Asymmetric inheritance of mother versus daughter centrosome in stem cell division

Adult stem cells often divide asymmetrically to produce one self-renewed stem cell and one differentiating cell, thus maintaining both populations. The asymmetric outcome of stem cell divisions can be specified by an oriented spindle and local self-renewal signals from the stem cell niche. Here we show that developmentally programmed asymmetric behavior and inheritance of mother and daughter centrosomes underlies the stereotyped spindle orientation and asymmetric outcome of stem cell divisions in the Drosophila male germ line. The mother centrosome remains anchored near the niche while the daughter centrosome migrates to the opposite side of the cell before spindle formation.     

Defective presentation of endogenous antigen by a cell line expressing class I molecules

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules associated with antigenic peptides derived from endogenously synthesized proteins. Binding to such peptides is a requirement for class I assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A mutant human cell line, T2, assembles and transports to its surface some, but not all, class I MHC molecules. The class I molecules expressed on the surface of T2 do not present peptides derived from cytosolic antigens, although they can present exogenously added peptides to CTL. The transported class I molecules may interact weakly with an unknown retaining factor in the ER such that they can assemble despite the relative shortage of peptides.     

B cell antigen receptor signaling: roles in cell development and disease

Signals propagated through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) are vital for the development and survival of B lymphocytes in both the bone marrow and the periphery. These signals not only guide maturation and activation but also affect the removal of potentially self-reactive B lymphocytes. Interestingly, these signals are known to be either ligand-independent ("tonic" signals) or induced by ligand (antigen) binding to the BCR. We focus on the problems that occur in B cell development due to defects in signals emanating from the BCR. In addition, we present the B Cell Antigen Receptor Pathway, an STKE Connections Map that illustrates the events involved in B cell signaling.     

Asymmetric scattering of polarized electrons by organized organic films of chiral molecules

Electron transmission experiments demonstrate a large asymmetry in the scattering probability of polarized electrons by thin organized films of chiral molecules. This large asymmetry results from the interaction of the electron's wavefunction with many scatterers (molecules) in the organized monolayer structure and represents a manifestation of quantum interference on the scale of supramolecular lengths.     

Asymmetric T lymphocyte division in the initiation of adaptive immune responses

A hallmark of mammalian immunity is the heterogeneity of cell fate that exists among pathogen-experienced lymphocytes. We show that a dividing T lymphocyte initially responding to a microbe exhibits unequal partitioning of proteins that mediate signaling, cell fate specification, and asymmetric cell division. Asymmetric segregation of determinants appears to be coordinated by prolonged interaction between the T cell and its antigen-presenting cell before division. Additionally, the first two daughter T cells displayed phenotypic and functional indicators of being differentially fated toward effector and memory lineages. These results suggest a mechanism by which a single lymphocyte can apportion diverse cell fates necessary for adaptive immunity.     

Morphogenesis of the polarized epithelial cell phenotype

Polarized epithelial cells play fundamental roles in the ontogeny and function of a variety of tissues and organs in mammals. The morphogenesis of a sheet of polarized epithelial cells (the trophectoderm) is the first overt sign of cellular differentiation in early embryonic development. In the adult, polarized epithelial cells line all body cavities and occur in tissues that carry out specialized vectorial transport functions of absorption and secretion. The generation of this phenotype is a multistage process requiring extracellular cues and the reorganization of proteins in the cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane; once established, the phenotype is maintained by the segregation and retention of specific proteins and lipids in distinct apical and basal-lateral plasma membrane domains.     

A distinct signaling pathway used by the IgG-containing B cell antigen receptor

The immunoglobulin G (IgG)-containing B lymphocyte antigen receptor (IgG-BCR) transmits a signal distinct from that of IgM-BCR or IgD-BCR, although all three use the same signal-transducing component, Igalpha/Igbeta. Here we demonstrate that the inhibitory coreceptor CD22 down-modulates signaling through IgM-BCR and IgD-BCR, but not that through IgG-BCR, because of the IgG cytoplasmic tail, which prevents CD22 phosphorylation. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic tail of IgG specifically enhances IgG-BCR signaling by preventing CD22-mediated signal inhibition. Enhanced signaling through IgG-BCR may be involved in efficient IgG production, which is crucial for immunity to pathogens.     

Australia antigen (hepatitis B antigen): a conformational antigen dependent on disulfide bonds

Reduction and alkylation of purified hepatitis-associated Australia antigen (hepatitis B antigen) resulted in a total loss of serologic activity. The reduced and alkylated protein formed a single band with a sedimentation coefficient of 31S on analytical ultracentrifugation, and no subunits were detected by Sephadex gel filtration. Although this preparation induced a delayed hypersensitivity response when injected into guinea pigs, it failed to stimulate humoral antibody formation. The data suggest that hepatitis B antigen is a conformational antigen critically dependent upon the disulfide bonds of the protein moiety.     

黄瓜果实生长与细胞分裂规律的研究

应用流式细胞术研究了黄瓜4个品种的形态学和细胞分裂规律。结果表明,黄瓜谢花后,果长开始迅速增加,在授粉后11 d中,果长的增长速度快于果径,果径随着果长的增加而增加。在果长增长速度大于果径的阶段,S期与G2/M期交替升高的幅度最大,细胞主要延果长方向分裂。品种649和D0422果实鲜重从授粉后第7天开始迅速增加,津春5号和D0401从第11天开始迅速增加。S期与G2/M期值保持较高水平,两个时期共同影响果实相对生长速率。细胞分裂越旺盛,细胞数目越多,果实可能越大。     

PEDV N蛋白的原核表达纯化及B细胞抗原表位预测分析

本研究旨在对猪流行性腹泻病毒(porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)N基因进行克隆构建、表达与其B细胞抗原表位性质的预测。将PEDV的N基因进行PCR扩增,克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a(+)中,经酶切验证获得阳性克隆,将阳性克隆在表达菌E. coli BL21(DE3)中表达。通过对表达条件及纯化条件的优化,获得高纯度表达蛋白。利用生物信息同源模型化软件Swiss-Pdb Viewer建立PEDV-N蛋白的3D结构,并根据生物信息学软件DNA-Star预测PEDV-N蛋白的二级结构、抗原性、亲水性和表面可及性分析,综合分析预测其B细胞抗原表位。经预测PEDV-N蛋白氨基酸序列中存在13个B细胞优势抗原表位区域。研究结果将进一步为PEDV-N蛋白体外表达产物的应用及研制基因工程疫苗提供理论基础。     

MreB在鱼腥蓝细菌PCC 7120细胞分裂过程中的功能

为研究Anabaena sp. PCC 7120中的细胞形态决定蛋白MreB的亚细胞定位和功能,构建了由mreB自身启动子驱动的mreB-gfp融合载体,通过接合转移的方法将其转化到野生型Anabaena sp. PCC 7120中,获得绿色荧光蛋白标记的MreB的鱼腥蓝细菌菌株,同时用MreB的抑制剂A22处理菌株。结果显示,MreB的亚细胞定位随着细胞周期的进程而发生变化,A22处理可导致MreB无法正确聚合定位。