The key role of CYC2 during meiosis in Tetrahymena thermophila

Meiotic recombination is carried out through a specialized pathway for the formation and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) made by the Spo11 protein. The present study shed light on the functional role of cyclin, CYC2, in Tetrahymena thermophila which has transcriptionally high expression level during meiosis process. Knocking out the CYC2 gene results in arrest of meiotic conjugation process at 2.5-3.5 h after conjugation initiation, before the meiosis division starts, and in company with the absence of DSBs. To investigate the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, a complete transcriptome profile was performed between wild-type strain and CYC2 knock-out strain. Functional analysis of RNA-Seq results identifies related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including SPO11 and these DEGs are enriched in DNA repair/mismatch repair (MMR) terms in homologous recombination (HR), which indicates that CYC2 could play a crucial role in meiosis by regulating SPO11 and participating in HR.

Association of SPO11 and GST gene polymorphisms with idiopathic male infertility in ethnic Han Chinese / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible roles of polymorphisms of SPO11 and glutathionine S-transferase (GST) genes in idiopathic male infertility in a ethnic Han Chinese population from Henan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to determine the SPO11 c.517C>T(rs28368082) and GST genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1) polymorphisms in 216 idiopathic male infertility cases and 198 normal samples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of the SPO11 CC and CT genotypes were 87.5% (189/216) and 12.5% (27/216) in the patients, and 97.5% (193/198) and 2.5% (5/198) in the controls, respectively. The frequencies of SPO11 CC and CT genotypes, the A>G transition at nucleotide 313 in the exon 5 of the GSTP1 gene, and the frequencies of combined genotypes GSTM1 (-/-), GSTT1 (+/+), GSTP1 (AA) and SPO11 (CT) were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The rs28368082 polymorphism of the SPO11 gene, the A>G transition at nucleotide 313 in the exon 5 of the GSTP1 gene, and the combined genotypes of GSTM1 (-/-), GSTT1 (+/+), GSTP1 (AA) and SPO11 (CT) may be associated with idiopathic male infertility in ethnic Han Chinese.</p>

Effects of Nephrolithiasis on Serum DNase (Deoxyribonuclease I and II) Activity and E3 SUMO-Protein Ligase NSE2 (NSMCE2) in Malaysian Individuals / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. The aim of this study was to examine a possible relationship between DNase I/II activity and E3 SUMO-protein ligase NSE2 in the sera of nephrolithiasis patients to evaluate the possibility of a new biomarker for evaluating kidney damage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty nephrolithiasis patients and 50 control patients were enrolled in a case-control study. Their blood urea, creatinine, protein levels and DNase I/II activity levels were measured by spectrometry. Serum NSMCE2 levels were measured by ELISA. Blood was collected from patients of the government health clinics in Kuantan-Pahang and fulfilled the inclusion criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result indicated that mean levels of sera NSMCE2 have a significantly increase (P<0.01) in patients compared to control group. Compared with control subjects, activities and specific activities of serum DNase I and II were significantly elevated in nephrolithiasis patients (P$lt;0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study suggests that an increase in serum concentrations of DNase I/II and E3 SUMO-protein ligase NSE2 level can be used as indicators for the diagnosis of kidney injury in patients with nephrolithiasis.</p>

Oxidative damage in embryo and placenta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Maternal type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk for fetal malformations. The mechanism by which diabetes caused teratogenic disorders is not fully known. Previous studies have demonstrated that many teratogenic diabetic cases were related to free radical oxygen species. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of maternal diabetes on both embryo and placenta by estimating the oxidative and DNA damage in embryo and placenta of diabetic mellitus- induced rats. The possible role of olive leaves extract of Olea europaea [O. europaea] plant in repairing the damage was also assessed. Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin [STZ] by a single intraperitoneal injection [35 mg/kg b wt]. O.europaea leaves water extract was administered orally [550 mg/ l00g b wt/ day] for 5days before pregnancy and 18 days after. Malondealdehyde [MDA] level, glutathione peroxidase [Gpx] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities and glycogen concentration were measured in term embryo and placenta homogenates of diabetic and control rats. Moreover, the evaluation of DNA damage was carried out by the Alkaline Comet Assay using embryos and placentas taken from STZ-induced diabetic and control pregnant rats. the results showed an elevation in MDA level of the diabetic groups of both embryo and placenta compared to that of the control. This was accompanied by reduction in Gpx and SOD activities indicating oxidative damage. Glycogen level was reduced in diabetic groups of embryo and placenta. Both oxidative and hyperglycemic status were improved in the groups treated with olive leaves water extract. The percentage of tail DNA and tail moment values were also higher in both embryo and placenta of the diabetic -induced rats. DNA damage seems to be partly ameliorated in groups treated with O. europaea leaves water extract. This study indicated that maternal hyperglycemic condition in diabetic- induced pregnant rats could generate oxidative and DNA damage to embryo and placenta that could be ameliorated by oral doses of olive leaves water extract

Expression, purification and characterization of non-specific Serratia nuclease in Escherichia coli / 生物工程学报

To efficiently produce non-specific nuclease (NU) of Serratia marcescens through recombinant overexpression approach and to characterize the purified NU. The nuclease gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of Serratia marcescens by PCR and fused into vector pMAL-c4X with maltose binding protein (MBP) tag. The recombinant vector verified by DNA sequencing was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The expressed MBP-NU was purified through the amylose resin and its catalytic characters were analyzed. The results showed the NU gene had 97% identities with the reported S. marcescens nuclease gene and intracellularly expressed in E. coli BL21. The optimal expression conditions were 37 degrees C, 0.75 mmol/L IPTG with 1.5 h induction. The purified MBP-NU exhibited non-specific nuclease activity, able to degrade various nucleic acids, including RNA, single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA that was circular or linear. Its optimal temperature was 37 degrees C and optimal pH 8.0. From 1 L culture broth 10.8 mg NU could be purified with a specific activity of 1.11x10(6) U/mg. The catalytic activity of NU was not inhibited by reagents such as EDTA (0.5 mmol/L), PMSF (1 mmol/L) and KCl (150 mmol/L) commonly used in protein purification.

Up-regulation of Bax and endonuclease G, and down-modulation of Bcl-X(L) involved in cardiotoxin III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III), a basic polypeptide with 60 amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, has been reported to have anticancer activity. CTX III-induced K562 cell apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder, sub-G1 formation) and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization with an IC50 value of 1.7 mug/ml at 48 h. A mechanistic analysis demonstrated that CTX III-induced apoptotic cell death was accompanied by up-regulation of both Bax and endonuclease G (Endo G), and downregulation of Bcl-X(L). CTX III had no effect on the levels of Bcl-2, Bid, XIAP survivin, and AIF proteins. CTX III treatment caused loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m), release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to the cytosol, and activation of both caspase-9 and -3. CTX III-induced apoptosis was significantly blocked by the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. However, CTX III did not generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, including N-acetylcysteine and catalase, did not block CTX III-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. Modulation of Bax, Bcl-X(L), and the Endo G proteins, release of mitochondrial cytochome c, and activation of caspase-3 and -9 all are involved in the CTX III-triggered apoptotic process in human leukemia K562 cells.

The eukaryotic Pso2/Snm1/Artemis proteins and their function as genomic and cellular caretakers

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent a major threat to the genomic stability of eukaryotic cells. DNA repair mechanisms such as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) are responsible for the maintenance of eukaryotic genomes. Dysfunction of one or more of the many protein complexes that function in NHEJ can lead to sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, apoptosis, genomic instability, and severe combined immunodeficiency. One protein, Pso2p, was shown to participate in the repair of DSBs induced by DNA inter-strand cross-linking (ICL) agents such as cisplatin, nitrogen mustard or photo-activated bi-functional psoralens. The molecular function of Pso2p in DNA repair is unknown, but yeast and mammalian cell line mutants for PSO2 show the same cellular responses as strains with defects in NHEJ, e.g., sensitivity to ICLs and apoptosis. The Pso2p human homologue Artemis participates in V(D)J recombination. Mutations in Artemis induce a variety of immunological deficiencies, a predisposition to lymphomas, and an increase in chromosomal aberrations. In order to better understand the role of Pso2p in the repair of DSBs generated as repair intermediates of ICLs, an in silico approach was used to characterize the catalytic domain of Pso2p, which led to identification of novel Pso2p homologues in other organisms. Moreover, we found the catalytic core of Pso2p fused to different domains. In plants, a specific ATP-dependent DNA ligase I contains the catalytic core of Pso2p, constituting a new DNA ligase family, which was named LIG6. The possible functions of Pso2p/Artemis/Lig6p in NHEJ and V(D)J recombination and in other cellular metabolic reactions are discussed.

Effect of repeated intraperitoneal exposure to picrotoxin on rat liver lysosomal function.

Effect of repeated (20 days) exposure to picrotoxin (PTX) on rat liver lysosomal function was evaluated by measuring the free and total activities of acid phosphatase, cathepsin D, ribonuclease II (RNAse II) and deoxyribonuclease II (DNAse II). The free activities of the nucleases (both RNAse II and DNAse II) were increased following PTX exposure. The total DNAse II activity was increased by 2.2-fold whereas the total acid phosphatase activity was decreased by 28%. Consequently, the ratios of total activity / free activity were low in the PTX exposed groups, implying loss of membrane integrity. Cathepsin D activity was completely abolished. The results show that repeated exposure to PTX can lead to lysosomal dysfunction in liver.

Human FEN-1 can process the 5'-flap DNA of CTG/CAG triplet repeat derived from human genetic diseases by length and sequence dependent manner

Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) instability can cause a variety of human genetic diseases including myotonic dystrophy and Huntington's disease. Recent genetic data show that instability of the CAG/CTG repeat DNA is dependent on its length and replication origin. In yeast, the RAD27 (human FEN-1 homologue) null mutant has a high expansion frequency at the TNR loci. We demonstrate here that FEN-1 processes the 5'-flap DNA of CTG/CAG repeats, which is dependent on the length in vitro. FEN-1 protein can cleave the 5'-flap DNA containing triplet repeating sequence up to 21 repeats, but the activity decreases with increasing size of flap above 11 repeats. In addition, FEN-1 processing of 5'-flap DNA depends on sequence, which play a role in the replication origin-dependent TNR instability. Interestingly, FEN-1 can cleave the 5'-flap DNA of CTG repeats better than CAG repeats possibly through the flap-structure. Our biochemical data of FEN-1's activity with triplet repeat DNA clearly shows length dependence, and aids our understanding on the mechanism of TNR instability.

Human FEN-1 can process the 5'-flap DNA of CTG/CAG triplet repeat derived from human genetic diseases by length and sequence dependent manner

Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) instability can cause a variety of human genetic diseases including myotonic dystrophy and Huntington's disease. Recent genetic data show that instability of the CAG/CTG repeat DNA is dependent on its length and replication origin. In yeast, the RAD27 (human FEN-1 homologue) null mutant has a high expansion frequency at the TNR loci. We demonstrate here that FEN-1 processes the 5'-flap DNA of CTG/CAG repeats, which is dependent on the length in vitro. FEN-1 protein can cleave the 5'-flap DNA containing triplet repeating sequence up to 21 repeats, but the activity decreases with increasing size of flap above 11 repeats. In addition, FEN-1 processing of 5'-flap DNA depends on sequence, which play a role in the replication origin-dependent TNR instability. Interestingly, FEN-1 can cleave the 5'-flap DNA of CTG repeats better than CAG repeats possibly through the flap-structure. Our biochemical data of FEN-1's activity with triplet repeat DNA clearly shows length dependence, and aids our understanding on the mechanism of TNR instability.

Down-regulation of human FEN-1 gene expression during differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells

Flap endo/exonuclease-1 (FEN-1) recognizes 5'-flap DNA structures that have been proposed to be important intermediates in DNA replication, repair and recombination, and cleaves the double strand-single strand junction of flap substrates. Using an in vitro model system, recent studies have shown that FEN-1 is a necessary enzyme for the removal of RNA primers in Okazaki fragment maturation during lagging strand DNA synthesis. In this report, the FEN-1 gene expression was examined during cell cycle and differentiation. Although FEN-1 mRNA and protein could be detected at all stages of the cell cycle, their levels were more elevated in exponentially proliferating cells than in G1 or G2/M-synchronized cells. Moreover, a significant increase of FEN-1 protein was observed when temporarily quiescent fibroblasts were induced to proliferate by serum stimulation. In contrast, the FEN-1 mRNA level showed a sharp decrease in HL-60 cells differentiated by dimethyl-sulfoxide, all-trans retinoic acid or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These results demonstrate that the FEN-1 gene expression is up-regulated during entrance into the mitotic cell cycle and down-regulated in nongrowing cells, as in the case of differentiated promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Isolation and characterization of nonhistone proteins associated with DNase-II hypersensitive sites of Sarcoma-180 chromatin.

Limited digestion (2 min) of Sarcoma-180 nuclei by DNase-II released two nonhistone proteins from the hypersensitive sites of chromatin. The apparent molecular weights of these two proteins were 34 and 21 kDa. These proteins showed a moderate but specific inhibition in in vitro cell free transcription assay with native chromatin as template as opposed to no effect on native DNA transcription.

In vitro characterization of repair synthesis initiated by T4 endonuclease V on a synthetic DNA substrate.

The size of the repair patch produced by E. coli DNA polymerase (Pol I) following the removal of a pyrimidine dimer from DNA in response to the nicking activity of T4 endonuclease (T4 endo V) was determined. A 48-bp DNA containing a pyrimidine dimer at a defined location was labelled in the damaged strand and incubated with T4 endo V and E. coli endonuclease IV. Subsequently, DNA synthesis by DNA Pol I was carried out in the presence of four dNTPs, ATP and DNA ligase. Analysis of the reaction products on a sequencing gel revealed a ladder of only 4-oligonucleotides, 1-4 nucleotides greater in length than the fragment generated by the combined nicking activities of T4 endo V and E. coli endonuclease IV. Thus we conclude that the in vitro repair patch size of T4 endo V is 4 nucleotides and that in some cases the repaired DNA is not ligated.

Rat liver chromatin digested in situ with endogeneous Mg(2+)-dependent deoxyribonuclease exhibits two distinct DNA repeats.

Incubation of rat liver nuclei in the presence of 1.0-5.0 mM Mg2+ at 37 degrees C releases oligonucleosomes containing at least two distinct chromatin-DNA repeat elements. The 'short' repeat is derived from the dimer to pentamer series, while the 'long' repeat is found in the monomer and hexamer to decanucleosomes. Both repeat lengths decrease during enzymatic hydrolysis but in 5.0 mM Mg2+, which is optimal concentration, the 'long' repeat is degraded faster.

Studies on rat liver nuclear DNA damaged by chemical carcinogen (3'-Me DAB) and AP DNA endonuclease. I. Purification and some properties of AP DNA endonucleases in rat liver chromatin

Three kinds of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) DNA endonuclease, APcI, APcII, APcIII, were purified from rat liver chromatin through 1M KCl extraction, DEAE-trisacryl ion exchange chromatography. Sephadex G-150 gel filtration and AP DNA cellulose affinity chromatography. Activities of the purified APcI, APcII and APcIII were 62.5, 83.3 and 52.0 EU/mg of protein, respectively. Molecular weights of APcI, APcII and APcIII, each consisting of a single polypeptide, were 30,000, 42,000 and 13,000, and isoelectric points of them were 7.2, 6.3 and 6.2, respectively. Three enzymes showed different substrate specificities; APcI acted only on AP DNA, and APcII acted on both AP DNA and UV DNA, while APcIII acted on 3'-methyl-4-monomethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me MAB) DNA adduct as well as AP DNA and UV DNA. These results indicate that three kinds of AP DNA endonuclease present in rat liver chromatin have structural and functional diversities.

Studies on rat liver nuclear DNA damaged by chemical carcinogen (3'-Me DAB) and AP DNA endonuclease. II. Kinetic properties of AP DNA endonucleases in rat liver chromatin

An experiment was designed to investigate the reaction mechanism of AP (apurinic or apyrimidinic) DNA endonucleases (APcI, APcII, APcIII) purified from rat liver chromatin. Sulfhydryl compounds (2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol) brought about optimal activities of AP DNA endonucleases and N-ethylmaleimide or HgCl2 inhibited the enzyme activities, indicating the presence of sulfhydryl group at or near the active sites of the enzymes. Mg2+ was essential and 4mM of Mg2+ was sufficient for the optimal activities of AP DNA endonucleases. Km values of APcI, APcII and APcIII for the substrate (E. coli chromosomal AP DNA) were 0.53, 0.27 and 0.36 microM AP sites, respectively. AMP was the most potent inhibitor among adenine nucleotides tested and the inhibition was uncompetitive with respective to the substrate. The Ki values of APcI, APcII and APcIII were 0.35, 0.54 and 0.41mM, respectively. The degree of nick translation of AP DNAs nicked by APcI, APcII and APcIII with Klenow fragment in the presence and absence of T4 polynucleotide kinase or alkaline phosphatase were the same, suggesting that all 3 AP DNA endonucleases excise the phosphodiester bond of AP DNA strand to release 3-hydroxyl nucleotides and 5-phosphomonoester nucleotides.