Using cDNA from Rehmannia glutinosa leaf as template, a 972 bp fragment of expansin gene which containing a 762 bp ORF that encoded 253 amino acids, was cloned, named RgEXPA10, which GenBank accession number for this gene is KF011918. A 1 207 bp genomic sequence of RgEXPA10 was amplified by PCR with leaf DNA as template, sequencing analysis revealed that three exons and two introns in RgEXPA10 genomic sequence, and which GenBank accession number is KF011919. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses indicated that RgEXPA10 protein have DPBB_1 and Pollen_allerg_1 domain, also including a 26 aa nuclear localization signal and a 19 aa transmembrane region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RgEXPA10 showed the highest homology with AtEXPA8 among the 26 α-expansins in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the RgEXPA10 indicated the highest homology with the expansin from Solanum lycopersicum among 22 plant species. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that RgEXPA10 mainly expressed in unfolded leaf, followed by the tuberous root at stage of expanding period, and rarely expressed in senescing leaf. And RgEXPA10 showed higher expression level in tuberous root at 60 and 90 days after emergence. The transcription level of RgEXPA10 significantly reduced under all the three stresses including continuous cropping conditions, salinity and waterlogging. This study will lay foundations for molecular function in development and regulation of different stresses for R. glutinosa.

Objective To suppress the proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) is a primary goal in prevention of after cataract. Recent study demonstrated an effective inhibition of elemene(Ele) on tumor cells. Present study was to investigate the effects of Ele on proliferation and cell cycle of human LECs B3 (HLE-B3). Methods Recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor(rhbFGF) was utilized to induce proliferation of HLE-B3. Proliferative HLE-B3 was incubated with 80 mg/L Ele in CO_2 incubator for 24 hours. Then the inhibitory effects of Ele on proliferation of HLE-B3 was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT). The effect of Ele on HLE-B3 morphology was observed under the optical microscope. The effect of Ele on HLE-B3 cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometer(FCM). Results MTT test showed that the optical density (OD) value of rhbFGF group was remarkably higher than that of control group(0. 599 0 ± 0. 053 1 versus 0. 409 1 ± 0. 042 2) (P ＜ 0. 01), and that of Ele group(0. 450 0 ±0. 061 4) was obviously declined in comparison to rhbFGF group(P ＜0. 01) . The inhibitory rate of Ele was 24.90 %. In proliferation group, the number of HLE-B3 was increased with the normal cell structure and abundant cytoplasm under the optical microscope. However, in Ele group, the number of HLE-B3 was evidently decreased with less cytoplasm, undistinguished cell structure, condensed and aggregated nucleuses. The result of flow cytometer showed that the percentage of HLE-B3 in G_1 phase in rhbFGF group was 42. 062% ± 1. 270% and that in control group was 46. 422% ±3. 765% with a significant difference(P ＜ 0. 05). HLE-B3 in G_1 phase in Ele group (60. 665% ±2.069%) was evidently increased in comparison with rhbFGF group (P ＜ 0. 01). HLE-B3 in S phase in rhbFGF group compared with control group was increased (51.647% ±1.123% versus 31.842% ± 2. 798%) (P ＜ 0. 01), but that in S phase in Ele group(30. 222% ±3.429%) was lower than rhbFGF group (P ＜ 0. 01). HLE-B3 in G_2 phase in rhbFGF group was decreased in comparison with control group (6. 288% ± 0. 966% versus 21. 735% ± 3. 806%, P ＜ 0. 01), and that in G_2 phase in Ele group (9. 112% ± 1. 659%) compared with proliferation group was increased (P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion Ele could alter the cell cycle of HLE-B3 and effectively inhibit the HLE-B3 proliferation induced by rhbFGF. Ele may be a reliable and effective drug for prevention and treatment of after cataract.

Background Our previous study showed that curcumin suppresses the proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro and has an influence on the signal transduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosinc monophosphate (cGMP).Actually,the regulation for biological behavior of LECs in vivo is complex.Objective This study was to investigate the changes of signal transduction of protein kinase (PK) in inhibition of curcumin on human LECs proliferation.Methods HLE-B3 was cultured and then divided into the blank control group,recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF) group and rhbFGF+ curcumin group.rhbFGF of 10 ng/ml was added in the medium in the rhbFGF group,and 20 mg/L curcumin was added into rhbFGF-induced cell medium for 24 hours in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group.The expression rates of PKA,PKC,PKG and calmodulin (CaM) in the cells were assayed using flow cytometry.Results The expression rates of PKA protein were (46.847± 1.673) ％,(33.250 ± 2.242) ％ and (71.645 ±2.432) ％ in the blank control group,rhbFGF group and the rhbFGF+ curcumin group,respectively,and the expression rate of PKA protein was significantly reduced in the rhbFGF group compared with the blank control group (t =11.904,P＜0.01),but the expression rate of PKA protein in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group was significnatly higher than that in the rhbFGF group (t=28.430,P＜0.01).In the blank control group,rhbFGF group and the rhbFGF+ curcumin group,the expression rates of PKC protein in the cells were (35.575± 1.937) ％,(50.652±2.068) ％ and (27.662t4.481) ％,those of PKG protein were (63.838±0.486) ％,(86.562 ± 1.325) ％ and (40.733 ± 2.175) ％,while those of CaM protein were (67.408± 1.391)％,(83.887±3.499)％ and (53.785 ± 1.942)％,the expression rates of PKC,PKG and CaM were significantly lower in the rhbFGF group in comparison with the blank control group (all at P＜0.01),and those in the rhbFGF+ curcumin group were significantly declined in comparison with the rhbFGF group (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions Suppression of curcumin on HLE-B3 proliferation probably is associated with the up-regulation of PKA expression and down-regulation of PKC,PKG and CaM expression in the cells.