Intracellular chloride regulates the G_1/S cell cycle progression in gastric cancer cells

Recent studies show that ion channels/transporters play important roles in fundamental cellular functions. Several reports indicating the important roles of Cl- channels/transporters on cell proliferation suggest that the intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl-]i) regulated by them would be one of critical messengers. We investigated whether the [Cl-]i controls cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in human gastric cancer cells. Our studies indicated that furosemide, a blocker of Na+ /K+ /2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC), diminished cell growth by delaying the G1-S phase progression in gastric cancer cells with high expression and activity of NKCC. Furthermore, we found that the culture in the low Cl- medium (replacement of Cl- by NO3-) decreased the [Cl-]i and inhibited cell growth of gastric cancer cells and that this inhibition of cell growth was due to cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase caused by diminutionof CDK2 and phosphorylated Rb. The culture of cells in the low Cl- medium significantly increased expressions of p21 mRNA and protein. In addition, the low Cl- medium induced phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Treatment with an inhibitor of p38 or JNK significantly suppressed p21 upregulation caused by culture in a low Cl- medium and rescued gastric cancer cells from the low Cl- -induced G1 cell cycle arrest. These findings revealed that the [Cl-]i affects the cell proliferation via activation of MAPKs through upregulation of p21 in gastric cancer cells. Our results suggest that the [Cl-]i regulates important cellular functions in gastric cancer cells, leading to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Cellular physiological approach for treatment of gastric cancer

Recent studies show that ion channels/transporters play important roles in fundamental cellular functions that would be involved in the cancer process. We review the evidence for their expression and functioning in human gastric cancer (GC), and evaluate the potential of cellular physiological approach in clinical management. Various types of ion channels, such as voltage-gated K+ channels, intracellular Cl- channels and transient receptor potential channels have been found to express in GC cells and tissues, and to control cell cycles. With regard to water channels, aquaporin 3 and 5 play an important role in the progression of GC. Regulators of intracellular pH, such as anion exchanger, sodium-hydrogen exchanger, vacuolar H+-ATPases and carbonic anhydrases are also involved in tumorigenesis of GC. Their pharmacological manipulation and gene silencing affect cellular behaviours, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets for GC. Our studies indicate the intracellular Cl- concentration could act as a mediator of cellular signaling and control cell cycle progression in GC cells. Further, we demonstrate the cytocidal effects of hypotonic shock on GC cells, and indicate that the blockade of Cl- channels/transporters enhances these effects by inhibiting regulatory volume decrease. A deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms may lead to the discovery of these cellular physiological approaches as a novel therapeutic strategy for GC.

Role of the Na^+/K^+/2Cl^- cotransporter NKCC1 in cell cycle progression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the role of Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) in the regulation of genes involved in cell cycle progression and the clinicopathological significance of its expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

加权SPXYE(WSPXYE)算法及其在近红外光谱模型转移中的应用

样本选择是模型转移的重要组成部分,其目的是在主光谱和从光谱中选择合适的样本,建立二者的转移模型,使得从光谱的预测样本能通过转移模型校正成类似于主光谱的样本,进而用主光谱的模型直接预测其浓度。目前,常用的样本选择算法有:Kennard-Stone法(KS法),SPXY法和SPXYE法。根据上述算法的特点,提出了一种新的样本选择方法:加权SPXYE法(WSPXYE法),进而将其用于选择合适的转移集样本。WSPXYE同样先计算样本间的距离,其距离有三个部分组成:光谱(X)之间的归一化距离dxs,浓度(y)之间的归一化距离d_(ys),以及校正误差(e)之间的归一化距离d_(es)。其加权代数和d wspxye=αd_(xs)+βd_(ys)+(1-α-β)d_(es)即为WSPXYE距离。计算了WSPXYE距离之后,可以根据其距离选择距离较大的样本作为转移集样本。WSPXYE是Kennard-Stone法(KS法),SPXY法和SPXYE法的推广,而KS法(α=1,β=0)、SPXY法(α=0.5,β=0.5)以及SPXYE法(α=0.333,β=0.333)则是WSPXYE法的特例。直接校正法(DS)、有信息成分提取-典型相关分析法(CCA-ICE)作为模型转移算法验证了WSPXYE方法的效果。结果显示,与KS法、SPX Y法以及SPXYE法相比,WSPXYE法可以通过调节参数,选择合适的样本,获得较低的误差。

Microbiota-based treatments in alcoholic liver disease

Gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease(ALD). Consumption of alcohol leads to increased gut permeability, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and enteric dysbiosis. These factors contribute to the increased translocation of microbial products to the liver via the portal tract. Subsequently, bacterial endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharide, in association with the Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway, induce a gamut of damaging immune responses in the hepatic milieu. Because of the close association between deleterious inflammation and ALD-induced microbiota imbalance, therapeutic approaches that seek to reestablish gut homeostasis should be considered in the treatment of alcoholic patients. To this end, a number of preliminary studies on probiotics have confirmed their effectiveness in suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and improving liver function in the context of ALD. In addition, there have been few studies linking the administration of prebiotics and antibiotics with reduction of alcoholinduced liver damage. Because these preliminary results are promising, large-scale randomized studies are warranted to elucidate the impact of these microbiotabased treatments on the gut flora and associated immune responses, in addition to exploring questions about optimal delivery. Finally, fecal microbiota transplant has been shown to be an effective method of modulating gut microbiota and deserve further investigation as a potential therapeutic option for ALD.

基于集群方法(ER)的近红外光谱转移集优化法(英文)

近红外光谱因为具有小成本、易操作、低耗时等优点,所以广泛用于食品领域。作为一种间接的检测方法,近红外光谱检测需要建立光谱和浓度之间的统计模型。但是,一种条件下建立的模型在另一种检测条件下会失效。针对此问题,重新建模可以加以解决,但是重新建立光谱与浓度之间的模型非常繁琐耗时。此时,模型转移可以在避免重新建模的情况下,通过光谱校正,保证预测精度。在模型转移中,已经建立好模型的光谱称为主光谱(A),不用建立模型,而只用主光谱模型预测的光谱称为从光谱(B)。模型转移方法的步骤是,先在校正集中选择一些样本作为主光谱的转移集(A_(t)),然后选择从光谱中浓度和A_(t)相同的光谱,以此作为从光谱的转移集(B_(t))。通过A_(t)和B_(t)构建模型转移矩阵。最后将需要校正的从光谱(B_(v))乘以上述的转移矩阵中,即可获得校正后的从光谱(B_(new))。此时,B_(new)就可以用主光谱的模型来直接预测。在模型转移中,转移集样本的选择对模型校正至关重要。目前,转移集的样本通常从光谱之间的距离而非模型转移误差获得。但是,转移误差对模型转移结果的验证至关重要,故该研究出了基于集群分析的集群优化法(ER)并将其用于优化KS方法产生的转移集样本。ER先用随机方法建立转移集的多个子集合,并计算每个子集合的转移误差。然后,对某一个样本,计算包含这个样本的子集合转移误差均值。最后,选择转移误差均值较低的样本作为新转移集样本进行模型转移。以玉米数据测试了ER算法。结果显示,对于典型相关分析-有信息成分提取法(CCA-ICE)、直接校正法(DS)、分段直接校正法(PDS)、光谱空间转化法(SST)这些常见的模型转移方法,相比于KS样本选择方法,ER方法可以找出重要的转移集样本,进而显著降低模型转移误差。

Roles of interstitial fluid pH in diabetes mellitus: Glycolysis and mitochondrial function

The pH of body fluids is one the most important keyfactors regulating various cell function such as enzyme activity and protein-protein interaction via modification of its binding affinity. Therefore, to keep cell function normal, the pH of body fluids is maintained constant by various systems. Insulin resistance is one of the most important, serious factors making the body condition worse in diabetes mellitus. I have recently found that the pH of body(interstitial) fluids is lower in diabetes mellitus than that in non-diabetic control, and that the lowered pH is one of the causes producing insulin resistance. In this review article, I introduce importance of body(interstitial) fluid pH in regulation of body function, evidence on abnormal regulation of body fluid pH in diabetes mellitus, and relationship between the body fluid pH and insulin resistance. Further, this review proposes perspective therapies on the basis of regulation of body fluid pH including propolis(honeybee product) diet.

Neural plasticity and adult neurogenesis: the deep biology perspective

The recognition that neurogenesis does not stop with adolescence has spun off research towards the reduction of brain disorders by enhancing brain regeneration. Adult neurogenesis is one of the tougher problems of developmental biology as it requires the generation of complex intracellular and pericellular anatomies, amidst the danger of neuroinflammation. We here review how a multitude of regulatory pathways optimized for early neurogenesis has to be revamped into a new choreography of time dependencies. Distinct pathways need to be regulated, ranging from neural growth factor induced differentiation to mitochondrial bioenergetics, reactive oxygen metabolism, and apoptosis. Requiring much Gibbs energy consumption, brain depends on aerobic energy metabolism, hence on mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial fission and fusion, movement and perhaps even mitoptosis, thereby come into play. All these network processes are interlinked and involve a plethora of molecules. We recommend a deep thinking approach to adult neurobiology.

Identification of galectin-3 as a novel potential prognostic/predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for cerebral cavernous malformation disease

cerebrovascular disease of genetic origin characterized by abnormally dilated capillaries and a wide spectrum of symptoms,including headaches,seizures,neurological deficits,and intracerebral hemorrhage.Its unpredictable clinical course and the current lack of therapies make the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers an imperative research challenge.1 Herein,we provide evidence that galectin-3(Gal-3),a major tissue and circulating biomarker of oxidative stress and inflammation,is significantly up-regulated both in CCM patients and experimentalmodels.Specifically,wholetranscriptome sequencing,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting studies demonstrated a significant up-regulation of Gal-3 expression levels both in surgical CCM specimens and in blood samples of CCM patients.

Astrocytes in human central nervous system diseases: a frontier for new therapies

Astroglia are a broad class of neural parenchymal cells primarily dedicated to homoeostasis and defence of the central nervous system(CNS).Astroglia contribute to the pathophysiology of all neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in ways that can be either beneficial or detrimental to disorder outcome.Pathophysiological changes in astroglia can be primary or secondary and can result in gain or loss of functions.Astroglia respond to external,non-cell autonomous signals associated with any form of CNS pathology by undergoing complex and variable changes in their structure,molecular expression,and function.In addition,internally driven,cell autonomous changes of astroglial innate properties can lead to CNS pathologies.Astroglial pathophysiology is complex,with different pathophysiological cell states and cell phenotypes that are context-specific and vary with disorder,disorder-stage,comorbidities,age,and sex.Here,we classify astroglial pathophysiology into(i)reactive astrogliosis,(ii)astroglial atrophy with loss of function,(iii)astroglial degeneration and death,and(iv)astrocytopathies characterised by aberrant forms that drive disease.We review astroglial pathophysiology across the spectrum of human CNS diseases and disorders,including neurotrauma,stroke,neuroinfection,autoimmune attack and epilepsy,as well as neurodevelopmental,neurodegenerative,metabolic and neuropsychiatric disorders.Characterising cellular and molecular mechanisms of astroglial pathophysiology represents a new frontier to identify novel therapeutic strategies.

记2012年诺贝尔化学奖得主Brian Kobilka:当之无愧的科学英雄

2012年10月10日,瑞典皇家科学院在斯德哥尔摩宣布,将本年度诺贝尔化学奖颁发给在＂G蛋白偶联受体＂方面作出突出贡献的两名美国科学家.他们分别是Robert J．Lefkowitz和BrianK．Kobilka．

Modes of Exocytotic and Endocytotic Events in Tobacco BY-2 Protoplasts

To analyze the kinetics and size of single exo- and endocytotic events in BY-2 protoplasts, we employed cellattached membrane capacitance measurements. These measurements revealed different modes of fusion and fission of single vesicles. In about half of the observed exocytotic events, fusion occurred transiently, which facilitates rapid recycling of vesicles. In addition, transient sequential or multi-vesicular exocytosis observed in some recordings can contribute to an increase in efficiency of secretory product release. Microscopic analysis of the timescale of cellulose and pectin deposition in protoplasts demonstrates that rebuilding of the cell wall starts soon after isolation of protoplasts and that transient fusion events can fully account for secretion of the required soluble material. The capacitance measurements also allowed us to investigate formation of the fusion pore. We speculate that regulation of secretion may involve control of the length and/or size of fusion pore opening. Together, the different kinetic modes of exo- and endocytosis revealed by capacitance measurements underline the complexity of this process in plants and provide a basis for future research into the underlying mechanisms. The fact that similar fusion/fission kinetics are present in plant and animal cells suggests that many of these mechanisms are highly conserved among eukaryotes.

A New Set of Reversibly Photoswitchable Fluorescent Proteins for Use in Transgenic Plants

Fluorescent reporter proteins that allow repeated switching between a fluorescent and a non-fluorescent state in response to specific wavelengths of light are novel tools for monitoring of protein trafficking and super-resolu- tion fluorescence microscopy in living organisms. Here, we describe variants of the reversibly photoswitchable fluores- cent proteins rsFastLime, bsDronpa, and Padron that have been codon-optimized for the use in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The synthetic proteins, designated rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s, showed photophysical properties and switching behavior comparable to those reported for the original proteins. By combining the ＇positively switchable＇ PADRON C-s with the ＇negatively switchable＇ rsFastLIME-s or bsDRONPA-s, two different fluorescent reporter proteins could be imaged at the same wavelength upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. Thus, co-localiza- tion analysis can be performed using only a single detection channel. Furthermore, the proteins were used to tag the RNA-binding protein AtGRP7 （Arabidopsis thaliana glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 7） in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Because the new reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins show an increase in signal strength during each pho- toactivation cycle, we were able to generate a large number of scans of the same region and reconstruct 3-D images of AtGRP7 expression in the root tip. Upon photoactivation of the AtGRP7：rsFastLIME-s fusion protein in a defined region of a transgenic Arabidopsis root, spreading of the fluorescence signal into adjacent regions was observed, indicating that movement from cell to cell can be monitored. Our results demonstrate that rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s are versatile fluorescent markers in plants, Furthermore, the proteins also show strong fluorescence in mammalian cells including COS-7 and HeLa cells.