OBJECTIVEMachado-Joseph disease (MJD)/Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of polyglutamine tract near the C-terminus of the MJD1 gene product, ataxin-3. The precise mechanism of the MJD/SCA3 pathogenesis remains unclear. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that phosphorylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, few kinases are known to phosphorylate ataxin-3. The present study is to explore whether ataxin-3 is a substrate of casein kinase 2 (CK2).

METHODSThe interaction between ataxin-3 and CK2 was identified by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipition assay. The phosphorylation of ataxin-3 by CK2 was measured by in vitro phosphorylation assays. Results (1) Both wild type and expanded ataxin-3 interacted with CK2alpha and CK2beta in vitro. (2) In 293 cells, both wild type and expanded ataxin-3 interacted with CK2beta, but not CK2alpha. (3) CK2 phosphorylated wild type and expanded ataxin-3.

CONCLUSIONAtaxin-3 is a substrate of protein kinase CK2.

Ataxin-3 ; Casein Kinase II ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; methods ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Transfection ; methods

Objective To establish the quality control method of Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules.Methods Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Bupleuri Radix, Scutellariae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules were identified by TLC, and the content of forsythoside A was detected by HPLC. Results Under the selected chromatographic conditions, TLC spots were clear, the separating was good, and non-interference was found in negative control. Forsythoside A in calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 0.029 6–0.474 μg, with average recovery of 99.73%, RSD=1.18%. Conclusion The method is accurate and simple, which can be used for the quality control of Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective action of astragaloside Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ) on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in rats and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Adult-male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-250 g) were divided into six groups randomly: control, Aβ1-42, AS-Ⅳ, Aβ1-42 plus 5 mg/kg·d AS-Ⅳ, Aβ1-42 plus 25 mg/kg·d AS-Ⅳ, and Aβ1-42 plus 50 mg/kg·d AS-Ⅳ groups. Aβ1-42 were delivered by intracerebroventricular injection under the guidance of a brain stereotaxic apparatus. The Morris water maze test (hidden platform test, probe trials, visible platform test) was performed one week after Aβ1-42 injection to obtain the ability of rat spatial learning and memory. AS-Ⅳ (5, 25 and 50 mg/kg·d) was administrated intraperitoneally once per day from the 8th day after Aβ1-42 injection for 5 consecutive days. Average escape latencies, distances for searching for the platform under water and the percentage of total time elapsed and distance swam in the right quadrant after removing platform were determined by behavior software system. The vision and swim speeds of rats were also determined to exclude the effect of these factors on the parameters of learning and memory. After behavioral tests, the rats were sacrificed immediately by decapitation. Hippocampus were collected. The enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT) in the hippocampus obtained from different-treated rat brain were measured by following the manufacturer's instructions. The levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in tissue lysates were assayed with ELISA. Results The water maze test results indicated that chronic treatments with AS-Ⅳ effectively protected the rats from Aβ1-42-induced spatial learning and memory impairment. Furthermore, the activities of SOD, GSH-px and CAT decreased by Aβ1-42 were also restored by AS-Ⅳ treatment in the hippocampus of rats. In addition, AS-Ⅳ significantly decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampus of Aβ1-42-induced amnesia's rats. Conclusion Our findings suggest that AS-Ⅳ might be a useful chemical in improving the spatial memory and relieving the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer patients.

BackgroundThe excess volume of contrast media (CM) is a marker of a more severe coronary culprit lesion and longer intervention duration in patients undergoing cardiac procedures. However, it is unclear whether the contrast volume is directly correlated with worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between contrast dose and the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography (CAG).

MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 10,961 consecutive patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease expecting CAG from 2012 to 2013. The study population was pursued with a follow-up duration of 1 year. The predictive value of contrast volume, divided into quartiles, for the risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

ResultsThe cumulative incidence of 1-year MACCE was 8.65%, which was directly associated with increasing contrast volume. In particular, MACCE was observed in 7.16%, 7.89%, 9.31%, and 11.73% of cases in the contrast volume quartile Q1 (≤100 ml), Q2 (101-140 ml), Q3 (141-200 ml), and Q4 (>200 ml), respectively (P < 0.001). Moreover, the incidence of 1-year all-cause bleeding events was noted in 4.70%, 5.93%, 7.28%, and 8.21% of patients in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed that the 1-year MACCE rate was higher in patients using greater CM volume during the CAG. CM volume used >140 ml was associated with the occurrence of 1-year MACCE, and the incidence was dramatically elevated in patients exceeding a contrast volume of 200 ml (P = 0.007).

ConclusionOur data suggested that higher contrast volume was significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01735305; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01735305?id=NCT017353057rank=1.