NR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype glutamate receptors regulate the acute stress effect on hippocampal long-term potentiation/long-term depression in vivo

Behavioral stress facilitates long-term depression but impairs long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Recent evidence in vitro demonstrates that the NIR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype glutamate receptor antagonist Ro25-6981 prevents the beh

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term potentiation in CA1 region affects synaptic expression of glutamate receptor subunits and associated proteins in the whole hippocampus

Long term potentiation in hippocampus, evoked by high-frequency stimulation, is mediated by two major glutamate receptor subtypes, alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Receptor subunit compos

Low potential detection of glutamate based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH at thionine/single-walled carbon nanotubes composite modified electrode

A glutamate biosensor based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which was generated by the enzymatic reaction, was developed via employing a single-walled carbon nanotubes/thionine (Th-SWNTs) nanocomposite as a mediator and an enzyme immobilization matrix. The biosensor, which was fabricated by immobilizing glutamate dehydrogenase (GIDH) on the surface of Th-SWNTs, exhibited a rapid response (ca. 5 s), a low detection limit (0.1 mu M), a wide and useful linear range (0.5-400 mu M), high sensitivity (137.3 +/- 15.7) mu A mM(-1) cm(-2), higher biological affinity, as well as good stability and repeatability. In addition, the common interfering species, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and 4-acetamidophenol, did not cause any interference due to the use of a low operating potential (190 mV vs. NHE). The biosensor can be used to quantify the concentration of glutamate in the physiological level. The Th-SWNTs system represents a simple and effective approach to the integration of dehydrogenase and electrodes, which can provide analytical access to a large group of enzymes for wide range of bioelectrochemical applications including biosensors and biofuel cells.

Synthesis and characterization of functional poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) as a hydrophobic precursor

Four kinds of functional poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) copolymers containing chloro, azido, allyl or propargyl groups on the side chains were synthesized through ester exchange reactions of PBLG with functional alcohols without any protection and de-protection process. Hydrolysis of PBLG, which was found during the ester exchange reaction under low ratios of alcohol to the repeat units of PBLG, was thoroughly investigated, and could be successfully depressed by addition of certain amount of benzyl alcohol to the reaction system. Click chemistry reactions of the azidized or propargylated copolymers, thiol-ene reaction of the allyllated copolymer were taken successfully, indicating that the functional groups on the copolymers were still reactive.

The Surface Modification of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles by the Ring Opening Polymerization of gamma-Benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride

The surface modification of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles by the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) was proposed to prepare the poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG)-grafted HA nanoparticles (PBLG-g-HA) for the first time. HA nanoparticles were firstly treated by 3-aminopropylthriethoxysilane (APS) and then the terminal amino groups of the modified HA particles initiated the ROP of BLG-NCA to obtain PBLG-g-HA. The process was monitored by XPS and FT-IR. The surface grafting amounts of PBLG on HA ranging from 12.1 to 43.1% were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the ROP only underwent on the surface of HA nanoparticles without changing its bulk properties. The SEM measurement showed that the PBLG-g-HA hybrid could form an interpenetrating net structure in the self-assembly process.

Electrochemical study of ion channel behavior in incorporated poly L-glutamate bilayer lipid membranes

The lipid layer membranes were fabricated on the glassy carbon electrode (GC) and demonstrated to be bilayer lipid membranes by impedance spectroscopy. The formation of incorporated poly L-glutamate bilayer lipid membrane was achieved. The ion channel behavior of the incorporated poly L-glutamate membrane was determined. When the stimulus calcium cations were added into the electrolyte, the ion channel was opened immediately and exhibited distinct channel current. Otherwise, the ion channel was closed. The cyclic voltammogram at the GC electrode coated with incorporated poly L-glutamate DMPC film response to calcium ion is very fast compared with that at the GC electrode coated only with DMPC film. Ion channel current is not dependent on the time but on the concentration of calcium. The mechanism of the ion channel formation was investigated.

Oxalate decarboxylase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 is translocated by a twin arginine translocation system

Oxalate decarboxylases (OXDCs) (E.C. 4.1.1.2) are enzymes catalyzing the conversion of oxalate to formate and CO2. The OXDCs found in fungi and bacteria belong to a functionally diverse protein superfamily known as the cupins. Fungi-originated OXDCs are secretory enzymes. However, most bacterial OXDCs are localized in the cytosol, and may be involved in energy metabolism. In Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58, a locus for a putative oxalate decarboxylase is present. In the study reported here, an enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and showed oxalate decarboxylase activity. Computational analysis revealed the A. tumefaciens C58 OXDC contains a signal peptide mediating translocation of the enzyme into the periplasm that was supported by expression of signal-peptideless and full-length versions of the enzyme in A. tumefaciens C58. Further site-directed mutagenesis experiment demonstrated that the A. tumefaciens C58 OXDC is most likely translocated by a twin-arginine translocation (TAT) system.

骨的压电性和压电膜对骨生长的影响

本文首先简单地介绍了骨的弯曲、剪切和拉伸应力引起的压电性的研究;然后,叙述了人造聚合物的压电特性的一些最近研究;最后,报告了植入聚四氟乙烯(Telflon),聚γ-甲基-L-谷氨酸酯(Poly-γ-methyl-L-glutamate),胶原(collagen)和聚偏氟乙烯(Polyvinylidene fluoride)膜的影响下,观察了骨生长的实验。脉动的离子流抵销了动物运动引起的压电极化电荷,这似乎促进了聚合物膜周围骨痂的形成。

小麦杂交坏死蛋白质组学研究

小麦杂交坏死是某些小麦杂交种表现出的叶片提前逐渐死亡的现象。它是由两个坏死基因Ne1和Ne2在杂交种中相遇后发生显性互补引起的。坏死从叶片尖端逐渐过渡到叶片基部，从成熟叶片发展到幼嫩叶片。一些严重坏死的F1完成它的生活周期前就在不同的生长阶段死去，无法获得F1种子，这就限制了携带优良性状的亲本的选择和优良基因的交流。另外，小麦杂交坏死是一个独特的研究植物程序性死亡的遗传系统。虽然小麦杂交坏死这种现象已经发现很多年，但其详细的分子机理却仍然未知。对小麦杂交坏死的分子机理进行深入研究将有助于克服小麦杂交利用中杂交坏死的遗传障碍，此外，也为深入研究植物的PCD机理提供可操作靶分子。 本论文采用高通量蛋白质组研究技术对小麦杂交坏死进行了研究。携带坏死基因Ne2的小麦品种Pan555（P）和携带坏死基因Ne2的小麦品种Zheng891（Z）生长发育完全正常，将两个亲本杂交，所得杂交F1代PZF1表现杂交坏死。在小麦生长阶段8，旗叶（Flag leaf）刚刚出现，PZF1的旗叶下第一片叶子（FL-1）还是完全绿色，FL-2叶尖开始有坏死斑出现。在这个阶段，分别将PZF1，P，Z的FL-2叶剪成相等的尖，中，基三段。我们选择的PZF1的FL-2叶，其叶尖段已经有成片的坏死斑出现;中间段零星出现少量坏死斑点;基部段和亲本一样还是完全的绿色，代表坏死进程中的不同阶段。又选PZF1的FL-1和FL-2分别代表杂交坏死启动前和杂交坏死启动后。两个亲本P和Z的FL-2叶的三段及FL-1叶正常，都是完全绿色。 首先分别分析了PZF1，P和Z的FL-2叶的尖、中、基三段的蛋白表达情况。在PZF1的尖、中、基三段共检测到23个差异表达蛋白点。这23个点在两个亲本的尖、中、基三段中的表达丰度没有显著差异（p<0.05），说明这23个蛋白的差异表达不是由于叶段的不同引起，确与杂交坏死相关。对这23个蛋白进行了MALDI-TOF质谱鉴定，其中18个得到成功鉴定。然后对PZF1，P和Z的FL-1叶和FL-2叶的蛋白表达情况进行了分析。与PZF1的FL-1叶比较，在FL-2叶中检测到19个蛋白上调，20个蛋白下调。这39个蛋白的丰度在两个亲本的FL-1和FL-2叶之间没有显著差异，说明这39个蛋白的差异表达不是由于叶位的不同引起，确与杂交坏死相关。对这39个蛋白进行质谱鉴定其中26个得到成功鉴定。 根据被鉴定蛋白的功能及其表达丰度的变化，对这些蛋白在小麦杂交坏死中可能的作用进行了讨论。与PZF1的FL-2叶基部相比，S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸水解酶（S-adenosyl homocysteine hydrolase）在中部极显著（p<0.01）下调，而在中部和尖段之间没有显著差异，保持低丰度不变。腺苷甲硫氨酸3（AdoMet synthase 3）和甲硫氨酸合成酶1（Methionine synthase 1）都在PZF1的FL-2叶尖段上调。甲基化循环中的这3个酶比例的不协调可能会以不同的方式加速细胞老化。 与PZF1的FL-1叶比较，尿卟啉环脱羧酶（Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase）在FL-2叶中下调，这将引起尿卟啉环III的积累。脂加氧酶（Lipoxygenases）在FL-2叶中上调。尿卟啉环III的积累和脂加氧酶的上调都会引起细胞内活性氧的增加。另外活性氧和脂加氧酶都会使脂发生过氧化作用，进而导致细胞膜完整性受到破坏，最终可能导致细胞死亡。 与基部段比较，在PZF1的FL-2叶的尖段和/或中间段;以及与PZF1的FL-1叶比较，在FL-2叶中，都有很多防御性蛋白的上调，这暗示应对活性氧、脂过氧化、甲基化循环中三个酶比例的不协调等引起的对细胞的破坏作用，细胞可能启动了抗细胞死亡系统来应对这种细胞内部的胁迫。 然而，与基部段比较，一些能量相关蛋白在PZF1的FL-2叶的尖段和/或中间段;以及与PZF1的FL-1叶比较，在FL-2叶中的异常表达可能会以干扰能量循环的方式加速细胞死亡。另外，与FL-2基部段比较，在尖段和/或中间段，以及与PZF1的FL-1比较，在FL-2中，都有一些防御性蛋白、蛋白合成相关的蛋白以及单链DNA结合蛋白下调，它们的变化可能会降低细胞的抵抗力，蛋白合成能力以及DNA修复能力。细胞正常代谢的很多方面都受到干扰从而使PZF1叶细胞最终走向死亡。 本研究中发现了三个甲基化循环中的酶变化，而且S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸水解酶是在坏死进程的较早阶段发生下调，它的变化可能是小麦杂交坏死的一个诱因，这暗示小麦杂交坏死可能是一个表观遗传学事件。另外本研究还发现一些和活性氧，脂氧化等相关的蛋白的变化，而活性氧增加和脂氧化都是细胞凋亡的典型特征。所以本研究为表观遗传细胞凋亡和氧化胁迫细胞凋亡的研究提供了很有价值的信息。

Coupling between NMDA receptor and acid-sensing ion channel contributes to ischemic neuronal death

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) composed of ASIC1a subunit exhibit a high Ca2+ permeability and play important roles in synaptic plasticity and acid-induced cell death. Here, we show that ischemia enhances ASIC currents through the phosphorylation at Ser478 and Ser479 of ASIC1a, leading to exacerbated ischemic cell death. The phosphorylation is catalyzed by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity, as a result of activation of NR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptors (NMDARs) during ischemia. Furthermore, NR2B-specific antagonist, CaMKII inhibitor, or overexpression of mutated form of ASIC1a with Ser478 or Ser479 replaced by alanine (ASICla-S478A, ASIC1a-S479A) in cultured hippocampal neurons prevented ischemia-induced enhancement of ASIC currents, cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevation, as well as neuronal death. Thus, NMDAR-CaMKII cascade is functionally coupled to ASICs and contributes to acidotoxicity during ischemia. Specific blockade of NMDAR/CaMKII-ASIC coupling may reduce neuronal death after ischemia and other pathological conditions involving excessive glutamate release and acidosis.

Effects of aniracetam on extracellular levels of transmitter amino acids in the hippocampus of the conscious gerbils: an intracranial microdialysis study

The effects of aniracetam on extracellular amino acid levels in the hippocampus of conscious gerbils, with or without transient cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, were measured by microdialysis and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Increased extracellular levels of aspartate and glutamate that were observed in the hippocampus of conscious gerbils during transient global forebrain ischemia were reversed by aniracetam. In contrast, the level of extracellular gamma-aminobutyric acid was increased, while taurine was maintained at a higher level than other amino acids by administration of aniracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.) 60 min before ischemia. Further, in contrast to ischemic animals, administration of aniracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced the release of glutamate and aspartate in the normal gerbil hippocampus. The results suggest that these effects might be due to a partial calcium agonist activity of aniracetam, and that the effects of aniracetam on amino acid levels might be a mechanism of protection against delayed neuronal death in the ischemic hippocampus, thereby improving memory dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biosensors for fermentation process control

Two biosensors for fermentation process control have been introduced, which were developed in our lab recently. One is an enzyme electrode-based on-line monitoring system for glutamate fermentation process control and the other is an H+-ISFET-based ENFET for penicillin G fermentation process control.

1. 大鼠海马-前额叶回路在学习记忆中的作用2. 芬克罗酮改善恒河猴空间工作记忆的谷氨酸机制

一、大鼠海马-前额叶回路在学习记忆中的作用 解剖学研究证实大鼠和猴的海马结构（hippocampal formation, HF；本文‘海马 (hippocampus, Hip)’一词即指海马结构）和前额叶 (prefrontal cortex, PFC) 之间存在一条单向、同侧和单突触的神经回路，即海马-前额叶回路（Hip-PFC回路）。Hip和PFC均参与学习记忆等多种认知功能，PFC是工作记忆的关键脑区，而Hip是空间参考记忆的关键脑区。虽然人们已经对PFC和Hip进行了广泛深入的研究，但对Hip-PFC回路参与哪些认知功能还知之甚少。本研究的目的就是通过暂时阻断Hip-PFC回路，探讨其在学习和记忆中的作用。 在大鼠，Hip-PFC回路中的纤维主要从Hip腹部 (ventral hippocampus, VH)发出，投射到PFC的前边缘皮质(prelimbic cortex, PLC)、下边缘皮质 (infralimbic cortex, ILC) 和外侧前额叶 (lateral prefrontal cortex) 等亚区，其中PLC是Hip-PFC主要投射的区域。我们通过给动物安装慢性导管向脑内注射GABAA受体激动剂muscimol (MU) 阻断Hip-PFC回路。注射位点包括 ①双侧PLC，②双侧VH，③一侧VH和对侧PLC (VH-PLC)。我们首先观察了在PLC或VH局部注射MU对自由活动大鼠PLC和VH脑电功率的影响，并以此确定在行为实验中所用蝇蕈醇的剂量。然后采用T-迷宫空间交互延缓作业 (spatial delayed alternation task) 测试Hip-PFC回路被阻断的动物的空间工作记忆功能；采用被动回避作业 (passive avoidance task) 测试其情绪相关记忆的能力（训练前给药；24 h后重测试）；采用Morris水迷宫作业 (Morris water maze task) 测试其空间参考记忆的能力（每天训练前给药；训练期（3 d）结束24 h后重测试）。结果表明：在大鼠PLC或VH局部注射0.5 μg/0.25μl MU后30 min显著抑制VH 和PLC的脑电功率 (VH, p < 0.01; PLC, p < 0.05 vs. PBS/baseline)。注射MU (0.5 μg/0.25μl) 到 ①双侧PLC、②双侧VH、③VH-PLC均显著降低动物在空间交互延缓作业 (All p < 0.001, vs. PBS) 和空间Morris水迷宫作业中的成绩 (All p < 0.05, vs. PBS)，表明Hip-PFC回路在空间工作记忆（空间短时记忆）和在空间参考记忆（空间长时记忆）中均起重要作用。在空间交互延缓作业中，双侧PLC被抑制的大鼠的成绩显著低于双侧VH或VH-PLC被抑制的动物，说明PFC在空间工作记忆功能中占有主导地位。在被动回避作业中，双侧VH被抑制动物的回避反应的潜伏期显著短于对照动物 (p < 0.05 vs. PBS)，说明双侧VH被抑制动物的情绪记忆受损；而双侧PLC或VH-PLC被抑制的动物其回避反应的潜伏期与对照动物无显著差异 (PLC, p > 0.9; VH-PLC, p > 0.3 vs. PBS)，表明双侧PLC或VH-PLC被抑制的动物情绪记忆正常。被动回避作业的结果说明VH参与情绪记忆的形成，但Hip-PFC回路在情绪记忆形成中不起重要作用。 以上结果表明，大鼠Hip-PFC回路参与空间工作记忆和空间参考记忆而不是情绪记忆功能。情绪记忆的关键脑结构是杏仁复合体 (amygdala complex, AMC)，VH与AMC有密切的纤维联系。VH被抑制的大鼠情绪记忆受损，说明情绪记忆可能与AMC-Hip回路有关。情绪记忆与空间记忆（参考记忆和工作记忆）在解剖上的分离说明，对于不同类型的记忆来说，其在脑内的信息加工过程是并行的。神经回路内部的信息加工过程则是串行的，回路上任何一个结构的破坏均可导致回路功能的损伤。本研究的结果为学习记忆的“多重记忆系统”理论和记忆信息加工的串行并行机制提供了新的实验证据。 二、芬克罗酮改善成年恒河猴空间工作记忆的谷氨酸机制 芬克罗酮是中科院昆明植物所郝小江等合成的取代吡咯烷酮类化合物。中科院昆明动物所蔡景霞等发现芬克罗酮能改善东莨菪碱、育亨宾等导致的多种动物的不同类型的学习记忆障碍，提高老年动物的学习记忆能力，尤其是老年猴的空间工作记忆。已证实芬克罗酮为部分钙激动剂，可使脑缺血沙土鼠脑内升高的谷氨酸降低，而使正常的沙土鼠海马胞外谷氨酸释放增加。那么芬克罗酮能否提高正常动物的学习记忆，其对正常动物学习记忆的提高是否与其增加谷氨酸的释放有关？本研究采用空间延缓反应作业和谷氨酸NMDA受体拮抗剂MK-801在正常成年猴恒河猴上探讨了以上问题。 结果表明，口服芬克罗酮可显著提高成年猴的空间工作记忆，其量效曲线呈倒‘U’形，符合许多促智药的量效特点。0.25 mg/kg和0.5 mg/kg为芬克罗酮的最佳有效剂量 (p < 0.05 vs. 安慰剂)。肌注MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) 显著降低成年猴的空间工作记忆 (p < 0.01 vs. 安慰剂)，而口服2.0 mg/kg和4.0 mg/kg的芬克罗酮则显著改善MK-801导致的工作记忆障碍 (p < 0.05 vs. MK-801)。芬克罗酮的所有测试剂量不影响猴在作业中的反应时 (p > 0.05 vs. 安慰剂)，表明芬克罗酮在该剂量范围不影响动物的运动能力。 本研究结果提示，芬克罗酮可能通钙激动作用促进谷氨酸的释放，在一定剂量范围内提高胞外谷氨酸水平，提高正常动物的空间工作记忆等认知功能。 关键词：芬克罗酮，恒河猴，空间工作记忆，空间延缓反应作业，谷氨酸，MK-801