Identification of a novel large deletion of factor subunit A mRNA associated with hereditary factor deficiency / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the expressed mRNA of the factor subunit A (FA) in monocyte in a hereditary factor (F) deficiency family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The F A mRNA of the proband and the other family members was analyzed by RT-PCR, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, cloning and sequencing. The three dimensional structure of the protein was predicted by SWISS-MODEL and viewed by RASMIOL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) A large in frame deletion from codons 11 to 279, spanning from exon 2 to 7 of F A (DelCD11-279), was identified in the proband at mRNA level and a truncated protein is predicted composed of 464 amino acids. Compared with the normal and the other families, the proband showed lower level of F A mRNA in RT-PCR. (2) SWISS-MODEL analysis showed that the truncated protein lacked the β-sandwich and a part of catalytic core, resulting in loss of the normal catalytic domains.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DelCD11-279 of F A mRNA is associated with hereditary F deficiency. The reduced expressing level of F A gene is one of the causes resulting in F deficiency in the patients.</p>

Determination of the trace levels of urinary fibrinopeptides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE)-based method for detection of trace amount of urinary fibrinopeptide A and B (FPA and FPB, respectively) as the specific molecular markers of thrombus formation in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HPCE system consisted of a 25 cm x 50 microm (inner diameter) coated capillary column, 0.1 mol/L phosphoric acid buffer (pH 2.5) and a UV-detector (wavelength at 190 nm). To improve the sensitivity and reproducibility, solid-phase extraction of FPA and FPB in the urine was performed using a Sep-pak C18 column, with a synthetical fibrinopeptide B-Tyr (FPB-Tyr) as the internal standard.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With this HPCE method, optimal separations of FPA, FPB and FPB-Tyr was achieved within 16 min, with the migration time of 7.28 min, 14.31 min and 15.22 min, respectively. The adjusted peak area ratios of FPA or FPB and the internal standard showed good linearity with the corresponding concentrations of FPA or FPB spiked in the urine(R>0.99). Under the above chromatography conditions, the minimum detection concentration of FPA and FPB in untreated urine was 30 microg/L and 40 microg/L, respectively, and the assay precision and recovery of FPA and FPB were acceptable.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method we established is reliable and specific for separation and identification of fibrinopeptides and other bioactive peptides.</p>

Effect of proanthocyanidins on COX-2 enzyme activity and COX-2 mRNA /protein expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effect of proanthocyanidins on the COX-2 enzyme activity and COX-2 protein expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After being pretreated with different concentrations of proanthocyanidins for 30 min, and then 1 mg x L(-1) LPS for 9 h, the effect of proanthocyanidins on the activity of COX-2 enzyme in RAW264.7 cells was analysed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). After being pretreated with different concentrations of proanthocyanidins for 30 min, and then 1 mg x L(-1) LPS for 9 h, the effects of proanthocyanidins on the expressions of COX-2 mRNA and protein in RAW264.7 cells were analysed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activity of COX-2 enzyme was not inhibited by proanthocyanidins (0. 8, 4 and 20 mg x L(-1), P > 0.05 vs LPS group), but the activity of COX-2 enzyme was significantly inhibited by 10 micromol x L(-01) NS-398 (P < 0.01 vs LPS group). The expression of COX-2 mRNA was inhibited by proanthocyanidins (0. 8, 4 and 20 mg x L(-1)). The expression of COX-2 protein was inhibited by proanthocyanidins (4 and 20 mg x L(-1)).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Proanthocyanidins had no effect on the activity of COX-2 enzyme in LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. Proanthocyanidins inhibited significantly the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.</p>

Knockdown of bcl-xL expression with RNA interference induces nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells apoptosis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibition of the expression of bcl-xL gene induced by RNA interference in CNE-2Z cell line in addition to the inhibition of its proliferation and apoptotic induction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Small interfering RNAs targeting bcl-xL gene were synthesized by using web design software provided by Amnion and the silencer short interfering RNA (siRNA) construction kit; fluorescein-labeled siRNAs were done by FAM-silencer siRNA labeling kit; siRNAs were transfected into CNE-2Z cells by using lipofectamine 2000 reagent; siRNA transfection efficiencies were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy; down-regulation of bcl-xL was detected by RT-PCR; thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay was used to assess the cell growth; apoptosis of CNE-2Z cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Green fluorescence in the cells was seen clearly in FAM-labeled siRNA transfected group under the fluorescent microscope while none in the untransfected group. Different down-regulations of bcl-xL mRNA expression were found in the transfected groups. The expression of bcl-xL mRNA decreased by 10% - 70% in the siRNAs transfected CNE-2Z by RT-PCR scan analysis. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation depended on time and concentrations to some extent. Different cell apoptosis could be induced by different concentrations of siRNA4.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The synthesized siRNAs in vitro were able to down-regulate the expression of bcl-xL There were different capabilities of the specific siRNAs down-regulation. The transient transfected bcl-xL siRNA4 could effectively inhibit the growth of the cancer cells and induce theirs apoptosis. It was suggested that the siRNA technique provide not only an extremely powerful tool for the functional analysis of genome but also a new method for anti-nasopharyngeal carcinoma gene therapy.</p>

Association of mitochondrial DNA variation with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the prevalence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hubei.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 184 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus and 210 matched healthy controls with normal glucose tolerance were recruited for the study. The variants of mtDNA, including MIND13316 (G-->A), MIND13394 (T-->C), MTTE14693 (A-->G), MTTL1 3243 (A-->G), MTRNA1310 (C-->T) and 16189 (T-->C), were screened using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and DNA sequencing. The mutations were analyzed by mfold or tRNAscan-SE softwares.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mutation rates of 3316 (G-->A), 3394 (T-->C), 14693 (A-->G) were 3.26%, 2.72% and 2.17% respectively in type 2 diabetes group, whereas in the control group, the point mutations of 3394 (T-->C) and 14693 (A-->G) were not detected, but two subjects with 3316 (G-->A) were found (0.99%). There were significant differences in mutation rates of 3394 (T-->C) and 14693 (A-->G) between the two groups (P<0.05). In 4 of 184 cases, a T to C transition at nucleotide position 14693 was uncovered for the first time. The prevalence of 16189 variant among type 2 diabetes was significantly higher that of the controls (36.9% vs 26.6%, P=0.03). Moreover, the type 2 diabetes with 16189 variant showed higher fasting serum insulin level and higher HOMA-IR level than those without 16189 variant; stepwise multiple regression analysis showed the 16189 variant was an independent factor contributing to HOMA-IR (R(2)=0.043, P=0.037). Secondary structure prediction revealed that there were differences in 3394 T-->C vs wild-type ND1 protein and in 14693 A-->G vs wild-type tRNA(Glu) protein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mutations of 3394 (T-->C) and 14693 (A-->G) may contribute to the genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes; 16189 (T-->C) variant is associated with insulin resistance and risk factor of diabetes.</p>

Inhibitory effects of bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on growth of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in nude mice / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effects of bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) on growth and gene expression of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNE-2Z cell line was implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Twenty four h after implantation, bcl-xl ASODN and mismatch control oligonucleotides (SCODN) were injected subcutaneously into nude mice, respectively. The tumor volume and weight were measured twice weekly. The histopathological changes of the tumors were observed by HE staining. RT-PCR and Western-blot were performed for bcl-xl gene expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Growth of NPC was significantly inhibited in the ASODN therapy group as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The growth inhibitory rate was 41.7% in the ASODN group and 19.0% in the SCODN group. The expression level of bcl-xl mRNA and protein was decreased in the ASODN group, whereas in the SCODN group there was no significant difference in contrast with saline-treated control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our findings suggest that bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides results in marked inhibition of NPC growth in nude mice. It may be a novel treatment approach for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p>