Human interleukin-1β induces A375-S2 human melanoma apoptosis through caspase pathway

AIM: To study the molecular biological mechanism and signal transduction pathway of interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced apoptosis in A375-S2 melanoma cells. METHODS: Photomicrocropy showed typical apoptotic changes. The cytotoxic effect of IL-1β in vitro and influences of caspases in this effect were measured by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity of cells was assessed by LDH-based assay. Degradation of DNA was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of IL-1β on A375-S2 cell growth was in a dose and time-dependent manner, and cell death rate reached more than 90% at 72 h after treatment with 10^-9mol/L IL-1β. The inhibitors of caspase-family, -1, -3, -8, -9, and -10, partially blocked cell death at early stage. LDH assay showed that major IL-1β-induced cell death was apoptosis, and in a dose and time-dependent manner. Typical apoptotic DNA ladder was observed in agarose gel electrophoresis. CONCLUSION: IL-1β induced apoptosis in melanoma A375-S2 cells by activating caspase pathway.     

Expression of DNA repair gene ERCC1 and its relationship with PAH-DNA adducts in lung cancer tissues

AIM: To investigate the expression of nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 and its relationship with PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)-DNA adducts in lung cancer tissues. METHODS: ERCC1 mRNA expression and the PAH-induced DNA adducts were detected in 150 lung cancer tissues, 120 adjacent lung tissues without cancer cells, 40 benign lung lesions and 40 normal lung tissues. The effects of some exposure factors on the expression of ERCC1 gene and the connection between ERCC1 and PAH-DNA adduct was analyzed. RESULTS: Reduced expression levels of ERCC1 were observed in 46 of 150 (30.7%) lung cancer specimens and 1 of 40 (2.5%) normal lung tissues. Smoking may suppress the expression of ERCC1 gene. The level of PAH-DNA adduct was negatively correlated with the expression of ERCC1 gene, the Spearman coefficient was -0.648, P<0.01. CONCLUSION: ERCC1 is an important nucleotide excision repair gene and may participate in the repair of DNA damage, such as PAH-DNA adduct. Low expression of ERCC1 may play an important role in the development of human lung cancer.     

Effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 of lung tissue in acute lung injury rats

AIM: To study the effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue of acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, model control, dectancyl group, water soluble derivative of propolis (WSP) group and ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) group. ALI animal model was performed by oleic acid and LPS twice attack. The pathologic slice was observed with light microscope and the NF-κB p65 activity and CD54 expression were tested by immunohistochemistry (SABC and SP). RESULTS: Both EEP and WSP antagonized the lung edema, decreased the inflammation and inhibited the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: The increase in the expression of CD54 and the activation of NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues of ALI were involved in the formation of ALI. Propolis ameliorated the lung damage, which maybe related to the inhibition of CD54 expression and NF-κB p65 activation.     

披碱草和野大麦杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性研究

对披碱草和野大麦及其杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性进行了分析比较。结果表明,亲本野大麦生长发育节律较快,较早地开花结实,果后营养期较长,生育期74d,生长天数达206d,具有很强的分蘖能力;披碱草生长发育节律较慢,生育期124d,生长天数193d;杂种F1的生长天数介于双亲之间,生长动态偏向亲本披碱草,分蘖能力介于双亲之间;BC1F1代生长发育节律较F1代提早,不同株系生长天数不同,生长动态偏向轮回亲本野大麦,分蘖能力有较大的变异。杂种F1代表现出较强的杂种优势,BC1F1代产草量较F1代有所降低,不同株系间存在明显的差异。总体上,BC1F1代的生产性能倾向于轮回亲本野大麦。     

Expression of the tobacco β-1,3-glucanase gene, PR-2d, following induction of SAR with Peronospora tabacina

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is induced following inoculation of Peronospora tabacina sporangia into the stems of Nicotiana tabacum plants highly susceptible to the pathogen. Previous results have shown that accumulation of acidic β-1,3-glucanases (PR-2's) following induction of SAR by P. tabacina may contribute to resistance to P. tabacina. We showed that up-regulation of the PR-2 gene, PR-2d, following stem inoculation with P. tabacina, is associated with SAR. Studies using plants transformed with GUS constructs containing the full length promoter from PR-2d or promoter deletions, provided evidence that a previously characterized regulatory element that is involved in response to salicylic acid (SA), may be involved in regulation of PR-2d following induction of SAR with P. tabacina. This work provides evidence that regulation of PR-2 genes during P. tabacina-induced SAR may be similar to regulation of these genes during infection of N-gene tobacco by TMV or following exogenous application of SA, and provides further support for the role of SA in regulation of genes during P. tabacina-induced SAR.     

鸡AMPD1基因PCR-SSCP分析与相关性状的研究

5′-磷酸腺苷脱氨酶1(AMPD1)是嘌呤代谢中的一种重要酶类,它的功能是催化AMP(一磷酸腺苷)脱氨,生成肌苷酸(IMP),从而影响肉质风味。试验采用单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP)技术,以隐性白羽肉鸡、白来航蛋鸡和两个地方品种(北京油鸡、三黄胡须鸡)纯系鸡为试验材料,对AMPD1基因进行SNPs检测和基因类型判别。卡方检验结果表明: 除三黄胡须鸡和隐性白羽肉鸡、北京油鸡和白来航鸡间差异不显著(P>0.05)外,其他各品种间差异极显著(P<0.01)。AMPD1基因多态性与北京油鸡生产和屠体性状(活重、胸肌率、肌苷酸含量等)相关分析结果表明:肌苷酸含量在三种基因型间差异显著(P<0.05)。初步推断AMPD1可能为影响鸡肉中肌苷酸生成的主效基因或与主效基因相连锁。     

亚洲璃眼蜱唾液腺一新功能基因的克隆与测序

HaB1是亚洲璃眼蜱雌成蜱唾液腺差异表达基因文库中的一个片段,根据其序列设计引物HaB1-GSP1和HaB1-GSP2,以唾液腺总RNA为模板,RACE法扩增获得HaB1的未知3′-末端。测定该末端序列,进行序列拼接,设计全长引物5-′CCAGTCCGAAGGAAGGGCG-3′和5-′TCTC-CGGGCACGTGAAGTGTC-3′。以cDNA第一链为模板,扩增获得基因全长。经核查表明,该基因为一新基因(登录号AY803896)。     

山羊孤雌胚胎的体外培养

系统地研究了培养液微滴的大小、培养液体系及血清浓度对山羊孤雌胚胎早期体外发育的影响。结果表明，培养液微滴以较大体积(200～500μL)的培养效果较好；在3种培养液中，添加10％的NGS对山羊孤雌胚胎的体外发育效果较好，囊胚率分别可达62．79％(81／129)、53．52％(38／71)、13．64％(12／88)；mCRlaa组囊胚发育率和囊胚细胞数显著低于SOFaa组和CRlaa组，SOFaa组优于CRlaa组，尽管SOFaa组和CRlaa组间无显著差异。在本试验条件下，以SOFaa培养液，山羊孤雌胚胎体外培养72h时加入10％的NGs，500μL微滴培养，其发育效果较好，囊胚率可达62．79％。     

Canine GM2‐Gangliosidosis Sandhoff Disease Associated with a 3‐Base Pair Deletion in the HEXB Gene

Background

GM2‐gangliosidosis is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by deficiency of either β‐hexosaminidase A (Hex‐A) and β‐hexosaminidase B (Hex‐B) together, or the GM2 activator protein. Clinical signs can be variable and are not pathognomonic for the specific, causal deficiency.

Objectives

To characterize the phenotype and genotype of GM2‐gangliosidosis disease in an affected dog.

Animals

One affected Shiba Inu and a clinically healthy dog.

Methods

Clinical and neurologic evaluation, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), assays of lysosomal enzyme activities, and sequencing of all coding regions of HEXA, HEXB, and GM2A genes.

Results

A 14‐month‐old, female Shiba Inu presented with clinical signs resembling GM2‐gangliosidosis in humans and GM1‐gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dog's brain indicated neurodegenerative disease, and evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified storage granules in leukocytes. Lysosomal enzyme assays of plasma and leukocytes showed deficiencies of Hex‐A and Hex‐B activities in both tissues. Genetic analysis identified a homozygous, 3‐base pair deletion in the HEXB gene (c.618‐620delCCT).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular features are characterized in a Shiba Inu with GM2‐gangliosidosis. The deletion of 3 adjacent base pairs in HEXB predicts the loss of a leucine residue at amino acid position 207 (p.Leu207del) supporting the hypothesis that GM2‐gangliosidosis seen in this dog is the Sandhoff type. Because GM1‐gangliosidosis also exists in this breed with almost identical clinical signs, genetic testing for both GM1‐ and GM2‐gangliosidosis should be considered to make a definitive diagnosis.     

Familial Congenital Methemoglobinemia in Pomeranian Dogs Caused by a Missense Variant in the NADH‐Cytochrome B5 Reductase Gene

Background

In veterinary medicine, congenital methemoglobinemia associated with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)‐cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) deficiency is rare. It has been reported in several breeds of dogs, but little information is available about its etiology.

Objectives

To analyze the NADH‐cytochrome b5 reductase gene, CYB5R3, in a Pomeranian dog family with methemoglobinemia suspected to be caused by congenital b5R deficiency.

Animals

Three Pomeranian dogs from a family with methemoglobinemia were analyzed. Five healthy beagles and 5 nonrelated Pomeranian dogs without methemoglobinemia were used as controls.

Methods

Methemoglobin concentration, b5R activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were measured, and a turbidity index was used to evaluate Heinz body formation. The CYB5R3 genes of the affected dog and healthy dogs were analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results

Methemoglobin concentrations in erythrocytes of the affected dogs were remarkably higher than those of the control dogs. The b5R activity of the affected dogs was notably lower than that of the control dogs. DNA sequencing indicated that this Pomeranian family carried a CYB5R3 gene missense variant (ATC→CTC at codon 194) that resulted in the replacement of isoleucine (Ile) by leucine (Leu).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This dog family had familial congenital methemoglobinemia caused by b5R deficiency, which resulted from a nonsynonymous variant in the CYB5R3 gene. This variation (c.580A>C) led to an amino acid substitution (p.Ile194Leu), and Ile194 was located in the proximal region of the NADH‐binding motif. Our data suggested that this variant in the canine CYB5R3 gene would affect function of the b5R in erythrocytes.