Proteoglycan-specific molecular switch for RPTPσ clustering and neuronal extension

Heparan and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs and CSPGs, respectively) regulate numerous cell surface signaling events, with typically opposite effects on cell function. CSPGs inhibit nerve regeneration through receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (RPTPσ). Here we report that RPTPσ acts bimodally in sensory neuron extension, mediating CSPG inhibition and HSPG growth promotion. Crystallographic analyses of a shared HSPG-CSPG binding site reveal a conformational plasticity that can accommodate diverse glycosaminoglycans with comparable affinities. Heparan sulfate and analogs induced RPTPσ ectodomain oligomerization in solution, which was inhibited by chondroitin sulfate. RPTPσ and HSPGs colocalize in puncta on sensory neurons in culture, whereas CSPGs occupy the extracellular matrix. These results lead to a model where proteoglycans can exert opposing effects on neuronal extension by competing to control the oligomerization of a common receptor.     

多头带绦虫甘肃分离株线粒体NADH脱氢酶亚基Ⅰ基因片段差异分析

应用线粒体DNA中的NADH脱氢酶亚基Ⅰ(ND1)基因作为分子标记,对我国甘肃省景泰和平凉地区10个绵羊源脑多头蚴进行分析,构建系统进化树,分析其种内变异.结果表明,所有多头带绦虫(T.multiceps)分离株均成功扩增出约0.5kb的ND1基因片段.序列分析显示,去除引物序列后多头带绦虫的ND1基因片段长为488bp,可以分为9类,共有22个核苷酸变异位点,变异率为0.20%～2.66%.基于ND1序列的系统进化树表明所有T.multiceps分离株构成1个分支,可分为3个亚群,国内分离株分别处在不同的亚群中.国内分离株中除了与已知的遗传变异型Tm1(AY669089/Tm-JT081204/Tm-JT090331)和Tm3(DQ077820/Tm-JT080526)相同外,还存 在新的遗传变异型(Tm-JT081008/Tm-JT090603/Tm-JT090115-2),独立为一支,与其他分离株亲缘关系较远;表明ND1基因片段适合作为研究T.multiceps分离株种内变异的分子标记.     

Cloning of a novel phytase from an anaerobic rumen bacterium,Mitsuokella jalaludinii,and its expression in Escherichia coli

The full length phytase gene of Mitsuokella jalaludinii was successfully cloned and was found to be 1 047 bp in length, with 348 amino acids, and was designated as PHY7 phytase gene. A comparison of the sequence of PHY7 phytase gene of M. jalaludinii with various microbial phytase gene sequences showed that it was not similar to those from other bacteria except Selenomonas ruminatium, thus suggesting that they may both express a new class of phytase. The PHY7 phytase gene was subsequently subcloned into bacterial expression vector, p ET32 a, for expression in Escherichia coli strain Rosetta-gami. Expression of the recombinant phytase gene was optimised and characterised. The recombinant phytase was estimated to be approximately 55 k Da by SDS-PAGE analysis. The recombinant phytase exhibited optimum activity at 55°C, p H 4.5 and showed good p H stability from p H 3.5 to 5.5(78% relative activity). Metal ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ were found to exert significant stimulatory effect on the recombinant phytase activity while Cu2+, Fe3+, and Zn2+ greatly inhibited the enzyme activity. The recombinant phytase showed moderate resistance to trypsin proteolysis, but susceptible to pepsin proteolysis. The results of the study showed that several characteristics of recombinant phytase were slightly different from the native enzyme. Unfavourable characteristics such as reduced p H stability and metal ion effects should be taken into consideration during feed enzyme formulation.     

Impact of silicon-based quantum dots on the antioxidative system in white muscle of Carassius auratus gibelio

Silicon-based quantum dots were intraperitoneally injected in individuals of Carassius auratus gibelio. Their effects on white muscle were investigated by following their distribution and impact on the antioxidative system. The GSH level significantly increased after 1 and 3?days of exposure by, respectively, 85.3 and 25.4%. Seven days later, GSH levels were similar to control concentrations. MDA concentration rose after three days by 46.9% and remained at the same level after 7?days. Protein thiol levels significantly decreased by 6.7 and 8.1% after 3 and 7?days, whereas advanced oxidation protein products increased by 12.7, respectively, 28.1% in the same time intervals. The protein reactive carbonyl groups were raised only after the first day of exposure and returned to the control level later on. SOD specific activity increased up to 48% after 7?days, while CAT activity increased by 328, 176, and 26% after 1, 3, and 7?days of treatment. GST specific activity was up-regulated by 87, 18, and 9%, while GR activity increased by 68, 34, and 9%. G6PD activity was up-regulated by 12, 22, and 50%, whereas GPx activity raised by 75 and 109% compared to control after, respectively, 1, 3, and 7?days. Our results suggest that oxidative stress induced by silicon-based quantum dots was not strong enough to cause permanent damage in the white muscle of crucian carp.     

New strategy for the survey of Toxoplasma gondii in meat for human consumption

Monitoring of Toxoplasma infection in animals destined for human consumption is a great challenge for human toxoplasmosis prevention. This study aimed to compare results obtained from a naturally infected population of sheep using different tests and targeting an original matrix: meat samples and muscle fluids collected at the slaughterhouse. A commercial ELISA test was performed on diaphragm fluids from 419 ovine carcasses collected at the slaughterhouse. A MAT (modified agglutination test) was performed on heart fluids obtained from the same animals. In addition, all hearts were bioassayed in mice. Serological test agreement, the relative sensitivity of ELISA MAT and mouse bioassay as well as a correlation between titres and parasite isolation probability were statistically evaluated. The overall agreement (kappa coefficient=0.64) of ELISA on diaphragm fluids and MAT on heart fluids is substantial and subsequently both tests can be used for epidemiological studies. Relative sensitivity was higher for MAT performed on cardiac fluids (90%) than ELISA on diaphragm fluid (61%). For both serological tests, relative sensitivity is lower in lambs younger than 12 months. Relative sensitivity of mouse inoculation was 42%. A significant correlation was obtained between increasing MAT titres and probability to isolate live parasite from the heart. When the fluid titre was higher than 1:16, parasites were isolated in 65% of cases. When it was lower, isolation failed in 95% of the cases. According to our results, cardiac fluids appear to be a relevant matrix for toxoplasmosis survey in meat.     

Sur les variations morphologiques et architecturales des reins des oiseaux domestiques (Gallus domesticus, Meleagris gallopavo, Anser domesticus, Anas boschas domestica)

On the Morphological and Architectural Variations of the Kidneys in Domestic Fowls The investigations have been carried out on kidneys injected with latex and corroded in HCl. The kidneys were taken from 3 cocks, 20 hens, 2 turkey-cocks, 4 turkey hens, 2 drakes, 5 ducks, 5 ganders and 3 geese at the age of 6 months to 1 year. The territorial distributions of the renal vessels are similar in all the four species. Venous “by-pass” and anastomosis not mentioned in the literature have been described. The renal arteries manifest a high degree of variability concerning their origins and ramifications. Our hypothesis of the “longitudinal traction” correlates the “contracted” and “elongated” forms of the kidneys and their architectonics with the longitudinal development of the pelvis, i. e. the adaptation of the apparatus locomotorius to the living conditions of the species.