Involvement of Kv1.3 and p38 MAPK signaling in HIV-1 glycoprotein 120-induced microglia neurotoxicity

Inflammatory responses mediated by activated microglia play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders. Studies on identification of specific targets to control microglia activation and resultant neurotoxic activity are imperative. Increasing evidence indicate that voltage-gated K⁺ (K_v) channels are involved in the regulation of microglia functionality. In this study, we investigated K_v1.3 channels in the regulation of neurotoxic activity mediated by HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120)-stimulated rat microglia. Our results showed treatment of microglia with gp120 increased the expression levels of K_v1.3 mRNA and protein. In parallel, whole-cell patch-clamp studies revealed that gp120 enhanced microglia K_v1.3 current, which was blocked by margatoxin, a K_v1.3 blocker. The association of gp120 enhancement of K_v1.3 current with microglia neurotoxicity was demonstrated by experimental results that blocking microglia K_v1.3 attenuated gp120-associated microglia production of neurotoxins and neurotoxicity. Knockdown of K_v1.3 gene by transfection of microglia with K_v1.3-siRNA abrogated gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity. Further investigation unraveled an involvement of p38 MAPK in gp120 enhancement of microglia K_v1.3 expression and resultant neurotoxic activity. These results suggest not only a role K_v1.3 may have in gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity, but also a potential target for the development of therapeutic strategies.     

Apical Scaffolding Protein NHERF2 Modulates the Localization of Alternatively Spliced Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump 2B Variants in Polarized Epithelial Cells

The membrane localization of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase isoform 2 (PMCA2) in polarized cells is determined by alternative splicing; the PMCA2w/b splice variant shows apical localization, whereas the PMCA2z/b and PMCA2x/b variants are mostly basolateral. We previously reported that PMCA2b interacts with the PDZ protein Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2), but the role of this interaction for the specific membrane localization of PMCA2 is not known. Here we show that co-expression of NHERF2 greatly enhanced the apical localization of GFP-tagged PMCA2w/b in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. GFP-PMCA2z/b was also redirected to the apical membrane by NHERF2, whereas GFP-PMCA2x/b remained exclusively basolateral. In the presence of NHERF2, GFP-PMCA2w/b co-localized with the actin-binding protein ezrin even after disruption of the actin cytoskeleton by cytochalasin D or latrunculin B. Surface biotinylation and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments demonstrated that NHERF2-mediated anchorage to the actin cytoskeleton reduced internalization and lateral mobility of the pump. Our results show that the specific interaction with NHERF2 enhances the apical concentration of PMCA2w/b by anchoring the pump to the apical membrane cytoskeleton. The data also suggest that the x/b splice form of PMCA2 contains a dominant lateral targeting signal, whereas the targeting and localization of the z/b form are more flexible and not fully determined by intrinsic sequence features.     

Tissue distribution and kininogen gene expression after acute-phase inflammation

A kinin-directed monoclonal antibody to kininogens has been developed by the fusion of murine myeloma cells with mouse splenocytes immunized with bradykinin-conjugated hemocyanin. The hybrid cells were screened by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the secretion of antibodies to bradykinin. Ascitic fluids were produced and purified by a bradykinin-agarose affinity column. The monoclonal antibody (IgG1) bound to bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, and kininogens in ELISA. Further, this target-directed monoclonal antibody recognized purified low and high molecular weight bovine, human, or rat kininogens and T-kininogen in Western blotting. After turpentine-induced acute inflammation, rat kininogen levels increased dramatically in liver and serum as well as in the perfused pituitary, heart, lung, kidney, thymus, and other tissues, as identified by the kinin-directed kininogen antibody in Western blot analyses. The results were confirmed by measuring kinin equivalents of kininogens with a kinin RIA. During an induced inflammatory response, rat kininogens were localized immunohistochemically with the kinin-directed monoclonal antibody in parenchymal cells of liver, in acinar cells and some granular convoluted tubules of submandibular gland, and in the collecting tubules of kidney. Northern and cytoplasmic dot blot analyses using a kinin oligonucleotide probe showed that kininogen mRNA levels in liver but not in other tissues increase after turpentine-induced inflammation. The results indicated that rat kininogens are distributed in various tissues in addition to liver and only liver kininogen is induced by acute inflammation. The target-directed kininogen monoclonal antibody is a useful reagent for studying the structure, localization, and function of kininogens or any protein molecule containing the kinin moiety.     

栽培中华猕猴桃的染色体观察

对原产地位于赣鄂边界幕阜山地区的十二个大果型中华猕猴桃优株或株系的染色体数目观察表明,这些栽培类型全部为四倍体,2n=4x=116。讨论了染色体倍性与果实大小的关系及几种可能的育种方法。     

斯氏狸殖吸虫螺类宿主新记录:洪山拟钉螺新种记述

本文报道斯氏狸殖吸虫新的螺类宿主——洪山拟钉螺Tricula hongshanensis sp. nov.的特点:螺壳较宽而短,体螺层较高大,壳口上缘成锐角,触角伸展时较长,收缩吋有环状皱褶,雄性阴茎较粗短,末端钝圆,齿舌公式不同于其它拟钉螺。     

湖北菱科植物的数量分类研究 Ⅲ.分类性状的定量评价

用R聚类分析和主分量分析,定量研究了湖北菱科5种8变种37个形态和生态性状的变异及分类学价值。结果表明,植物体大小变异是形态演化的主要方向之一。形态演化的同时,也发生生态分化。除少数性状例外,形态演化与生态分化在相当程度上是独立的。     

RFLP mapping of QTLs for yield and related characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Quantitative triat loci (QTLs) for yield and related traits in rice were mapped based on RFLP maps from two indica/indica F₂ populations, Tesanai 2/CB and Waiyin 2/CB. In Tesanai 2/CB, 14 intervals carrying QTLs for eight traits were detected, including 3 for grain weight per plant (GWT), 2 for number of panicles per plant (NP), 2 for number of grains per panicle (NG), 1 for total number of spikelets per panicle (TNS), 1 for spikelet fertility (SF), 3 for 1000-grain weight (TGWT), 1 for spikelet density (SD), and 1 for number of first branches per main panicle. The 3 QTLs for GWT were located on chromosomes 1, 2, and 4, with 1 in each chromosome. The additive effect of the single locus ranged from 2.0 g to 9.1 g. A major gene (np4) for NP was detected on chromosome 4 within the interval of RG143–RG214, about 4cM for RG143, and this locus explained 26.1% of the observed phenotypic variance for NP. The paternal allele of this locus was responsible for reduced panicles per plant (3 panicles per plant). In another population, Waiyin 2/CB, 12 intervals containing QTLs for six of the above-mentioned traits were detected, including 3 for GWT, 2 for each of NP, TNS, TGWT and SD, 1 for SF. Three QTLs for GWT were located on chromosome 1, 4, and 5, respectively. The additive effect of the single locus for GWT ranged from 6.7 g to 8.8 g, while the dominance effect was 1.7–11.5 g. QTL mapping in two populations with a common male parent is compared and discussed.