Pathogen invasion changes the intestinal microbiota composition and induces innate immune responses in the zebrafish intestine.

Numerous bacteria are harbored in the animal digestive tract and are impacted by several factors. Intestinal microbiota homeostasis is critical for maintaining the health of an organism. However, how pathogen invasion affects the microbiota composition has not been fully clarified. The mechanisms for preventing invasion by pathogenic microorganisms are yet to be elucidated. Zebrafish is a useful model for developmental biology, and studies in this organism have gradually become focused on intestinal immunity. In this study, we analyzed the microbiota of normal cultivated and infected zebrafish intestines, the aquarium water and feed samples. We found that the predominant bacteria in the zebrafish intestine belonged to Gammaproteobacteria (67%) and that feed and environment merely influenced intestinal microbiota composition only partially. Intestinal microbiota changed after a pathogenic bacterial challenge. At the genus level, the abundance of some pathogenic intestinal bacteria increased, and these genera included Halomonas (50%), Pelagibacterium (3.6%), Aeromonas (2.6%), Nesterenkonia (1%), Chryseobacterium (3.4‰), Mesorhizobium (1.4‰), Vibrio (1‰), Mycoplasma (0.7‰) and Methylobacterium (0.6‰) in IAh group. However, the abundance of some beneficial intestinal bacteria decreased, and these genera included Nitratireductor (0.8‰), Enterococcus (0.8‰), Brevundimonas (0.7‰), Lactococcus (0.7‰) and Lactobacillus (0.4‰). Additionally, we investigated the innate immune responses after infection. ROS levels in intestine increased in the early stages after a challenge and recovered subsequently. The mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptide genes lectin, hepcidin and defensin1, were upregulated in the intestine after pathogen infection. These results suggested that the invasion of pathogen could change the intestinal microbiota composition and induce intestinal innate immune responses in zebrafish.

Construction and characterization of a cDNA library from head kidney of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus).

In this paper, a cDNA expression library from head kidney of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) was constructed for the first time. The first-strand cDNA was synthesized with Moloney Murine Leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase and the double-stranded cDNA was digested by Xho I enzyme. Size fractionation was performed on CHROMA SPIN-400 columns. cDNA fragments longer than 500 bps were ligated into the lambdaZAPExpress vector. The recombinant DNA was packaged in vitro with Gigapack III gold packaging extract. The titers of the primary and amplified library were 1.0 x 10(5) and 5.0 x 10(9) pfu/ml, respectively. To characterize the constructed cDNA library, 15 phage plaques were selected randomly to test the inserted fragments. The results showed that the inserts were mostly longer than 500 bps. To test the utility, the library was screened with primers designed for three immune-related genes of, Myxovirus resistant (Mx), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Toll-like receptor (TLR). Results of Blastn and alignment showed that they are members of Mx, TNF-alpha and TLR gene families, respectively, which meets our anticipates for this cDNA library as an immune-related one. These results confirmed that the cDNA library constructed will provide a useful tool for gene cloning and expression analysis in immune system of Japanese sea bass.

Relationship between SnoN expression and mouse follicular development, atresia, and luteinization.

SnoN, which belongs to the ski family of nuclear proteins, is a novel oncoprotein; it can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. SnoN is an important regulator of signal transduction of the transforming growth factor beta super-family. The present study determined the ovarian localization and regulation of SnoN protein levels in neonatal mice, and in gonadotropin-induced immature mice during follicular development, atresia, and luteinization. In the postnatal mice, positive staining for SnoN was detected for the first time in the interstitial compartment adjacent to the follicles at 7 days and the pattern of immunostaining remained constant. As theca cells differentiated from the stroma, the theca externa layers stained positively for SnoN, and this immunostaining in the theca externa layers persisted in preantral, antral, and preovulatory follicles, even in atretic follicles. Interestingly, the theca interna layers did not contain detected levels of SnoN until the large antral stage of follicular development. In follicular development, SnoN was not expressed in granulosa cells of the healthy follicles but in those that became atretic. After the initiation of luteinization with hCG, SnoN was detected within the luteinizing granulosa cells, and the levels of SnoN were higher during the luteinization process of granulosa cells. Together, our data indicate that SnoN is expressed in a cell-specific manner during ovarian follicular development, atresia, and luteinization and that SnoN might play essential roles in these physiological processes. The present study is the first to investigate SnoN localization and regulation in mouse ovary.

[Genetic polymorphism of k-casein gene exon 4 and its cor-relation with milk production traits in Chinese Holsteincows.].

K-casein gene was regarded as a candidate gene for milk production traits of cows. In this study, a 779 bp fragment of k-casein gene of Chinese Holstein was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the polymorphisms of three loci of k-casein gene were detected by PCR-RFLP with restriction endonuclease Taq, Hind, Pst. After sequencing, T/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified at nucleotide 10 891C/A SNP was identified at nucleotide 10 927 and G/A SNP was identified at nucleotide 10 988 in exon4 of k-casein gene. Both alleles (A and B) of three loci were found in the population that showed low polymorphism. The gene frequencies of A and B were 86.03% and 13.97%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of AA, AB, and BB were 73.71%, 24.63%, and 1.66%, respectively. Statistical results of c2 test indicated that three polymorphism sites in the population fitted with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the effect of polymorphism of k-casein gene on milk production traits was analyzed. The results indicated that in the three loci, the different genotype of k-casein gene had no significant influence on milk yield and milk protein percent (P > 0.05). The cows with genotypes BB and AB showed higher milk fat percent than those with genotype AA ( P < 0.05 ) ; with genotype AB showed higher fat protein ratio than those with genotype AA ( P < 0.05 ). The polymorphism of the three loci in the experimental population is closely linked. The conclusion is that k-casein B allele can be used as the molecular genetic markers of modifying milk fat percent in Chinese Holstein cows.

A sensitive and selective near-infrared fluorescent probe for mercuric ions and its biological imaging applications.

A new mercury(II) near-infrared region fluorescent probe 3,9-dithia-6-monoazaundecane-tricarbocyanine has been designed and synthesized. It consists of two functional moieties: the tricarbocyanine performs as the near-infrared region fluorophore, and the 3,9-dithia-6-monoazaundecane acts as the selected binding site for metal ions. The near-IR excitation and emission profiles of the probe can minimize cell and tissue damage and avoid native fluorescence from natural cellular species. It exhibits fluorescence increase upon the binding of the Hg(2+) based on the inhibition of the photoinduced electron transfer quenching mechanism. Excellent sensitivity and selectivity for mercuric ions are observed with this probe. The value of the system is demonstrated by its use in monitoring the real-time uptake of Hg(2+) within HepG2 cells and five day old zebrafish. The synthesis and remarkable properties of it help to extend the development of metal ions fluorescent probes for biological applications.

[Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibody against HSD11B1].

AIM: To generate and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against homo sapiens hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1). METHODS: Normal human liver tissues were homogenized, and mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation. The total mitochondrial proteins were used to immunize BALB/c mice to generate mAb by hybridoma technique. The mAb were characterized by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The antibody specificity was identified by immunoprecipitation (IP), and confirmed by Uni-ZAP expression library screening. RESULTS: One hybridoma CBF245 secreting specific mAb against HSD11B1 was established. The Ig subclass of this mAb was IgG1, and it could be used in ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry. Our data showed that the antigen recognized by CBF245 mAb was localized in the hepatocyte cytoplasm, with molecular weight of M(r) 35 000 in the mitochondria of human liver tissue. The CBF245 mAb was further confirmed by immunoscreening of Uni-ZAP XR liver cDNA expression library. CONCLUSION: A hybridoma cell line stably secreting specific mAb against HSD11B1 is established and characterized. This mAb reacted with HSD11B1 in ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry assay, IP, and would be very useful for the HSD11B1 studies.

[Progress in the study of histone methyltransferases].

Site- and state-specific lysine methylation of histones is catalyzed by a family of proteins including those contain the evolutionarily conserved SET domain. Research on histone methyltransferases is a part of epigenetics, which plays a fundamental role in heterochromatin formation, X-chromosome inactivation and transcription regulation. Aberrant histone methylation was linked to a number of developmental disorders and human disease including several carcinomas. Histone lysine methylation is a functionally complex process, as it can either activate or repress transcription, depending on sequence-specific lysine methylation site in histones. Non-histone proteins were found to be methylated by SET domain-containing histone methyltransferases whose primary targets were presumed to be histones. The researches on histone methyltransferases will make a completely new space for transcriptional activity, embryonic development, cell differentiation, and signal transduction.

[Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibody against UGP2].

The study was aimed to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against homo sapiens UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2). Normal human liver tissues homogenized, and cytosolic proteins isolated by centrifugation were used to immunize BALB/c mice to generate mAbs by hybridoma technique. The mAbs were identified by ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assay. The antibody specificity was confirmed by Uni-ZAP expression library screening. The results indicated that one hybridoma BAD062 secreting specific mAb against UGP2 was established. The Ig subclass of this mAb was IgG(2b) (kappa), and it could be used in ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry assay. The antigen recognized by BAD062 mAb was localized in the hepatocyte cytoplasm, with molecular weight of 56 kD in the cytosolic proteins of human liver tissue. The BAD062 mAb was further confirmed by immunoscreening of Uni-ZAP XR liver cDNA expression library. It is concluded that a hybridoma cell line stably secretes specific mAb against UGP2. This mAb reacted with UGP2 in ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry assay, and would be very useful for the UGP2 studies.

Selective detection of superoxide anion radicals generated from macrophages by using a novel fluorescent probe.

Quantitation of superoxide radical (O (2)(-).) production at the site of radical generation remains challenging. A simple method to detect nanomolar to micromolar levels of superoxide radical in aqueous solution has been developed and optimized. This method is based on the efficient trapping of O(2)(-). using a novel fluorescent probe (2-chloro-1,3-dibenzothiazolinecyclohexene), coupled with a spectra character-signaling increase event. A high-specificity and high-sensitivity fluorescent probe was synthesized in-house and used to image O(2)(-). in living cells. Better selectivity for O(2)(-). over competing cellular reactive oxygen species and some biological compounds illustrates the advantages of our method. Under optimal conditions, the linear calibration range for superoxide anion radicals was 5.03 x 10(-9)-3.33 x 10(-6) M. The detection limit was 1.68 x 10(-9) M. Fluorescence images of probe-stained macrophages stimulated with 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate were obtained successfully using a confocal laser scanning microscope.

[Extraction, identification and primary investigation of adhesion specificity of Lactobacillus sp].

Lactobacillus L15, a strain of Lactobacillus sp. isolated from the intestinal tract of healthy Paralichthys olivaceus, and Lactobacillus acidlophilus ATCC4356 were used to investigate their specific adhesions. It was shown that cell surface proteins of two strains could be extracted by 5 mol/L lithium chloride( LiCl). Two surface proteins with molecular weights of 61.8 kDa and 54.6 kDa were identified to mediate the adhesion to intestinal mucus of Paralichthys olivaceus and Common carp respectively by the method of Western blotting, and the two novel proteins were named as MAPPpo1 and MAPPcc. In Lactobacillus acidlophilus ATCC4356, two proteins of 43.0 kDa and 63.3 kDa were identified to mediate the adhesion to intestinal mucus of Paralichthys olivaceus. Nevertheless, only 43.0 kDa protein was identified to mediate the adhesion to intestinal mucus of Common carp. Furthermore, the mucus proteins which participated the adhesion as the bacteria receptors were identified by the same method and it was found that L15 and ATCC4356 had the same receptors.There were 29.7 kDa and 30.3 kDa proteins in the intestinal mucus of Paralichthys olivaceus and only the 26.2 kDa protein was testified in the intestinal mucus of Common carp. It is demonstrated that the adhesion of Lactobacillus to mucus is dependent on the strain specificity, as well as host specificity.

Apoptosis of hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 induced by Ginkgo biloba seed polysaccharide.

AIM: To study the apoptosis of hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 induced by polysaccharide isolated from Ginkgo biloba seed. METHODS: Ginkgo biloba seed polysaccharide (GBSP) was isolated by ethanol fractionation of Ginkgo biloba seed and purified by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. The purity of GBSP was verified by reaction with iodine-potassium iodide and ninhydrin and confirmed by UV spectrophotometer, cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis and Sepharose 4B gel filtration chromatography. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Flow Cytometry (FCM) were used to examine the SMMC-7721 cells with and without GBSP treatment at 500 mg/ml for 36 h. RESULTS: GBSP product obtained was of high purity with the average molecular weight of 1.86 X 10(5). Quantitative analysis of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro with FCM showed that the percentages of G(2)-M cells without and with GBSP treatment were 17.01+/-1.28 % and 11.77+/-1.50% (P<0.05), the debris ratio of the cells were 0.46+/-0.12 % and 0.06+/-0.06 % (P<0.01), and the apoptosis ratio of cells was 3.84+/-0.55 % and 9.13+/-1.48 % (P<0.01) respectively. Following GBSP treatment, microvilli of SMMC-7721 cells appeared thinner and the number of spherical cells increased markedly. Most significantly, the apoptosis bodies were formed on and around the spherical cells treated with GBSP. CONCLUSION: GBSP could potentially induce the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells.