MicroPET观察姜黄素对APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠脑葡萄糖代谢的影响

目的利用18氟-脱氧葡萄糖microPET(18F-FDG microPET)影像学技术观察正常对照组小鼠,模型组和姜黄素治疗组APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠的脑葡萄糖代谢情况。方法随机挑选6月龄正常对照组C57BL/6J小鼠3只,模型组和姜黄素治疗组APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠各3只,通过2%异氟烷吸入麻醉后,从尾静脉弹丸式注射放射性示踪剂18F-FDG每例约14.8～16.5 MBq,摄取45 min后进行10 min microPET图像采集。计算并比较各组小鼠每克脑组织(除小脑)18F-FDG的摄取率。结果姜黄素治疗组小鼠每克脑组织18F-FDG的摄取率高于正常对照组和模型组。结论姜黄素能明显提高APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠脑18 F-FDG的摄取及每克脑组织的摄取率,并可能通过影响脑葡萄糖代谢而发挥神经保护作用。     

初步探讨鸟嘌呤核苷、姜黄素对AD双转基因小鼠学习记忆的影响

目的通过Morris水迷宫检测学习记忆和记忆保持能力,判断鸟嘌呤核苷、姜黄素对4月龄APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠认知功能的影响。方法将3月龄APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠随机分为模型组、盐酸多奈哌齐组0.92 mg/(kg·d)、鸟嘌呤核苷组20 mg/(kg·d)、姜黄素组200 mg/(kg·d)、姜黄素200 mg/(kg·d)和鸟嘌呤核苷组20 mg/(kg·d),每组12只;并以同月龄野生型C57/BL6J小鼠作对照。每天给药1次,连续给药1个月。应用Morris水迷宫进行行为学检测。结果鸟嘌呤核苷、姜黄素对空间探索、定位航行障碍有改善作用,尤其以姜黄素组明显。结论鸟嘌呤核苷、姜黄素能改善APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠的早期出现的认知障碍。     

姜黄素对APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠Aβ生成和降解的影响

目的观察姜黄素对APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠β淀粉样蛋白(βamyloid,Aβ)生成酶早老素2(presenilin2,PS2)和Aβ降解酶胰岛素降解酶(insulin degrading enzyme,IDE)表达的影响,探讨姜黄素在AD防治中的机制。方法将3月龄的APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠随机分为模型组、阳性对照组[罗格列酮组,0.92mg/(kg·d)]、姜黄素大[400mg/(kg·d)]、中[200mg/(kg·d)]、小[100mg/(kg·d)]剂量组,每组10只;并以同月龄遗传背景相同的C57BL/6J小鼠作为正常对照组10只。每天灌胃给药1次,模型组和正常对照组用等体积0.5%羧甲基纤维素(carboxymethyl cellulose,CMC)灌胃。灌胃3个月后,应用Morris水迷宫、免疫组织化学等方法,检测动物的学习记忆能力、海马Aβ生成酶PS2和降解酶IDE表达变化。结果行为学检测,模型组小鼠的游泳轨迹多为边缘型,而正常对照组、阳性对照组、姜黄素各组小鼠的游泳轨迹多为趋向型和直线型。Aβ生成酶PS2和降解酶IDE的免疫组织化学染色结果,模型组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞较正常对照组明显增加(P0.01),与模型组相比,姜黄素各组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞减少(P0.01)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞平均灰度值较正常对照组降低(P0.05),姜黄素小剂量组阳性细胞平均灰度值同模型组相比明显增加(P0.01)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞较正常对照组明显减少(P0.01),与模型组相比,姜黄素中剂量组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞明显增加(P0.05)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞平均灰度值较正常对照组明显增加(P0.01),姜黄素各组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞平均灰度值同模型组相比均明显降低(P0.01)。结论姜黄素能通过减少Aβ生成酶和增加Aβ降解酶的表达,降低Aβ蛋白的表达进而改善APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

APPswe／PS1dE9／TAU三转基因阿尔兹海默病大鼠模型的建立

目的大鼠的大脑比小鼠更大,是研究神经系统的重要模型。建立APPswe／PS1dE9／TAU三转基因大鼠,发展能更全面表现人类阿尔兹海默病表型的动物模型。方法构建人PrP—hAPP695K595N／M596L、PrP-hPS1dE9和PDGF-TAU转基因表达载体,显微注射法制备转基因大鼠。PCR法鉴定转基因首建鼠及其子代基因型。Western blot检测转基因大鼠脑组织中人APP、PS1和TAU蛋白的表达。Morris水迷宫检测6月龄三转基因大鼠学习记忆能力改变。APP、PHF—TAU免疫组织化学染色观察三转基因大鼠脑组织APP及TAU的表达。结果得到1个同时高表达人APP、PS1和TAU三个基因的转基因大鼠品系。转基因大鼠6月龄已经出现显著的行为学改变：学习记忆能力下降,病理学改变表现为过度磷酸化TAU增多和神经元胞浆内AB表达异常增加。结论成功建立了APPswe／PS1dE9／TAU三转AD大鼠,可做为新一代工具动物模型用于基础医学和AD转化医学研究。     

APP／PS双转基因阿尔茨海默病小鼠模型的老年斑及行为学动态分析

目的研究APP／PS1双转基因阿尔茨海默病小鼠模型老年斑形成和行为改变的动态过程。方法将转APPswe突变基因小鼠与转PSAE9基因突变小鼠杂交,PCR鉴定APPswe／PSAE9双突变转基因小鼠的基因表型,筛选阳性小鼠建立APPswe／PS／kE9双转基因C57BL／6J小鼠模型。抗邮免疫组化、改良Bieschowsky银染法、Thioflavin-S荧光分别动态检测3、4、5、6、9、12月龄APPswe／PSAE9双转基因小鼠大脑病理改变。荷兰Noldus公司EthovisionXT监测分析软件动态观察3、6、9月龄的APPswe／PSAE9双转基因小鼠Morris水迷宫行为学改变。利用SPSS16．0软件统计分析。结果建立了人APPswe／PSAE9双转基因阿尔茨海默病小鼠模型。3月龄APP／PS1双转基因小鼠大脑组织抗Aβ1—17免疫组织化学、改良Bieschowsky银染法、Thioflavin—S荧光未检测到有明显老年斑形成。4．5月龄APPswe／PSAE9双转基因小鼠大脑组织上述三种方法均可检测到老年斑。9、12月龄双转基因小鼠老年斑数量体积明显增加,出现与阿尔茨海默病患者较相似的老年斑改变。Morris水迷宫试验发现3、6、9月龄APPswe／PSAE9双转基因小鼠行为学结果与同月龄野生型小鼠有差异,说明与同月龄野生型小鼠相比出现记忆学习能力缺陷（P〈0．05）。结论成功建立了人APPswe／PSAE9双转基因小鼠阿尔茨海默病模型,为阿尔茨海默病发病机制研究和药物研发提供了有价值的动物模型。     

双转基因小鼠模型中microRNA-153对RTN4的表达调控

目的探讨mir-153在阿尔茨海默病发病机制中的作用。方法通过microRNA芯片及Real-timePCR检测APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内mir-153的表达;构建高表达mir-153的稳转细胞系,通过western-blot检测稳转细胞系内RTN4的蛋白表达;构建野生型及突变型RTN4的3’UTR荧光素酶报告载体,分别将其与mir-153表达载体或microRNA阴性对照载体共转染入293T细胞内,检测海肾荧光素酶的相对活性以验证mir-153对RTN4 mRNA的作用靶点。结果 microRNA芯片及Real-time PCR检测均证实3月龄APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内mir-153的表达较同龄野生对照显著降低;在高表达mir-153的稳转细胞系内RTN4的蛋白水平明显降低;共转染野生型RTN4的3’UTR/mir-153表达载体可使海肾荧光素酶相对活性较共转染野生型RTN4的3’UTR/miRNA阴性对照质粒组显著降低（P〈0.05）,而共转染突变型RTN4的3’UTR/mir-153表达载体组则较之无明显差异。结论在3月龄APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠脑内存在mir-153的异常表达;mir-153可调控RTN4的蛋白表达;mir-153对RTN4的表达调控是通过结合RTN4 3’UTR 839-845碱基处的作用位点而实现的。     

川芎嗪对痴呆小鼠模型学习记忆能力的影响

目的研究川芎嗪对痴呆小鼠学习记忆的影响。方法对APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠在3月龄开始食物中连续给川芎嗪（100 mg/kg.d）进行治疗,停药后立即进行水迷宫实验,并与未给药APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠和及野生鼠进行比较。结果治疗组与APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因组比较,平台寻找潜伏期缩短,穿过原平台区的频次增加。结论川芎嗪能改善APPswe/PSΔE9痴呆模型小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

SB239063对APPswe/PS1dE9小鼠Aβ生成的调控作用及机制研究

目的:探讨p38MAPK抑制剂SB239063对AD模型小鼠认知功能障碍及其脑内β-淀粉样蛋白(beta-amyloid protein,Aβ)表达情况的影响。方法:采用6月龄APPswe/PS1d E9(APP/PS1)双转基因雄性AD模型小鼠及同龄野生型(WT)C57BL/6J小鼠为研究对象,将小鼠随机分为SB239063-WT治疗组、WT对照组、SB239063-APP/PS1治疗组和APP/PS1对照组,治疗组小鼠接受腹腔注射SB239063药物溶液(用3%DMSO生理盐水溶液溶解,给药剂量为15 mg/kg),对照组小鼠接受腹腔注射相应体积的3%DMSO生理盐水溶液,1次/日连续给药6周。采用Morris水迷宫、蛋白质印迹法(Western Blot)和酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)分别评估各组小鼠学习记忆功能、Aβ含量及其相关酶β-位点APP裂解酶1(BACE1)、早老素1(PS1)的表达水平。结果:水迷宫结果显示,与APP/PS1对照组相比,SB239063慢性治疗可以明显缩短APP/PS1小鼠找到隐藏平台所需的潜伏期(P0.01),增加APP/PS1小鼠在目标象限停留时间百分比(P0.01)和穿越原平台区域的次数(P0.01);ELISA结果显示,给予SB239063治疗能够显著减少AD小鼠脑内可溶性Aβ1-42(P0.05)、Aβ1-40(P0.05)和Aβ寡聚体(P0.01)的含量;Western blot结果显示,给予SB239063治疗后APP/PS1小鼠脑内皮层和海马组织中的p-p38MAPK(P0.01)、BACE1(P0.01)、PS1(P0.01)的表达水平明显下降。结论:SB239063可能通过下调p38MAPK的磷酸化水平抑制BACE1和PS1的表达,从而减少Aβ的生成并且改善AD小鼠的学习记忆功能损害,提示SB239063对Aβ所造成的病理损害具有潜在的治疗作用。     

钠氢交换体1 在病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中的表达

目的:研究异丙肾上腺素诱导的病理性心肌肥厚大鼠心肌组织及血浆中钠氢交换体1(sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1,NHE-1)的表达,探讨NHE1在心肌肥厚发生和发展中的作用。方法:30只雄性SD大鼠随机并平均分为2组:病理性心肌肥厚组和对照组,每组15只,病理性心肌肥厚组(以下简称ISO组)予以ISO(异丙肾上腺素)连续每日以20、10和5mg/kg的剂量递减皮下注射,再以3mg/kg的剂量维持皮下注射7d,对照组予相同剂量生理盐水皮下注射。给药结束后进行心脏超声检测左室舒张末径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末径(LVESD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、短轴缩短率(FS)、左室射血分数(LVEF)。分别测定各组大鼠体重(BW)、心室重量(VW)、左心室重量(LVW),计算心室重量指数VWI(VW/BW)、左心室重量指数LVW(ILVW/BW)。取血检测血浆中NHE-1的浓度,并取心肌组织观察病理形态学特征,用免疫组化法检测心肌组织中NHE-1的表达量。结果:与对照组相比,ISO组大鼠LVEF、IVST显著增加(P<0.05),LVESD明显降低(P<0.05),VWI、LVWI明显增加(P<0.01),血浆NHE-1浓度明显升高(P<0.01),心肌组织NHE-1表达增多(P<0.01)。结论:NHE-1可能在病理性心肌肥厚的发生和发展过程中起着重要作用。     

12种中药单体对APPswe/PSΔE9转基因痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆作用的比较

目的利用APPswe/PSΔE9转基因阿尔茨海默病小鼠模型探索治疗痴呆有效的中药单体。方法根据目前的研究资料,选定12种中药单体,加入鼠粮中对APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因小鼠在5月龄开始进行治疗,以安理申作为阳性药对照,4周后进行水迷宫实验,并与安慰剂组小鼠进行比较。结果在水迷宫实验中,与安慰剂组相比,吴茱萸碱能够显著缩短寻找平台的潜伏期,显著增加穿过原平台区的次数。结论吴茱萸碱能够显著改善APPswe/PSΔE9痴呆模型小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

ATP/ADP exchange activity of gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase

The ATP/ADP exchange is shown to be a partial reaction of the $\text{(}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ by the absence of measurable nucleoside diphosphokinase activity and the insensitivity of the reaction to $\text{P}{}^1$, $\text{P}{}^5$ -di(adenosine-5′) pentaphosphate, a myokinase inhibitor. The exchange demonstrates an absolute requirement for Mg²⁺ and is optimal at an ADP/ATP ratio of 2. The high ATP concentration ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}\text{= 116 μ}\text{M}$) required for maximal exchange is interpreted as evidence for the involvement of a low affinity form of nucleotide site. The ATP/ADP exchange is regarded as evidence for an ADP-sensitive form of the phosphoenzyme. In native enzyme, pre-steady state kinetics show that the formation of the phosphoenzyme is partially sensitive to ADP while modification of the enzyme by pretreatment with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the absence of Mg²⁺ results in a steady-state phosphoenzyme population, a component of which is ADP sensitive. The ATP/ADP exchange reaction can be either stimulated or inhibited by the presence of K⁺ as a function of pH and Mg²⁺.     

Characterization of cytochrome P-450SCC-containing liposomes

Purified cytochrome $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria was incorporated into liposomes by the cholate-dilution method utilizing either dialysis or Sephadex gel filtration. Among synthetic phospholipids tested, dioleoylglycerophosphocholine showed the best stability during the incorporation of $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ into liposomes. A maximum amount of heme was incorporated into liposomes at a molar ratio of phospholipid to the cytochrome of approx. 200. When $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was incorporated into the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes by the cholate-filtration method, the $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}\text{-}\text{containing liposomes}$ showed two major populations on the elution pattern of the Sepharose 4B gel filtration, and were seen at a diameter of 200–600 Å and its aggregated forms. When the cytochrome was incorporated into dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes or cholesterol-free adrenocortical mitochondrial liposomes, $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was less stable than $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ in aqueous solution. Cholesterol or adrenodoxin markedly stabilized the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. Liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ required cholesterol for its optimum reduction with adrenodoxin, adrenodoxin reductase, and NADPH in the presence of CO. About 70% of the total heme in the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes was reduced by the enzymatic reduction in the presence of cholesterol, indicating that 70% of the total molecules are exposed to the surface of the outer monolayer. In order to see the location of the heme in membrane, the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine-liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was subjected to $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ treatment. This reagent destroyed the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. These results suggest that the heme is located in the proximity of the $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ reacting sites which are exposed to the surface, or located on the vincinity of polar heads of the membrane.     

A/California/7/2009与A/California/4/2009病毒感染力比较

目的甲型H1N1流感病毒A/California/7/2009与A/California/4/2009病毒序列比较同源性在99%以上,本实验旨在比较两株病毒感染BALB/c小鼠研究感染力强弱。方法分别将A/California/7/2009（CA7）与A/California/4/2009（CA4）两株病毒分别连续10倍稀释后,对4~6周龄雌性BALB/c小鼠经乙醚麻醉后进行滴鼻攻毒,每个稀释度接种10只实验小鼠,测定CA7 MLD50为101.24/0.05 mL,检测小鼠感染、致病的多项指标,观察期为14 d。结果相同TCID50的CA7和CA4病毒感染小鼠,CA4感染小鼠后14 d内死亡率为20%,而CA7感染小鼠后8 d内死亡率为100%。CA7 106TCID50感染的小鼠病理表现为重度弥漫性间质性肺炎,CA4 106TCID50感染的小鼠病理表现为中度-重度间质性肺炎。结论在相同条件下,CA7感染力明显强于CA4。     

AutoFACT: AnAutomaticFunctionalAnnotation andClassificationTool

Background  

Assignment of function to new molecular sequence data is an essential step in genomics projects. The usual process involves similarity searches of a given sequence against one or more databases, an arduous process for large datasets.     

Ligand-dependent reactivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with showdomycin

Showdomycin inhibited pig brain ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ with pseudo first-order kinetics. The rate of inhibition by showdomycin was examined in the presence of 16 combinations of four ligands, i.e., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP, and was found to depend on the ligands added. Combinations of ligands were divided into five groups in terms of the magnitude of the rate constant; in the order of decreasing rate constants these were: (1)$\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, (2) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and none, (3) $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{,}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, (4) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{,}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{, (5)}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and ATP. The highest rate was obtained in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP. The apparent concentrations of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP for half-maximum stimulation of inhibition ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>s</mtext>}}$) were 3 mM, 0.13 mM and 4μM, respectively. The rate was unchanged upon further increase in Na⁺ concentration from 140 to 1000 mM. The rates of inhibition could be explained on the basis of the enzyme forms present, including E₁, E₂, ES, E₁-P and E₂-P, i.e., E₂ has higher reactivity with showdomycin than E₁, while E₂-P has almost the same reactivity as E₁-P. We conclude that the reaction of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ proceeds via at least four kinds of enzyme form (E₁, E₂, E₁ · nucleotide and EP), which all have different conformations.     

Characterization of partially purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from porcine lens

The partial purification of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from pig lens has been achieved by treatment with deoxycholate followed by density gradient centrifugation. The specific activity of the final preparation, ranging from 300 to 500 nmol/h per mg protein, is increased approx. 100-fold compared to the homogenate. A parallel increase in $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity is also observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis reveals six major protein bands, one of which is the 93 kDa α subunit of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ which can be phosphorylated by reaction with [γ-³²P]ATP. A second band contains a glycoprotein which displays an apparent molecular weight of 51 000 and thus appears to be the β subunit of the enzyme. The enzyme is sensitive to ouabain with the $\text{I}{}_{50}$ for $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ inhibition being 1.2 and 1.3 μM, respectively. Several agents which inhibit $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from other tissues such as oligomycin, Ca²⁺, vanadate, $\text{N-}\text{ethylmaleimide}$, $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid}$ (PCMBS) and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) also inhibit the lens enzyme. Monovalent cations other than K⁺ are partially effective in activating the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$)-ATPase and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activities. The K⁺ congeners were relatively more effective in supporting $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ compared to $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity. Other kinetic properties of the lens enzyme are also comparable to those of the enzyme from other tissues. Utilizing the partially purified membrane bound enzyme, discontinuities in Arrhenius plots of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity, $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and fluoresence polarization of the fluidity probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), are observed near the physiological temperature of lens. The possible significance of these observations for the mechanism of cataract formation are discussed.     

An electron spin probe study of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase-Containing membranes

The modulating effect of membrane lipids on enzyme function has been described by several investigators. We have used the spin probe $\text{N-}\text{oxyl}\text{-4′,4′-}\text{dimethyloxazolidine}\text{-12-}\text{keto}$ methyl stearate (M 12-NSE) to study this interaction in ox brain membranes enriched with $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$. This methyl ester of stearic acid is practically insoluble in aqueous media, and consequently spectra of M 12-NSE-labelled preparations are free of “liquid lines”.At least two types of spectra may be obtained when ox brain microsomes are spin labelled with M 12-NSE, indicating the presence of two distinct binding sites. At one site the spin label is relatively unrestricted and gives rise to an isotropic spectrum. A second spectrum, which is obtained from spin label at another site, is similar to that which is observed after incorporation of M 12-NSE into phospholipid bilayers. This suggests that this latter site is within the core of the microsomal membrane.The two binding sites differ in their affinity for the spin probe. The low affinity site is both more abundant in crude preparations and is more easily removed by detergent treatment; spin labels at this site produce isotropic spectra. The high affinity sites are fewer in number and produce broad spectra. In addition these high affinity sites increase in concentration as the enzyme undergoes purification.The two sites are quite distinct in their sensitivity to ascorbic acid, the low affinity site showing a considerably greater rate of reduction by this agent.This study also demonstrates that the delipidation effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium deoxycholate on $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase-enriched}$ microsomes from ox brain are not identical.It is suggested that the two spin probe binding sites represent two different lipid domains, one of which is very closely associated with the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme and may reflect a protein-directed phospholipid specificity for this enzyme.     

Comparative study of Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Escherichiacoli, Lactobacilluscasei and Saccharomycesboulardii probiotic properties

The present work investigates some probiotic properties of four different microorganisms (Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis BB-12, Escherichia coli EMO, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to compare cell wall hydrophobicity, production of antagonistic substances, survival capacity in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice without pathological consequence, and immune modulation by stimulation of Küpffer cells, intestinal sIgA and IL-10 levels. In vitro antagonism against pathogenic bacteria and yeast was only observed for the probiotic bacteria B. animalis and L. casei. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was higher for B. animalis and E. coli EMO, and this property could be responsible for a better ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice. Higher levels of sIgA were observed mainly for S. boulardii, followed by E. coli EMO and B. animalis, and only S. boulardii induced a significant higher level of IL-10. In conclusion, for a probiotic use, S. boulardii presented better characteristics in terms of immunomodulation, and B. animalis and L. casei for antagonistic substance production. The knowledge of the different probiotic properties could be used to choice the better microorganism depending on the therapeutic or prophylactic application.     

Annular and non-annular binding sites on the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase

Quenching of the fluorescence of the $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ purified from muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum can be used to measure relative binding constants of hydrophobic compounds to the phospholipid-protein interface. We show that the binding constant for cholesterol is considerably less than that for phosphatidylcholine, so that cholesterol is effectively excluded from the phospholipid annulus around the ATPase. However, dibromocholestan-3β-ol causes quenching of the fluorescence of the ATPase, and so has access to other, non-annular sites. We suggest that these non-annular sites could be at protein/protein interfaces in ATPase oligomers. Oleic acid can bind at the phospholipid/protein interface, although its binding constant is less than that for a phosphatidylcholine, and it can also bind at the postulated non-annular sites. The effects of these compounds on the activity of the ATPase depend on the structure of the phospholipid present in the systems.     

Comparison of parameters estimated from A/Ci and A/Cc curve analysis

The parameters estimated from traditional A/C _i curve analysis are dependent upon some underlying assumptions that substomatal CO₂ concentration (C _i) equals the chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C _c) and the C _i value at which the A/C _i curve switches between Rubisco- and electron transport-limited portions of the curve (C _i-t) is set to a constant. However, the assumptions reduced the accuracy of parameter estimation significantly without taking the influence of C _i-t value and mesophyll conductance (g _m) on parameters into account. Based on the analysis of Larix gmelinii’s A/C _i curves, it showed the C _i-t value varied significantly, ranging from 24 Pa to 72 Pa and averaging 38 Pa. t-test demonstrated there were significant differences in parameters respectively estimated from A/C _i and A/C _c curve analysis (p<0.01). Compared with the maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation rate (V_cmax), the maximum electron transport rate (J_max) and J_max/V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis which considers the effects of g _m limit and simultaneously fits parameters with the whole A/C _c curve, mean V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (V_cmax-C _i) was underestimated by 37.49%; mean Jmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (J_max-C _i) was overestimated by 17.8% and (J_max-C _i)/(V_cmax-C _i) was overestimated by 24.2%. However, there was a significant linear relationship between V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis and V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis, so was it J_max (p<0.05).