A mitochondrial pyruvate carrier required for pyruvate uptake in yeast, Drosophila, and humans

Pyruvate constitutes a critical branch point in cellular carbon metabolism. We have identified two proteins, Mpc1 and Mpc2, as essential for mitochondrial pyruvate transport in yeast, Drosophila, and humans. Mpc1 and Mpc2 associate to form an ~150-kilodalton complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Yeast and Drosophila mutants lacking MPC1 display impaired pyruvate metabolism, with an accumulation of upstream metabolites and a depletion of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Loss of yeast Mpc1 results in defective mitochondrial pyruvate uptake, and silencing of MPC1 or MPC2 in mammalian cells impairs pyruvate oxidation. A point mutation in MPC1 provides resistance to a known inhibitor of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier. Human genetic studies of three families with children suffering from lactic acidosis and hyperpyruvatemia revealed a causal locus that mapped to MPC1, changing single amino acids that are conserved throughout eukaryotes. These data demonstrate that Mpc1 and Mpc2 form an essential part of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier.     

Identification and expression analysis of the Pbr MLO gene family in pear,and functional verification of PbrMLO23

Mildew resistance locus O(MLO) is a plant-specific gene family that plays an important role in the growth and development of plants and their interactions with the environment. However, the available information on this gene family in pear is limited. Here, 24 PbrMLO genes were identified and divided into five subfamilies(I, II, III, IV and V). Wholegenome duplication(WGD) and dispersed duplication contributed to the expansion of the PbrMLO family. In addition, gene expression analysis revealed that PbrMLO genes were distributed in various pear tissues, suggesting their diverse functions. We selected PbrMLO23 for further functional analysis. Expression profile analysis by qRT-PCR showed that PbrMLO23 was highly expressed in pollen. Subcellular localization analysis showed that PbrMLO23 was located on the plasma membrane. When the expression level of PbrMLO23 was knocked down by using antisense oligonucleotides, pollen tube lengths increased, indicating that PbrMLO23 plays a functional role in inhibiting pollen tube growth. In summary, these results provide evolutionary insight into PbrMLO and its functional characteristics and lay a foundation for further analysis of the functions of PbrMLO members in pear.     

黄颡鱼朗格汉斯细胞的鉴定及其功能基因的表达分析

为研究黄颡鱼朗格汉斯细胞的结构特点以及细菌感染对其功能相关基因表达的影响,采用免疫组化技术对黄颡鱼免疫器官中朗格汉斯细胞进行鉴定,通过透射电镜进一步观察到黄颡鱼朗格汉斯细胞的超微结构,并采用荧光定量PCR检测鲶爱德华氏菌感染后黄颡鱼免疫相关组织内朗格汉斯细胞功能相关基因IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-10和TLR-4的表达情况。结果显示,黄颡鱼头肾和脾脏中具有朗格汉斯细胞的特异性分子标记CD207蛋白,且黄颡鱼朗格汉斯细胞的结构与其他脊椎动物类似,即细胞质中大量的伯贝克颗粒围绕着中心粒呈放射状排列。在鲶爱德华氏菌感染后,朗格汉斯细胞功能相关基因IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-10和TLR-4在黄颡鱼免疫器官内的表达量显著上调。上述结果表明,黄颡鱼含有朗格汉斯细胞,并且其可能参与了机体抗鲶爱德华氏菌感染的免疫反应。     

鸡PDK4基因的组织表达分析

利用Real Time-PCR 的方法研究PDK4 基因在肉鸡中的组织表达规律尧在不同生长阶段的组织表达趋势及在不同生长速度肉鸡中的组织差异表达遥结果表明院渊1冤鸡PDK4 基因在肌肉组织渊包括腿肌尧胸肌尧心脏冤表达最高曰渊2冤肌肉组织PDK4 基因在12 胚龄的表达较低袁初生1 日龄时表达最高袁此后有所下降曰渊3冤在垂体尧胸肌尧心脏中袁PDK4 基因在杏花鸡中的表达高于白洛克鸡袁而在腿肌中的表达趋势相反曰胸肌中袁PDK4 基因表达在体重轻组中表达高于重组袁而在腿肌中的表达趋势相反遥     

Vitamin K2 is a mitochondrial electron carrier that rescues pink1 deficiency

Human UBIAD1 localizes to mitochondria and converts vitamin K(1) to vitamin K(2). Vitamin K(2) is best known as a cofactor in blood coagulation, but in bacteria it is a membrane-bound electron carrier. Whether vitamin K(2) exerts a similar carrier function in eukaryotic cells is unknown. We identified Drosophila UBIAD1/Heix as a modifier of pink1, a gene mutated in Parkinson's disease that affects mitochondrial function. We found that vitamin K(2) was necessary and sufficient to transfer electrons in Drosophila mitochondria. Heix mutants showed severe mitochondrial defects that were rescued by vitamin K(2), and, similar to ubiquinone, vitamin K(2) transferred electrons in Drosophila mitochondria, resulting in more efficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction was rescued by vitamin K(2) that serves as a mitochondrial electron carrier, helping to maintain normal ATP production.     

TAT-Apoptin基因原核表达载体的构建及其表达鉴定

为得到TAT-Apoptin 融合蛋白,以pMD-19T-Apoptin 为模板PCR 扩增出TATApoptin 基因,构建重组载体pET-32a-TAT-Apoptin,并对TAT-Apoptin 蛋白进行表达。PCR 和测序表明,成功构建重组载体pET-32a-TAT-Apoptin,进一步对其进行蛋白表达,发现该蛋 白能与Apoptin 多抗发生特异性结合。以上结果证明,TAT-Apoptin 基因原核表达载体构建成 功,并能在Rosetta 中进行分泌性表达。     

Calorie restriction promotes mitochondrial biogenesis by inducing the expression of eNOS

Calorie restriction extends life span in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. Here, we report that calorie restriction for either 3 or 12 months induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate formation in various tissues of male mice. This was accompanied by mitochondrial biogenesis, with increased oxygen consumption and adenosine triphosphate production, and an enhanced expression of sirtuin 1. These effects were strongly attenuated in eNOS null-mutant mice. Thus, nitric oxide plays a fundamental role in the processes induced by calorie restriction and may be involved in the extension of life span in mammals.     

Identification and functional characterization of brainstem cannabinoid CB2 receptors

The presence and function of CB2 receptors in central nervous system (CNS) neurons are controversial. We report the expression of CB2 receptor messenger RNA and protein localization on brainstem neurons. These functional CB2 receptors in the brainstem were activated by a CB2 receptor agonist, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and by elevated endogenous levels of endocannabinoids, which also act at CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors represent an alternative site of action of endocannabinoids that opens the possibility of nonpsychotropic therapeutic interventions using enhanced endocannabinoid levels in localized brain areas.     

紫苏4-羟苯基丙酮酸双加氧酶基因 片段的克隆及表达分析

为获得紫苏迷迭香酸合成途径旁路中的4-羟苯基丙酮酸双加氧酶（HPPD）基因,采用同源克隆的方法, 根据已报道的其他植物的HPPD 基因序列设计合成简并引物,克隆得到紫苏HPPD 基因片段,命名为PerHPPD-1, 该片段长663 bp,编码221 个氨基酸。通过氨基酸比对分析发现,其氨基酸序列与丹参和彩叶草的HPPD 基因片段 一致性分别为66.36%和77.93%,系统进化树分析又进一步表明该片段与唇形科植物的亲缘关系最近。荧光实时定 量PCR 检测结果显示,PerHPPD-1 基因在紫苏根、茎、叶中均有表达,在叶中表达量最高,其次为茎、根。激素（赤霉 素、茉莉酸甲酯、脱落酸）处理可在一定程度上上调PerHPPD-1 在叶中的表达水平。     

减毒沙门氏菌作为原核表达宿主菌和真核表达载体的研究

本研究以增强型绿色荧光蛋白(eGFP)为报告基因,探讨了减毒沙门氏菌作为原核表达宿主菌和真核表达载体的可行性.通过多功能分光光度仪测定细菌的OD600和eGFP在大肠杆菌和减毒沙门氏菌中的表达量,结果表明:eGFP在沙门氏菌中的表达量依赖于IPTG的浓度,最佳浓度为0.5 mmol·L-1,增加浓度至0.75 mmol·L-1不能增加eGFP的表达量;而该现象在大肠杆菌中不明显.当IPTG浓度等于或大于0.5 mmol·L-1时,沙门氏菌中eGFP的表达量显著高于大肠杆菌.若以相对荧光度(1个OD600单位的荧光值,即eGFP相对表达量)表示,两种宿主菌的最佳诱导时间均为3 h.Hela细胞侵袭力试验表明该减毒沙门氏菌仍具有侵袭力,同时以脂质体转染为对照,将携带重组质粒pcDNA3-eGFP的减毒沙门氏菌转染Hela细胞,48 h后可观察到绿色荧光,表明了该菌可作为载体将重组质粒携带到细胞内,并使外源基因得到表达.此外,利用基于微孔板的多功能分光光度仪可直接检测荧光强度和OD值,能快速、准确地进行多样本检测,可用于GFP在不同宿主菌或相同宿主菌在不同试验条件下,甚至不同表达载体在相同宿主菌中表达等方面的研究.     

玉米组蛋白编码基因鉴定与表达分析

为了鉴定玉米基因组中组蛋白编码基因并分析其在不同条件下的表达规律,本研究利用生物信息学方法对玉米基因组中组蛋白编码基因进行了系统性鉴定和分析,利用同源性分析鉴定玉米组蛋白编码基因,利用保守结构域分析对组蛋白进行结构域鉴定,利用转录组测序数据对组蛋白编码基因进行表达规律分析。结果表明,玉米基因组中存在16个H2A,13个H2B,12个H3,9个H4和4个H1;对蛋白结构分析时发现玉米组蛋白保守结构域的数量和序列在同一亚族中高度保守,并且在不同物种中也非常保守;对玉米组蛋白基因的组织表达特异进行分析,发现玉米组蛋白编码基因在不同组织中表达水平有明显差异;对生物胁迫和非生物胁迫数据分析,发现组蛋白编码基因在不同胁迫下表达水平发生明显变化。本研究全基因组层面对玉米组蛋白编码基因进行了系统性鉴定和分析,明确了玉米中组蛋白的编码基因,揭示了组蛋白编码基因在玉米不同组织及生物和非生物胁迫中的表达规律,为进一步阐明其功能奠定了重要的理论基础。     

丙酮酸乙酯对TNBS结肠炎小鼠HMGB1及Th17细胞反应的影响

目的 探讨高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1)的抑制剂丙酮酸乙酯(EP)对实验性结肠炎小鼠模型的治疗机制.方法 30只BALB/c小鼠随机分为乙醇对照组、模型组和EP组,利用2,4,6-三硝基苯磺酸(TNBS)建立小鼠结肠炎模型,EP组每天按100 mg/kg腹腔注射EP溶液1次,连续6d.造模后每天进行疾病活动指数(DAI)评分;实验第7天处死小鼠,观察结肠组织病理学改变;ELISA法检测血清和结肠组织中HMGB1、IL-17的表达水平;流式细胞术检测脾脏、肠系膜淋巴结中Th17细胞比例变化.结果 与模型组比较,EP组DAI评分下降,镜下组织病理损伤亦明显减轻(P.＜0.01),EP组小鼠血清和结肠组织中HMGB1水平明显降低,伴随血清及结肠局部IL-17表达减少(P＜0.01),同时脾脏和肠系膜淋巴结Th17细胞比例亦明显降低(P＜0.01).结论 EP可能通过阻断内源性免疫刺激剂HMGB1的释放,进而间接抑制Th17细胞及其介导的炎症瀑布反应,从而对IBD小鼠发挥保护作用.     

葡萄MPT基因家族鉴定与表达分析

线粒体磷酸转运体(mitochondrial phosphate transporter, MPT)基因家族是位于线粒体内膜上的一种重要的功能蛋白,负责将重要代谢底物无机磷酸通过线粒体内膜从细胞质转移到线粒体基质中,在细胞维持正常功能中起到了关键的生理作用。本研究利用生物信息学工具,系统地分析了葡萄MPT基因家族成员的进化关系、基因结构、蛋白质理化性质和保守基序,以及组织特异性表达和同源基因的相关性。结果表明,葡萄全基因组中鉴定出64个MPT家族基因。根据系统发育树可以分为7组,分布于19条染色体上,其中两对基因存在串联复制现象。保守基序分析表明,所有MPT家族成员都含有保守的Mito_carr结构域。组织特异性表达表明,VvMPT基因在果皮、花、叶中高表达。同源基因分析表明,葡萄VvMPT基因家族可能在花器官发育、维持离子浓度中起到了重要作用。     

抗蓝耳病shRNA转基因表达载体的构建与功能验证

将靶向猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)的shRNA表达盒插入pEGFP-N1的EcoO109I酶切位点构建重组转基因载体pEGFP-G1,并在转基因Marc-145细胞验证其抑制PRRSV复制的功能.用pEGFP-G1转染Marc-145细胞24 h后感染欧洲型PRRSV,病毒感染后每天观察细胞病变(CPE)情况.试验结果表明:所获pEGFP-G1可明显抑制PRRSV复制.     

Structure and functional expression of a human interleukin-8 receptor

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a member of a family of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although the best characterized activities of IL-8 include the chemoattraction and activation of neutrophils, other members of this family have a wide range of specific actions including the chemotaxis and activation of monocytes, the selective chemotaxis of memory T cells, the inhibition of hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, and the induction of neutrophil infiltration in vivo. A complementary DNA encoding the IL-8 receptor from human neutrophils has now been isolated. The amino acid sequence shows that the receptor is a member of the superfamily of receptors that couple to guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins). The sequence is 29% identical to that of receptors for the other neutrophil chemoattractants, fMet-Leu-Phe and C5a. Mammalian cells transfected with the IL-8 receptor cDNA clone bind IL-8 with high affinity and respond specifically to IL-8 by transiently mobilizing calcium. The IL-8 receptor may be part of a subfamily of related G protein-coupled receptors that transduce signals for the IL-8 family of pro-inflammatory cytokines.     

Molecular cloning and functional expression of glutamate receptor subunit genes

Three closely related genes, GluR1, GluR2, and GluR3, encode receptor subunits for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. The proteins encoded by the individual genes form homomeric ion channels in Xenopus oocytes that are sensitive to glutamatergic agonists such as kainate and quisqualate but not to N-methyl-D-aspartate, indicating that binding sites for kainate and quisqualate exist on single receptor polypeptides. In addition, kainate-evoked conductances are potentiated in oocytes expressing two or more of the cloned receptor subunits. Electrophysiological responses obtained with certain subunit combinations show agonist profiles and current-voltage relations that are similar to those obtained in vivo. Finally, in situ hybridization histochemistry reveals that these genes are transcribed in shared neuroanatomical loci. Thus, as with gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, native kainate-quisqualate-sensitive glutamate receptors form a family of heteromeric proteins.     

Identification and functional analysis of arabinogalactan protein expressed in pear pollen tubes

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and play a vital role during the process of plant sexual reproduction.  In this study, we performed a comprehensive identification of the PbrAGPs expressed in pear pollen and further explored their influences on pollen tube growth.  Among the 187 PbrAGPs that were found to be expressed in pear pollen tubes, 38 PbrAGPs were specifically expressed in pollen according to the RNA-seq data.  The PbrAGPs were divided into two groups of highly expressed and specifically expressed in pear pollen.  We further tested their expression patterns using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR.  Most of the PbrAGPs were expressed in multiple tissues and their expression levels were consistent with reads per kilobase per million map reads (RPKM) values during pollen tube growth, implying that PbrAGPs might be involved in the regulation of pear pollen tube growth.  We also constructed phylogenetic trees to identify the functional genes in pear pollen tube growth.  Therefore, 19 PbrAGPs (PbrAGP1 to PbrAGP19) were selected to test their influences on pollen tube growth.  Recombinant proteins of the 19 PbrAGP-His were purified and used to treat pear pollen, and 11 of the PbrAGP-His recombinant proteins could promote pear pollen tube growth.  Additionally, pollen tube growth was inhibited when the expression levels of PbrAGP1 and PbrAGP5 were knocked down using an antisense oligonucleotide assay.  PbrAGP1 and PbrAGP5 were localized in the plasma membrane and might not alter the distribution of pectin in the pollen tube.  In summary, this study identified the PbrAGPs expressed in pear pollen and lays the foundation for further exploring their functions in pollen tube growth.