Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Integrative & Complementary Medicine submitted time 2016-05-12
Tan, Li
Chen, Weiwei
Wei, Ming-Yu
Shen, Jinhua
Yu, Meng-Fei
Liu, Qing-Hua
Tan, Li
Chen, Weiwei
Wei, Ming-Yu
Shen, Jinhua
Yu, Meng-Fei
Liu, Qing-Hua
Yang, Guangzhong
Guo, Donglin
Guo, Donglin
Qin, Gangjian
Ji, Guangju
Abstract： The traditional herb Plumula Nelumbinis is widely used in the world because it has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antihypertension, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. However, the action of Plumula Nelumbinis on airway smooth muscle (ASM) relaxation has not been investigated. A chloroform extract of Plumula Nelumbinis (CEPN) was prepared, which completely inhibited precontraction induced by high K+ in a concentration-dependent manner in mouse tracheal rings, but it had no effect on resting tension. CEPN also blocked voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel-(VDCC-) mediated currents. In addition, ACh-induced precontraction was also completely blocked by CEPN and partially inhibited by nifedipine or pyrazole 3. Besides, CEPN partially reduced ACh-activated nonselective cation channel (NSCC) currents. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CEPN blocked VDCC and NSCC to inhibit Ca2+ influx, resulting in relaxation of precontracted ASM. This finding indicates that CEPN would be a candidate of new potent bronchodilators.
Peer Review Status:
Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Developmental Biology submitted time 2016-05-11
Wang, Xiumei
He, Rongqiao
Liu, Ying
Lupo, Giuseppe
Harris, William A.
Lupo, Giuseppe
Barsacchi, Giuseppina
Abstract： Background: Hedgehog (Hh) signals are instrumental to the dorsoventral patterning of the vertebrate eye, promoting optic stalk and ventral retinal fates and repressing dorsal retinal identity. There has been limited analysis, however, of the critical window during which Hh molecules control eye polarity and of the temporal changes in the responsiveness of eye cells to these signals. Results: In this study, we used pharmacological and molecular tools to perform stage-specific manipulations of Hh signalling in the developing Xenopus eye. In gain-of-function experiments, most of the eye was sensitive to ventralization when the Hh pathway was activated starting from gastrula/neurula stages. During optic vesicle stages, the dorsal eye became resistant to Hh-dependent ventralization, but this pathway could partially upregulate optic stalk markers within the retina. In loss-of-function assays, inhibition of Hh signalling starting from neurula stages caused expansion of the dorsal retina at the expense of the ventral retina and the optic stalk, while the effects of Hh inhibition during optic vesicle stages were limited to the reduction of optic stalk size. Conclusions: Our results suggest the existence of two competence windows during which the Hh pathway differentially controls patterning of the eye region. In the first window, between the neural plate and the optic vesicle stages, Hh signalling exerts a global influence on eye dorsoventral polarity, contributing to the specification of optic stalk, ventral retina and dorsal retinal domains. In the second window, between optic vesicle and optic cup stages, this pathway plays a more limited role in the maintenance of the optic stalk domain. We speculate that this temporal regulation is important to coordinate dorsoventral patterning with morphogenesis and differentiation processes during eye development.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Developmental Biology submitted time 2016-05-05
Abstract： microRNA-9 (miR-9) is highly expressed in the nervous system across species and plays essential roles in neurogenesis and axon growth; however, little is known about the mechanisms that link miR-9 with dendrite growth. Using an in vivo model of Drosophila class I dendrite arborization (da) neurons, we show that miR-9a, a Drosophila homolog of mammalian miR-9, downregulates the cadherin protein Flamingo (Fmi) thereby attenuating dendrite development in a non-cell autonomous manner. In miR-9a knockout mutants, the dendrite length of a sensory neuron ddaE was significantly increased. Intriguingly, miR-9a is specifically expressed in epithelial cells but not in neurons, thus the expression of epithelial but not neuronal Fmi is greatly elevated in miR-9a mutants. In contrast, overexpression of Fmi in the neuron resulted in a reduction in dendrite growth, suggesting that neuronal Fmi plays a suppressive role in dendrite growth, and that increased epithelial Fmi might promote dendrite growth by competitively binding to neuronal Fmi. Fmi has been proposed as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), we find that neuronal G protein Gq (Gq), but not Go, may function downstream of Fmi to negatively regulate dendrite growth. Taken together, our results reveal a novel function of miR-9a in dendrite morphogenesis. Moreover, we suggest that Gq might mediate the intercellular signal of Fmi in neurons to suppress dendrite growth. Our findings provide novel insights into the complex regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs in dendrite development, and further reveal the interplay between the different components of Fmi, functioning in cadherin adhesion and GPCR signalling. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 225-237, 2016
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Imaging Medicine and Biomedical Engineering submitted time 2016-05-12
Abstract： Objective: In microstrip transmission line (MTL) transmit/receive (transceive) arrays used for ultrahigh field MRI, the array length is often constrained by the required resonant frequency, limiting the image coverage. The purpose of this study is to increase the imaging coverage and also improve its parallel imaging capability by utilizing a double-row design. Methods: A 16-channel double-row MTL transceive array was designed, constructed, and tested for human head imaging at 7 T. Array elements between two rows were decoupled by using the induced current elimination or magnetic wall decoupling technique. In vivo human head images were acquired, and g-factor results were calculated to evaluate the performance of this double-row array. Results: Testing results showed that all coil elements were well decoupled with a better than -18 dB transmission coefficient between any two elements. The double-row array improves the imaging quality of the lower portion of the human head, and has low g-factors even at high acceleration rates. Conclusion: Compared with a regular single-row MTL array, the double-row array demonstrated a larger imaging coverage along the z-direction with improved parallel imaging capability. Significance: The proposed technique is particularly suitable for the design of large-sized transceive arrays with large channel counts, which ultimately benefits the imaging performance in human MRI.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Imaging Medicine and Biomedical Engineering submitted time 2016-05-12
Chen, Minghai
Li, Wei
Zhang, Zhiping
Liu, Sanying
Zhang, Xiaowei
Zhang, Xian-En
Cui, Zongqiang
Zhang, Xian-En
Chen, Minghai
Liu, Sanying
Abstract： Monitoring protein protein interactions (PPIs) in live subjects is critical for understanding these fundamental biological processes. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) provides a good technique for imaging PPIs; however, a BiFC system with a long wavelength remains to be pursued for in vivo imaging. Here, we conducted systematic screening of split reporters from a bacterial phytochrome-based, near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP). Several new near-infrared phytochrome BiFC systems were built based on selected split sites including the amino acids residues 97/98, 99/100,122/123, and 123/124. These new near-infrared BiFC systems from a bacterial phytochrome were verified as powerful tools for imaging PPIs under physiological conditions in live cells and in live mice. The interaction between HIV-1 integrase (IN) and cellular cofactor protein Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) was visualized in live cells using the newly constructed iRFP BiFC system because of its important roles in HIV-1 integration and replication. Because the HIV IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction is an attractive anti-HIV target, drug evaluation assays to inhibit the HIV IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction were also performed using the newly constructed BiFC system. The results showed that compound 6 and carbidopa inhibit the HIV IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction in a dose-dependent manner under physiological conditions in the BiFC assays. This study provides novel near-infrared BiFC systems for imaging protein interactions under physiological conditions and provides guidance for splitting other bacterial phytochrome-like proteins to construct BiFC systems. The study also provides a new method for drug evaluation in live cells based on iRFP BiFC systems and supplies some new information regarding candidate drugs for anti-HIV therapies. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Imaging Medicine and Biomedical Engineering submitted time 2016-05-11
Gao, Duo
Gao, Liquan
Zhang, Chenran
Liu, Hao
Jia, Bing
Wang, Fan
Liu, Zhaofei
Gao, Duo
Gao, Liquan
Zhang, Chenran
Liu, Hao
Jia, Bing
Wang, Fan
Liu, Zhaofei
Zhu, Zhaohui
Wang, Fan
Abstract： Integrin alpha v beta 6 is widely upregulated in variant malignant cancers but is undetectable in normal organs, making it a promising target for cancer diagnostic imaging and therapy. Using streptavidin-biotin chemistry, we synthesized an integrin alpha v beta 6-targeted near-infrared phthalocyanine dye-labeled agent, termed Dye-SA-B-HK, and investigated whether it could be used for cancer imaging, optical imaging-guided surgery, and phototherapy in pancreatic cancer mouse models. Dye-SA-B-HK specifically bound to integrin alpha v beta 6 in vitro and in vivo with high receptor binding affinity. Using small-animal optical imaging, we detected subcutaneous and orthotopic BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo. Upon optical image-guidance, the orthotopically growing pancreatic cancer lesions could be successfully removed by surgery. Using light irradiation, Dye-SA-B-HK manifested remarkable antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. F-18-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and ex vivo fluorescence staining validated the observed decrease in proliferation of treated tumors by Dye-DA-B-HK phototherapy. Tissue microarray results revealed overexpression of integrin alpha v beta 6 in over 95% cases of human pancreatic cancer, indicating that theranostic application of Dye-DA-B-HK has clear translational potential. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that integrin alpha v beta 6-specific Dye-SA-B-HK is a promising theranostic agent for the management of pancreatic cancer. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Imaging Medicine and Biomedical Engineering submitted time 2016-05-05
Zhang, Chenran
Gao, Liquan
Liu, Hao
Gao, Duo
Lai, Jianhao
Jia, Bing
Wang, Fan
Liu, Zhaofei
Zhang, Chenran
Gao, Liquan
Liu, Hao
Gao, Duo
Lai, Jianhao
Jia, Bing
Wang, Fan
Liu, Zhaofei
Cai, Yuehong
Wang, Fan
Abstract： Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play essential roles in tumor invasion and metastasis, and contribute to drug resistance. Clinical evidence suggests that TAM levels are correlated with local tumor relapse, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis in patients. In this study, we synthesized a TAM-targeted probe (IRD-alpha CD206) by conjugating a monoclonal anti-CD206 antibody with a near-infrared phthalocyanine dye. We then investigated the potential application of the IRD-alpha CD206 probe to near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging and photoimmunotherapy (PIT) of tumors resistant to treatment with the kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Sorafenib treatment had no effect on tumor growth in a 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer, but induced M2 macrophage polarization in tumors. M2 macrophage recruitment by sorafenib-treated 4T1 tumors was noninvasively visualized by in vivo NIRF imaging of IRD-alpha CD206. Small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT and intratumoral micro distribution analysis indicated TAM-specific localization of the IRD-alpha CD206 probe in 4T1 tumors after several rounds of sorafenib treatment. Upon light irradiation, IRD-alpha CD206 suppressed the growth of sorafenib-resistant tumors. In vivo CT imaging and ex vivo histological analysis confirmed the inhibition of lung metastasis in mice by IRD-alpha CD206 PIT. These results demonstrate the utility of the IRD-alpha CD206 probe for TAM-targeted diagnostic imaging and treatment of tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutics. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Genetics & Heredity submitted time 2016-05-11
Deng, Jianwen
Yang, Mengxue
Liu, Jianghong
Sun, Shufeng
Zhu, Li
Wu, Jane Y.
Deng, Jianwen
Yang, Mengxue
Yang, Mengxue
Chen, Yanbo
Chen, Xiaoping
Cheng, Haipeng
Li, Yang
Fushimi, Kazuo
Wu, Jane Y.
Chen, Yanbo
Xu, Qi
Chen, Yanbo
Xu, Qi
Li, Yang
Abstract： FUS-proteinopathies, a group of heterogeneous disorders including ALS-FUS and FTLD-FUS, are characterized by the formation of inclusion bodies containing the nuclear protein FUS in the affected patients. However, the underlying molecular and cellular defects remain unclear. Here we provide evidence for mitochondrial localization of FUS and its induction of mitochondrial damage. Remarkably, FTLD-FUS brain samples show increased FUS expression and mitochondrial defects. Biochemical and genetic data demonstrate that FUS interacts with a mitochondrial chaperonin, HSP60, and that FUS translocation to mitochondria is, at least in part, mediated by HSP60. Down-regulating HSP60 reduces mitochondrially localized FUS and partially rescues mitochondrial defects and neurodegenerative phenotypes caused by FUS expression in transgenic flies. This is the first report of direct mitochondrial targeting by a nuclear protein associated with neurodegeneration, suggesting that mitochondrial impairment may represent a critical event in different forms of FUS-proteinopathies and a common pathological feature for both ALS-FUS and FTLD-FUS. Our study offers a potential explanation for the highly heterogeneous nature and complex genetic presentation of different forms of FUS-proteinopathies. Our data also suggest that mitochondrial damage may be a target in future development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for FUS-proteinopathies, a group of devastating neurodegenerative diseases.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Genetics & Heredity submitted time 2016-05-11
Yang, Zhi
Wang, Chunyan
Wang, Tao
Bai, Jianhui
Liu, Xuhan
Guo, Ying
Zhao, Yaofeng
Ren, Liming
Zhao, Yu
Ma, Qingwei
Ma, Qingwei
Wu, Xiaobing
Abstract： CD1, as the third family of antigen-presenting molecules, is previously only found in mammals and chickens, which suggests that the chicken and mammalian CD1 shared a common ancestral gene emerging at least 310 million years ago. Here, we describe CD1 genes in the green anole lizard and Crocodylia, demonstrating that CD1 is ubiquitous in mammals, birds, and reptiles. Although the reptilian CD1 protein structures are predicted to be similar to human CD1d and chicken CD1.1, CD1 isotypes are not found to be orthologous between mammals, birds, and reptiles according to phylogenetic analyses, suggesting an independent diversification of CD1 isotypes during the speciation of mammals, birds, and reptiles. In the green anole lizard, although the single CD1 locus and MHC I gene are located on the same chromosome, there is an approximately 10-Mb-long sequence in between, and interestingly, several genes flanking the CD1 locus belong to the MHC paralogous region on human chromosome 19. The CD1 genes in Crocodylia are located in two loci, respectively linked to the MHC region and MHC paralogous region (corresponding to the MHC paralogous region on chromosome 19). These results provide new insights for studying the origin and evolution of CD1.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Genetics & Heredity submitted time 2016-05-11
Cui, Yingying
Gao, Dan
Linghu, Enqiang
Guo, Mingzhou
Cui, Yingying
Zhan, Qimin
Zhan, Qimin
Chen, Runsheng
Brock, Malcolm V.
Herman, James G.
Abstract： Aim: To examine epigenetic changes and the function of HOXA11 in human gastric cancer (GC). Materials & methods: Seven GC cell lines, five cases of normal gastric mucosa and 112 cases primary GC samples were used in this study. Results: Expression of HOXA11 and lack of promoter region methylation were found in NCI-N87, MKN45, BGC823 and HGC27 cells. Loss of expression and complete methylation were found in AGS gastric cancer cells. Reduced expression and partial methylation were found in MGC803 and SGC7901 cells. Restoration of HOXA11 expression was induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. HOXA11 was methylated in 81.25% (91/112) of primary GCs. The presence of methylation was associated with male gender, tumor size, tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis (all p < 0.05). Restoration of HOXA11 expression reduced cell proliferation, invasion, migration and induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest. HOXA11 was found to inhibit Wnt signaling by upregulating NKD1 expression. Conclusion: Epigenetic silencing of HOXA11 promotes GC proliferation, migration and invasion through activation of Wnt signaling.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-15
Wan, Zhengpeng
Chen, Xiangjun
Chen, Yingjia
Wang, Jing
Cao, Yiyun
Liu, Wanli
Chen, Haodong
Wang, Fei
Tang, Zhuo
Ji, Qinghua
Lou, Jizhong
Abstract： B lymphocytes use B cell receptors (BCRs) to sense the physical features of the antigens. However, the sensitivity and threshold for the activation of BCRs resulting from the stimulation by mechanical forces are unknown. Here, we addressed this question using a double-stranded DNA-based tension gauge tether system serving as a predefined mechanical force gauge ranging from 12 to 56 pN. We observed that IgM-BCR activation is dependent on mechanical forces and exhibits a multi-threshold effect. In contrast, the activation of isotype-switched IgG- or IgE-BCR only requires a low threshold of less than 12 pN, providing an explanation for their rapid activation in response to antigen stimulation. Mechanistically, we found that the cytoplasmic tail of the IgG-BCR heavy chain is both required and sufficient to account for the low mechanical force threshold. These results defined the mechanical force sensitivity and threshold that are required to activate different isotyped BCRs.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-12
Hua Sha
Liu Mi
Wu AiPing
Jiang TaiJiao
Hua Sha
Liu Mi
Li XiYan
Cheng YanHui
Huang WeiJuan
Tan MinJu
Wei HeJiang
Guo JunFeng
Wang DaYan
Shu YueLong
Peng YouSong
Jiang TaiJiao
Wu AiPing
Jiang TaiJiao
Wu AiPing
Jiang TaiJiao
Abstract： The human influenza A (H3N2) virus dominated the 2014-2015 winter season in many countries and caused massive morbidity and mortality because of its antigenic variation. So far, very little is known about the antigenic patterns of the recent H3N2 virus. By systematically mapping the antigenic relationships of H3N2 strains isolated since 2010, we discovered that two groups with obvious antigenic divergence, named SW13 (A/Switzerland/9715293/2013-like strains) and HK14 (A/Hong Kong/5738/2014-like strains), co-circulated during the 2014-2015 winter season. HK14 group co-circulated with SW13 in Europe and the United States during this season, while there were few strains of HK14 in mainland China, where SW13 has dominated since 2012. Furthermore, we found that substitutions near the receptor-binding site on hemagglutinin played an important role in the antigenic variation of both the groups. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the recent antigenic evolution of H3N2 virus and will aid in the selection of vaccine strains.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-12
Zeng Yan
Zhang Yong
Ji QingHua
Lou JiZhong
Song XianQiang
Ye Sheng
Zhang RongGuang
Zeng Yan
Song XianQiang
Ji QingHua
Abstract： Talin is an integrin-binding protein located at focal adhesion site and serves as both an adapter and a force transmitter. Its integrin binding activity is regulated by the intramolecular autoinhibition interaction between its F3 and RS domains. Here, we used atomic force microscopy to measure the strength of talin autoinhibition complex. Our results suggest that the lifetime of talin autoinhibition complex shows weak catch bond behavior and does not change significantly at smaller forces, while it drops rapidly at larger forces (>10 pN). Moreover, besides the complex conformation revealed by crystal structure, our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicate the possible existence of another stable conformation. Further analysis indicates that forces may regulate the equilibrium of the two stable binding states and result in the non-exponential force dependence of the binding lifetime. Our findings reveal a negative regulation mechanism on talin activation and provide a new point of view on the function of talin in focal adhesion.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-12
Zhang, Zhenya
Li, Kaiming
Cai, Zeyuan
Fang, Yu
An, Lili
Hu, Zhishang
Hang, Haiying
Cai, Zeyuan
Hu, Zhishang
Abstract： Rad9, Rad1 and Hus1 are essential genes conserved from yeast to humans. They form a heterotrimer complex (9-1-1 complex) that participates in the cell cycle checkpoint activation and DNA damage repair in eukaryotic cells. Rad9, Rad1 and Hus1 deficient cells are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation and mouse cells deleted for anyone of the three genes are highly sensitive to the killing by gamma rays. We propose that ionizing radiation-induced transcription of these genes is a mechanism by which cells respond to radiation-induced damage. In this study we used quantitative real-time RT-PCR(qPCR) to analyze the mRNA levels of Rad9, Rad1 and Hus1 in various tissues isolated from mice that were either mock irradiated or exposed to 10 Gy gamma radiation. Our results indicated that the mRNA levels of Rad9, Rad1 and Hus1 genes were very different among these tissues, and we found high natural levels of mRNA in the spleen, lung, ovary and testis of mice before exposure to radiation. The mRNA levels of the three genes were well correlated across these tissues, being high, medium or low in each of the tissues simultaneously. The mRNA levels of the three genes were analyzed at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after irradiation. In most tissues Rad9 was strongly induced at 2 and 12 h time points and Hus1 was strongly induced at 2, 12 and 48 h time points, but Rad1 was minimally induced in most of the tissues with the exception of slightly higher levels in the heart and lung tissues at the 48 h time point. These results suggest that the regulation mechanisms for the mRNA levels of the three genes in response to ionizing radiation are complex and not well orchestrated. We also detected the induction of Rad9 and Hus1 proteins in the heart and liver of the animals after irradiation, and found that Rad9 protein levels were highly induced in both the heart and liver, while the Hus1 protein levels were significantly induced only in the liver, suggesting that Rad9 and Hus1 protein levels are not regulated in a coordinated manner in response to irradiation. We then went on to measure the mRNA levels of the three genes and the Rad9 and Hus1 protein levels in the mouse liver cell line (NCTC 1469) in response to irradiation in vitro. All three genes in the cultured cells were minimally induced at mRNA level, obviously different from the highly dynamic induction in liver. Rad9 and Hus1 were significantly induced at the protein level, but the induced Rad9 protein levels were higher than the Hus1 levels. Taken together, the good correlation of the mRNA levels of Rad9, Hus1 and Rad1 genes across different tissues isolated from the animals that were mock irradiated and the lack of correlation in mRNA as well as protein levels after irradiation suggest that the 9-1-1 complex has evolved to play various physiological roles in tissues rather than dealing with high doses of gamma radiation or other genotoxic agents. (C) 2015 by Radiation Research Society
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-12
Zhao, Ye
Wang, Jun
Chen, Shaopeng
Yuan, Hang
Xu, An
Wu, Lijun
Ma, Xiaoyan
Hang, Haiying
Ma, Xiaoyan
Hang, Haiying
Wang, Jun
Chen, Shaopeng
Yuan, Hang
Xu, An
Wu, Lijun
Wu, Lijun
Abstract： Previously reported studies have demonstrated the involvement of p21(Waf1/CIP1) in radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Hus1 fail to proliferate in vitro, but inactivation of p21 allows for the continued growth of Hus1-deficient cells, indicating the close connection between p21 and Hus1 cells. In this study, wildtype MEFs, Hus1(+/+)p21(-/-) MEFs and p21(-/-)Hus1(-/-) MEFs were used in a series of radiation-induced bystander effect experiments, the roles of p21 and Hus1 in the induction and transmission of radiation-induced damage signals were investigated. Our results showed that after 5 cGy alpha particle irradiation, wild-type MEFs induced significant increases in gamma-H2AX foci and micronuclei formation in bystander cells, whereas the bystander effects were not detectable in p21(-/-)Hus1(+/+) MEFs and were restored again in p21(-/-)Hus1(-/-) MEFs. Media transfer experiments showed that p21(-/-)Hus1(+/+) MEFs were deficient in the production bystander signals, but could respond to bystander signals. We further investigated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that might be involved in the bystander effects. It was found that although knocking out p21 did not affect the expression of connexin43 and its phosphorylation, it did result in inactivation of some MAPK signal pathway kinases, including JNK1/2, ERK1/2 and p38, as well as a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in irradiated cells. However, the activation of MAPK kinases and the ROS levels in irradiated cells were restored in the cell line by knocking out Hus1. These results suggest that p21(Waf1/CIP1) and Hus1 play crucial roles in the generation and transmission of bystander damage signals after low-dose a particle irradiation. (C) 2015 by Radiation Research
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-11
Abstract： Influenza virus can rapidly change its antigenicity, via mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, to evade host immunity. The emergence of the novel human-infecting avian H7N9 virus in China has caused widespread concern. However, evolution of the antigenicity of this virus is not well understood. Here, we inferred the antigenic epitopes of the HA protein from all H7 viruses, based on the five well-characterized HA epitopes of the human H3N2 virus. By comparing the two major H7 phylogenetic lineages, i.e., the Eurasian lineage and the North American lineage, we found that epitopes A and B are more frequently mutated in the Eurasian lineage, while epitopes B and C are more frequently mutated in the North American lineage. Furthermore, we found that the novel H7N9 virus (derived from the Eurasian lineage) isolated in China in the year 2013, contains six frequently mutated sites on epitopes that include site 135, which is located in the receptor binding domain. This indicates that the novel H7N9 virus that infects human may already have been subjected to gradual immune pressure and receptor-binding variation. Our results not only provide insights into the antigenic evolution of the H7 virus but may also help in the selection of suitable vaccine strains.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-11
Abstract： Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. Viral protein 2 (VP2), the major structural protein of IBDV, has been subjected to frequent mutations that have imparted tremendous genetic diversity to the virus. To determine how amino acid mutations may affect the virulence of IBDV, we built a structural model of VP2 of a very virulent strain of IBDV identified in China, vvIBDV Gx, and performed a molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between virulence sites. The study showed that the amino acid substitutions that distinguish vvIBDV from attenuated IBDV (H253Q and T284A) favor a hydrophobic and flexible conformation of beta-barrel loops in VP2, which could promote interactions between the virus and potential IBDV-specific receptors. Population sequence analysis revealed that the IBDV strains prevalent in East Asia show a significant signal of positive selection at virulence sites 253 and 284. In addition, a signal of co-evolution between sites 253 and 284 was identified. These results suggest that changes in the virulence of IBDV may result from both the interaction and the co-evolution of multiple amino acid substitutions at virulence sites.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-11
Abstract： Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1), a causative agent of AIDS, is affecting today more than 35 millions of people worldwide. The advance of anti-HIV chemotherapy has made AIDS a chronic non-fatal disease in resourceful countries. Long-awaited anti-HIV-1 vaccine is still not with us yet; however, great progress in structural analyses of the envelope protein of HIV-1 in recent years starts to shed light on rational intervention targeted at the envelope protein, as will be reviewed in this article.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-11
Abstract： A natural biomaterial has been discovered with bactericidal activities, which is mainly attributed to its nanopatterned surface structure. The surface of Clanger cicada (Psaltoda claripennis) wings has been identified as a natural bactericidal material, which has lead to the emergence of research on the development of novel antibacterial surfaces. From the interactions between bacterial biofilms and nanopatterned surface structures, a new mechanical model is proposed that investigates the rupture of bacterial cells within the framework of the "stretching" theory. The effect of surface nanoroughness on the survival of bacterial cells is evaluated by determining the stretching ability of their cell walls. The results, calculated using Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as examples, show a correlation between the stretching of the cell wall and the geometric parameters of the surface structures. The theoretical results indicate that for a given cell rigidity, the bactericidal nature of the surface is determined by the geometric parameters of the surface structures. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Biology >> Biophysics >> Biology submitted time 2016-05-05
Abstract： Recent deep sequencing surveys of mammalian genomes have unexpectedly revealed pervasive and complex transcription and identified tens of thousands of RNA transcripts that do not code for proteins. These non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) highlight the central role of RNA in gene regulation. ncRNAs are arbitrarily divided into two main groups: The first includes small RNAs, such as miRNAs, piRNAs, and endogenous siRNAs, that usually range from 20 to 30 nt, while the second group includes long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are typically more than 200 nt in length. These ncRNAs were initially thought to merely regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, but recent studies have indicated that ncRNAs, especially lncRNAs, are extensively associated with diverse chromatin remodeling complexes and target them to specific genomic loci to alter DNA methylation or histone status. These findings suggest an emerging theme of ncRNAs in epigenetic regulation. In this review, we discuss the wide spectrum of ncRNAs in the regulation of DNA methylation and chromatin state, as well as the key questions that needs to be investigated and acknowledging the elegant design of these intriguing macromolecules.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
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