Objective To express human chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) in Drosophila S2 cells and study its function. Methods The pMT/V5-His-CKLF1 expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into Drosophila S2 cells. The positive clones were selected through PCR and RT-PCR. The culture medium was analyzed by Western blot with anti-CKLF1 polyclonal antibody. Chemotaxis and MTT assays on human peripheral blood and C2C12 cells, respectively, were then carried out with the medium. Results CKLF1 was transcribed efficiently in S2 cells. The expressed CKLF1 protein could be detected in the culture supernatant by Western blot, which showed weak chemotactic activity on both human peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes as well as enhancing effect on the proliferation of C2C12 cells. Conclusion CKLF1 was expressed successfully in Drosophila S2 cells and secreted into the culture medium. The recombinant CKLF1 expressed in Drosophila cells can chemoattract leucocytes and promote the proliferation of C2C12 cells.

Objective:Nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor 1(NAIF1) is a novel apoptosis gene cloned in laboratory. To analyze the binding proteins of NAIF1 by pulldown method, the fusion expression vector of truncated human nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor 1〔NAIF1(73-327)〕 was constructed, were expressed and purified the recombinant GST-NAIF1(73-327) fusion protein in E.coli.Methods:The cDNA encoding human NAIF1(73-327) was amplified by PCR and cloned into pGEX-KG vector. The GST-NAIF1(73-327) fusion protein was expressed in E.coli and purified by affinity chromatography. The purified protein was detected by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS.Results:A prokaryotic expression vector of GST-NAIF1(73-327) was constructed and the GST-NAIF1(73-327) fusion protein was expressed in E.coli at high level. SDS-PAGE analyses indicated that the purified protein was about 53 kD. Western blot and MS/MS analyses verified the recombinant fusion protein.Conclusion:An efficient method for obtaining recombinant GST-NAIF1(73-327) fusion protein had been established and it could be used for further studies on the structure and function of NAIF1.

Unlike the well-established picture for the entry of enveloped viruses, the mechanism of cellular entry of non-enveloped eukaryotic viruses remains largely mysterious. Picornaviruses are representative models for such viruses, and initiate this entry process by their functional receptors. Here we present the structural and functional studies of SCARB2, a functional receptor of the important human enterovirus 71 (EV71). SCARB2 is responsible for attachment as well as uncoating of EV71. Differences in the structures of SCARB2 under neutral and acidic conditions reveal that SCARB2 undergoes a pivotal pH-dependent conformational change which opens a lipid-transfer tunnel to mediate the expulsion of a hydrophobic pocket factor from the virion, a pre-requisite for uncoating. We have also identified the key residues essential for attachment to SCARB2, identifying the canyon region of EV71 as mediating the receptor interaction. Together these results provide a clear understanding of cellular attachment and initiation of uncoating for enteroviruses.
Acids ; chemistry ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Capsid Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; HEK293 Cells ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lysosome-Associated Membrane Glycoproteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Binding ; Protein Conformation ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Scavenger ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sf9 Cells ; Static Electricity ; Virion ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virus Attachment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Although several HCV protease/polymerase inhibitors were recently approved by U.S. FDA, the combination of antivirals targeting multiple processes of HCV lifecycle would optimize anti-HCV therapy and against potential drug-resistance. Viral entry is an essential target step for antiviral development, but FDA-approved HCV entry inhibitor remains exclusive. Here we identify serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR) is a HCV entry factor amendable to therapeutic intervention by a chemical biology strategy. The silencing of 5-HTR and clinically available 5-HTR antagonist suppress cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) in different liver cells and primary human hepatocytes at late endocytosis process. The mechanism is related to regulate the correct plasma membrane localization of claudin 1 (CLDN1). Moreover, phenoxybenzamine (PBZ), an FDA-approved 5-HTR antagonist, inhibits all major HCV genotypes in vitro and displays synergy in combination with clinical used anti-HCV drugs. The impact of PBZ on HCV genotype 2a is documented in immune-competent humanized transgenic mice. Our results not only expand the understanding of HCV entry, but also present a promising target for the invention of HCV entry inhibitor.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a promising technique for treating disorders of consciousness (DOCs). However, differences in the spatio-temporal responsiveness of the brain under varied SCS parameters remain unclear. In this pilot study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the hemodynamic responses of 10 DOC patients to different SCS frequencies (5 Hz, 10 Hz, 50 Hz, 70 Hz, and 100 Hz). In the prefrontal cortex, a key area in consciousness circuits, we found significantly increased hemodynamic responses at 70 Hz and 100 Hz, and significantly different hemodynamic responses between 50 Hz and 70 Hz/100 Hz. In addition, the functional connectivity between prefrontal and occipital areas was significantly improved with SCS at 70 Hz. These results demonstrated that SCS modulates the hemodynamic responses and long-range connectivity in a frequency-specific manner (with 70 Hz apparently better), perhaps by improving the cerebral blood volume and information transmission through the reticular formation-thalamus-cortex pathway.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Consciousness ; physiology ; Consciousness Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Stimulation ; methods ; Young Adult