Cloning and sequence analysis of L-lysine decarboxylase gene in Huperzia serrata var. longipetiolata / 中草药

Objective: To obtain and analyze the full-length L-lysine decarboxylase (LDC) gene sequence of Huperzia serrata var. longipetiolata and predictively analyze its protein structure on the basis of cloning the coding region of LDC gene from four species of Huperziaceae. The species are Huperzia serrata var. longipetiolata, Phlegariurus minchegensis, Phlegariurus austrosinicus, and Phlegariurus petiolatus. Methods: The LDC coding region sequences were cloned by RT-PCR strategy with the template of total RNA extracted from the leaves. Then the sequences were analyzed by means of BLAST and MEGA 5.0. The full-length of LDC gene sequence of H. serrata var. longipetiolata was obtained by RACE technology. And then the secondary structure and three-dimensional structure of LDC protein were predictively analyzed. Results: The coding region sequences were highly similar to the lysine decarboxylase in the database. And the encoding protein of H. serrata var. longipetiolata was highly similar to the amino acid sequences of H. serrata in NCBI, and with high homology to Selaginella moellendorffii. The full-length LDC gene sequence of H. serrata var. longipetiolata contained 1 266 bp open reading frame and encodes a predicted protein of 403 amino acids. The GenBank accession number for this gene is KF040056. Conclusion: The LDC genes of the four species of Huperziaceae are cloned in this study. The full-length LDC gene sequence of H. serrata var. longipetiolata is obtained and analyzed, and its protein structure is predictively analyzed. The result will provide a foundation for exploring the mechanism of huperzine A biosynthesis in the plants of Huperziaceae.

Proteomic analysis of chronic restraint stress-induced Gan (肝)-stagnancy syndrome in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the proteomic characteristics of Gan (肝)-stagnancy syndrome (GSS) by seeking the differential protein in blood and tissues of GSS model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>GSS model rats were established by chronic restraint stress, keeping rats in restrain chamber for 6 h every day for 21 successive days. Their blood and liver samples were collected at the end of experiment for differential protein detection with methods of isoelectrofocusing and polyacrylamide SDS-PAGE, silver staining, and scanning. The gel images were analyzed with Imagemaster 2D Elite software, and the excavated differential protein spots were identified with matrix assistant laser resolving TOF mass spectrometry, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A method for isolating the protein in blood serum and tissues by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was established and optimized. Six serum proteins and three liver proteins that differentially expressed were identified. The down-regulated differential proteins in serum of GSS model rats were serum albumin precursor, beta 1 globin, antibody against muscle acetylcholine receptor, Ig lambda-2 C region, and transthyretin (TTR), and those in liver tissue were aryl sulfotransferase, enoyl-CoA hydratase, and TTR. TTR down-regulation was found in both serum and liver. Preliminary biological information analysis showed that these differential proteins involved in immune, neuroendocrine, nutrition, and substance metabolism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Proteomic analysis of differential proteins showed that TTR, aryl sulfotransferase, and enoyl-CoA hydratase expressions are downregulated in the GSS model rats, suggesting that the susceptibility of cancer could be enhanced by chronic stress.</p>

Effects of bagasse polysaccharide on the immune functions of immunosuppressed mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of bagasse polysaccharide on the immune functions of immunosuppressed mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunosuppressed mouse models were established by intraperitoneal injections with cyclophosphamide followed by daily intragastric administration of bagasse polysaccharide. After the treatments, the mice were examined for immune organ weight index, phagocytotic function of the macrophages, delayed type hypersensitivity, serum IgM level following exposure to chicken red blood cells, formation of hemolytic plaques, T cell percentage and lymphocyte transformation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of the immunosuppressed mice with bagasse polysaccharide at the daily dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased the weight of the immune organs, phagocytotic function of the macrophages, delayed type hypersensitivity, serum IgM level against chicken red blood cells, formation of hemolytic plaques, T cell percentage and lymphocyte transformation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bagasse polysaccharide can enhance the immune functions of immunosuppressed mice.</p>

Protective effects of Hongbeiyegen against immunological liver injury in mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of Hongbeiyegen (HBYG) against immunological liver injury induced by bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunological liver injury was induced in rats by BCG and LPS injected via the tail vein. The liver index, thymus index and spleen index were calculated and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and nitric oxide (NO) and liver homogenate contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBYG significantly improved the liver index, thymus index and spleen index, and reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST and NO, and as the liver homogenate contents of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBYG offers obvious protective effects against immunological injury liver in mice.</p>

Therapeutic effect of Hongbeiyegen on alcohol-induced rat hepatic fibrosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of Hongbeiyegen [the root of Alchornea trewioides(Benth.) Muell.-Arg.] on alcohol-induced liver fibrosis (AF) in rats and explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In rats with AF, the serum levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected along with examination of the changes in serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), procolagen type III (PC III), collagen type IV (C IV), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (AST) levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, Hongbeiyegen could significantly reduce the levels of TGFbeta1, TIMP-1, HA, LN, PC III, CIV, ALT and AST in rats with AF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hongbeiyegen can relieve and ameliorate liver fibrosis possibly by inhibiting the expression of TGFbeta1 and TIMP-1.</p>