We developed a novel PCR method aimed at identi- fying and amplifying native codon sequences of muta- tion-prone amino acids in DNA gyrase implicated in quinolone resistance using a naturally occurring co- don bias in...We developed a novel PCR method aimed at identi- fying and amplifying native codon sequences of muta- tion-prone amino acids in DNA gyrase implicated in quinolone resistance using a naturally occurring co- don bias in E. coli DNA gyrase A.展开更多
IbeA is an important invasion determinant contributing to Escherichia coli K1 entry into brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) that is a key step in the pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis. Our previous studies ...IbeA is an important invasion determinant contributing to Escherichia coli K1 entry into brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) that is a key step in the pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis. Our previous studies have shown that IbeA-induced signaling and E. coli K1 invasion is mediated by two IbeA-binding proteins, vimentin, which is constitutively present in the surface of human BMECs (HBMECs), and PSF, which is inducibly expressed in both mesenchymal (endothelium) and non-mesenchymal (epithelium) cells. However, it is unknown whether p54nrb, a PSF partner protein, could contribute to the pathogenesis of E. coli K1 meningitis. Here, we reported that a 54-kDa protein was identified by copurification with PSF through IbeA-affinity chromatography as an IbeA-binding protein, which is identical to p54nrb. Both p54nrb and PSF are RNA-binding proteins and share significant sequence homology. The specific interaction between IbeA and p54nrb was confirmed by Western blot and ligand overlay assays. Recombinant p54nrb blocked E. coli K1 invasion of human BMEC very effectively. Overexpressed p54nrb as a GFP fusion protein in the transfected 293T cells significantly enhanced E. coli K1 invasion. Furthermore, higher levels of surface p54nrb in the transfected 293T cells were detected by flow cytometry. These results suggest that the IbeA invasion protein of E. coli K1 interacts with p54nrb for bacterial invasion of human BMEC.展开更多
The human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)envelope protein gp120 is the major contributor to the pathogenesis of HIVassociated neurocognitive disorder(HAND).Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in gp120-induced neuro...The human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)envelope protein gp120 is the major contributor to the pathogenesis of HIVassociated neurocognitive disorder(HAND).Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in gp120-induced neuropathology,but how gp120 triggers neuroinflammatory processes and subsequent neuronal death remains unknown.Here,we provide evidence that NLRP3 is required for gp120-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathy.Our results showed that gp120-induced NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis and IL-1βproduction in microglia.Inhibition of microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation alleviated gp120-mediated neuroinflammatory factor release and neuronal injury.Importantly,we showed that chronic administration of MCC950,a novel selective NLRP3 inhibitor,to gp120 transgenic mice not only attenuated neuroinflammation and neuronal death but also promoted neuronal regeneration and restored the impaired neurocognitive function.In conclusion,our data revealed that the NLRP3 inflammasome is important for gp120-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathology and suggest that NLRP3 is a potential novel target for the treatment of HAND.展开更多
There has been a surge of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders （ASD） over the past decade. While large, high powered genome screening studies of children with ASD have identified numerous genetic risk factors, res...There has been a surge of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders （ASD） over the past decade. While large, high powered genome screening studies of children with ASD have identified numerous genetic risk factors, research efforts to understanding how each of these risk factors contributes to the development autism has met with limited success. Revealing the mechanisms by which these genetic risk factors affect brain development and predispose a child to autism requires mechanistic understanding of the neurobiological changes underlying this devastating group of developmental disorders at multifaceted molecular, cellular and system levels. It has been increasingly clear that the normal trajectory of neurodevelopment is compromised in autism, in multiple domains as much as aberrant neuronal production, growth, functional maturation, patterned connectivity, and balanced excitation and inhibition of brain networks. Many autism risk factors identified in humans have been now reconstituted in experimental mouse models to allow mechanistic interrogation of the biological role of the risk gene. Studies utilizing these mouse models have revealed that underlying the enormous heterogeneity of perturbed cellular events, mechanisms directing synaptic and circuit assembly may provide a unifying explanation for the pathophysiological changes and behavioral endophenotypes seen in autism, although synaptic perturbations are far from being the only alterations relevant for ASD. In this review, we discuss synaptic and circuit abnormalities obtained from several prevalent mouse models, particularly those reflecting syndromic forms of ASD that are caused by single gene perturbations. These compiled results reveal that ASD risk genes contribute to proper signaling of the developing gene networks that maintain synaptic and circuit homeostasis, which is fundamental to normal brain development.展开更多
文摘We developed a novel PCR method aimed at identi- fying and amplifying native codon sequences of muta- tion-prone amino acids in DNA gyrase implicated in quinolone resistance using a naturally occurring co- don bias in E. coli DNA gyrase A.
文摘IbeA is an important invasion determinant contributing to Escherichia coli K1 entry into brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) that is a key step in the pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis. Our previous studies have shown that IbeA-induced signaling and E. coli K1 invasion is mediated by two IbeA-binding proteins, vimentin, which is constitutively present in the surface of human BMECs (HBMECs), and PSF, which is inducibly expressed in both mesenchymal (endothelium) and non-mesenchymal (epithelium) cells. However, it is unknown whether p54nrb, a PSF partner protein, could contribute to the pathogenesis of E. coli K1 meningitis. Here, we reported that a 54-kDa protein was identified by copurification with PSF through IbeA-affinity chromatography as an IbeA-binding protein, which is identical to p54nrb. Both p54nrb and PSF are RNA-binding proteins and share significant sequence homology. The specific interaction between IbeA and p54nrb was confirmed by Western blot and ligand overlay assays. Recombinant p54nrb blocked E. coli K1 invasion of human BMEC very effectively. Overexpressed p54nrb as a GFP fusion protein in the transfected 293T cells significantly enhanced E. coli K1 invasion. Furthermore, higher levels of surface p54nrb in the transfected 293T cells were detected by flow cytometry. These results suggest that the IbeA invasion protein of E. coli K1 interacts with p54nrb for bacterial invasion of human BMEC.
基金This project was financially supported by the Key Program of the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong,China(No.2017B030311017)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81370740)+1 种基金the Program of the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong,China(No.2018A030313845)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2018M633076).
文摘The human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)envelope protein gp120 is the major contributor to the pathogenesis of HIVassociated neurocognitive disorder(HAND).Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in gp120-induced neuropathology,but how gp120 triggers neuroinflammatory processes and subsequent neuronal death remains unknown.Here,we provide evidence that NLRP3 is required for gp120-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathy.Our results showed that gp120-induced NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis and IL-1βproduction in microglia.Inhibition of microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation alleviated gp120-mediated neuroinflammatory factor release and neuronal injury.Importantly,we showed that chronic administration of MCC950,a novel selective NLRP3 inhibitor,to gp120 transgenic mice not only attenuated neuroinflammation and neuronal death but also promoted neuronal regeneration and restored the impaired neurocognitive function.In conclusion,our data revealed that the NLRP3 inflammasome is important for gp120-induced neuroinflammation and neuropathology and suggest that NLRP3 is a potential novel target for the treatment of HAND.
文摘There has been a surge of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders （ASD） over the past decade. While large, high powered genome screening studies of children with ASD have identified numerous genetic risk factors, research efforts to understanding how each of these risk factors contributes to the development autism has met with limited success. Revealing the mechanisms by which these genetic risk factors affect brain development and predispose a child to autism requires mechanistic understanding of the neurobiological changes underlying this devastating group of developmental disorders at multifaceted molecular, cellular and system levels. It has been increasingly clear that the normal trajectory of neurodevelopment is compromised in autism, in multiple domains as much as aberrant neuronal production, growth, functional maturation, patterned connectivity, and balanced excitation and inhibition of brain networks. Many autism risk factors identified in humans have been now reconstituted in experimental mouse models to allow mechanistic interrogation of the biological role of the risk gene. Studies utilizing these mouse models have revealed that underlying the enormous heterogeneity of perturbed cellular events, mechanisms directing synaptic and circuit assembly may provide a unifying explanation for the pathophysiological changes and behavioral endophenotypes seen in autism, although synaptic perturbations are far from being the only alterations relevant for ASD. In this review, we discuss synaptic and circuit abnormalities obtained from several prevalent mouse models, particularly those reflecting syndromic forms of ASD that are caused by single gene perturbations. These compiled results reveal that ASD risk genes contribute to proper signaling of the developing gene networks that maintain synaptic and circuit homeostasis, which is fundamental to normal brain development.
