Molecular cloning and characterisation of a fish PKR-like gene from cultured CAB cells induced by UV-inactivated virus

The double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is an important component in an antiviral defence pathway that is mediated by interferon (IFN) in vertebrates. Previously, some important IFN system genes had been identified from an IFN-producing CAB (crucian carp Carassius auratus blastulae embryonic) cells after treatment with UV-inactivated GCHV (grass carp haemorrhage virus). Here, a fish PKR-like gene, named CaPKR-like, is cloned and sequenced from the same virally infected CAB cells. It has 2192 base pairs in length with a largest open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 513 amino acid residues. BLAST search reveals that the putative CaPKR-like protein is most homologous to human PKR and also has a high-level homology with all members of a family of eIF2alpha kinases. Structurally, CaPKR-like possesses a conserved C-terminal catalytic domain of eIF2alpha kinase family and the most similarity to mammalian PKRs. Within its N-terminus, there are no dsRNA-binding domains conserved in mammalian PKRs instead of two putative Z-DNA binding domains (Zalpha). Like mammalian PKRs, CaPKR-like had a very low level of constitutive expression in normal CAB cells but was up-regulated in response to active GCHV, UV-inactivated GCHV and CAB IFN, implying that the transcriptional activation of CaPKR-like by viral infection is mediated possibly by newly produced CAB IFN, which was further supported by using cycloheximide, a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis. The results together suggested that CaPKR-like was the first identified fish gene most similar to mammalian PKRs. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dioxin-like components in human breast milk collected from Hong Kong and Guangzhou

The H4IIE rat hepatoma cell line was employed as a cell model to screen 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)-TCDD equivalents (EROD-TEQ) of human breast milk samples collected from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China. The screening methods employed a 96-well plate spectrofluorometer-EROD assay. For cell-line validation, our results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in the Ah receptor-mediated response (i.e., CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD) of the cells upon exposure to a number of known Ah receptor agonists, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzothiophene, benzo[a]pyrene, and beta-naphthaflavone. TCDD induced CYP1A1 mRNA and EROD was in a close positive correlation (r = 0.98). For the screening of dioxin-like compounds, breast milk samples collected during lactation weeks 3-5 were used. One hundred (from Hong Kong) and 48 (from Guangzhou) breast milk samples were assayed, of which 65% and 68% of the samples, respectively, showed detectable dioxin-like activities using the H4IIE cell EROD screening method. For sixty-five samples from Hong Kong the mean EROD-TEQ values ranged from 58.1 to 96.5 pg/g of milk fat for those aged 21-36 years while 32 samples from Guangzhou had mean values of 98.8-202.1 pg/g of milk fat. In comparisons of the EROD-TEQ values for different age groups from both cities, there were no significant differences (P < 0.05). However, the mean and median EROD-TEQ values of the Guangzhou population were in general higher than those of the Hong Kong population. The results of the present study indicate that it is feasible to use the H4IIE cell-line as a model for screening dioxin-like compounds in human breast milk. In addition, the method is rapid and cost-effective, particularly for a routine and high-throughput sample screening analysis, compared to the costly and time-intensive chemical analytical techniques. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rickettsia-like organism infection in a freshwater cultured fish Ophiocephalus argus C. in China

From 2001 to 2002, a new and emergent infectious disease of Ophiocephalus argus occurred in a fishery in Hubei Province, China, with an incidence of 60% similar to 70% and a mortality as high as 100 %. The diseased fish showed an enlarged abdomen, the millet-like nodules in internal organs, and the swollen kidney which was composed of 5 similar to 10 sarcoma-like bodies in cream or gray-white colour or ulcerated into beandregs-like substance. Light microscopic observation revealed the basophilic or acidphilic inclusions in cytoplasm of the cells and the granulomas, a diffusive chronic inflammation in internal organs. Further analysis under an electron microscope indicated that the intracytoplasmic inclusions were rickettsia-like organisms (RLOs) that are either spherical or coccoid, with variable size, ranging from 0.5 similar to 1.5 mum in diameter, and enclosed within membrane-bound cytoplasmic vacuoles. RLO had a central nucleoid region with some fine filamentous structures and an electron-dense granule. Its cytoplasm contained abundant ribosomal bodies. Occasionally, RLO appeared to be divided by binary fission. RLOs were also observed in the homogenized tissue of infected fish. The results suggested that the death of cultured O. argus was caused by RLO infection.

Rapid bioassay as indicator of potentially harmful effects for dioxin-like compounds in sample of Ya-Er Lake, China: Requirements for clean-up and comparison to chemical analysis

A rapid bioassay was established measuring the extracts of wildlife samples which were taken from Ya-Er Lake area, China. In extracts of these samples containing PCDD/Fs and PCBs, bioassay and chemically derived TCDD-equivalents (TEQs) were nearly identical. Our results indicate this bioassay is an excellent complement to chemical residue analysis and a useful tool in understanding the complex interactions of halogenated hydrocarbons. However, it must be mentioned that the proper prior clean-up method is very important for using the bioassay.

In(Ga)As量子点材料的分子束外延生长性质及激光器的研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

等电子杂质Ga 、Sb对InP 中缺陷的影响

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

新型长波长Ga(In)Nas光电子材料及器件基础研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

GaAs基In(Ga)As量子点及其复合结构的材料生长和性质研究 GaAs基In(Ga)As量子点及其复合结构的材料生长和性质研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

GaAs基In(Ga)As量子点材料生长及器件应用

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

In(Ga)As/GaAs自组织量子点激光器的研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

In(Ga)As/GaAs自组织量子点材料和激光器研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

新型光电子材料Ga(In)Nas 和Ga(As)Sb光学性质的研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

GaAs基In(Ga, Al)As复合量子点材料的生长及量子点超辐射发光管的研制

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

GaAs基In(Ga)As量子环的材料生长和性质研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z

(Ga,Mn)As 和闪锌矿结构CrSb 的分子束外延生长制备和磁性质研究

Submitted by zhangdi (zhangdi@red.semi.ac.cn) on 2009-04-13T11:45:31Z