNK信号传导通路中Cytochrome C蛋白表达从而保护蛛网膜下腔出血后造成的早期脑损伤。

Hepatoprotective effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine against alcohol-and cytochrome P450 2E1-induced liver injury

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) acts as a methyl donor for methylation reactions and participates in the synthesis of glutathione. SAM is also a key metabolite that regulates hepatocyte growth, differentiation and death. Hepatic SAM levels are decreased in animal models of alcohol liver injury and in patients with alcohol liver disease or viral cirrhosis. This review describes the protection by SAM against alcohol and cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo and evaluates mechanisms for this protection.

Cardioprotection of Shenfu preparata on cardiac myocytes through cytochrome P450 2J3

To evaluate whether Shenfu injection （SFI） protects against cardiac myocyte injury induced by Fupian injection （FPI） in vitro. METHODS： H9c2 cells were separately treated with FPI, Renshen injection （RSI） and SFI. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release, spontaneous beating rate of primative cardical cells, caspase-3/7 activity, cell apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 2J3 （CYP2J3） mRNA expression were analyzed. RESULTS： The viability of H9c2 cells treated with SFI （37 and 75 mg/mL） was significantly higher than that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI （25 and 50 mg/mL） （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively）. LDH activity of H9c2 cells treated with SFI （75 mg/mL） was significantly decreased （P〈0.01） compared with that of H9c2 cells treated with FPI （50 mg/mL）. SFI （150 mg/mL） significantly attenuated FPI （100 mg/mL）-induced spontaneous beating rate decrease in primary myocardial cells after 4-hour treatment. Compared with FPI （12 and 25 mg/mL）, SFI （18 and 37 mg/mL） treatment could effectively reverse the change of caspase-3/7 activity （P〈0.01 and P〈0.01, respectively）. Compared with FPI （6 and 25 mg/mL）, apoptotic cells decreased significantly （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively） when H9c2 cells were incubated with SFI （9 and 37 mg/mL）. The expression of CYP2J3 mRNA was down-regulated by FPI, while RSI and SFI could up-regulate the expression of CYP2J3 （P〈0.01）, which suggested the potential mechanism of protection of RSI against cardiac myocyte damage induced by FPI treatment. CONCLUSION： These observations indicate that SFI has the potential to exert cardioprotective effects against FPI toxicity. The effect was possibly correlated with the activation of CYP2J3.

The cytochrome P450 superfamily: Key players in plant development and defense

The cytochrome P450 （CYP） superfamily is the largest enzymatic protein family in plants, and it also widely exists in mammals, fungi, bacteria, insects and so on. Members of this superfamily are involved in multiple metabolic pathways with distinct and complex functions, playing important roles in a vast array of reactions. As a result, numerous secondary metabolites are synthesized that function as growth and developmental signals or protect plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we summarize the characterization of CYPs, as well as their phylogenetic classification. We also focus on recent advances in elucidating the roles of CYPs in mediating plant growth and development as well as biotic and abiotic stresses responses, providing insights into their potential utilization in plant breeding.

Cancer and age related colonic crypt deficiencies in cytochrome c oxidase Ⅰ

AIM: To investigate whether defi ciency of expressionof cytochrome c oxidase I (CcOI) in colonic crypts is associated with colon cancer.METHODS: The pattern and level of expression of CcOI in non-neoplastic colonic crypts,and in dysplastic tissues,was assessed using standard immunohis-tochemical methods.Biopsies were obtained from individuals undergoing colonoscopies for screening purposes or for a medically indicated reason.Tissue samples were also obtained from surgical colonic resections.Samples from resections were taken from colonic mucosa 1 and 10 cm from tumors and from the tumors themselves.Samples were evaluated for frequency of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI.In most crypts the loss was apparent throughout the entire crypt,while in a small minority the loss was segmental.The strong immunoreactivity using this monoclonal antibody makes the scoring unambiguous.The percent of crypts with reduced or absent expression of CcOI or (infrequent) segmented loss of expression was then calculated.Data analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package 17.0.RESULTS: The average frequency of CcOI deficient crypts (CcOI-DC) is low in individuals between 20 and 39 years of age,with 0.48% ± 0.40% CcOI-DC for women and 1.80% ± 0.35% for men.CcOI-DC increases after age 40 years,so that between the ages of 40 and 44 years the average frequency of CcOI- DC goes up to 5.89% ± 0.84% in women and 2.15% ± 1.27% in men.By 80-84 years of age,the average frequency of CcOI-DC goes up in women to 15.77% ± 0.97% and in men to 22.6% ± 0.65%.The increases in CcOI-DC from ages 40-44 years compared to 80-84 years in women and men are significantly different with P < 0.01.For women over age 60 years,deficiency of CcOI expression is greater in those women who have had a cancer in their colon.The frequency of CcOI-DC,measured in men,increased in tissues adjacent to colon cancer,being 4.03% ± 0.27% in individuals free of neoplasia in the age range 55-64 yearsand 14.13% ± 0.35% in resected histologically normal tissue of men with cancer in the same age range,P < 0.001.Similar signifi cant differences were noted in older age ranges.The frequency of CcOI-DC crypts in the cecum and sigmoid colon of an individual are signifi cantly correlated,with an R2 = 0.414 for women and R2 = 0.528 for men,P < 0.001.This suggests that the factors determining the level of CcOI deficiency act throughout the colon.Most defective crypts are in clusters of two or more,a likely consequence of crypt fission.In the non-neoplastic margins of cancers,crypts are frequently defi cient for CcOI,and such crypts may appear in large clusters,some containing more than 100 defi cient crypts.CcOI defi ciency is also apparent in colon cancers and sometimes involves a large section of the tumor.Overall,CcOI deficient cells can be visualized in segments of crypts,in whole crypts that increase in frequency with age,in crypts undergoing f ission,in clusters of crypts where the clusters increase in size with age,in increased frequency near tumors,in large clusters in the intimate margins of tumors,and in the tumors themselves.There is no clear dividing line between early stages that can be considered aspects of aging and later stages that can be considered aspects of the progression to cancer.This ambiguity may re ect a rather general situation leading to adult cancer where the early stages of cellular change appear to be relatively innocuous features of the aging process but over decades may evolve into malignancy.CONCLUSION: CcOI defi cient crypts increase in frequency with age,and clusters of defi cient crypts are associated with,and may give rise to,colon cancer.

Role of cytochrome P450 polymorphisms and functions in development of ulcerative colitis

Cytochromes P450 s(CYPs) are terminal enzymes in CYP dependent monooxygenases, which constitute a superfamily of enzymes catalysing the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous substances. One of their main tasks is to facilitate the excretion of these substances and eliminate their toxicities in most phase 1 reactions. Endogenous substrates of CYPs include steroids, bile acids, eicosanoids, cholesterol, vitamin D and neurotransmitters. About 80% of currently used drugs and environmental chemicals comprise exogenous substrates for CYPs. Genetic polymorphisms of CYPs may affect the enzyme functions and have been reported to be associated with various diseases and adverse drug reactions among different populations. In this review, we discuss the role of some critical CYP isoforms(CYP1 A1, CYP2 D6, CYP2 J2, CYP2 R1,CYP3 A5, CYP3 A7, CYP4 F3, CYP24 A1, CYP26 B1 and CYP27 B1) in the pathogenesis or aetiology of ulcerative colitis concerning gene polymorphisms. In addition, their significance in metabolism concerning ulcerative colitis in patients is also discussed showing a clear underestimation in genetic studies performed so far.

An in-vitro cocktail assay for assessing compound-mediated inhibition of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes

An efficient screening assay was developed and validated for simultaneous assessment of compound-mediated inhibition of six major human cytochrome P450 （CYP） enzymes. This method employed a cocktail of six probe substrates （i.e., phenacetin, amodiaquine, diclofenac, S-mephenytoin, dextromethorphan and midazolam for CYPIA2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4, respectively） as well as individual prototypical inhibitors of the six CYP enzymes in human liver microsomes under optimized incubation conditions. The corresponding marker metabolites （i.e., acetaminophen, N-desethylamodiaquine, 4-OH-diclofenac, 4-OH-S- mephenytoin, dextrorphan and 1-OH-midazolam） in the incubates were quantified using LC-MS/MS methods either by an internal standard （IS） calibration curve or a simpfified analyte-to-IS peak area ratio approach. The results showed that the IC5o values determined by the cocktail approach were in good agreement with those obtained by the individual substrate approach as well as those reported in the literature. Besides, no remarkable difference was observed between the two quantification approaches. In conclusion, this new cocktail assay can be used for reliable screening of compound-mediated CYP inhibition.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 genetic polymorphism and gastric cancer in Changle,Fujian Province

AIM: Genetic polymorphism in enzymes of carcinogen metabolism has been found to have the influence on the susceptibility to cancer. Cytochrome P450 2E1 ( CYP2 E1) is considered to play an important role in the metabolic activation of procarcinogens such as N-nitroscoamines and Iow molecular weight organic compounds. The purpose of this study is to determine whether CYP450 2Elpolymorphisms are associated with risk s of gastric cancer.METHODS: We conducted a population based case-control study in Changle county, Fujian Province, a high-risk region of gastric cancer in China. Ninety-one incident gastric cancer patients and ninety-four healthy controls were included in our study. Datas including dsmographic characteristcs, diet intake, and alcohol and tobacco consumption of indivduals in our study were completed by a standardized questionnaire. PCR-RFLP revealed three genotypes: heterozygote (C1/C2) and two homozygotes (C1/C1 and C2/C2) in CYP2E1.RESULTS: The frequency of variant genotypes (C1/C2 and C2/C2) in gastric cancer cases and controls was 36.3% and 24.5%, respectively. The rare homozygous C2/C2 genotype was found in 6 indivduals in gastric cancer group(6.6%),whereas there was only one in the control group (1.1%).However, there was no statistically significan difference between the two groups (two-tailed Fisher′s exact test, P =0.066). Indivduals in gastric cancer group were more likely to carry genotype C1/C2 (odds ratio, OR = 1.50) and C2/C2(OR = 7.34) than indivduals in control group (X2 = 4.597, for trend P=0.032). The frequencies of genofypes with the C2allele ( C1/C2 and C2/C2 genotypes) were compared with those of genotypes without C2 allele ( C1/C1 genotype )among indivduals in gastric cancer group and control group according to the pattern of gastric cancer risk factors. The results show that indivduals who exposed to these gastric cancer risk factors and carry the C2 allele seemed to have a higher risk of developing gastric cancer.CONCLUSION: Polymorphism of CYP2E1 gene may have some effct in the development of gastric cancer in Changle county, Fujian Province.

Cytochrome b5 reductase 2 suppresses tumor formation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by attenuating angiogenesis

Background:Cytochrome b5 reductase 2(CYB5R2) is a potential tumor suppressor that inhibits cell proliferation and motility in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Inactivation of CYB5R2 is associated with lymph node metastasis in NPC.This study aimed to explore the mechanisms contributing to the anti-neoplastic effects of CYB5R2.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assays were used to analyze the transcription of 84 genes known to be involved in representative cancer pathways in the NPC cell line HONE1.NPC cell lines CNE2 and HONE1 were transiently transfected with CYB5R2,and data was validated by real-time PCR.A chick chorioallantoic membrane(CAM)embryo model was implanted with CYB5R2-expressing CNE2 and HONE1 cells to evaluate the effect of CYB5R2 on angiogenesis.An immunohistochemical assay of the CAM model was used to analyze the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Results:In CYB5R2-transfected NPC cells,PCR assays revealed up-regulated mRNA levels of Fas cell surface death receptor(FAS),FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog(FOS),phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1(PIK3R1),integrin beta 3(ITGB3),metastasis suppressor 1(MTSSl),interferon beta 1(IFNB1),and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(CDKN2A) and down-regulated levels of integrin beta 5(ITGB5),insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF1),TEK tyrosine kinase(TEK),transforming growth factor beta receptor 1(TGFBRl),and VEGF.The angiogenesis in the CAM model implanted with CYB5R2-transfected NPC cells was inhibited.Down-regulation of VEGF by CYB5R2 in NPC cells was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining in the CAM model.Conclusion:CYB5R2 up-regulates the expression of genes that negatively modulate angiogenesis in NPC cells and down-regulates the expression of VEGF to reduce angiogenesis,thereby suppressing tumor formation.

Inhibitive Effect of Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80-based Self-microemulsiflying Drug Delivery System on Cytochrome P450 3A Enzymes in Murine Hepatocytes

This study examined the effect of self-microemulsiflying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) containing Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80 at various dilutions on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) enzymes in rat hepatocytes, with midazolam serving as a CYP3A substrate.The particle size and zeta potential of microemulsions were evaluated upon dilution with aqueous medium.In vitro release was detected by a dialysis method in reverse.The effects of SMEDDS at different dilutions and surfactants at different concentrations on the metabolism of MDZ were investigated in murine hepatocytes.The cytotoxicity of SMEDDS at different dilutions was measured by LDH release and MTT technique.The effects of SMEDDS on the CYP3A enzymes activity were determined by Western blotting.Our results showed that dilution had less effect on the particle size and zeta potential in the range from 1:25 to 1:500.The MDZ was completely released in 10 h.A significant decrease in the formation of 1’-OH-MDZ in rat hepatocytes was observed after treatment with both SMEDDS at dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:250 and Cremophor RH 40 or Tween 80 at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 1% (w/v), with no cytotoxicity observed.A significant decrease in CYP3A protein expression was observed in cells by Western blotting in the presence of either Cremophor RH40 or Tween 80-based SMEDDS at the dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:250.This study suggested that the excipient inhibitor-based formulation is a potential protective platform for decreasing metabolism of sensitive drugs that are CYP3A substrates.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI Polymorphisms Are Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in Mongolian and Han Population in Inner Mongolia

Objective： To explore the relationship between cytochrome P450 2E1 （CYP2E1） RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility in Mongolian and Han population in Inner Mongolia of China. Methods： CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 64 lung cancer patients, 150 healthy Mongolian and 150 healthy Han individuals. The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were studied. Results： The risk of lung cancer was increased in individuals with CYP2E1 （cl/cl） and CYP2E1 （DD） with OR values of 2.431 （95%CI=1.082-5.460） and 2.778 （95%CI=1.358-5.683） respectively （P0.05）. When CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI and DraI polymorphisms were combined, the risk of lung cancer was reduced in individuals with CYP2E1 （cl/c2＋c2/c2 and DD＋CC） with OR values of 0.233 （95%CI=0.088-0.615, P0.05）. In smokers, the susceptibility to lung cancer was higher in the individuals with CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） than in the individuals with c2 and C allele （P0.05, OR=2.643 and 4.308 respectively）. There was no significant difference in distribution of CYP2E1 genotype frequency between healthy Mongolian, Han population and lung cancer patients, healthy controls in Inner Mongolia. Conclusion： CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） are predisposing factors of lung cancer in population in Inner Mongolia. CYP2E1 （c2﹢C） co-mutation may decrease the risk of lung cancer. Smoking exerts synergetic effect with CYP2E1 （c1/c1） and CYP2E1 （DD） on the occurrence of lung cancer.

Combining cytochrome P-450 3A4 modulators and cyclosporine or everolimus in transplantation is successful

AIM: To describe the long term follow-up of kidney allograft recipients receiving ketoconazole with calcineurin inhibitors(CNI) alone or combined with everolimus. METHODS: This is an open-label, prospective observational clinical trial in low immunologic risk patients who, after signing an Institutional Review Board approved consent form, were included in one of two groups. The first one(n = 59) received everolimus(target blood level, 3-8 ng/m L) and the other(n = 114) azathioprine 2 mg/kg per day or mycophenolate mofetyl(MMF) 2 g/d. Both groups also received tapering steroids, the cytochrome P-450 3A4(CYP3A4) modulator, ketoconazole 50-100 mg/d, and cyclosporine with C0 targets in the everolimus group of 200-250 ng/mL in 1 mo, 100-125 ng/m L in 2 mo, and 50-65 ng/m L thereafter, and in the azathioprine or MMF group of 250-300 ng/mL in 1 mo, 200-250 ng/mL in 2 mo, 180-200 ng/m L until 3-6 mo, and 100-125 ng/mL thereafter. Clinical visits were performed monthly the first year and quarterly thereafter by treating physicians and all data was extracted by the investigators.RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of these two cohorts were similar. During the follow up(66 + 31 mo), both groups showed comparable clinical courses, but the biopsy proven acute rejection rate during the full follow-up period seemed to be lower in the everolimus group(20% vs 36%; P = 0.04). The everolimus group did not show a higher surgical complication rate thanthe other group. By the end of the follow-up period, the everolimus group tended to show a higher glomerular filtration rate. Nevertheless, we found no evidence of a consistent negative slope of the temporal allograft function estimated by the modification of the diet in renal disease formula in any of both groups. At 6 years of follow-up, the uncensored and death-censored graft survivals were 91% and 93%, and 91% and 83% in the everolimus plus cyclosporine, and cyclosporine alone groups, respectively. The addition of ketoconazole saved 80% of cyclosporine and 56% of everolimus doses. CONCLUSION: Combining CYP3A4 modulators with CNI or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in low immunological risk kidney transplant recipients is feasible, effective, safe and affordable even in the long term.

Critical role of cytochrome c1 and its cleavage in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus nonstructural protein 4-induced cell apoptosis via interaction with nsp4

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.（PRRSV） actively induces cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, which can contribute critically to viral pathogenesis. Previous studies have shown that the PRRSV nonstructural protein 4 （nsp4） is an important mediator of this process, but the underlying molecular details remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that the PRRSV nsp4 interacted with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein cytochrome cl （cyto.cl） and induced its proteolytic cleavage. Interestingly, the cleaved N-terminal fragment of cyto.cl was found to exert apoptotic activity, which could cause mitochondrial fragmentation, resulting in apoptotic cell death. And RNA interference （RNAi） silencing experiments further confirmed the crucial role which cyto.cl played in nsp4- and PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis. Thus, our data provide an important piece of mechanistic clues for PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis and also elucidate a novel mechanism for the 3C-like proteases in this finding.

Artesunate Effect on Schistosome Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase and Cytochrome c Peroxidase as New Molecular Targets in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Mice

Objective To investigate the possible effect of artesunate （ART） on schistosome thioredoxin glutathione reductase （TGR） and cytochrome c peroxidase （CcP） in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Methods A total of 200 laboratory bred male Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups （50 mice in each group）. Group I： infected untreated group （Control group） received a vehicle of 1% sodium carbonyl methylcellulose （CMC-Na）; Group II： infected then treated with artesunate; Group III infected then treated with praziquantel, and group IV： infected then treated with artesunate then praziquantel. Adult S. mansoni worms were collected by Animal Perfusion Method, tissue egg counted, TGR, and CcP mRNA Expression were estimated of in $. mansoni adult worms by semi-quantitative rt-PCR. Results Semi-quantitative rt-PCR values revealed that treatment with artesunate caused significant decrease in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP in comparison to the untreated group. In contrast, the treatment with praziquantel did not cause significant change in expression of these genes. The results showed more reduction in total worm and female worm count in combined ART-PZQ treated group than in monotherapy treated groups by either ART or PZO, Moreover, complete disappearance （100%） of tissue eggs was recorded in ART-PZQ treated group with a respective reduction rate of 95.9% and 68.4% in ART- and PZQ-treated groups. Conclusion The current study elucidated for the first time that anti-schistosomal mechanisms of artesunate is mediated via reduction in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP. Linking these findings, addition of artesunate to praziquantel could achieve complete cure outcome in treatment of schistosomiasis.

Genomic and transcriptomic insights into cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes involved in nicosulfuron tolerance in maize(Zea mays L.)

Postemergence application of nicosulfuron for weed control in maize fields can cause great damage to certain maize inbred lines and hybrids. Two maize genotypes, tolerant inbred(HBR) and sensitive inbred(HBS), were found to significantly differ in their phenotypic responses to nicosulfuron, with the EC50(50% effective concentration) values differed statistically(763.6 and 5.9 g a.i. ha–1, respectively). Pre-treatment with malathion, a known cytochrome P450 inhibitor, increased nicosulfuron injury in both HBR and HBS. Our results support the hypothesis that nicosulfuron selectivity in maize is associated with cytochrome P450 metabolism. Further analysis of the maize genome resulted in the identification of 314 full length cytochrome P450 monooxygenase(CYP) genes. These genes were classified into 2 types, 10 clans and 44 families. The CYP71 clan was represented by all A-type genes(168) belonging to 17 families. Nine clans possessed 27 families containing 146 non-A-type genes. The consensus sequences of the heme-binding regions of A-type and non-A-type CYP proteins are ‘PFGXGRRXCPG’ and ‘FXXGPRXCXG’, respectively. Illumina transcriptome sequence results showed that there were 53 differentially expressed CYP genes on the basis of high variation in expression between HBS and HBR, nicosulfuron-treated and untreated samples. These genes may contribute to nicosulfuron tolerance in maize. A hierarchical clustering analysis obtained four main clusters named C1 to C4 in which 4, 15, 21, and 13 CYP genes were found in each respective cluster. The expression patterns of some CYP genes were confirmed by RT-q PCR analysis. The research will improve our understanding of the function of maize cytochrome P450 in herbicide metabolism.

Phylogeny of Limenitidinae Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Inferred from Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I Gene Sequences

The phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily Limenitidinae are performed based on 1 471 bp of mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I （COI） gene sequence data which were obtained from 21 individuals spanning 9 genera, along with those of 17 species obtained from GenBank, using Apatura iris, Aglais urticae, and Polyura dolon as outgroup species. Although the transitions at the third codon positions of the COI data set were highly saturated, they were still retained for analysis as they contain the majority of the phylogenetic information, and thus, the maximum pasimony （MP） under different weighting schemes and maximum likelihood （ML） trees were reconstructed in this study. The results showed that within this subfamily, the results based on the COI gene sequences are approximately identical to the traditional classification results. However, the clustering of Lexias pardalis and Tanaecia julii within the genus Euthalia as well as the clustering of Phaedyma aspasia within the genus Neptis with weak support are different from that of the current classification scheme made by Chinese scholars. The genus Limenitis is splited into two subclusters in the trees constructed by using MP and ML methods. These results support one of the strongest hypotheses for the tribe relationships within Limenitidinae.

Response of Cytochrome P450 Expression to Maize Volatiles in Helicoverpa armigera (Hner)

The 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase （ECOD） activities of cytochrome P450s and differential expression of six cytochrome P450 genes induced by the volatiles from both damaged and undamaged maize plants were investigated in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera （Hiabner）. The ECOD activity changed with time of exposure to maize volatiles. At 36 h after cotton bollworm larvae exposure to maize volatiles, the ECOD activities in cotton bollworm damaged and artificially damaged groups were 2.36 and 4.53 times higher than the control group respectively. The relative expression levels of CYP4S1, CYP6B2 and CYP6B7 in the cotton bollworm were significantly increased in artificially damaged plant group, which was 2.93, 5.09 and 10.66 times higher than that in the control group, respectively. The expression levels of CYP6B2, CYP6B6, CYP9A12, and CYP9A14 were much lower in the larvae exposure to volatiles from both healthy and pest damaged maize seedlings than in the control group at 12 h after larvae exposure to maize volatiles. For the cotton bollworm damaged maize group, the expression of CYP4S1 and CYP9A14 increased.