Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast genomes of Asian Caryodaphnopsis taxa (Lauraceae)

The genus Caryodaphnopsis, a member of the Lauraceae family, is characterized by seeds that are rich in oil, as well as highly exploitable fruits and wood. The Asian taxa within this genus exhibit complex morphological variations, posing challenges to their accurate classification and impeding their effective use and development as a resource. In this study, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of 31 individuals representing nine Asian taxa within the Caryodaphnopsis genus. Our primary objectives were to reveal structural variations in these chloroplast genomes through comparative analyses and to infer the species' phylogenetic relationships. Our findings revealed that all chloroplast genomes had a tetrad structure, ranged in length from 148,828 to 154,946 bp, and harbored 128-131 genes. Notably, contraction of the IR region led to the absence of some genes in eight taxa. A comprehensive analysis identified 1267 long repetitive sequences and 2176 SSRs, 286 SNPs, and 135 indels across the 31 chloroplast genomes. The Ka/Ks ratio analysis indicated potential positive selection on the matK, rpl22, and rpoC2 genes. Furthermore, we identified six variable regions as promising barcode regions. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the nine Asian taxa into six branches, with C. henryi forming the basal group from which three distinct complexes emerged. This study contributes significantly to the current understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Caryodaphnopsis. Furthermore, the identified molecular markers hold potential for molecular barcoding applications in population genetics, providing valuable tools for future research and conservation efforts within this diverse genus.

Comparative and phylogenetic analysis of complete chloroplast genomes from seven Neocinnamomum taxa (Lauraceae)

The genus Neocinnamomum is considered to be one of the most enigmatic groups in Lauraceae, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia. The genus contains valuable oilseed and medicinal tree species. However, there are few studies on the genus Neocinnamomum at present, and its interspecific relationship is still unclear. In order to explore the genetic structure and evolutionary characteristics of the Neocinnamomum chloroplast genome and to resolve the species relationships within the genus, comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses were performed on the whole chloroplast genome sequences of 51 samples representing seven Neocinnamomum taxa. The whole Neocinnamomum chloroplast genome size ranged from 150,753-150,956 bp, with a GC content of 38.8%-38.9%. A total of 128 genes were annotated within the Neocinnamomum chloroplast genome, including 84 protein coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes. Between 71-82 SSRs were detected, among which A/T base repeats were the most common. The chloroplast genome contained a total of 31 preferred codons. Three highly variable regions, trnN-GUU-ndhF, petA-psbJ, and ccsA-ndhD, were identified with Pi values > 0.004. Based on the whole chloroplast genome phylogenetic tree, the phylogenetic relationships among the seven Neocinnamomum taxa were determined. N. delavayi and N. fargesii were the most closely related species, and N. lecomtei was identified as the most basal taxon. In this study, the characteristics and sequence variation of the chloroplast genomes of seven Neocinnamomum taxa were revealed, and the genetic relationship among the species was clarified. The results of this study will provide a reference for subsequent molecular marker development and phylogenetic research of Neocinnamomum.

The complete plastid genome of the endangered shrub Brassaiopsis angustifolia (Araliaceae): Comparative genetic and phylogenetic analysis

Brassaiopsis angustifolia K.M. Feng belongs to the family Araliaceae, and is an endangered shrub species in southwest China. Despite the importance of this species, the plastid genome has not been sequenced and analyzed. In this study, the complete plastid genome of B. angustifolia was sequenced, analyzed, and compared to the eight species in the Araliaceae family. Our study reveals that the complete plastid genome of B. angustifolia is 156,534 bp long, with an overall GC content of 37.9%. The chloroplast genome (cp) encodes 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. All protein-coding genes consisted of 21,582 codons. Among the nine species of Araliaceae, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and five large repeat sequences were identified with total numbers ranging from 37 to 46 and 66 to 78, respectively. Five highly divergent regions were successfully identified that could be used as potential genetic markers of Brassaiopsis and Asian Palmate group. Phylogenetic analysis of 47 plastomes, representing 19 genera of Araliaceae and two related families, was performed to reconstruct highly supported relationships for the Araliaceae, which highlight four well-supported clades of the Hydrocotyle group, Greater Raukaua group, Aralia-Panax group, and Asian Palmate group. The genus Brassaiopsis can be divided into four groups using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data. The results indicate that plastome and ITS data can contribute to investigations of the taxonomy, and phylogeny of B. angustifolia. This study provides a theoretical basis for species identification and future biological research on resources of the genus Brassaiopsis.

Increasing Taxa Sampling Provides New Insights on the Phylogenetic Relationship Between Eriobotrya and Rhaphiolepis

Eriobotrya (Rosaceae) is an economically important genus with around 30 species. It is widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate regions of Asia, with most of its species in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. However, Eriobotrya is often confused with the smaller genus Rhaphiolepis, and the phylogenetic relationships between the two genera are controversial. Here we present phylogenetic analyses of 38 newly generated Eriobotrya and Rhaphiolepis nrDNA together with 16 sequences of nrDNA and 28 sequences of ITS obtained from GenBank, representing 28 species of Eriobotrya and 12 species of Rhaphiolepis, in order to reconstruct highly supported relationships for the two genera. Contrary to previous research based on limited sampling, our results highlight the monophyly of Eriobotrya as well as Rhaphiolepis. The topology recovered here is consistent with key morphological synapomorphies such as the persistent sepals in Eriobotrya. Our findings show that increased sampling of taxa can provide a more robust phylogeny through reducing phylogenetic error and increasing overall phylogenetic accuracy.

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genome Structure and Phylogenetic Relationships Among Six Taxa Within the Genus Catalpa (Bignoniaceae)

Species within the Genus Catalpa are mostly semievergreen or deciduous trees with opposite or whorled leaves. C. bungei, C. fargesii f. duclouxii and C. fargesii are sources of traditional precious wood in China, known as the “kings of wood”. Due to a lack of phenotypic and molecular studies and insufficient sequence information, intraspecific morphological differences, common DNA barcodes and partial sequence fragments cannot clearly reveal the phylogenetic or intraspecific relationships within Catalpa. Therefore, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes of six taxa of the genus Catalpa and analyzed their basic structure and evolutionary relationships. The chloroplast genome of Catalpa shows a typical tetrad structure with a total length ranging from 157,765 bp (C. fargesii) to 158,355 bp (C. ovata). The length of the large single-copy (LSC) region ranges from 84,599 bp (C. fargesii) to 85,004 bp (C. ovata), that of the small single-copy (SSC) region ranges from 12,662 bp (C. fargesii) to 12,675 bp (C. ovata), and that of the inverted repeat (IR) regions ranges from 30,252 bp (C. fargesii) to 30,338 bp (C. ovata). The GC content of the six chloroplast genomes were 38.1%. In total, 113 unique genes were detected, and there were 19 genes in IR regions. The 113 genes included 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. Five hypervariable regions (trnH-psbA, rps2-rpoC2, rpl22, ycf15-trnl-CAA and rps15) were identified by analyzing chloroplast nucleotide polymorphisms, which might be serve as potential DNA barcodes for the species. Comparative analysis showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were highly diverse in the six species. Codon usage patterns were highly similar among the taxa included in the present study. In addition to the stop codons, all codons showed a preference for ending in A or T. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire chloroplast genome showed that all taxa within the genus Catalpa formed a monophyletic group, clearly reflecting the relationships within the genus. This study provides information on the chloroplast genome sequence, structural variation, codon bias and phylogeny of Catalpa, which will facilitate future research efforts.

The complete plastome sequence of Illigera grandiflora

Illigera grandiflora, a kind of traditional medicinal liana, belongs to the Illigera Blume of the Hernandiaceae. In this study, we reported the characteristics of complete plastome for I. grandiflora. Its total plastome was 156,138 bp in length, comprising a large single-copy region(LSC) of 84,931 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,544 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,549 bp. The overall GC content was 39.16% (LSC, 37.77%; SSC, 33.89%; IR, 43.21%). The plastome encoded 134 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 42 transfer RNA genes, and 10 ribosomal RNA genes. The relationships in our phylogeny showed that the two Illigera species are located in the same clade, with Hernandia nymphaeifolia being the next sister group, followed by Wilkiea huegeliana.

[Study of influence of birth weight on risk of chronic diseases and blood uric acid in adulthood]

Objective: To understand the influence of birth weight on the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the relationship between birth weight and serum uric acid in adulthood. Methods: According to the Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance Program, a total of 1 131 residents aged 18 years and above were enrolled from Hexi, Nankai, Hongqiao, Wuqing, Jinnan, Baodi and Jizhou districts of Tianjin. The data of birth weight and blood pressure of the residents were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them to detect uric acid, blood glucose and blood lipids levels. The distribution of birth weight of the surveyed population was described, and the relationship between birth weight and chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the blood uric acid level in adulthood were analyzed. Results: The average birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was 3.37 kg, which was higher in males than in females. No matter overweight/obesity, hypertension or diabetes, the prevalence rate of normal birth weight was the lowest in adulthood. After univariate logistic regression analysis and adjusting for age, sex, smoking and drinking status, it was found that compared with normal birth weight, low birth weight had a stronger correlation with diabetes (OR=2.91,95%CI:1.46-5.76) and dyslipidemia (OR=1.79,95%CI:1.01-3.19) in adulthood. Macrosomia was strongly associated with overweight/obesity in adulthood (OR=1.47, 95%CI:1.08-2.01). There was no significant difference in serum uric acid level among the residents with different birth weights. Conclusions: The low birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was closely related to the risk of diabetes and dyslipidemia in adulthood, and the macrosomia was closely related to the risk of overweight/obesity in adulthood.

[Study on the diet balance index and its relationship with blood uric acid of smoking adults in Tianjin]

Objective: Diet balance index (DBI_16) was used to evaluate the dietary status of smoking adults in Tianjin, and the relationship between DBI_16 and serum uric acid was analyzed. Methods: A total of 1 478 inhabitants aged 18 and above were enrolled. The dietary status was obtained with a 3-day dietary recall and condiment weighing method. And their fasting venous blood was collected to detect uric acid. Food intake and DBI_16 scores of smokers and non-smokers were described, and the relationship among smoking, diet quality distance (DQD-DBI), and serum uric acid was analyzed. Results: The intake of vegetables, fruits, and milk of smokers in Tianjin was lower than while the salt, oil, cereals, and aquatic products were higher than that of non-smokers. The DBI_16 scores of vegetables and fruits, food types, milk, and beans of smokers were lower than those of non-smokers in Tianjin, and the scores of pure energy foods and condiments were higher than those of the non-smokers. The DQD-DBI, high bound score and low bound score of smokers in Tianjin were 42.0, 14.0, and 29.0 respectively, which were all higher than those of non-smokers. The main problems appeared as moderately inadequate intake (accounting for 67.0%), low, excessive intake (accounting for 70.9%), and moderate imbalance of intake (accounting for 67.2%). The serum uric acid of smokers was higher than in the non-smokers, and there the same result appeared under the conditions of "not suitable" in DQD-DBI. Conclusions: In Tianjin, the dietary imbalance was more evident in smokers than the non-smokers, and the serum uric acid was significantly higher than the non-smokers. Strategies as strengthening the nutrition education and intervention targeted for smokers were in urgent need.

[Relationship between both duration and quality of sleep, and metabolic syndrome identified by classification tree model in midlife population in Tianjin]

Objective: To study the association of duration and quality of sleep with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to extract data from the '2015 adult chronic disease and nutrition monitoring population project' from 42 communities of 7 districts in Tianjin. A total of 1 388 residents aged 45 to 59 years old were selected to analyze the relationship between both duration and quality of sleep and the metabolic syndrome. χ(2) test, non-conditional logistic regression and classification tree models were used for data analysis. Result: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appeared as 30.4%, 37.4 % and 43.1% in the poor, common or well sleep groups respectively. The prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome in the sleep time <6.0 h and >7.5 h, 6.0-7.5 h groups were 36.5% and 30.6% respectively. After adjusting for gender and age, results from the logistic regression analysis showed that short or long sleep duration, as well as poor sleep quality all appeared as risk factors on metabolic syndrome (P<0.05). According to the classification tree model, factors as gender (importance: 0.004, standardized importance: 100%), quality of sleep (importance: 0.004, standardized importance: 99.5%), duration of sleep (importance: 0.002, standardized importance: 38.6%), education level (importance: 0.001, standardized importance: 22.3%) and salt intake (importance: 0.001, standardized importance: 22.2%) were all important on metabolic syndrome and with interactive effects. Conclusions: Both quality and duration of sleep were important influencing factors on metabolic syndrome among midlife population in Tianjin. More attention should be paid to sleep and health status among the midlife population. Ability on self-management of health should also be strengthened through health education, to prevent metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases in this population.

The complete plastome sequence of a subtropical tree Pyrus betulaefolia (Rosaceae)

The genus Pyrus, comprising several popular fruit crops worldwide, includes over 30 tree species. Here we determined the complete plastid genome sequence of Pyrus betulaefolia. The plastome consists of 160,184 bp, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) with a length of 26,384 bp separated by a large single-copy region (LSC) and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 88,121 bp and 19,295 bp, respectively. Further phylogenetic analyze was conducted using 11 complete plastid genomes of Rosaceae with KVM + F + I model, which supports Pyrus betulaefolia as a sister to all other eight Pyrus taxa with published plastomes.

[Dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants and evaluation of survey methods in Tianjin in 2015]

Objective: To understand the status and food sources of daily dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants in Tianjin city, and to compare the consistence of sodium and potassium intake determined by combination of 3 consecutive 24-hour recalls and weighing family condiments (3 d dietary survey method) with 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination. Methods: Multistage cluster sampling method was applied to select 1 955 adult inhabitants from 840 households of 7 districts in Tianjin in 2015. Questionnaire survey was used to obtain basic information, 3 d dietary method was used to obtain dietary information, and 450 subjects was selected by systematic random sampling method for 24 h urine collection and determination of sodium and potassium, and 153 complete 24 h urine samples were selected by the coefficient of urinary creatinine excretion, then the consistence of the determination was compared with 3 d dietary survey method. Results: 1 828 subjects were enrolled in this study with age of (54.6±14.7) years, among which 858 were male (46.9%). The average standard intake of sodium and potassium per people per day were (5 631.2±3 372.1) mg and (1 662.1±750.5) mg, while the average actual daily intake were (5 315.8±3 196.5) mg and (1 560.7±696.8) mg. 98.7% (1 804/1 828) of the subjects had dietary sodium intake exceeding the recommended adequate intake of China residents(1 300-1 500 mg/d), while 78.5% (1 435/1 828) consumed dietary potassium below the recommended adequate intake(2 000 mg/d). The main resource of sodium was condiments, among which cooking salt accounted for 61.5%, soy sauce accounted for 11.2%. Potassium mainly came from cereals (32.4%) and vegetables (18.1%). Compared with the 24 h urine sodium method, 3 d dietary method overestimated the sodium intake with a gap [median (P(25), P(75))] as 401.7 (-1 130.6, 1 939.5) mg/d with statistical difference (P<0.05). The gap [median (P(25)-P(75))] for potassium between the two methods was 79.1 (-577.5, 565.2) mg/d, without statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: The dietary intake of sodium is high while potassium is low among adults inhabitants in Tianjin city. Compared with the 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination, the 3 d dietary method has a good consistency in evaluating the dietary potassium intake level of the population, but overestimates the dietary sodium intake.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Eriobotrya fragrans

Eriobotrya fragrans Champion ex Bentham is a potential medicinal plant of the genus Eriobotrya Lindl in the family Rosaceae. To better determine its phylogenetic location with respect to the other Rosaceae species, the complete chloroplast genome of E. fragrans was sequenced. The whole E. fragrans chloroplast genome is 159,286 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,343 bp, one large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,301 bp, and one small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,299 bp. The overall GC content of the whole chloroplast genome is 36.7%. Further, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood with TVM + F+R2 model strongly supports the relationship: sisterhood of E. fragrans and E. japonica, followed by three species of Pyrus L.

Complete plastome of a subtropical tree Eriobotrya malipoensis (Rosaceae) in Yunnan

Eriobotrya malipoensis Kuan is an important wild woody evergreen tree within the genus Eriobotrya Lindl belonging the family Rosaceae. To better determine its phylogenetic location with respect to the other Eriobotrya species, the complete plastome of E. malipoensis was sequenced. The whole plastome is 159,313 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,344 bp, one large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,270 bp, and one small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,355 bp. The overall G + C content of the whole plastome is 36.7%. Further, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyse (TVM + F+R2 model) was conducted using 14 complete plastome of the Rosaceae. Our phylogeny supports the relationships: sisterhood of the E. malipoensis and E. fragrans Champ, flowed E. japonica Lindl.

The chloroplast genome of aromatic plants Cinnamomum burmanni (Lauraceae)

Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees et T. Nees) Blume is a valuable aromatic timber tree of the genus Cinnamomum Tree in the family Lauraceae. To better determine its phylogenetic location with respect to the other Cinnamomum species, the complete chloroplast genome of C. burmanni was sequenced. The total chloroplast genome size is 152,775 bp, consisting of a pair of inverted repeats (IRa/b) with a length of 20,092 bp separated by a large single-copy region (LSC) and a small single-copy region (SSC) which are 93,687 and 18,903 bp, respectively. The overall GC content of the cp genome is 39.1%. Further, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis with K3Pu + F+I model was performed using eleven complete plastomes of the Lauraceae, which revealed that C. burmanni is closely related to C. verum.

Functional Analysis of the FZF1 Genes of Saccharomyces uvarum

Being a sister species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum shows great potential regarding the future of the wine industry. The sulfite tolerance of most S. uvarum strains is poor, however. This is a major flaw that limits its utility in the wine industry. In S. cerevisiae, FZF1 plays a positive role in the transcription of SSU1, which encodes a sulfite efflux transport protein that is critical for sulfite tolerance. Although FZF1 has previously been shown to play a role in sulfite tolerance in S. uvarum, there is little information about its action mechanism. To assess the function of FZF1, two over-expression vectors that contained different FZF1 genes, and one FZF1 silencing vector, were constructed and introduced into a sulfite-tolerant S. uvarum strain using electroporation. In addition, an FZF1-deletion strain was constructed. Both of the FZF1-over-expressing strains showed an elevated tolerance to sulfite, and the FZF1-deletion strain showed the opposite effect. Repression of FZF1 transcription failed, however, presumably due to the lack of alleles of DCR1 and AGO. The qRT-PCR analysis was used to examine changes in transcription in the strains. Surprisingly, neither over-expressing strain promoted SSU1 transcription, although MET4 and HAL4 transcripts significantly increased in both sulfite-tolerance increased strains. We conclude that FZF1 plays a different role in the sulfite tolerance of S. uvarum compared to its role in S. cerevisiae.

Inhibition of papilloma progression by antisense oligonucleotides targeted to HPV11 E6/E7 RNA

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are recognized as important human pathogens, causing a spectrum of hyperproliferative lesions from benign warts to cervical dysplasias/carcinomas. HPV-associated lesions require continued production of the oncogenic E6/E7 proteins, which are encoded by either bicistronic or overlapping mRNAs. Here we targeted the E6/E7 mRNA of HPV11, a type implicated in causation of genital warts, using molecular reagents. Accessible sites in the HPV11(E6/E7) RNA were identified using library selection protocols, and nucleic acids (DNAzymes, antisense oligonucleotides) targeted to these sites were constructed, and tested in cell culture and on human foreskin grafts. While DNAzymes were at least equally effective in cell culture, antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the region surrounding one of the library-selected sites (ASO(407)) proved most effective in blocking progression of HPV11-induced papillomas in human foreskin grafts on immunodeficient mice. In total, 11 papillomas were treated with ASO(407). Of these, four of seven small papillomas treated with ASO(407) showed loss of detectable virus by in situ hybridization (ISH), and in all four of these, papillomas were no longer evident grossly or histologically after treatment. When larger papillomas were treated, one of four showed loss of virus by ISH, associated with a minor decrease in papilloma size. Considering all 11 papillomas treated with ASO(407), loss of viral staining by ISH was significantly different from that observed in controls (P<0.016), as was true for the seven small treated papillomas (P<0.012). DNAzymes targeted to the same site (or other library selected sites) did not produce statistically significant differences in ISH staining (P<0.15). Our results with ASO(407) appear to represent the first specific molecular therapy against a bona fide HPV infection, and provide a rational proof-of-principle strategy for development of molecular therapeutics targeting other HPV-associated lesions.

Characterization of the rabbit homolog of human MUC1 glycoprotein isolated from bladder by affinity chromatography on immobilized jacalin

The urinary bladder is lined by transitional epithelium, the glycocalyx on the luminal surface has interesting properties and is implicated in protective functions. Glycoconjugates are major components of the glycocalyx, but their biochemical nature is not well understood. Previous studies on rabbit bladder indicated the presence of significant levels of sialoglycoproteins compared to glycosaminoglycans in the epithelium. In this study, rabbit explant cultures were radiolabeled by precursor sugars or amino acids and a major lectin-reactive glycoprotein of rabbit bladder mucosa was isolated by affinity chromatography on jacalin-agarose. The radiolabeled glycoprotein was purified to homogeneity by a second cycle on the lectin column, followed by gel filtration and density gradient centrifugation. The average molecular mass of the glycoprotein was estimated to be 245 kDa and 210 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. Its buoyant density was 1.40 g/ml, suggesting a carbohydrate content of approximately 50%. The percent distribution of glucosamine-derived tritium label in sialic acid, galactosamine, and glucosamine was 30, 52, and 18, respectively. The glycoprotein consisted entirely of small sialylated and neutral oligosaccharides O-glycosidically linked to serine and threonine residues. The same glycoprotein could be immunoprecipitated with an antibody against the carboxy terminal 17 amino acid peptide of human MUC1 mucin glycoprotein. This suggests that this mucin glycoprotein is the rabbit homolog of MUC1 glycoprotein, which has been previously established to be a component of human bladder urothelium and has been purified from human urine and biochemically characterized.

Lectin histochemical examination of rabbit bladder glycoproteins and characterization of a mucin isolated from the bladder mucosa

The glycocalyx of the mucosal surface of urinary bladder acts as an effective barrier against invasion by pathogenic microorganisms and injury from toxic substances in the urine. Defects in these bladder mucosal components could thus be important factors in the development of diseases such as interstitial cystitis and lower urinary tract infections. However, information on the nature of glycoconjugates of mammalian bladder mucosa is very limited. In this study, the glycoconjugates of rabbit bladder were examined histochemically using biotinylated lectins with specificities for a variety of carbohydrate moieties. Three [Artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin), Datura stramonium (DSL), and Maackia amurensis II (MAL-II)] of the lectins bound predominantly to the luminal cell layer, with decreased binding to the basal layers of the epithelium. In contrast, Ricinus communis I and Sambucus nigra lectins did not bind to the cells in the epithelium but strongly interacted with the subepithelial layers, especially the lamina propria. The intensity of the staining by Jacalin and MAL-II was significantly reduced by prior treatment of the bladder sections with O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase, indicating that the ligands of these lectins are primarily mucin glycoproteins. In parallel biochemical studies, a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein with characteristics typical of epithelial mucins was purified from the mucosa of rabbit bladder explant cultures metabolically labeled with [(3)H]glucosamine. Quantitative analysis of the sialic acid, uronic acid, and hexosamine contents of delipidated rabbit bladder mucosa revealed a larger proportion of sialoglycoproteins compared with glycosaminoglycans. Taken together, the results of histochemical and biochemical analyses indicate that glycoproteins rather than glycosaminoglycans are the major components of the bladder epithelium, and that the former include a mucin.

Vectors allowing amplified expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gal3p-Gal80p-Gal4p transcription switch: applications to galactose-regulated high-level production of proteins

The Gal4, Gal80, and Gal3 proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae constitute a galactose-responsive regulatory switch for GAL gene promoters. The low cellular levels of these proteins have hampered mechanistic studies and limit the utility of the GAL gene promoters for high-yield production of endogenous and exogenous proteins. We have constructed two new vectors, pMEGA2 and pMEGA2-DeltaURA3, that increase the level of the Gal4p-Gal80p-Gal3p switch proteins under conditions that preserve the Gal3p-Gal80p-Gal4p stoichiometries required for normal switch function. Cells carrying pMEGA2 show 15- to 20-fold more Gal4p and 30- to 40-fold more Gal3p and Gal80p than cells lacking pMEGA2. These high levels of Gal4p, Gal80p, and Gal3p do not perturb the integrity of galactose-inducible regulation. Cells that carry pMEGA2 exhibit normal galactose-induction kinetics for the chromosomal MEL1 gene expression and normal, albeit slower, log-phase growth. Insertion of the MEL1 gene into pMEGA2 provides a 24- to 30-fold increase in the Mel1 protein. Cells carrying a 2-microm-based URA3-selectable plasmid containing a GAL1pro:lacZ reporter gene and a second plasmid, pMEGA2-DeltaURA3, produce 12-fold more beta-galactosidase than cells carrying only the GAL1pro:lacZ reporter plasmid. The performance of the MEGA plasmids in providing amplified production of the Gal3, Gal80, and Gal4 proteins should prove useful in investigations of the mechanistic aspects of these transcription switch proteins and in work aimed at achieving high-level, galactose-regulatable production of proteins in yeast.

[Lung injury caused by passive smoking and its effects on cytokines in rats]

OBJECTIVE

A rat model with chronic bronchitis was replicated by passive inhalation of cigarette smoking fume to study its long-term effects on lung injury and nitric oxide (NO), interluekin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8).

METHODS

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and nitrogen trioxide (NO(3)) were measured with spectrophotometry in rats indicating their level of nitric oxide (NO). Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Levels of NO in serum, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue in the smoking group were significantly lower than those in the normal controls (P < 0.01). But, levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were higher in the smoking group than those in the controls.

CONCLUSION

Long-term passive smoking could cause injury of lung tissue to certain extent, reduction in secretion of NO in endothelial cells and damage to pulmonary vessels.

The Gal3p-Gal80p-Gal4p transcription switch of yeast: Gal3p destabilizes the Gal80p-Gal4p complex in response to galactose and ATP

The Gal3, Gal80, and Gal4 proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprise a signal transducer that governs the galactose-inducible Gal4p-mediated transcription activation of GAL regulon genes. In the absence of galactose, Gal80p binds to Gal4p and prohibits Gal4p from activating transcription, whereas in the presence of galactose, Gal3p binds to Gal80p and relieves its inhibition of Gal4p. We have found that immunoprecipitation of full-length Gal4p from yeast extracts coprecipitates less Gal80p in the presence than in the absence of Gal3p, galactose, and ATP. We have also found that retention of Gal80p by GSTG4AD (amino acids [aa] 768 to 881) is markedly reduced in the presence compared to the absence of Gal3p, galactose, and ATP. Consistent with these in vitro results, an in vivo two-hybrid genetic interaction between Gal80p and Gal4p (aa 768 to 881) was shown to be weaker in the presence than in the absence of Gal3p and galactose. These compiled results indicate that the binding of Gal3p to Gal80p results in destabilization of a Gal80p-Gal4p complex. The destabilization was markedly higher for complexes consisting of G4AD (aa 768 to 881) than for full-length Gal4p, suggesting that Gal80p relocated to a second site on full-length Gal4p. Congruent with the idea of a second site, we discovered a two-hybrid genetic interaction involving Gal80p and the region of Gal4p encompassing aa 225 to 797, a region of Gal4p linearly remote from the previously recognized Gal80p binding peptide within Gal4p aa 768 to 881.

[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cerebral microcirculation and tissue cells in animals with cerebral ischemic injury]

Changes of cerebral microcirculation and tissue cells after Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) exposure were observed in 136 gerbils with cerebral ischemia by observation of meningeal microcirculation pathological study in cerebral tissues and determination of Na, K-ATPase. It is indicated that HBO may be helpful in improving microcirculatory dynamics and other microcirculatory functions, and enhancing cerebral tissue cell activity and cell function, as well as increasing oxygen content. It is suggested that HBO (250 approximately 300kPa) may play a role in protecting vessel endothelial cells and nerve cells.

Survival of Cloudman mouse melanoma cells after irradiation by solar wavelengths of light

A number of variants of Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells that differ with respect to the amount of pigment produced are available for study. In this report, we compare the photobiological responses of S91/amel, which contains about 1 pg of melanin per cell, with S91/I3, which contains about 3 pg/cell. Earlier studies had shown that UVC induced more oxidative damage (in the form of thymine glycols) in cell line S91/I3 than in S91/amel and that cell line S91/amel was more resistant to killing by UVC than S91/I3. The present study finds that S91/amel cells are also relatively resistant to killing by near monochromatic UVB from a Philips TL01 fluorescent lamp and by near monochromatic UVA from a Philips HPW125 lamp. However, when the cells are irradiated with a Westinghouse FS20 polychromatic lamp, the S91/I3 cells are more resistant than the S91/amel cells. These findings cannot be explained on the basis of pigment induction because in S91/I3 this is about the same after UVB and FS20, although the maximum is reached earlier after UVB. Nor can our findings be explained on the basis of pyrimidine dimer formation, which is comparable in the two cell lines regardless of the type of irradiation. These results suggest that, with a pigment such as melanin, which absorbs light across the visible and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum, cellular responses to monochromatic light do not necessarily predict responses to polychromatic mixtures.

Melanin: a two edged sword?

Melanin is both photosensitizer and photoprotector. Skin cancer rates decrease with increasing constitutive pigmentation, yet the pigment has been shown to be photoreactive and capable of producing damaging reactive oxygen species. We utilized model systems of related cells or similar cell type that vary in constitutive and in induced pigment. Induction of eumelanin in Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells leads to less UV-induced killing and to less mutation induction at the ouabain locus (Na+, K(+)-ATPase). Pigmented mouse melanocytes, melan-b (brown) and melan-a (black) were slightly less sensitive than melan-c (albino) melanocytes to killing after UVC and UVA but were more sensitive to killing after UVB and UVB + UVA. Pigment had a small sensitizing effect on pyrimidine dimer DNA damage in both the melanoma cells and the melanocytes. The lack of consistency in these results suggests that intracellular pigment may disregulate the milieu intérieur resulting in end effects that are unrelated to the original genomic damage.

Comparative action spectrum for ultraviolet light killing of mouse melanocytes from different genetic coat color backgrounds

The photobiology of mouse melanocyte lines with different pigment genotypes was studied by measuring colony-forming ability after irradiation. The cell lines were wild-type black (melan-a) and the mutants brown (melan-b) and albino (melan-c). Four lamps emitting various UV wavelengths were used. These were germicidal (UVC, 200-280 nm), 82.3% output at 254 nm, TL01 (UVB, 280-320 nm), 64.2% at 310-311 nm, FS20, broadband with peak output at 312 nm and Alisun-S (UVA, 320-400 nm), broadband with peak output at 350-354 nm. Appropriate filtration reduced the contaminating UVC to nonlethal levels for the longer waverange lamps. Wild-type melan-a was resistant to UVC and UVA compared to the other two cell lines, but the differences were small. The melan-c cell line was more resistant to UVB and markedly more resistant to FS20 than the pigmented lines. With the exception of FS20 responses, melan-b was more sensitive than melan-a to killing by the various UV lamps. There were more pyrimidine dimers (cyclobutane dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) produced in melan-a than in melan-c cells by UVC, UVB and FS20 lamps. Unlike melan-c, melan-a and melan-b showed a strong free radical signal of melanin character with a detectable contribution of pheomelanin-like centers. The contribution of pheomelanin was higher in melan-b than in melan-a, while the total melanin content in these two cell lines was comparable. The abundant melanin granules of wild-type melan-a melanocytes were well melanized and ellipsoidal, whereas those of melan-b melanocytes tended to be spherical. In the albino line (melan-c) the melanocytes contained only early-stage melanosomes, all of which were devoid of melanin. The results indicate that pigment does not protect against direct effect DNA damage in the form of pyrimidine dimers nor does it necessarily protect against cell death. High pigment content is not very protective against killing by UVC and UVA, and it may photosensitize in UVB the very wavelength range that is of greatest concern with respect to the rising incidence in skin cancer, especially melanoma. It is clear from these studies that, in pigment cells, monochromatic results cannot predict polychromatic responses and that cell death from solar irradiations is a complex phenomenon that depends on more than DNA damage.

Novel Gal3 proteins showing altered Gal80p binding cause constitutive transcription of Gal4p-activated genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Gal4p-mediated activation of galactose gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae normally requires both galactose and the activity of Gal3p. Recent evidence suggests that in cells exposed to galactose, Gal3p binds to and inhibits Ga180p, an inhibitor of the transcriptional activator Gal4p. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of novel mutant forms of Gal3p that can induce Gal4p activity independently of galactose. Five mutant GAL3(c) alleles were isolated by using a selection demanding constitutive expression of a GAL1 promoter-driven HIS3 gene. This constitutive effect is not due to overproduction of Gal3p. The level of constitutive GAL gene expression in cells bearing different GAL3(c) alleles varies over more than a fourfold range and increases in response to galactose. Utilizing glutathione S-transferase-Gal3p fusions, we determined that the mutant Gal3p proteins show altered Gal80p-binding characteristics. The Gal3p mutant proteins differ in their requirements for galactose and ATP for their Gal80p-binding ability. The behavior of the novel Gal3p proteins provides strong support for a model wherein galactose causes an alteration in Gal3p that increases either its ability to bind to Gal80p or its access to Gal80p. With the Gal3p-Gal80p interaction being a critical step in the induction process, the Gal3p proteins constitute an important new reagent for studying the induction mechanism through both in vivo and in vitro methods.