Mammalian oocytes within Graafian follicles are arrested at prophase I of meiosis. C-type natriuretic peptide (NPPC), secreted by mural granulosa cells (MGCs), maintains oocyte meiotic arrest via binding to its cognate receptor natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) and producing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). NPR2 is most concentrated in the cumulus cells. In addition, cAMP, gap junction, inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and other important regulatory factors are also involved in meiotic arrest. Luteinizing hormone (LH) then rapidly decreases cGMP and induces oocyte meiotic resumption. In this paper, advances in the molecular mechanisms of meiotic arrest and LH-induced meiotic resumption were reviewed. This paper may provide new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of related reproductive diseases.
Animals ; Cumulus Cells ; Female ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Meiosis ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; genetics ; Oocytes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of human C-type natriuretic peptide (hCNP) on proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODSReconstructed pcDNA3.1 (+)/hCNP was transfected into HUVECs with polyethylenimine and its plasmid expression was examined with RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. MTT method was used to determine the effect of expressed protein on proliferation of HUVECs. pcDNA3.1 (+)/hCNP transfection was used for control.

RESULTSThe proliferation of HUVEC 48 h after pcDNA3.1 (+)/hCNP transfection was (0.301 +/- 0.096), which was obviously higher than that with pcDNA3.1 (+) transfection (0.164 +/- 0.012). Reconstructed pcDNA3.1 (+)/hCNP might be expressed in HUVECs effectively and its protein expression was capable of promoting HUVECs proliferation markedly.

CONCLUSIONThe successive expression of reconstructed pcDNA3.1 (+)/hCNP and the promoting activity of its expressed protein on HUVECs lay the foundation potential therapeutic value of C-type natriuretic peptide.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

A 2-year-old boy was admitted to Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Nov 30^th, 2018, due to polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria accompanied with increased glucose levels for more than 2 weeks. He presented with symmetrical short stature [height 81 cm (－2.2 SD), weight 9.8 kg (－2.1 SD), body mass index 14.94 kg/m² (P₁₀-P₁₅)], and with no special facial or physical features. Laboratory results showed that the glycated hemoglobin A1c was 14%, the fasting C-peptide was 0.3 ng/mL, and the islet autoantibodies were all negative. Oral glucose tolerance test showed significant increases in both fasting and postprandial glucose, but partial islet functions remained (post-load C-peptide increased 1.43 times compared to baseline). A heterozygous variant c.1366C>T (p.R456C) was detected in GATA6 gene, thereby the boy was diagnosed with a specific type of diabetes mellitus. The boy had congenital heart disease and suffered from transient hyperosmolar hyperglycemia after a patent ductus arteriosus surgery at 11 months of age. Insulin replacement therapy was prescribed, but without regular follow-up thereafter. The latest follow-up was about 3.5 years after the diagnosis of diabetes when the child was 5 years and 11 months old, with the fasting blood glucose of 6.0-10.0 mmol/L, and the 2 h postprandial glucose of 17.0-20.0 mmol/L.
Male ; Child ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Mutation, Missense ; C-Peptide/genetics* ; China ; Insulin/genetics* ; Glucose ; Blood Glucose ; GATA6 Transcription Factor/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver protein kinase B (Akt)/forkhead box transcription factor 1 (FoxO1) signaling pathway in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of EA on improving liver insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Twelve male 2-month-old ZDF rats were fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks to establish diabetes model. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 6 rats in each group. In addition, six male Zucker lean (ZL) rats were used as the blank group. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3), and "Pishu" (BL 20). The ipsilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3) were connected to EA device, continuous wave, frequency of 15 Hz, 20 min each time, once a day, six times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) in each group was compared before modeling, before intervention and after intervention; the serum levels of insulin (INS) and C-peptide were measured by radioimmunoassay method, and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated; HE staining method was used to observe the liver tissue morphology; Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression of Akt, FoxO1 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver. RESULTS: Before intervention, compared with the blank group, FBG was increased in the model group and the EA group (P<0.01); after intervention, compared with the model group, FBG in the EA group was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the serum levels of INS and C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and the protein expression of hepatic FoxO1 and PEPCK were increased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of hepatic Akt was decreased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of INS and C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and the protein expression of hepatic FoxO1 and PEPCK were decreased (P<0.01), while the protein expression of hepatic Akt was increased (P<0.01) in the EA group. In the model group, the hepatocytes were structurally disordered and randomly arranged, with a large number of lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In the EA group, the morphology of hepatocytes tended to be normal and lipid vacuoles were decreased. CONCLUSION EA could reduce FBG and HOMA-IR in ZDF rats, improve liver insulin resistance, which may be related to regulating Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.
Male ; Animals ; Rats ; Rats, Zucker ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Insulin Resistance ; C-Peptide ; Electroacupuncture ; Liver ; Signal Transduction ; Insulin ; Lipids

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of knocking down eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (eEF1A1) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis in human acute T lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line Jurkat and explore its mechanism. The eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions of Jurkat cells and 3 healthy adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were detected by real time PCR and Western blot, respectively. eEF1A1-shRNA lentivirus was constructed through molecular biological method, and was used to transfect Jurkat cells. Then, cell eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions were detected by real time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle were detected by MTT method, Annexin V-APC labeling and DNA ploidy analysis, respectively. Cell-related protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The results showed that eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expression levels of Jurkat cells were significantly higher than that of healthy adult PBMNC, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions of Jurkat cells were significantly knocked down by constructing eEF1A1-shRNA lentivirus. Compared to negative control group (transfected with negative control-shRNA lentivirus), cell proliferation in eEF1A1-shRNA group was significantly inhibited, cell apoptosis was remarkably induced, cell cycle was blocked in G(0)/G(1) phase, and the expression levels of p-Akt (Ser 473), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p-NF-κB (Ser 468), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR (Ser 2448) proteins were significantly reduced. It is concluded that eEF1A1 may be a putative oncoprotein in T-ALL cells. Knocking down eEF1A1 gene has noticeable effects on the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction of Jurkat cells, which may be mediated by the down-regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 ; genetics ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics

This study was aimed to explore the effects of expressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (eEF1A1) on proliferation and apoptosis in human acute T lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line Jurkat with knocked down eEF1A1 gene and its mechanisms. eEF1A1-expressing lentivirus (LV) was constructed and used to transfect the Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene. Then, the expressions of eEF1A1 mRNA and protein were detected by real time PCR(RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle were detected by MTT method, Annexin V-APC labeling and DNA ploidy analysis respectively. The related protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. The results indicated that eEF1A1 mRNA and protein expressions of Jurkat cells with knocked down eEF1A1 gene were re-established by constructing eEF1A1-expression LV. Compared with negative control group (transfected with negative control LV and eEF1A1-shRNA LV), cell proliferation in eEF1A1 expression group was significantly enhanced, cell apoptosis was remarkably inhibited, percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was significantly reduced alone with increased percentage of cells in S and G2/M phase, and the expression levels of p-Akt (Ser 473), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p-NF-κB (Ser 468), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR (Ser 2448) protein significantly increased. It is concluded that eEF1A1 may have a carcinogenic effect in T-ALL cells. eEF1A1 expression has noticeable effects on the proliferation enhancement and apoptosis inhibition of Jurkat cells, which may be mediated by the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

A phage display single-chain variable fragment (scFv) library against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus cellulase (BXC) was constructed and used to screen the specific antibodies binding to BXC. The total RNA was extracted from fresh spleens of BALB/C mice immunized with BXC. Gene fragments encoding VH and VL were amplified by RT-PCR and assembled into a single chain by overlapping PCR with a linker DNA encoding the peptide (Gly4Ser)3. The recombinant fragments were cloned into the phagemids (pCANTABSE) and electroporated into E. coli TG1. The recombinant phagemids were rescued by reinfection of helper phage M13K07. The repertoire of the phage display antibody was about 5 x 10(4). The specific antibodies against BXC were obtained after five rounds of affinity selection. The positive phage clone was used to infect E. coli HB2151. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis showed that the soluble scFv antibodies expressed bound specifically to BXC. The studies laid foundation for quarantine and pathological study of Bursaphelenchus xylophilu.
Animals ; Cellulase ; genetics ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electroporation ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nematoda ; enzymology ; Peptide Library ; Pinus ; parasitology ; Plant Diseases ; parasitology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo screen HCV NS5 mimotopes by using monoclonal antibody and phage peptide library.

METHODSBy using HCV NS5 monoclonal antibody as selective molecule, a 7 peptide phage library was biopanned and positive clones were selected by ELISA, competition assay and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSTwelve positive clones were chosen for DNA sequencing. From the experiment and sequencing comparison results, one epitope was confirmed as the mimotope of HCV NS5.

CONCLUSIONSHCV mimotope is obtained by phage peptide library screening. The result provides a new approach for HCV therapy and vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitope Mapping ; Hepatitis C ; therapy ; Peptide Library ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1(EEF1) family members (EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on public databases.Methods We examined EEF1 member expression levels in human LUAD samples via The Cancer Genome Atlas in the UCSC Xena browser and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium.We analyzed the mRNA and protein levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 and their correlations with pathological variables via the Mann-Whitney U test.The Kaplan-Meier curves were established to assess the prognostic values of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2.The single-sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm was employed to explore the relationship between the expression levels of EEF1 members and tumor immune cell infiltration.Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between the expression levels of EEF1 members and those of the genes in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.The immunohistochemical assay was employed to determine the expression levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 in the LUAD tissue (n=75) and paracancer tissue (n=75) samples.Results The mRNA and protein levels of EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 showed significant differences between tumor and paracancer tissues (all P<0.001).The patients with high protein levels of EEF1A1 showed bad prognosis in terms of overall survival (P=0.039),and those with high protein levels of EEF1A2 showed good prognosis in terms of overall survival (P=0.012).The influence of the mRNA level of EEF1D on prognosis was associated with pathological characteristics.The expression levels of EEF1 members were significantly associated with the infiltration of various immune cells and the expression of key molecules in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.Conclusion EEF1D,EEF1A1,and EEF1A2 are associated with the progression of LUAD,serving as the candidate prognostic markers for LUAD.
Humans ; Peptide Elongation Factor 1/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Carcinogenesis ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo break immune tolerance to prion (PrP) proteins using DNA vaccines.

METHODSFour different human prion DNA vaccine candidates were constructed based on the pcDNA3.1 vector: PrP-WT expressing wild-type PrP, Ubiq-PrP expressing PrP fused to ubiquitin, PrP-LII expressing PrP fused to the lysosomal integral membrane protein type II lysosome-targeting signal, and PrP-ER expressing PrP locating the ER. Using a prime-boost strategy, three-doses of DNA vaccine were injected intramuscularly into Balb/c mice, followed by two doses of PrP protein. Two weeks after the last immunization, sera and spleens were collected and PrP-specific humoral and cellular immune responses evaluated by ELISA and ELISPOT tests.

RESULTSHigher levels of serum PrP antibodies were detected in mice vaccinated using the strategy of DNA priming followed by protein boosting. Of these, WT-PrP, Ubiq-PrP, and PrP-LII induced significantly higher humoral responses. ELISPOT tests showed markedly increased numbers of IFN-γ-secreting T cells in mice vaccinated using the strategy of DNA priming followed by protein boosting after stimulation with recombinant PrP23-90 and PrP23-231. PrP-ER induced the strongest T-cell response.

CONCLUSIONPrion vaccines can break tolerance to PrP proteins and induce PrP-specific humoral and cellular immune responses.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Fragments ; immunology ; Prions ; genetics ; immunology ; Receptors, Peptide ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Transfection ; Ubiquitin ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA