猪水泡病病毒结构蛋白基因的克隆及其蛋白二级结构和淋巴细胞表位的预测

以免疫信息学和反向疫苗学为理论根据，利用RT-PCR法获得了猪水泡病病毒（SVDV）HK／70株的基因组序列并测序，应用生物信息学相关软件和方法，对SVDV结构蛋白的二级结构的不同方面及其抗原特异性淋巴细胞表位进行了预测，综合评价了SVDV结构蛋白的抗原特异性细胞表位，并计算出一些潜在的抗原位点。结果表明，VP1蛋白含有的细胞优势抗原表位最多，但其他结构蛋白也含有抗原特异性淋巴细胞表位，有的甚至有可能成为优势抗原表位或对优势抗原表位有协同作用。     

Association of polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in southern Chinese

AIM:To detect the association between the polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).METHODS:The genotypes at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor γ chain gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 180 patients with SLE and 140 ethnically matched controls in southern China.RESULTS:The frequencies of TT genotype(33.3%) and T allele (54.4%) at position -29 in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in controls (17.2% and 42.9%, respectively), whereas, the frequencies of GG genotype (24.4%) and G allele (45.6%) in patients with SLE were remarkably lower than those in controls (31.4% and 57.1%, respectively) (P＜0.05). The TT genotype and T allele at position -29 were not associated with lupus nephritis in SLE patients (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the T allele at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor gene probably contributes to the susceptibility to SLE, but does not play a role in the occurrence of lupus nephritis.     

Role of p38MAPK in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells from severe acute pancreatitis rats

AIM:To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway in the Kupffer cells (KCs) production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β), in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats.METHODS:Sprague-Dwaley rats were randomized into three groups:①sham operation rats, ②SAP rats, ③SAP rats given the p38 MAPK inhibitor CNI-1493(10 mg/kg, iv). The SAP model was induced by the bili-pancreatic duct infusion with 5% sterile soduim taurocholate solution. Rats from each group were killed at 12 h after sham operation or SAP and Kupffer cells (KCs) were isolated. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β (by quantitative real-time RT-PCR) and p38 MAPK activity (by Western blot analysis) in KCs were examined. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma were determined by ELISA.RESULTS:There was a significant acvitation of p38 MAPK in KCs harvested from SAP rats than those from sham operation rats. SAP also promoted the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in KCs and the plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. These events were significantly inhibited by treatment with CNI-1493.CONCLUSIONS:p38 MAPK activation is one important aspect of the signaling events that may mediate the KCs production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, in SAP rats. The inhibition of the p38 MAPK may be a potential target in the prevention and treatment of SAP.     

Quick detection of sex determining region protein gene in mouse fetuses

AIM: To detect quickly the Y-chromosome specific sex determining region protein (Sry) gene in mouse fetuses on embryonic day 14.5 with a PCR method. METHODS: We designed specific primers with the OLIGO 5. 0 software. Templates were prepared in 30 minutes by the following way. About 1 mg embryonic tissue but not fetal liver was suspended, and treated with 200μL of lysis buffer, consisting of PCR buffer containing 20 mg/L proteinase K, 0. 5% NP-40, and 0.05% Tween 40, at 60°C for 15 minutes, heated for 5 minutes at 100 °C, 10μL was used as template. The PCR react ion was performed in 50μL, using two sets of primers specific for Sry gene (chromosome Y) and IL-3 gene (chromosome 11) . PCR conditions and cycle numbers were optimized. The assessment of the results was done by electrophoresis in 3% agarose run at high voltage. The specificity of the method was conf irmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a specific male probe on embryonic tissue cells. RESULTS: Electrophoresis showed that PCR product of male control DNA consisted of a 649 bp product representing the IL-3 gene and a 444 bp product representing the Y-specific Sry gene, female control DNA only one 649 bp product. Fetuses with two bands matching those as seen inmale control DNA are the presumpt ive male fetuses. Fetuses, only the IL-3-associated 649 bp band, are the presumptive female fetuses. These were confirmed by FISH. The ent ire procedure took <3. 5 h. CONCLUSION: The established PCR assay offers a quick, simple, accurate, and sensitive detection of sex determining region protein gene in mouse fetuses. This method allowed the preparation and culture of pure male and female hematopoietic stem cells from fetal tissue.     

Rat urotensin-II-induced main pulmonary artery contractions are mediated by MAPK

AIM: To investigate rat Urotensin-II(rat U-II)-induced vasoconstriction of rat main pulmonary arteries and the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK). METHODS: The main pulmonary artery was dissected from the male Sprague-Dawley rats and artery ring width was 3-4 mm. Concentration-response curves were generated to rat U-II(0.03 nmol/L-30 nmol/L).Inhibitor of MAPK, PD 98059(0.1 μmol/L-10 μmol/L) were added into the medium after rat U-II(30 nmol/L)induced vasoconstriction had reached plateau to construct the relaxant concentration-response curves and their EC₅₀ and E_max. RESULTS：Rat U-II was a potent vasoconstrictor of isolated rat main pulmonary arteries [EC₅₀=7.95±0.40, E_max=(14.28±6.34)% of the response to 60 mmol/L KCl]; PD 98059 caused concentration-dependent relaxations of rat U-II precontracted arteries [EC₅₀=5.91±0.45, E_max=(81.39±13.65)%]. CONCLUSION: Rat U-II was a potent vasoconstrictor of rat main pulmonary arteries and this response was mediated through MAPK.     

Engineering of a Single Chain Variable Fragment Antibody Specific for the Citrus tristeza virus and its Expression in Escherichia coli and Nicotiana tabacum

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is one of the most destructive citrus virus diseases in the world. The construction of an engineered antibody, EMBL accession number AJ278109, able to specifically recognize its antigen, i.e. the coat protein of CTV, directly on infected plant material without any purification or manipulation of the entire woody plant. The potential uses of this engineered antibody are discussed.     

根癌农杆菌介导绿色荧光蛋白基因转化印度酸桔的研究

 通过根癌农杆菌介导将绿色荧光蛋白基因转入印度酸桔的胚性愈伤组织中, 经潮霉素筛选,获得抗性愈伤组织, 并再生植株。对这些植株进行GUS 染色、PCR 分析、绿色荧光检测和Sourthern 杂交验证, 结果表明绿色荧光蛋白已经在转基因植株中表达。     

A reactive pattern of ischemia-induced nestin protein in the rat brain

AIM:To explore the expressive profile of nestin protein in the focal ischemic brain and to study the recovery mechanism of brain focal infarct.METHODS:Cellular morphology,time-course and distribution pattern of nestin positive response were immunohistochemically examined in different brain regions of 36 adult male SD rats. RESULTS:Nestin positive response of different brain regions in sham operated rats was present in small- and micro-vasculartures and the third ventricle bottom and ependyma. A large number of nestin positive cells were detected in ischemic brain, and were more remarkable in the cortical areas of parietal lobe and preoptic area as well as ischemic caudoputamen. Stellate nestin positive cells were located in the deep layer of ischemic cortex, but fibrillary cells were located in the shallow layer. Nestin positive cells in the ischemic caudoputamen showed the same changes of morphology as those cells in the deep layer of ischemic cortex. Morphological and number alterations of nestin positive cells were the most remarkable at 1 weeks post-ischemia, which showed more hypertrophy and proliferation in morphology, and a marked increase in number was present in the ischemic cerebral cortex and the ischemic caudoputamen. These alterations of nestin positive cells persisted up to 6 weeks post-ischemia, and then, the nestin positive response in the ischemic brain decreased gradually.CONCLUSION:Focal cerebral ischemia induces nestin re-expression on reactive astrocytes, which may be very important to the self-recovery of cerebral infarct.     

The genetic susceptibility of HLA-DRB1 alleles in esophageal neoplasm of Hubei Han Chinese

AIM: To probe into the genetic susceptibility of HLA-DRB1 alleles to esophageal neoplasm in Hubei Han Chinese. METHODS: HLA-DRB1 gene polymorphism in 42 patients with esophageal neoplasm and 136 normal control subjects was studied by PCR and sequence. RESULTS: Allele frequency of HLA-DRB1 *0901 allele was significantly higher in esophageal cancer patients than those in normal controls(0.2500 vs 0.1397, P =0.028; the odds ratiO².053; etiologic fraction 0.1282).There were no association between the rested HLA-DRB1 alleles with patients. CONCLUSION: Individuals carrying HLA-DRB1 *0901 may be susceptible to esophagealo carcinoma, its nucleotide sepuence approachs to the corresponded allele sequence(exoN²)published in GenBank.     

Seasonal distribution of phytoplasmas in Australian grapevines

The distribution and persistence of phytoplasmas were determined in Australian grapevines. Phytoplasmas could be detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from shoots, cordons, trunks and roots throughout the year, and phytoplasmas appear to persistently infect Australian grapevines from year to year. Phytoplasmas were not always detected in samples from the same sampling area from one sampling period to the next. Phytoplasma detection by PCR was improved by sampling from shoots, cordons and trunks, especially during October (early spring). The diseases expressed by the 20 grapevines used in the distribution and persistence studies were monitored. Australian grapevine yellows disease (AGY) was expressed by 17/20 grapevines at some time during the study, whilst only 4/20 and 15/20 grapevines expressed restricted growth disease (RG) and late season leaf curl disease (LSLC), respectively. All grapevines with RG and LSLC also had AGY. The three diseases were persistently expressed in some grapevines and remission of disease was observed in others. The results of PCR detection in the same grapevines indicated that phytoplasmas were more frequently detected in AGY-affected grapevines that also expressed RG and LSLC compared with grapevines expressing AGY alone. Phytoplasmas were detected in symptomless plant material but less frequently compared with AGY-affected material.