Mutation of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid gene in hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, Dutch type

An amyloid protein that precipitates in the cerebral vessel walls of Dutch patients with hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis is similar to the amyloid protein in vessel walls and senile plaques in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, and sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Cloning and sequencing of the two exons that encode the amyloid protein from two patients with this amyloidosis revealed a cytosine-to-guanine transversion, a mutation that caused a single amino acid substitution (glutamine instead of glutamic acid) at position 22 of the amyloid protein. The mutation may account for the deposition of this amyloid protein in the cerebral vessel walls of these patients, leading to cerebral hemorrhages and premature death.     

Amyloid beta protein precursor is possibly a heparan sulfate proteoglycan core protein

The amyloid beta protein peptide is a major constituent of amyloid plaque cores in Alzheimer's disease and is apparently derived from a higher molecular weight precursor. It is now shown that the core protein of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan secreted from a nerve cell line (PC12) has an amino acid sequence and a size very similar to those of the amyloid beta protein precursor and that these molecules are antigenically related. This amyloid beta protein precursor-related protein is not found in the conditioned medium of a variant cell line (F3 PC12) that does not secrete heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The synaptic localization and metabolism of this class of proteoglycans are consistent with its potential involvement in central nervous system dysfunction.     

A mutation in the amyloid precursor protein associated with hereditary Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a form of localized amyloidosis characterized by cerebral cortical amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and amyloid deposits within the walls of leptomeningeal vessels. Although most cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic, kindreds with autosomal-dominant inheritance of the syndrome suggest that a single mutation may be important in pathogenesis. Direct sequencing of DNA from a family with autopsy-proven Alzheimer's disease revealed a single amino acid substitution (Phe for Val) in the transmembrane domain of the amyloid precursor protein. This mutation correlates with the presence of Alzheimer's disease in all patients in this study, and may be the inherited factor causing both amyloid fibril formation and dementia.     

Amyloid fibrils of the HET-s(218-289) prion form a beta solenoid with a triangular hydrophobic core

Prion and nonprion forms of proteins are believed to differ solely in their three-dimensional structure, which is therefore of paramount importance for the prion function. However, no atomic-resolution structure of the fibrillar state that is likely infectious has been reported to date. We present a structural model based on solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance restraints for amyloid fibrils from the prion-forming domain (residues 218 to 289) of the HET-s protein from the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina. On the basis of 134 intra- and intermolecular experimental distance restraints, we find that HET-s(218-289) forms a left-handed beta solenoid, with each molecule forming two helical windings, a compact hydrophobic core, at least 23 hydrogen bonds, three salt bridges, and two asparagine ladders. The structure is likely to have broad implications for understanding the infectious amyloid state.     

Protease nexin-II (amyloid beta-protein precursor): a platelet alpha-granule protein

Protease nexin-II (PN-II) [amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP)] and the amyloid beta-protein are major constituents of neuritic plaques and cerebrovascular deposits in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Both the brain and the circulation have been implicated as sources of these molecules, although they have not been detected in blood. Human platelets have now been found to contain relatively large amounts of PN-II/APP. Platelet PN-II/APP was localized in platelet alpha-granules and was secreted upon platelet activation. Because PN-II/APP is a potent protease inhibitor and possesses growth factor activity, these results implicate PN-II/APP in wound repair. In certain disease states, alterations in platelet release and processing and clearance of PN-II/APP and its derived fragments could lead to pathological accumulation of these proteins.     

The amyloid beta protein gene is not duplicated in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease

Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding portions of the amyloid beta protein were used to investigate possible amyloid gene duplication in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. A strategy employing two Eco RI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected by the amyloid cDNAs was used. RFLPs allow the detection of a 2:1 gene dosage in the DNA of any individual who is heterozygous for a particular RFLP. The amyloid gene regions homologous to the cDNAs used were not duplicated in the DNA from brains of individuals with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Similar results were also obtained with a strategy employing a test for 3:2 gene dosage.     

荷兰温室技术发展历程与启示(下)

温室标准的制订与应用 20世纪70年代初期，随着温室的快速发展，一些结构工程不规范的问题相继发生，每年暴风雨季节都有一些温室因结构强度问题而出现坍塌事故（图7），农民和保险公司损失惨重。后来由荷兰农业部出面，农业环境工程研究所（IMAG）等单位牵头开始制订相关的温室标准，     

荷兰温室技术发展历程与启示(上)

荷兰位于西欧北部，面临大西洋的北海，处于马斯河、莱茵河和斯凯尔特河的下游河口地区，全国约有1／4的国土面积低于平均海平面，是一个低地国家，国土面积为4．15万Km^2，人口1600多万，是世界人口密度最大的国家之一。由于受大西洋暖流的影响，荷兰属典型的温带海洋性气候，冬季温和，1月份月平均气温2．2℃；夏季凉爽，7月份月平均气温16．8℃，年平均气温为8．5～10．9℃。由于纬度较高（相当于我国黑龙江省的最北部），荷兰全年光照严重不足，历年平均日照时数仅为1484h。从发展温室的角度来看，四季的温度条件有利于温室的气候调节，但冬季光照弱、日照时间短的明显缺陷，却是温室发展的关键制约因素。经过近100年的努力，荷兰人硬是凭借自己超凡的智慧，充分发挥气候温和的优势，克服光照资源的不足，把温室园艺产业做到了世界最好。荷兰温室技术的成功有其独特的历史背景和时代特征，了解其发展历程，或许能对我国温室技术的发展会有所启示。     

小菜蛾表皮蛋白基因克隆及表达分析

[目的]克隆小菜蛾表皮蛋白基因(Plutella xylostella cuticular protein,PxyICP),分析其序列特征和发育表达模式,为深入研究PxyICP在小菜蛾表皮形成中的生理功能提供科学参考.[方法]以小菜蛾为试验材料,采用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和快速扩增cDNA末端(RACE)技术克隆PxyICP,以生物信息学方法对其序列特征进行分析,并采用实时荧光定量PCR研究PxyICP mRNA在小菜蛾不同发育时期中的相对表达量.[结果]克隆获得的PxyICP基因开放阅读框长531 bp,编码177个氨基酸,相对分子质量约18.90 kD,等电点为5.32.氨基酸序列分析结果表明,小菜蛾表皮蛋白第1~16位氨基酸是参与跨膜蛋白转移的信号肽,且该序列具有昆虫表皮蛋白CPR家族中RR-1型保守基序的典型特征.不同发育时期的实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,PxyICP在小菜蛾各发育时期的表达量不同,其中PxyICP在2、3和4龄幼虫、蛹和成虫中的表达量分别是1龄幼虫的2.43、0.51、0.63、3.19和12.32倍,以在成虫的表达量最高.[结论]成功克隆获得PxyICP基因,根据其发育表达模式推测PxyICP蛋白参与小菜蛾成虫表皮的硬化和黑化等生理过程.     

绵羊脂肪型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因(A-FABP)的变异研究

【目的】明确绵羊A-FABP(adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein,A-FABP)基因的变异和单倍型特征.【方法】基于Ensemble数据库中绵羊A-FABP基因全序列,对7个绵羊品种共20个样本的A-FABP基因全序列进行测序分析.【结果】PCR扩增获得绵羊A-FABP基因全长6474bp,A、T、G、C 4种碱基的比例分别为31.48%、33.02%、17.21%和18.29%,A+T平均含量为64.50%,G+C平均含量为35.50%;共发现48处单碱基变异位点和2处微卫星位点M1((TG)n)和M2((TA)n),单一变异位点、2核苷酸变异位点和3核苷酸变异位点比例分别为28.85%、40.4%和0.02%;共发现转换、颠换、插入和缺失4种变异类型,其占变异位点总数的比例分别为45.83%、31.25%、2.08%及20.83%;共发现19种单倍型,单倍型多样度为0.995.【结论】A-FABP基因19个单倍型序列的NJ树分化为2个聚类簇,表明A-FABP基因单倍型最初由2个主要单倍型衍化形成.     

高血压脑出血患者术后再出血及二次手术12例分析

目的 总结高血压脑出血患者术后再出血及二次手术的临床经验.方法 回顾性分析12例高血压脑出血患者术后再出血及二次手术的临床资料,其中基底节出血9例、大脑皮层出血2例、小脑出血1例,首次手术方式为小骨窗开颅血肿清除7例、开颅血肿清除术及大骨瓣减压4例、血肿穿刺引流术1例.结果 CT复查发现8例再出血<24 h,2例24～...     

梨CDPK基因家族全基因组序列鉴定分析

CDPK是植物特有的一类丝氨酸/苏氨酸型蛋白激酶,在介导植物生育信号和逆境信号转导中具有重要作用。为揭示CDPK基因在梨生长发育与抗逆防御机制中的作用,本研究通过生物信息学手段,结合梨基因组注释信息,鉴定梨基因组中CDPK家族基因成员,利用MEGA6.0程序进行多序列比对、分类并构建系统进化树;利用per1程序以及GSDS工具进行基因结构与保守性分析,为植物CDPK基因功能分析与利用提供依据。结果表明,本研究成功鉴定出26个CDPK家族成员,根据系统发育树分析,所有Pb CDPK被分为4类;基因结构预测结果表明,大多数Pb CDPK均含有6~7个内含子;且预测的Pb CDPK氨基酸序列绝大多数含4个EF-hand功能域;为了深入分析梨与其他物种的同源进化关系,构建了梨与拟南芥、水稻的CDPK基因系统进化树,进化树聚类分析结果将所有的CDPK蛋白分为四类。综上所述,目前已初步获得26个梨CDPK基因,为在基因组范围内研究CDPK基因在梨生长发育与逆境响应中的功能奠定了基础。     

牙鲆纤维蛋白原相关蛋白(FREP1)基因的克隆和表达分析

利用RACE-PCR技术获得了牙鲆FREP1(fibrinogen-related protein)基因1 131 bp cDNA全长序列,其中开放阅读框786 bp,所编码的蛋白C端含有纤维蛋白样结构域标签(WWYSRCGSAGLNG).RNA整体原位杂交检测发现只在孵化后2d和5 d(2 dph、5 dph)仔鱼的肠道中有FREP1基因表达,而在9 dph和13 dph仔鱼胸鳍、肠道、鳃和皮肤中均有表达.荧光定量PCR检测显示该基因主要在成鱼的肠、鳃、皮肤和鳍条上表达,而脾脏、心脏、肾脏、肝脏和肌肉表达量很低或没有表达.鳍条和皮肤较其他组织均有极显著差异(P＜0.01),鳃和肠相比其他组织具有显著差异(P＜0.05).由于该基因主要在鳍条、皮肤、肠和鳃中表达,提示FREP1基因可能和牙鲆先天性免疫相关.研究亮点:FREP在鱼类免疫方面的报道很少,本研究所克隆的牙鲆FREP1,不管是牙鲆仔鱼还是成鱼,其仅在与外界直接接触的皮肤、鳃、肠道等组织中表达,提示其与牙鲆的先天免疫相关.     

山羊促甲状腺素β亚基基因(TSHB) cDNA克隆 与组织表达研究

促甲状腺素β亚基基因(TSHB)主要表达于动物垂体腺,其表达受到光照周期调控并且与动物季节性繁殖活动密切相关.本实验以济宁青山羊和辽宁绒山羊为研究对象,运用RT-PCR方法克隆获得山羊TSHB基因部分cDNA序列(GenBank No.:JQ937288),并使用RT-PCR与荧光定量PCR技术检测TSHB基因在济宁青山羊与辽宁绒山羊下丘脑-垂体-卵巢繁殖轴及其他组织的表达分布情况.结果表明,山羊TSHB基因编码区417bp,编码含有138个氨基酸的蛋白质;各哺乳动物间TSHB基因高度保守,山羊与绵羊、牛TSHB基因同源性最高,达99％;另外,两品种山羊TSHB基因均在垂体中高表达,在济宁青山羊下丘脑、卵巢及海马等组织低度表达,而在辽宁绒山羊下丘脑低度表达,两品种其他组织均没有表达.非繁殖季节济宁青山羊垂体TSHB基因表达水平是辽宁绒山羊的1.6倍(P=0.061),其对季节性繁殖的调控功能值得进一步研究.本研究首次对山羊TSHB基因cDNA序列进行了克隆和表达分析,研究结果对山羊繁殖调控具有重要意义.     

Insulin resistance and a diabetes mellitus-like syndrome in mice lacking the protein kinase Akt2 (PKB beta)

Glucose homeostasis depends on insulin responsiveness in target tissues, most importantly, muscle and liver. The critical initial steps in insulin action include phosphorylation of scaffolding proteins and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These early events lead to activation of the serine-threonine protein kinase Akt, also known as protein kinase B. We show that mice deficient in Akt2 are impaired in the ability of insulin to lower blood glucose because of defects in the action of the hormone on liver and skeletal muscle. These data establish Akt2 as an essential gene in the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis.     

云南切梢小蠹热激蛋白20基因克隆及序列分析

[目的]对云南切梢小蠹(Tomicus yunnanensis)成虫热激蛋白20基因(TynHSP20)进行克隆和序列分析,为研究该虫在高温环境下的抗逆机制打下基础.[方法]采用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(Rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)克隆云南切梢小蠹成虫TynHSP20基因cDNA序列,并对其序列进行生物信息学分析.[结果]克隆获得的TynHSP20基因cDNA序列长671 bp,含开放阅读框597 bp,5'端非编码序列和部分3'端非编码序列分别为44和33 bp.该基因编码198个氨基酸,预测蛋白质分子量为22.50 kD,等电点为7.86,包含一个保守的α-晶体蛋白结构域.同源性比对分析结果表明,TynHSP20蛋白氨基酸序列与东亚飞蝗、蓼蓝齿胫叶甲、斜纹夜蛾和美洲斑潜蝇的HSP20氨基酸序列相似性均低于20%.系统发育分析结果显示,TynHSP20与沙葱萤叶甲的亲缘关系较近.[结论]成功克隆获得TynHSP20基因cDNA序列,该基因具有小热激蛋白家族的特征,但与其他物种小热激蛋白的同源性较低.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒N蛋白基因的克隆及表达

根据猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)核酸序列设计引物,用RT-PCR扩增出PRRSV甘肃株的核衣壳蛋白(N)基因,将N基因克隆至pGEM-T easy载体上,获得含N基因的阳性重组质粒pGEM-T easy-N.对质粒中的插入片段进行测序,应用DNAStar分析所测序列与GenBank中已登录的PRRSV毒株的同源性,再将其亚克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1中,得到重组表达载体pGEX-4T-1-N,转化E.coliBL21(DE3)细胞,用SDS-PAGE检测表达产物,并对其进行纯化.结果表明:PRRSV甘肃株N基因核甘酸序列与PRRSV-VR2332株的同源性为93.3%,与欧洲LV株的同源性为66.1%;构建的重组表达载体在大肠杆菌中获得了成功表达,表达产物为40ku的可溶性融合蛋白.     

猪细小病毒自然弱毒N株非结构蛋白NS1基因原核表达

为进一步探讨猪细小病毒自然弱毒N株（PPV-N株）的分子病原学机理,根据GenBank上已发表的PPV全基因组序列（登录号NC_001718）设计1对引物,通过PCR方法扩增获得PPV-N株NS1全长基因,将其克隆到pMD18-T载体上,进而构建原核表达重组质粒pET32a-NS1,并在BL21（DE3）pLysS中进行IPTG诱导表达。SDS-PAGE电泳显示NS1在大肠杆菌中得到成功表达,重组蛋白大小约为90.0 kDa;Western blotting分析表明,该蛋白能与PPV阳性血清发生特异性反应,证明该蛋白具有良好生物学活性。NS1在大肠杆菌中成功表达,且具有免疫原性,可作为PPV临床鉴别诊断抗原。     

氮素形态和烘烤处理对烟草特有亚硝胺及其前体物的影响

探讨了氮素形态、变黄温度、烘烤设备等因素对烤烟烟叶中硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐和烟草特有亚硝胺 (TSNA)含量的影响。结果表明,烤烟烟叶中硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐和TSNA含量基本呈现出随肥料中硝态氮比例增加 而增加的趋势;低温拉长变黄处理烤后烟叶TSNA含量最高,其次为低温变黄,高温变黄最低;密集烤房对TSNA 含量的影响最大,水泥预制板平板式换热器烤房影响较小。烤烟烟叶内TSNA含量与硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐含量均显著 或极显著正相关,但与亚硝酸盐的关系更为密切。     

大蒜B病毒CP基因的原核表达及抗血清制备

制备抗大蒜B病毒(Garlic virus B,GarV-B)CP血清,为研究侵染大蒜6种葱X病毒属(Allexivirus)病毒之间的血清学关系以及大田检测GarV-B奠定基础。该研究根据GenBank报道的GarV-B序列设计引物,扩增从六安市寿县分离获得的GarV-B外壳蛋白基因(CP)并进行序列比对分析。将GarV-B的CP基因插入表达载体pS-BET,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)plys E菌株中诱导表达。表达的CP经12%SDS-PAGE和5%～20%梯度SDS-PAGE两次制备电泳纯化,免疫小鼠获得抗CP血清。Western blot分析抗体的特异性,采用ELISA分析抗体能否与天然GarV-B病毒结合。结果显示:GarV-B的CP基因与目前已报道的GarV-B不同分离物CP基因核苷酸序列的同源性为89%～90%,氨基酸序列同源性为92%～93%。表明制备的抗体对GarV-B的CP具有高度特异性,且能够与天然GarV-B病毒粒子结合。因此本研究制备的抗GarV-B的CP血清可以用于该病毒的检测。