Effects of 17β-estrogen on expressions of C-reactive protein and its mRNA of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of 17β-estrogen on expressions of C-reactive protein (CRP) and its mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunocytochemistry was used to detect CRP level in normal VSMCs. The expressions of C-reactive protein and p-ERK1/2 in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs were evaluated with Western blot. C-reactive protein mRNA was examined with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>17β-estrogen had no effect on cell morphology and C-reactive protein expression in normal VSMCs; however, C-reactive protein and mRNA, as well as p-ERK1/2 were decreased in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs after 17β-estrogen treatment in a concentration-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>17β-estrogen may inhibit the expression of C-reactive protein and its mRNA in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs via ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway in a concentration-dependent way.</p>

Metabolic pathway of polyamines in plants: a review / 生物工程学报

Polyamine is an important physiological regulation substance functioning in a wide variety of biological processes, such as plant growth, development, senescence and adversity stress tolerance, which widely exist in all living organisms. Their biosynthetic pathways have already been revealed, and their physiological roles are being elucidated gradually. Previous work on polyamines biosynthetic deficiency mutants and various transgenic plants facilitates improved understanding of the important roles of polyamines and biosynthetic enzymes in plant growth and development. This paper summarizes researches in the biosynthetic pathways of polyamines in plants, focusing on research advances on functions of genes involved in polyamine metabolism. In addition, the potential research directions, especially the application of the genes in the genetic engineering of plant stress tolerance were also discussed.