Effect of beclin-1 gene silencing on TuAKe-injured gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

AIM: To observe the effect of beclin-1 silencing by the technique of RNA interference on the injury of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell by Sheliugu extract (the extract from tuber of Amorphophallus konjac, TuAKe). METHODS: To knock down the expression of beclin-1 gene, SGC-7901 cells were transfected with lentiviral vector carrying beclin-1-shRNA. The beclin-1 gene knock-down and non-knock-down SGC-7901 cells were treated with TuAKe. The cell viability was analyzed by CKK-8 assay. The percentages of apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of beclin-1 and LC3 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The beclin-1 gene silencing decreased the protein expression of beclin-1 and increased the protein expression of LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells, leading to the decrease in cell viability and the increase in apoptotic rate (P<0.05). TuAKe increased the protein expression of beclin-1 and LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells, and decreased the protein expression of LC3 in the SGC-7901 cells with beclin-1 gene silencing, thus inhibiting the cell viability and increasing the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Beclin-1 gene silencing inhibits the activation of beclin-1-related signaling pathway in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, and aggravates the injury of cell viability induced by TuAKe.     

Genetic diversity of the pine pathogen Lecanosticta acicola in Slovenia and Croatia

Brown spot needle blight (BSNB), a disease of pine trees caused by the fungus Lecanosticta acicola, has been known in Slovenia since 2008 and in Croatia since 1975. Recent outbreaks in Slovenia prompted this study to compare L. acicola populations in these two neighbouring European countries. Sixty-nine isolates collected from three pine species (Pinus mugo, P. halepensis and P. nigra) were used to determine the phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, and reproductive strategy of the pathogen. EF1-α sequences showed that Slovenian and Croatian isolates share a common ancestry with individuals from central and northern Europe. Population structure analysis revealed four distinct population clusters of L. acicola in these two countries, generally corresponding to their respective geographic location and host. An unequal ratio of mating types and a low overall genetic diversity in the population indicated a strong influence of asexual reproduction. Although some of the oldest recorded European occurrences of BSNB are from Croatia, this study provided no evidence that the population studied in Croatia was the source of the sampled outbreaks in Slovenia. Recent outbreaks of L. acicola in Slovenia are most likely due to introductions from other, yet to be identified, sources.     

不同浓度1-MCP对柿果保鲜效果研究及灰色关联性分析

以恭城月柿为试材，采用精准相温（-0.5±0.3）℃结合不同浓度（0（CK）、1、3、5 ?滋L/L）1-甲基环丙烯（1-MCP）的处理方式，探索1-MCP最佳处理浓度及对柿果保鲜效果的影响。结果表明，不同浓度1-MCP处理均可保持柿果的感官品质、色泽及抗坏血酸（VC）含量，降低乙烯呼吸速率和丙二醛含量，从而达到延长贮藏期和维持柿果品质的目的，且随着贮藏时间的延长，保鲜效果更加显著，但是对可滴定酸（TA）含量及呼吸强度并无显著影响。灰色关联分析可知，4个处理的关联度分别为0.566、0.885、0.654、0.722，按大小排序为1 ?滋L/L 1-MCP＞5 ?滋L/L 1-MCP＞3 ?滋L/L 1-MCP＞CK，说明采用浓度为1 ?滋L/L 1-MCP处理柿果能够具有最佳贮藏效果，5 ?滋L/L 1-MCP次之，3 ?滋L/L 1-MCP效果较差。     

Effects of bFGF on brain edema,nerve function injury and autophagy related protein in rats with traumatic brain injury

AIM:To study the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on brain edema, nerve function damage and autophagy related proteins in rats with head injury. METHODS:The rat model of craniocerebral injury (CI) was constructed. The rats were divided into control group, CI group, and low-, middle-and high-dose bFGF groups (n=10). The CI model was established in CI group, while the rats in control group were not given epidural impact. The rats in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose bFGF groups were given bFGF at 2, 4 and 6 μg, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection after 30 min. The neurological function in the rats was evaluated by improved neurological function scoring. The rat brain tissues were taken, and the water content was detected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β in the brain tissue were measured by ELISA. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was analyzed by thiobarbituric acid method. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was examined by WST-8 assay. The glutathine peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was detected by colorimetric method. The protein levels of autophagy related proteins LC3-Ⅱ and beclin-1 in the brain tissues were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The neurological function score was increased significantly of the rats in CI group. The rat model of craniocerebral injury was successfully constructed. Neurological function scores in the rats in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose bFGF groups were reduced, the water content of the brain tissue was also reduced (P<0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β were decreased in the brain tissues (P<0.05), the content of MDA was declined (P<0.05), the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased (P<0.05), the protein levels of LC3-Ⅱ and beclin-1 were decreased, compared with the untreated rats in CI group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:bFGF improves the nerve function of the rats with craniocerebral injury, reduces the water content of the brain tissue, reduces the expression of autophagic protein LC3-Ⅱ and beclin-1.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of inflammatory reaction and oxidative damage.     

PPARγ mediates effects of diosgenin on proliferation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of diosgenin (Dio) on the proliferation, apoptosis and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in human glioblastoma U87MG cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS:Human astrocytes (HA) and U87MG cells were cultured in vitro and treated with Dio (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L) and GW9662 (5 μmol/L) for 48 h, and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell colony formation assay was used to assess the proliferation potential. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The mRNA expression level of PPARγ was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of PPARγ, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS:Dio had no significant influence on the viabi-lity of HA (P>0.05). However, Dio remarkably reduced the viability of U87MG cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with IC₅₀ of 24.31 μmol/L. Meanwhile, Dio remarkably diminished colony formation ability (P<0.05), induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest of the cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the expression of PPARγ at mRNA and protein levels, increased the protein level of Bax (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. However, these effects induced by Dio were inhibited by GW9662 (P<0.05), a specific inhibitor of PPARγ. CONCLUSION:Dio may inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells most likely via up-regulating the expression of PPARγ, and then down-regulating the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2, and up-regulating the protein level of Bax.     

白叶枯病菌效应子XopN在拥有OsSWEET11同源基因的水稻品种上发挥毒性作用

【目的】黄单胞菌细胞外泌蛋白质(Xanthomonas outer proteins, Xops)是植物病原黄单胞菌高度保守的毒性效应子或毒性辅助组分,通过细菌Ⅲ型分泌系统分泌到细菌细胞外部,然后转入植物细胞而发挥病理作用。水稻黄单胞菌水稻致病变种即水稻白叶枯病菌的标准菌株PXO99^A分泌的XopN是一种毒性效应子,通过影响寄主免疫反应而使水稻发病。但是,XopN对病菌毒性的影响是否因水稻品种的不同而异,还有待研究。【方法】利用同源双交换技术,先敲除了PXO99^A的XopN基因,获得了∆XopN突变体,又经过遗传互补,得到了回补菌株∆XopN/XopN。通过营养肉汤液体培养,测定了XopN对病菌繁殖能力的影响;根据文献选用14个水稻品种,通过接种实验,测定了PXO99^A对这些品种的毒性与XopN敲除或回补的影响;在XopN发挥毒性作用的水稻品种上,测定了隐性抗病基因OsSWEET11/xa13与显性感病基因OsSWEET11/Xa13受病菌侵染而表达的情况,分析了XopN敲除或回补的影响。【结果】在营养肉汤液体培养过程中,病菌突变体菌株∆XopN的繁殖速度明显低于野生型PXO99^A。PXO99^A、∆XopN和∆XopN/XopN接种水稻后,根据其在水稻叶片组织内的繁殖量及随后产生的白叶枯病症状的严重程度,将供试的14个水稻品种分为两种情况。一是感病程度与病菌XopN是否敲除或回补无关,这有10个水稻品种（IRBB1、IRBB3、IRBB8、IRBB10、IRBB14、IR24、IRBB203、IRBB204、IRBB205和IRBB211）,PXO99^A、∆XopN和∆XopN/XopN对它们的毒性无明显差别。二是XopN对病菌毒性发挥作用的水稻品种,包括高度感病的3个品种（IRBB208、Asominori和日本晴）和低感品种IRBB13。与PXO99^A或∆XopN/XopN相比,∆XopN对这4个水稻品种的毒性大为降低。在IRBB13上,病菌侵染对隐性抗病基因OsSWEET11/xa13在叶片内的表达发生抑制作用,这一效应与XopN的毒性功能相关。相反,日本晴显性感病基因OsSWEET11/Xa13却受病菌侵染的诱导,在叶片内的表达水平大幅度提高。IRBB208和Asominori携带OsSWEET11/Xa13同源基因,该同源基因在叶片内的表达水平也因病菌侵染而大幅提高。在这4个水稻品种上,PXO99^A和∆XopN/XopN能够诱导OsSWEET11/Xa13或其同源基因表达,但∆XopN无此作用。另外,XopN对病菌在非寄主植物烟草上诱发过敏反应有量变贡献,相比PXO99^A或∆XopN/XopN,∆XopN引起过敏反应的程度有所降低。【结论】XopN是一个有限广谱性效应子,在拥有OsSWEET11同源基因的水稻品种上发挥毒性作用。XopN也是病菌繁殖所需要的,对病菌在非寄主植物上诱导过敏反应有一定贡献。     

基于共表达网络分析发掘调控玉米株高发育的关键ZmGRF基因

生长调控因子(growth-regulating factors,GRF)基因家族是一类植物特有的转录因子。在模式植物水稻、拟南芥中,部分GRF基因被证实是影响株高发育的核心调控因子。利用加权基因共表达网络分析方法(Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, WGCNA),初步构建以玉米ZmGRF基因与调控株高发育的功能基因为核心的共表达网络。结果表明,有9个ZmGRF基因与已报道的调控株高发育基因具有显著的共表达关系,并呈现出网络化的共表达模式,推测这9个ZmGRF基因是调控玉米株高发育的潜在候选基因。进一步通过微共线性分析发现,9个ZmGRF候选基因中有8个基因可以形成基因对,并且所有基因对的Ka/Ks值均显著小于1,暗示调控株高发育候选ZmGRF基因功能的保守性。     

miR-204 inhibits proliferation of Hodgkin lymphoma cells by targeting Sirt1/p53 signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-204 (miR-204) on the proliferation of Hodgkin lymphoma cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The expression of miR-204 and Sirt1 mRNA in Hodgkin lymphoma tissues was detected by RT-qPCR. After transfection with miR-204 mimic, Sirt1 siRNA and miR-204 mimic+pcDNA3.1-Sirt1 into the L428 cells, the cell viability and BrdU incorporation were measured by CCK-8 assay and BrdU assay, respectively. The protein levels of Sirt1 and acetylated p53 (ac-p53) were determined by Western blot.The targeting relationship between miR-204 and Sirt1 was verified by double luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The low expression of miR-204 and the high mRNA expression of Sirt1 were found in the Hodgkin lymphoma tissues. Compared with control group, the cell viability, BrdU incorporation and the protein levels of Sirt1 and ac-p53 were significantly decreased after L428 cells were transfected with miR-204 mimic or Sirt1 siRNA (P<0.05). Compared with miR-204 mimic alone group, the cell viability, BrdU incorporation and the protein levels of Sirt1 and ac-p53 were increased after L428 cells were co-transfected with miR-204 mimic and pcDNA3.1-Sirt1 (P<0.05). The results of double luciferase reporter assay confiermed that Sirt1 was the target gene of miR-204. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of miR-204 on the proliferation of L428 cells may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of Sirt1 and promoting the up-regulation of ac-p53.     

大豆PHD家族蛋白的全基因组鉴定及表达特征分析

PHD（Plant Homeodomain Finger）基因家族编码一类锌指转录因子,广泛参与植物的生长发育和逆境应答过程。通过全基因组鉴定获得了95个大豆PHD家族蛋白。通过共线性分析、进化树构建、基因结构和功能结构域鉴定、GO注释分析、不同组织间和非生物胁迫下表达分析等,获得了大豆PHD家族基因复制、家族进化、保守结构域及基因表达等信息。结果表明,大豆PHD基因在家族进化、基因结构和保守结构域上存在较大变异,可能参与Zn ²⁺结合、DNA结合及表观遗传调控等分子过程,参与调控植物生长发育和逆境应答。这些结果为进一步研究大豆PHD家族在生长发育和逆境应答中的生物学功能提供重要线索。     

NRF2 attenuates oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction in doxorubicin-induced H9C2 cells

AIM:To study the effect of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) on oxidative stress injury and lysosomal dysfunction in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced rat myocardial H9C2 cells. METHODS:The H9C2 cells were treated with DOX. The expression of NRF2 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The H9C2 cells stably over-expressing NRF2 were established by lentiviral infection. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to identify the efficiency of over-expression. After DOX treatment, the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cell supernatant were detected. FITC-dextran was used to analyze lysosomal pH, and the protein expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) and cathepsin B was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The expression of NRF2 at mRNA and protein levels in DOX-treated H9C2 cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Over-expression of NRF2 significantly up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of NRF2 in DOX-treated H9C2 cells (P<0.05). After DOX treatment, the cell viability was decreased, and LDH activity was increased. The activity of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT was decreased, and the content of MDA was increased (P<0.05). The lysosomal pH was increased, and the protein expression of LAMP1 and cathepsin B decreased (P<0.05). Over-expression of NRF2 increased the cell viability, decreased LDH activity, increased the activity of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, and decreased the content of MDA in cell supernatant (P<0.05). Over-expression of NRF2 also decreased the lysosomal pH, and increased the protein expression of LAMP1 and cathepsin B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:DOX inhibits the expression of NRF2 in the myocardial H9C2 cells. Over-expression of NRF2 attenuates oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction in the H9C2 cells induced by DOX.