Natural variation in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B OsCOX5B regulates seed vigor by altering energy production in rice

Seed vigor is a crucial trait for the direct seeding of rice.Here we examined the genetic regulation of seed vigor traits in rice,including germination index(GI)and germination potential(GP),using a genome-wide association study approach.One major quantitative trait locus,qGI6/qGP6,was identified simultaneously for both GI and GP.The candidate gene encoding the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B(OsCOX5B)was validated for qGI6/qGP6.The disruption of OsCOX5B caused the vigor traits to be significantly lower in Oscox5b mutants than in the japonica Nipponbare wild type(WT).Gene co-expression analysis revealed that OsCOX5B influences seed vigor mainly by modulating the tricarboxylic acid cycle process.The glucose levels were significantly higher while the pyruvic acid and adenosine triphosphate levels were significantly lower in Oscox5b mutants than in WT during seed germination.The elite haplotype of OsCOX5B facilitates seed vigor by increasing its expression during seed germination.Thus,we propose that OsCOX5B is a potential target for the breeding of rice varieties with enhanced seed vigor for direct seeding.

Regulation of cytochrome c oxidase contributes to health and optimal life

The generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP occurs mainly in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation.Cytochrome c oxidase(CytOx),the oxygen accepting and rate-limiting step of the respiratory chain,regulates the supply of variable ATP demands in cells by“allosteric ATP-inhibition of CytOx.”This mechanism is based on inhibition of oxygen uptake of CytOx at high ATP/ADP ratios and low ferrocytochrome c concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix via cooperative interaction of the two substrate binding sites in dimeric CytOx.The mechanism keeps mitochondrial membrane potentialΔΨm and reactive oxygen species(ROS)formation at low healthy values.Stress signals increase cytosolic calcium leading to Ca^2+-dependent dephosphorylation of CytOx subunit I at the cytosolic side accompanied by switching off the allosteric ATPinhibition and monomerization of CytOx.This is followed by increase ofΔΨm and formation of ROS.A hypothesis is presented suggesting a dynamic change of binding of NDUFA4,originally identified as a subunit of complex I,between monomeric CytOx(active state with highΔΨm,high ROS and low efficiency)and complex I(resting state with lowΔΨm,low ROS and high efficiency).

JTE-522-induced apoptosis in human gastric adenocarinoma cell line AGS cells by caspase activation accompanying cytochrome C release,membrane translocation of Bax and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential

AIM: To investigate the role of the mitochondrial pathway in JTE-522-induced apoptosis and to investigate the relationship between cytochrome C release, caspase activity and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim). METHODS: Cell culture, cell counting, ELISA assay, TUNEL, flow cytometry, Western blot and fluorometric assay were employed to investigate the effect of JTE-522 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in AGS cells and related molecular mechanism. RESULTS: JTE-522 inhibited the growth of AGS cells and induced the apoptosis. Caspases 8 and 9 were activated during apoptosis as judged by the appearance of cleavage products from procaspase and the caspase activities to cleave specific fluorogenic substrates. To elucidate whether the activation of caspases 8 and 9 was required for the apoptosis induction, we examined the effect of caspase-specific inhibitors on apoptosis. The results showed that caspase inhibitors significantly inhibited the apoptosis induced by JTE-522. In addition, the membrane translocation of Bax and cytosolic release of cytochrome C accompanying with the decrease of the uptake of Rhodamin 123, were detected at an early stage of apoptosis. Furthermore, Bax translocation, cytochrome C release, and caspase 9 activation were blocked by Z-VAD.fmk and Z-IETD-CHO. CONCLUSION: The present data indicate a crucial association between activation of caspases 8, 9, cytochrome C release, membrane translocation of Bax, loss of Deltapsim and JTE-522-induced apoptosis in AGS cells.

Oridonin induces apoptosis in gastric cancer through Apaf-1,cytochrome c and caspase-3 signaling pathway

AIM:To investigate the effect and mechanism of oridonin on the gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 in vitro.METHODS:The inhibitory effect of oridonin on HGC-27 cells was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.After treatment with 10 μg/mL oridonin for 24 h and 48 h,the cells were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide.The morphologic changes were observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope.DNA fragmen-tation(a hallmark of apoptosis) and lactate dehydrogenase activity were examined using DNA ladder assay and lactate dehydrogenase-release assay.After treated with oridonin(0,1.25,2.5,5 and 10 μg/mL),HGC-27 cells were collected for anexin V-phycoerythrin and 7-amino-actinomycin D double staining and tested by flow cytometric analysis,and oridonin-induced apoptosis in HGC-27 cells was detected.After treatment with oridonin for 24 h,the effects of oridonin on expression of Apaf-1,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3 and cytochrome c were also analyzed using reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blotting.RESULTS:Oridonin significantly inhibited the proliferation of HGC-27 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The inhibition rates of HGC-27 treated with four different concentrations of oridonin for 24 h(1.25,2.5,5 and 10 μg/mL) were 1.78% ± 0.36%,4.96% ± 1.59%,10.35% ± 2.76% and 41.6% ± 4.29%,respectively,which showed a significant difference(P < 0.05).The inhibition rates of HGC-27 treated with oridonin at the four concentrations for 48 h were 14.77% ± 4.21%,21.57% ± 3.75%,30.31% ± 4.91% and 61.19% ± 5.81%,with a significant difference(P < 0.05).The inhibition rates of HGC-27 treated with oridonin for 72 h at the four concentrations were 25.77% ± 4.85%,31.86% ± 3.86%,48.30% ± 4.16% and 81.80% ± 6.72%,with a significant difference(P < 0.05).Cells treated with oridonin showed typical apoptotic features with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining.After treatment with oridonin,the cells became round,shrank,and developed small buds around the nuclear membrane while forming apoptotic bodies.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release assay showed that after treated with 1.25 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL oridonin for 24 h,LDH release of HGC-27 caused by apoptosis increased from 22.94% ± 3.8% to 52.68% ± 2.4%(P < 0.001).However,the change in the release of LDH caused by necrosis was insignificant,suggesting thatthe major cause of oridonin-induced HGC-27 cell death was apoptosis.Flow cytometric analysis also revealed that oridonin induced significant apoptosis compared with the controls(P < 0.05).And the apoptosis rates of HGC-27 induced by the four different concentrations of oridonin were 5.3% ± 1.02%,12.8% ± 2.53%,28.5% ± 4.23% and 49.6% ± 3.76%,which were in a dose-dependent manner(P < 0.05).After treatment for 24 h,DNA ladder showed that oridonin induced a significant increase in DNA fragmentation in a dosedependent manner.RT-PCR revealed that mRNA expression levels were up-regulated compared with the controls in caspase-3(0.917 ± 0.103 vs 0.357 ± 0.019,P < 0.05),cytochrome c(1.429 ± 0.111 vs 1.002 ± 0.014,P < 0.05),Apaf-1(0.688 ± 0.101 vs 0.242 ± 0.037,P < 0.05) and Bax(0.856 ± 0.101 vs 0.278 ± 0.027,P < 0.05)(P < 0.05),whereas down-regulated in Bcl-2(0.085 ± 0.012 vs 0.175 ± 0.030,P < 0.05).Western blotting analysis also confirmed this result.CONCLUSION:Apoptosis of HGC-27 induced by oridonin may be associated with differential expression of Apaf-1,caspase-3 and cytochrome c,which are highly dependent upon the mitochondrial pathway.

Interaction Between Cytochrome c and the Hapten 2,4-Dinitro- fluorobenzene by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, which results from skin exposure to low molecular weight chemicals such as haptens. To clarify the pathogenic mechanism, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry （ESI-MS） and hydrogen/deuterium （H/D） exchange, as well as UV spectroscopy, were applied to determine the interaction between the model protein cytochrome c （cyt c） and the hapten 2,4- dinitro-fiuorobenzene （DNFB）. The ESI-MS results demonstrate that the conformation of cyt c can change from native folded state into partially unfolded state with the increase of DNFB. The equilibrium state H/D exchange followed by ESI-MS further confirms the above results. UV spectroscopy indicates that the strong- field coordination between iron of heme （prosthetic group） and His18 or Met80 of cyt c is not obviously affected by the hapten.

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.

Effects of High Concentration Glucose on the Expression of NF-κB,Bax and Cytochrome C and Apoptosis of Islet Cells in Mice

The roles of NF-kappaB （NF-κB） expression, Bax activity and cytochrome C （Cyt C） release, apoptosis of islet cells induced by high concentration glucose were explored in vitro. Pancreatic islet cells, which were isolated from Kunming mice, were cultured with different concentrations of glucose in DMEM, and divided into the following groups： G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, and G6 groups, corresponding to the glucose concentrations of 5.6, 7.8, 11.1, 16.7, 22.5, and 27.6 mmol/L, respectively. After culture for 120 h, insulin secretion was evaluated by radioimmunoassay, and the NF-rd3 expression was detected by immunocytochemistry. Bax activity and Cyt C release were measured by immunofluorescence, and apoptosis was examined by Hoechst33342 assay. The results showed that in GI, G2 and G3 groups, insulin secretion was enhanced with the increase of glucose concentration, and the NF-κB expression was also increased （P〈0.05）, but Bax activity, Cyt C release and apoptosis rate showed no significant difference among them. However, in G4, G5, and G6 groups, apoptosis rate of islet cells, NF-rd3 expression, Bax activity, and Cyt C release were all significantly increased, and insulin secretion was impaired as compared with G1, G2, and G3 groups （P〈0.05）. It was concluded that the exposure of islet cells to high glucose could induce islet cells apoptosis as well as impaired insulin secretion. The NF-κB signaling pathway and mitochondria pathway in islet cells might play some roles in the progressive loss of islet cells in diabetes. The inhibition of the NF-κB expression could be an effective strategy for protecting pancreatic islet cells.

Mechanisms of Cytochrome C Extraction by Reverse Micelles

The extraction of cytochrome C was carried out by means of phase transfer technique with three different reverse micellar systems, i.e. , a CTAB micellar solution in n butyl alcohol chloroform(volume ratio 4∶1), an AOT micellar solution in isooctane and a SDSS D 2EHPA micellar solution in isooctane. The extraction mechanisms were studied. The results show that the extraction mechanisms for the same proteins with different types of reverse micellar systems can be distinct. The extraction of cytochrome C with CTAB and SDSS D 2EHPA reverse micellar systems are carried out according to the mechanism of electrostatic interaction. However, in the extraction of cytochrome C with the AOT reverse micellar system, the electrostatic interaction between the protein and the surfactant is not important.

Effects on the Early Development of the Pearl Sac by Cytochrome c,Yolk Lecithin and Polyvinyplyrro

Mantle pieces of Hyriopisis cumingii was treated by three kinds of solution,These mantle pieces were inserted together with paraffin nucleuses into the connective tissue of three groups of Hyriopisis cumingii.These operated animals were cultured in a pool for a month.Several pearl sacs were put out and immersed by Bouin's solution after every five days.Sections of each animals were made by histological method.Those without treatment were in a control group.Observations of these sections showed that cytochrome c and yolk lecithin have an accelerated roles on pearl sac development and pearl layer secretion.No effects on pearl sac development by polyvinyplyrrolidone(PVP).

Label-free surface-enhanced infrared spectro-electro-chemical analysis of the Redox potential shift of cytochrome c complexed with a cardiolipin-containing lipid membrane of varied composition

In this study, a lipid membrane was fabricated by fusing cardiolipin-phosphatidylcholine（CL_PC, 1：4） vesicles onto a hydrophobic surface of 1-dodecanethiol（DT） preadsorbed on a nanostructured gold film. By changing the concentration of the DT adsorption solution, we constructed a series of CL PC-DT bilayers with different hydrophobicity to study the effects of lipid membrane characteristics on the adsorption conformation of cytochrome c（Cyt c）. Electrochemical analysis showed that the formal potential is 0.24 V for Cyt c-CL_PC-DT（10）, 0.2 V for Cyt c-CL_PC-DT（20）, and 0.16 V for Cyt c-CL_PC-DT（40） — a gradual positive shift with the decreasing DT concentration — relative to the potential of native cyt c（0.02 V）. Potential-induced surface-enhanced infrared adsorption difference spectroscopy revealed that the gradual positive shift of the formal potential of CL-bound cyt c is determined by the environment with the gradually lowered dielectric constant for the heme cofactor in CL-bound cyt c（Fe^3＋）.

Study on the Structural Effect of Maltoligosaccharides on Cytochrome c Complexes Stabilities by Native Mass Spectrometry

Noncovalent interactions between ligands and targeting proteins are essential for understanding molecular mechanisms of proteins.In this work,we investigated the interaction of Cytochrome c(Cyt c)with maltoligosaccharides,namely maltose(Mal Ⅱ),maltotriose(Mal Ⅲ),maltotetraose(Mal Ⅳ),maltopentaose(Mal Ⅴ),maltohexaose(Mal Ⅵ)and maltoheptaose(Mal Ⅶ).Using electrospray ionization mass spetrometry(ESI-MS)assay,the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes formed by Cyt c with maltoligosaccharide ligand were observed.The corresponding association constants were calculated according to the deconvoluted spectra.The order of the relative binding affinities of the selected oligosaccharides with Cyt c were as MalⅢ>MalⅣ>MalⅡ>MalⅤ>MalⅥ>MalⅦ.The results indicated that the stability of noncovalent protein complexes was intimately correlated to the molecular structure of bound ligand.The relevant functional groups that could form H-bonds,electrostatic or hydrophobic forces with protein’s amino residues played an important role for the stability of protein complexes.In addition,the steric structure of ligand was also critical for an appropriate interaction with the binding pocket of proteins.

Effect of matrine on HepG2 cells: role of glutathione and cytochrome c

Objective: To investigate the death mode of human hepatoma cells exposed to matrine and the role of glutathione (GSH) and cytochrome c. Methods: The MTT test and Cell Death Detection ELISA were used to identify cell death mode and viability of cells exposed to matrine. The volume of intracellular GSH was detected by GSH reductase. Finally Western blotting was chosen to analyze the expression of cytochrome c and Caspase-9 in HepG2 cells treated by matrine. Results: The apop-totic cell death induced by matrine in Hep G2 cells dramatically increased in the time-, dose-dependent manner. Matrine can exhaust intracellular GSH effectively to change the redox state in cells. Furthermore it affect the cytotoxicity of matrine. Re-sults of Western blotting showed that matrine induced the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm, and then stimulate the cleavage of Caspase-9 in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: Matrine induced apoptosis in Hep G2 cells through the mitochondrial pathway, and oxidative stress via depletion of GSH is directly involved in the apoptotic process.

Hippocampal mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity and gene expression in a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia

The present study established a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia using bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation to analyze cytochrome C oxidase activity and mRNA expression in hippocampal mitochondria. Results showed significantly decreased cytochrome C oxidase activity and cytochrome C oxidase II mRNA expression with prolonged ischemia time. Further analysis revealed five mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase II gene mutations, two newly generated mutations, and four absent mutational sites at 1 month after cerebral ischemia, as well as three mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase III gene mutations, including two newly generating mutations, and one disappeared mutational site at 1 month after cerebral ischemia. Results demonstrated that decreased cytochrome C oxidase gene expression and mutations, as well as decreased cytochrome C oxidase activity, resulting in energy dysmetabolism, which has been shown to be involved in the DatholoQical Process of ischemic brain iniurv.

Direct Electrochemistry of Cytochrome C on the Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with 1-Pyrenebutyric Acid/MWNTs

With 1-Pymnebutyric acid （PBA） and multiwalled carbon nanotubes （MWNTs）, glassy carbon electrode modified was successfully prepared. In phosphate buffer solution （pH 7,0）, the direct electrochemistry of cytochrome C （Cyt C） was realized. In the cyclic voltammetry experiment two pairs of redox peaks ofCyt C were observed at 0.018 V and -0.314 V （vs. SCE）, respectively. The redox reaction at 0.018 V was diffusion controlled, while the redox reaction at -0.314 V was adsorption controlled.

QCM and EC-SPR Studies of Cytochrome c Self-assembled on Au Electrode and Enhancement of SPR Signal by Au Nanoparticles

Quartz crystal microbalance（QCM） and cyclic voltammetry（CV） were used to characterize the monolayer of cytochrome c（Cyt c）,which was adsorbed on gold film modified with alkanethiol mixed monolayer.A direct comparison of protein surface coverages calculated from QCM and cyclic voltammetric measurements illustrates that the ratio of the electroactive Cyt c to the total surface-confined Cyt c is 34%,which suggests that the orientation is a main factor affecting the electroactivity of Cyt c.Moreover,surface plasmon resonance（SPR） measurement combined with CV ＂in situ＂ was used to investigate the conformational change of Cyt c in the redox process.Besides,Au nanoparticles（Au NPs） were adsorbed on the surface of Cyt c.The result indicates that Au NPs promote electron transfer between Cyt c and the gold electrode,and SPR result suggests Au NPs enhance SPR signal.

DIRECT ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF CYTOCHROME C AT A BARE GLASSY CARBON ELECTRODE

A reversible electron transfer between horse heart cytochrome c and a bare glassy carbon electrode was found and the dependence of direct electrochemical behaviotw on the electrode surface state was discussed.

Effects of Pioglitazone on Renal Mitochondrial calcium and cytochrome C levels in Early Diabetic Nephropathy Rats

Objective: To study the effect of pioglitazone on mitochondrial Ca2+ and cytochrome c (cyt c) in early diabetic rats, and to explore its mechanism of protecting kidney. Methods: 72 DM rats were randomly divided into negative control group (NC group), negative control+ pioglitazone intervention group (NCP group), diabetes group (DM group) and diabetes +pioglitazone intervention group (DMP group). In NCP and DMP groups, pioglitazone was administered to the stomach, blood glucose, renal mass index, 24-h urine protein, glomerular morphologic indice, glomerular base-membrane thickness and other indexes were measured, and the contents of Ca2+ and Cyt C in renal tissue were measured. Results: (1) the renal metabolism index, glomerular morphologic indice, glomerular base-membrane thickness of DM group was significantly higher than that of NC group (P < 0.01). The renal metabolism index, glomerular morphologic indice, glomerular base-membrane thickness of DMP group was significantly lower than that of DM group, the difference between the two groups was significant(P<0.05). (2) in DM group, mitochondrial Ca2+ and cytoplasmic cytc were higher than those in NC group, while mitochondrial cytc was lower than that in control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). In DMP group, mitochondrial Ca2+ and cytoplasmic cytc were lower than those in DM group, while mitochondrial cytc was higher than that in control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (P <0.05). Conclusion: Pioglitazone treatment can reduce the release of mitochondrial cytochrome C and maintain mitochondrial calcium homeostasis.

Inosine inhibits apoptosis and cytochrome C mRNA expression in rat neurons after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that adenosine can induce glial cell to release cytochrome C, enhance expression of apoptotic gene bax, inhibit anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2, and activate caspase-3 to apoptosis; Whereas inosine can inhibit neuronal apoptosis which is similar to bcl-2. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of inosine on neuronal apoptosis and expression of cytochrome C mRNA in rats after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and analyze the pathway of its neuroprotective effect. DESIGN: A randomised controlled animal trial. SETTINGS: Department of Neurology, Rongcheng Second People's Hospital; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. MATERIALS: Sixty-eight rats, weighing 230-280 g and clean grade, were used. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and cytochrome C mRNA in situ hybridization kits and DAB staining kit were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Co., Ltd.; Inosine injection [200 mg (2 mL) each] from Qingdao First Pharmaceutical Factory. METHODS: The experiment was accomplished in the animal experimental center in Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from December 2003 to June 2005. ① Sixty-four rats were made into focal ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with a nylon monofilament suture. The successfully induced rats were assigned to inosine group (n =32) and model group (n =32) at random. Rats in the inosine group were intraperitoneally administrated with inosine in dose of 100 mg/kg preoperatively, twice a day, 7 days in all. The rats in the control group were injected with the same dose of saline solution by the similar way preoperatively. Each group was randomized into ischemia /reperfusion 2, 6, 12, 24 hours, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days subgroups consisted of 4 rats. The other 4 rats were taken as the sham-operated group, the rats were given the same treatment except for not introduced the filament into the external carotid artery stump, and brain tissue was removed at 2 hours of reperfusion. ② In situ hybridization was performed to examine the expression of cytochrome C mRNA while TUNEL staining was made to characterize apoptosis. ③ The t test was used to compare the difference of measurement data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Neuronal apoptosis in the different regions of the ischemic brain tissue; ② Expression of cytochrome C mRNA in the different regions at different time points after MCAO. RESULTS: All the 68 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① Neuronal apoptosis: A small number of TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the sham-operated brain and non-ischemic brain. The number of apoptotic cells in the ischemic cortex peaked at 24 hours of reperfusion [(72.00±1.98) cells] and that in the striatum peaked at 2 days [(94.75±3.57) cells], then decreased to the level of sham-operated group at 14 days. Inosine could reduce apoptotic cells from 12 hours to 7 days of reperfusion as compared with the model group (t =6.19-26.67, P < 0.01). ② Cytochrome C mRNA expression: There was weak expression of cytochrome C mRNA in both sham-operated brain and contralateral brain. Cytochrome C was detected at 2 hours of reperfusion in ischemic brain [(25.75±3.50), (39.75±2.49) cells], and strongly increased to a peak at 12 hours and 24 hours of reperfusion in cortex and striatum [(122.50±6.69), (119.25±5.12) cells], respectively. Furthermore, inosine could significantly decrease cytochrome C expression in cortex at 12 hours to 14 days of reperfusion after ischemic reperfusion and that in striatum at 12 hours to 3 days (t =8.67-43.26, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Inosine can exert a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting apoptosis and cytochrome C mRNA expression.

PROMOTION EFFECT OF PYRIDINE FOR THE DIRECT ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF CYTOCHROME C AT GOLD ELECTRODES

It was found for the first time that the compounds with only one functional group, such as pyridine, can show the promotion effect for the electrochemical reaction of cytochrome C at gold electrodes.

Enzymatic Activity of Escherichia Coil Lactate Dehydrogenase and Cytochrome c Oxidase

The catalytic activity of two common bacterial enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and cytochrome c oxidase （COX） from Escherichia coli was examined following bacterial exposure to microwave （MW） radiation under well-defined experimental conditions. The experiments were conducted in a specialized microwave processing apparatus, with an exposure frequency of 18 GHz, and a temperature profile that was restricted to below 40℃ to avoid thermal degradation of the bacteria. The absorbed power was calculated to be 1,500 kW/m3 and the electric field was determined to be 300 Wm. Both values were theoretically confirmed using Computer Simulation Technology （CST） Microwave Studio 3D Electromagnetic Stimulation Software. Results showed that the activity of both enzymes was increased following MW radiation compared to negative controls and thermally treated samples subjected to similar temperature profiles. It is suggested that the increase in COX and LDH enzyme activity could not be explained by conventional heating alone, but was rather a result of micro-thermal effects that incorporated ＇undetectable＇ thermal mechanisms.