Effects of osmoconditioning on mitochondrial respiration and phosphorylation in soybean seeds

Cotyledon mitochondrion respiration and oxidative phosphorylation activity were studied in two groups of soybean seeds. One group was primed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for different periods of time, and the other was unprimed (control), and both were then exposed to imbibition at low temperatures before their germination. The results indicated that when L-Malate (L-Mal)and α-Ketoglutarate (α-Kg) were used as substrates, the ADP-stimulated mitochondria respiration rates of control seeds were markedly higher than state Ill respiration rates of primed seeds. However, the osmoconditioning pretreatment significantly enhanced the oxidative phosphorylation activity of cotyledon mitochondrion in 12 h. The oxidative phosphorylation activity of the mitochondrion of primed seeds was normal and the ADP/O value was consistent with the theoretical one. When reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was used as the substrate, the mitochondria of control seeds still had oxidative phosphorylation activity, while ADP/O value was obviously lower than that of mitochondria of primed seeds. When Succinate (Succ) was used as the substrate, the oxidative phosphorylation activity of the primed seeds was normal after priming for 24 h. When different substrates were used, the emerging order of the oxidative phosphorylation activity of the primed seeds was NADH, α-Kg, Succ and in the last place L-Mal.The mechanism of soybean imbibitionl chilling injury and protective effect of PEG priming were discussed.     

Partial autolysis of μ/m‐calpain during post mortem aging of chicken muscle

The objective of this study was to investigate changes occurring in μ/m‐calpain in post mortem chicken muscles and to determine the origin of the unknown bands found in calpain casein zymography. The unknown bands were reported with slightly greater mobility compared to conventional μ/m‐calpain bands in casein zymography. Identification of these bands was accomplished using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and with protein phosphatase treatment. Results showed that the unknown bands were corresponding to μ/m‐calpain, and dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase did not change their appearance. The calpain samples were then incubated with various concentrations of Ca²⁺ to determine the relationship between changes in μ/m‐calpain and the appearance of the unknown bands. The products of μ/m‐calpain partial autolysis were found to be consistent with the appearance of the unknown bands. Therefore, the appearance of these bands did not result from phosphorylation of μ/m‐calpain as previously hypothesized, but from partial autolysis of μ/m‐calpain. Also their presence suggests that μ/m‐calpain undergoes partial autolysis during aging which may play certain roles in meat quality improvement.     

Leucine regulates slow‐twitch muscle fibers expression and mitochondrial function by Sirt1/AMPK signaling in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells

A previous study demonstrated that leucine upregulates the slow myosin heavy chain mRNA expression in C2C12 cells. However, the role of leucine in slow‐twitch muscle fibers expression and mitochondrial function of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells as well as its mechanism remain unclear. In this study, porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells cultured in differentiation medium were treated with 2 mM leucine for 3 days. Sirt1 inhibitor EX527, AMPK inhibitor compound C, and AMPKα1 siRNA were used to examine its underlying mechanism. Here we showed that leucine increased slow‐twitch muscle fibers and mitochondrial function‐related gene expression, as well as increased succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities. Moreover, leucine increased the protein levels of Sirt1 and phospho‐AMPK. We also found that AMPKα1 siRNA, AMPK inhibitor compound C, or Sirt1 inhibitor EX527 attenuated the positive effect of leucine on slow‐twitch muscle fibers and mitochondrial function‐related gene expression. Finally, we showed that Sirt1 was required for leucine‐induced AMPK activation. Our results provide, for the first time, evidence that leucine induces slow‐twitch muscle fibers expression and improves mitochondrial function through Sirt1/AMPK signaling pathway in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells.     

FGF21对NEFA介导肝脂质沉积及AMPK调控因子的影响特征

研究旨在阐明成纤维细胞生长因子21（FGF21）对AMPK磷酸化调控因子的影响机制,并明确FGF21对高NEFA介导的小鼠肝细胞脂滴代谢的影响特征。对AML12小鼠肝细胞进行添加NEFA和（或）沉默FGF21处理,应用荧光定量PCR技术检测肝细胞FGF21、肝激酶B1（LKB1）、转化生长因子β激活激酶1（TAK1）、钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶（CaMKK）mRNA表达水平;用油红O染色检测肝脂沉积水平。结果显示,沉默FGF21,显著（P<0.05）降低LKB1表达,而对TAK1、CaMKK表达量没有显著（P>0.05）影响。高浓度NEFA下,沉默FGF21肝细胞脂质沉积水平显著增高。由该试验结果可以得出,高NEFA下肝细胞FGF21可能通过诱导LKB1激活AMPK信号通路,进而减少肝细胞脂质沉积。     

Effect of metformin combined with paclitaxel on apoptosis and AMPK signaling in human breast cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of metformin combined with paclitaxel on the viability and apoptosis of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its possible mechanism. METHODS:MCF-7 cells were treated with metformin at different concentrations (2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mmol/L) and in vitro cultured. The viability of MCF-7 cells was measured by MTT assay. Metformin at 2 mmol/L or paclitaxel at 2.4 mg/L alone or in combination was used to treat the cells, and compound C, an inhibitor of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling transduction pathway, was also used. The cells were divided into control group, metformin group, paclitaxel group, combination group, and combination +compound C group. The apoptosis of the cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The protein levels of AMPK and P21 were examined by Western blot. RESULTS:Metformin at different concentrations (2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mmol/L) significantly inhibited the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with control group, treatment with metformin at 2 mmol/L or paclitaxel at 2.4 mg/L alone or in combination significantly inhibited the cell viability, induced apoptosis (P<0.05), decreased the level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05), increased the levels of Bax and caspase-3 (P<0.05), and promoted the protein expression of AMPK and P21 (P<0.05). The effects of metformin and paclitaxel in combination were better than those of single drug treatment, while AMPK inhibitor weaken these effects. CONCLUSION:Metformin combined with paclitaxel inhibits the viability and induces the apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by activating AMPK signaling pathway and regulating apoptosis signaling pathway.     

Effect of freezing bull semen in two non‐egg yolk extenders on post‐thaw sperm quality

Traditionally, extenders for bull semen included egg yolk or milk, but recently there has been a move to avoid material of animal origin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two commercial extenders (based on soya lecithin and liposomes) on bull sperm quality after cryopreservation. Post‐thaw sperm quality was evaluated by computer‐assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometric assessment of membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, production of reactive oxygen species and tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, an artificial insemination (AI) trial was conducted, and 56‐day non‐return rates were evaluated. Semen frozen in the liposome‐based extender showed similar membrane integrity and higher mitochondrial membrane potential compared to those in the soya lecithin‐based extender. Chromatin integrity and production of live H₂O₂+ reactive oxygen species were similar in both extenders. Less superoxide was produced in the samples extended with liposome‐based extender, with or without menadione stimulation. Chromatin integrity and tyrosine phosphorylation were not affected by either type of extender. No differences in 56‐day non‐return rate between extenders containing soya lecithin and liposomes were observed in the AI trial (66% ± 0.8 and 65% ± 0.8, respectively). In conclusion, the sperm quality of bull semen frozen in the two extenders that do not contain material of animal origin was similar, although the semen frozen in the liposome‐based extender had higher mitochondrial membrane potential. Either extender could be used in situations where extenders containing material of animal origin are to be avoided.     

Identification and function prediction of novel microRNAs in adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase-activated Sertoli cells of immature boar

This study was carried out with the objective to identify function prediction of novel microRNAs (miRNAs) in immature boar Sertoli cells (SCs) treated with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), which is an agonist of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) for regulating cellular energy homeostasis. Two small RNA libraries (control and AICAR treatment) prepared from immature boar SCs were constructed and sequenced by the Illumina small RNA deep sequencing. We identified 77 novel miRNAs and predicted 177 potential target genes for 26 differential novel miRNAs (four miRNAs up-regulation and 22 miRNAs down-regulation) in AICAR-treated SCs. Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway suggested that target genes of differential novel miRNAs were implicated in many biological processes and metabolic pathways. Our findings provided useful information for the functional regulation of novel miRNAs and target mRNAs on AMPK-activated immature boar SCs.     

松乳菇子实体两个发育时期的转录组分析

以松乳菇子实体为研究材料,采用de novo测序对松乳菇子实体进行测序与生物信息学分析,探究松乳菇子实体生长发育过程中幼菇期(LDG-1)和成熟期(LDG-2)基因表达的差异,并探寻影响松乳菇生长发育相关的主要基因和代谢通路。测序结果显示,共获得7.44G(LDG-1)和7.21G(LDG-2)的分析数据(clean reads)。KOG功能注释结果显示,松乳菇在幼菇期(LDG-1)和成熟期(LDG-2)具有全面而复杂的基因功能类别。GO富集结果提示,松乳菇在不同生长阶段(LDG-1和LDG-2)的生物代谢功能存在一定的差异。基因表达水平与聚类分析显示,ATP酶、多功能伴侣蛋白等家族基因为LDG-1和LDG-2主要高表达基因,在能量代谢与参与调控细胞周期中起重要作用。分析差异表达基因发现,相较于LDG-1期,LDG-2期有16 789个差异表达基因,其中7 635个基因上调,9 154个基因下调。差异表达基因KEGG富集通路分析结果显示,氧化磷酸化途径是松乳菇幼菇期生长发育过程中能量代谢的关键途径。进一步分析显示,MAPK信号通路是影响松乳菇子实体发育的关键信号通路,在促进松乳菇子实体进行有性生殖和调控菌丝体的极性生长中起重要作用。     

Biochemical studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Picrorrhiza kurroa on changes in liver mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in -galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats

Oral pre-treatment with alcoholic extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (50 mg/kg/day for 10 days) significantly prevented the -galactosamine-induced alterations in respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of liver mitochondria.     

The 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative from Pyrola rotundifolia activates AMPK phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes

An aqueous ethanol extract of Pyrola rotundifolia L. induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes. The bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract led to the isolation a 2-methyl-7-hydroxymethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, or a 7′-hydroxy-chimaphilin, which showed concentration-dependent AMPK phosphorylation activity at 2.5–20 μg/ml. At a concentration of 10 μg/ml (50 μM), an approximately four-fold increase in the AMPKα(Thr¹⁷²) phosphorylation level was observed. The stimulatory effect of naphthoquinone on AMPK activity was comparable to that of known compounds found in natural sources that activate the AMPK signaling pathway.