Gene expression of fatty acid-binding proteins, fatty acid transport proteins (cd36 and FATP) and β-oxidation-related genes in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed fish oil or vegetable oil

Relative gene expression pattern of fatty acid transport proteins (FATP and cd36), intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP3, FABP10 and FABP11), β-oxidation-related genes [carnitine palmitoyl transferase II (CPTII), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ), acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (FACS), acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (dehydrogenase)] and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was assessed by RT-qPCR in Atlantic salmon muscle (red and white), liver, heart, myosepta and visceral fat. FABP11, a FABP isoform not previously described in Atlantic salmon, was highly expressed in visceral fat and myosepta and at the lower level in red muscle, white muscle, myosepta and heart. Furthermore, Atlantic salmon were fed either a diet containing fish oil (FO) or a complete replacement of FO with a vegetable oil blend (55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil and 15% linseed oil; VO) for the production cycle (27 months from start of feeding and until ∼4.5 kg mean weight). The expression of genes related to β-oxidation, fatty acid uptake and transport in the white muscle indicate ( n  = 3) significant down-regulation in VO fed Atlantic salmon and correlated with previously reported white muscle triacylglycerol stores and β-oxidation. FABP11 in visceral fat and myosepta was also down-regulated in VO fed fish.     

Effects of STK15 overexpression on growth of human esophageal carcinoma cell line KYSE150

AIM:To investigate the effects of serine/threonine kinase 15 (STK15) overexpression on the growth of human esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell line KYSE150. METHODS:Recombinant pEGFP-C1-STK15 expression vector was transfected into KYSE150 cells using LipofectamineTM 2000 and the expression of STK15 was detected by fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. The proliferation of the cells in vitro was measured by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation of the cells in vivo was measured by tumorigenicity experiment in nude mice. RESULTS:After recombinant pEGFP-C1-STK15 expression vector was stably transfected into KYSE150 cells, GFP-STK15 fusion protein localized to centrosome and spindle. The STK15-overexpressing colonies were further confirmed by Western blotting. MTT assay showed that the proliferation of the cells in STK15 overexpression group was increased compared with control group (P<0.01). Flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of the cells in G0/G1 phase and the cell apoptosis in STK15 overexpression group were decreased compared with control group (P<0.01). The tumorigenicity experiment in nude mice showed that the proliferation of the cells in STK15 overexpression group was increased compared with control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of STK15 in human ESCC KYSE150 cells promotes the cell growth in vitro and in vivo, indicating that STK15 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for esophageal carcinoma.     

日本血吸虫GSK3蛋白编码cDNA的克隆、表达及其重组蛋白的免疫保护研究

本研究利用生物信息学分析了日本血吸虫(Schistosoma japonicum,sj)Glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK3)蛋白,并对其中一个GSK3蛋白的编码cDNA进行了克隆和原核表达,制备了特异性的多克隆抗体.同时,还初步评估了重组蛋白的免疫保护效果.生物信息学分析表明在日本血吸虫数据库存在两种GSK3蛋白,且其中一个SjGSK3在日本血吸虫不同发育时期均有转录.Western blot结果表明本研究制备的抗体能特异性识别日本血吸虫SjGSK3重组蛋白,表明该重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性.动物实验表明免疫SjGSK3重组蛋白的动物与佐剂对照组比较分别获得了平均10.6％减虫率和40.5％肝脏减卵率.     

羊草乙醛脱氢酶（ALDH）基因片段的克隆及表达分析

[研究目的]克隆羊草的乙醛脱氢酶ALDH基因片段,研究该基因在不同条件下的表达情况。[方法]采用RT-PCR技术克隆羊草的ALDH基因片段,并对其核苷酸和氨基酸序列进行分析,采用RealTimeRT-PCR方法研究该基因的表达。[结果]获得了羊草的ALDH基因片段,长度为675bp,编码225aa。核苷酸序列比较表明,与水稻ALDH1a序列(AB037421)同源性为86%,与玉米RF2C(AF348413)同源性为85%。BLASTp分析,该序列与水稻、玉米、拟南芥的乙醛脱氢酶一致性分别高达87%、86%、60%,含有醛脱氢酶基因家族的保守结构域。RealTimeRT-PCR数据表明,在诱导条件下该基因的表达量呈先升高后降低的趋势。总体上来说,该基因对盐的响应要高于干旱和冷冻。[结论]成功获得了羊草ALDH基因片段,并研究了该基因的表达情况,为进一步克隆羊草ALDH全长基因奠定了基础。     

Stereochemistry of matairesinol formation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphne</Emphasis> secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase

Secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase activity was detected for the first time from Daphne odora and Daphne genkwa (Thymelaeaceae), which are known to produce optically pure (+)-matairesinol. In sharp contrast, (–)-matairesinol was formed selectively over the (+)-antipode by the secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase preparation from both D. odora callus and D. genkwa shoots.     

Real-time PCR genotyping assay for feline erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency and mutant allele frequency in purebred cats in Japan

Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited glycolytic erythroenzymopathy caused by mutations of the PKLR gene. A causative mutation of the feline PKLR gene was originally identified in Abyssinian and Somali cats in the U.S.A. In the present study, a TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR genotyping assay was developed and evaluated for rapid genotyping and large-scale screening for this mutation. Furthermore, a genotyping survey was carried out in a population of four popular purebred cats in Japan to determine the current mutant allele frequency. The assay clearly displayed all genotypes of feline PK deficiency, indicating its suitability for large-scale survey as well as diagnosis. The survey demonstrated that the mutant allele frequency in Abyssinian and Somali cats was high enough to warrant measures to control and prevent the disease. The mutant allele frequency was relatively low in Bengal and American Shorthair cats; however, the testing should still be carried out to prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, PK deficiency should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of anemia in purebred cats in Japan as well as worldwide.     

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 activity during meiosis resumption in mammals

In vivo, resumption of oocyte meiosis occurs in large ovarian follicles after the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge leads to the activation of a broad signaling network in mural granulosa cells equipped with LH receptors. The signals generated in the mural granulosa cells are further augmented by locally produced peptides or steroids and transferred to the cumulus cell compartment and the oocyte itself. Over the last decade, essential progress has been made in the identification of molecular events associated with the final maturation and ovulation of mammalian oocytes. All new evidence argues for a multiple roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) in the gonadotropin-induced ovulation processes. However, the knowledge of gonadotropin-induced signaling pathways leading to MAPK3/1 activation in follicular cells seems limited. To date, only the LH-induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor/MAPK3/1 pathway has been described in granulosa/cumulus cells even though other mechanisms of MAPK3/1 activation have been detected in other types of cells. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances in the elucidation of gonadotropin-induced mechanisms leading to the activation of MAPK3/1 in preovulatory follicles and cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes and to point out a specific role of this kinase in the processes accompanying final maturation of the mammalian oocyte.     

逆境胁迫下苜蓿乙醛脱氢酶基因的表达

为研究苜蓿植株在盐、低温、干旱胁迫下,植株体内的乙醛脱氢酶（ALDH）基因表达量的变化,在3种逆境条件下分别取处理0、4、8、12、24h叶片,用荧光定量RT—PCR法测定了ALDH基N的表达量。结果表明,与对照相比,盐胁迫的苜蓿植株叶片ALDH基因表达量随处理时间的不同,表达量有所上升也有所下降;低温胁迫处理的植株叶片ALDH基因随处理时间的不同表达量有升有降;干旱胁迫处理下,对干旱的胁迫处理敏感性很差,表达量很低。     

Role of ILK siRNA on expression of GSK-3β and β-catenin in human tubular epithelial cells stimulated by high glucose

AIM：To investigate the effects of siRNA targeting integrin-linked kinase (ILK) on the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cell line HKC induced by high glucose. METHODS：HKC cells were divided into 4 groups:normal glucose (NG) group, high glucose (HG) group, HG+HK (a vector containing the non-specific siRNA designed as negative control) group and HG＋ILK siRNA group. The inverted fluorescence microscope was used to examine the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The expression of ILK at mRNA and protein levels was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression of p-GSK-3β and β-catenin was observed by immunocytochemical staining. The protein expression of total GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, nuclear β-catenin, total β-catenin, E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS：GFP was observed in HKC cells, indicating that the transfection was successful. Both the protein and mRNA of ILK were down-regulated in HG＋ILK siRNA group compared with HG group and HG+HK group, but still higher than those in NG group. Silencing of ILK down-regulated the expression of p-GSK-3β and nuclear β-catenin. No difference of total GSK-3β or total β-catenin was observed among the 4 groups. CONCLUSION:These data support a functional role of ILK, GSK-3β and β-catenin in tubular EMT induced by high glucose. ILK may promote tubular EMT by regulating the activity of GSK-3β and β-catenin, the downstream effectors of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.