Transcriptome of embryonic and neonatal mouse cortex by high-throughput RNA sequencing

Brain structure and function experience dramatic changes from embryonic to postnatal development. Microarray analyses have detected differential gene expression at different stages and in disease models, but gene expression information during early brain development is limited. We have generated >27 million reads to identify mRNAs from the mouse cortex for>16,000 genes at either embryonic day 18 (E18) or postnatal day 7 (P7), a period of significant synapto-genesis for neural circuit formation. In addition, we devised strategies to detect alternative splice forms and uncovered more splice variants. We observed differential expression of 3,758 genes between the 2 stages, many with known functions or predicted to be important for neural development. Neurogenesis-related genes, such as those encoding Sox4, Sox11, and zinc-finger proteins, were more highly expressed at E18 than at P7. In contrast, the genes encoding synaptic proteins such as synaptotagmin, complexin 2, and syntaxin were up-regulated from E18 to P7. We also found that several neurological disorder-related genes were highly expressed at E18. Our transcriptome analysis may serve as a blueprint for gene expression pattern and provide functional clues of previously unknown genes and disease-related genes during early brain development.

Mouse Toxicity of Anabaena flos-aquae from Lake Dianchi, China

Some species of the genera Anabaena can produce various kinds of cyanotoxins, which may pose risks to environment and human health. Anabaena has frequently been observed in eutrophic freshwater of China in recent years, but its toxicity has been reported only in a few studies. In the present study, the toxicity of an Anabaena flos-aquae strain isolated from Lake Dianchi was investigated. Acute toxicity testing was performed by mouse bioassay using crude extracts from the lyophilized cultures. The mice exposed to crude extracts showed visible symptoms of toxicity and died within 10-24 h of the injection. Serum biochemical parameters were evaluated by the use of commercial diagnostic kits. Significant alterations were found in the serum biochemical parameters: alkaline phosphatase (AKP), gamma-glutamyl transpepticlase (gamma-GT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), AST/ALT ratio, total protein content, albumin content, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Ssr), and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC). Histopathological observations were carried out with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain under light microscope. Severe lesions were seen in the livers, kidneys, and lungs of the mice injected with crude extracts. The alterations of biochemical parameters were in a dose-dependent manner, and the severities of histological lesions were in the same manner. Based on biochemical and histological studies, this research firstly shows the presence of toxin-producing Anabaena species in Lake Dianchi and the toxic effects of its crude extracts on mammals. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 24: 10-18, 2009.

Age-related changes in mouse bone permeability

The determination of lacunar-canalicular permeability is essential for understanding local fluid flow in bone, which may indicate how bone senses changes in the mechanical environment to regulate mechano-adaptation. The estimates of lacunar-canalicular permeability found in the literature vary by up to eight orders of magnitude, and age-related permeability changes have not been measured in non-osteonal mouse bone. The objective of this study is to use a poroelastic approach based on nanoindentation data to characterize lacunar-canalicular permeability in murine bone as a function of age. Nine wild type C57BL/6 mice of different ages (2, 7 and 12 months) were used. Three tibiae from each age group were embedded in epoxy resin, cut in half and indented in the longitudinal direction in the mid-cortex using two spherical fluid indenter tips (R=238 μm and 500 μm). Results suggest that the lacunar-canalicular intrinsic permeability of mouse bone decreases from 2 to 7 months, with no significant changes from 7 to 12 months. The large indenter tip imposed larger contact sizes and sampled larger ranges of permeabilities, particularly for the old bone. This age-related difference in the distribution was not seen for indents with the smaller radius tip. We conclude that the small tip effectively measured lacunar-canalicular permeability, while larger tip indents were influenced by vascular permeability. Exploring the age-related changes in permeability of bone measured by nanoindentation will lead to a better understanding of the role of fluid flow in mechano-transduction. This understanding may help indicate alterations in bone adaptation and remodeling. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

First report of aphantoxins in China - waterblooms of toxigenic Aphanizomenon flos-aquae in Lake Dianchi

The oligohaline cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs (A. flos-aquae) has been reported in several countries to produce paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) or protracted toxic effects. In the past years, A. flos-aquae blooms have occurred annually in the eutrophic Lake Dianchi (300 km(2) in area, located in southwestern China). Material from natural blooms dominated by A. flosaquae was collected and lyophilized. Acute toxicity testing was performed by mouse bioassay using extracts from the lyophilized material. Clear symptoms of PSPs, intoxications were observed. To confirm the production of PSPs, a strain of A. flos-aquae (DC-1) was isolated and maintained in culture. Histopathological effects were studied by examining the organ damages using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Slight hepatocytic damage with swollen mitochondria was found. The ultrastructural pulmonary lesions were characterized by distortied nuclei and indenting of karyotheca, together with degeneration and tumefaction of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Control animals injected with acetic acid did not exhibit histopathological damage in any organ. Toxic effects of cultured algal cells on enzymatic systems in the mouse were studied using sublethal doses of extracts. Significant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increases, together with decrease of the glutathione (GSH) level, were measured. These results indicated a potential role of PSPs intoxicating and metabolizing in the test animals. HPLC-FLD and LC/MS analysis of extracts from cultured material demonstrated the PSP toxins produced by A. flos-aquae bloom. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting chemically and toxicologically confirmed PSP toxins related to A. flosaquae in China. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Responses of antioxidant systems in the hepatocytes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to the toxicity of microcystin-LR

The freshwater, bloom-forming cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Microcystis aeruginosa produces a peptide hepatotoxin, which causes the damage of animal liver. Recently, toxic Microcystis blooms frequently occur in the eutrophic Dianchi Lake (300 km(2) and located in the South-Westem of China). Microcystin-LR from Microcystis in Dianchi was isolated and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its toxicity to mouse and fish liver was studied (Li et al., 2001). In this study, six biochemical parameters (reactive oxygen species, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxide and glutathione S-transferase) were determined in common carp hepatocytes when the cells were exposed to 10 mug microcystin-LR per litre. The results showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents increased by more than one-time compared with the control after 6 h exposure to the toxin. In contrast, glutathione (GSH) levels in the hepatocytes exposed to microcystin-LR decreased by 47% compared with the control. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) increased significantly after 6 h exposure to microcystin-LR, but glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity showed no difference from the control. These results suggested that the toxicity of microcystin-LR caused the increase of ROS contents and the depletion of GSH in hepatocytes exposed to the toxin and these changes led to oxidant shock in hepatocytes. Increases of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities revealed that these three kinds of antioxidant enzymes might play important roles in eliminating the excessive ROS. This paper also examined the possible toxicity mechanism of microcystin-LR on the fish hepatocytes and the results were similar to those with mouse hepatocytes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative study on in vitro inhibition of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and mouse protein phosphatases by microcystins

Microcystins isolated from toxic cyanobacteria are potent inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A). The inhibitory effects of three structural variants of microcystins (microcystin-LR, -YR, and -RR) on protein phosphatases isolated and purified from the liver and kidney of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) were investigated using the P-32 radiometric assay. The relationships between percentage inhibition of protein phosphatase activity and microcystin levels followed a typical dose-dependent sigmoid curve. These results were compared to those obtained from mouse PP2A. The degree and pattern of inhibition of both fish and mouse protein phosphatases by microcystins were similar. Protein phosphatases in crude fish tissue homogenates showed similar inhibition patterns as purified fish PP2A toward microcystins. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

何首乌炮制前后生物活性和化学成分的变化研究

何首乌为常用中药，由何首乌及含何首乌的中成药制剂所引起的不良反应也时见报道，科学阐明不良反应的物质基础并提出解决方案对何首乌的使用十分重要。本论文研究了何首乌炮制前后KM小鼠肝脏毒性基因表达谱、生物活性及化学成分的变化。所获结果支持何首乌炮制的目的是减毒、改性（改变药效），何首乌生、熟异治的观点。制首乌对抑郁症的效果显著优于生首乌，这与本草所记载的何首乌炮制后补肝肾、益精血，归肝、肾经一致。 主要结果如下： 1、 生、制首乌的毒理基因芯片研究结果 何首乌的不良反应主要表现在肝损害方面。本研究建立了生何首乌和制何首乌不同剂量的肝毒性作用模型，体重指标统计发现生何首乌各剂量组平均体重显著下降，中剂量组（10 g/kg.d）体重下降20 %，高剂量组（20 g/kg.d）体重下降42%，50%动物死亡，提示动物机体能量代谢障碍；基因芯片研究结果表明何首乌是CYP450的抑制剂，生何首乌相对于制何首乌CYP3A4、CYP4A5显著下调，导致毒性成分在体内的吸收增加，服用大剂量的生何首乌后产生明显的肝毒性；主要对以下六条Pathway产生影响：①PPAR signaling pathway，主要毒性靶基因有RXRB CYP7a1、Acadl、Apoa2、Cyp4a、 FABP2 、MAPKKK5等基因。②Calcium signaling pathway，主要毒性靶基因有CAMK2B、CACNA1F、S100A1、 F2R、Ryr1、Slc8a2、Camk4 ③Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction，主要毒性靶基因有Chrm4、 Ntsr2 、 GABRR1、 GRIK3、F2R等基因。④Wnt signaling pathway，主要毒性靶基因有Daam2、Rac1 等基因。⑤Complement and coagulation cascades，主要毒性靶基因有F2R、Serpina1b、Cfi 、FGA等基因。⑥Oxidative hosphorylation，主要毒性靶基因有Atp5e、NDUFA1等基因。生何首乌毒性明显强于制首乌，且生何首乌水煎液的毒性大于生何乌首丙酮提取物的毒性，这一结果表明，何首乌主要的毒性成分很可能并不仅仅是传统所认为的以大黄素为代表的蒽醌类化合物，而是何首乌中大量存在的有效组分二苯乙烯苷与大黄素相互作用的结果，这一研究结果与前述的何首乌对肝药酶的影响是一致的。后续生、制首乌的化学成分差异研究表明，炮制后二苯乙烯苷含量明显降低：生首乌为5.512 %、清蒸制首乌为3.811 %、豆制首乌为3.538 %,大黄素的含量炮制后显著升高,生首乌为0.094 %、清蒸制首乌为0.119 %、豆制首乌为0.126 %。 2 生、制首乌药效差异研究结果 本文采用慢性中等强度不可预知应激刺激模型(chronic unpredictable mild stress, CUMS)和动物行为绝望实验法，研究生、制首乌抗抑郁活性的差异，制首乌（5 g/kg.d）与模型组相比有显著差异（P< 0.01），生首乌制首乌（5g/kg.d）与模型组相比无显著差异，这一结果表明制首乌抗抑郁活性显著优于生首乌。 本文比较了生、制首乌对四氧嘧啶糖尿病模型小鼠血糖的影响的差异，生首乌（5 g/kg.d）与模型组相比有显著差异（P< 0.01），制首乌（5 g/kg.d）与模型组相比无显著差异，这一结果表明生首乌降糖活性优于制首乌。这一结果与历代中医古书中生首乌治疗消渴症（糖尿病）的记载一致。 3生、制首乌化学成分差异的研究结果 本文选用HPLC-DAD指纹图谱技术结合药效成分含量测定来研究生、制首乌化学成分的差异。炮制后，何首乌中的主要化学成分并未消失，只是其含量发生了改变。炮制后二苯乙烯苷含量明显降低：生首乌为5.512 %、清蒸制首乌为3.811 %、豆制首乌为3.538 %,大黄素的含量炮制后显著升高,生首乌为0.094 %、清蒸制首乌为0.119 %、豆制首乌为0.126 %。 综上所述，炮制前后何首乌中二苯乙烯苷和大黄素含量比的变化可能是何首乌炮制减毒、改性的物质基础。 根据上述结果我们建立了生、制首乌的质量控制新模式。 In recent years, some adverse drug reactions (ADR) about some traditional Chinese medicine were reported at times. As a Chinese medicine most in use, the ADRs of Radix Polygoni multiflori (RPM) and the medicines containing the RPM were also mentioned. The resolution of the problems caused by the ADRs is very important for the use of the RPM as a medicine. The process (or preparation) is a significant feature for the clinical use of the Chinese medicine and an important technology for the safe use and good effect of the Chinese medicine. By processing, the toxicity of the Chinese medicine can be reduced, its properties can be changed and curative effect can be enhanced at the same time. The changes of the gene expression profiles for KM mice hepatotoxic effects, and the change of the biological activity and the chemical composition after being processed of the RPm were studied in the present dissertation. The RPm heatotoxicity mechanism and the toxicity target genes were explained on the gene level for the first time. With the antidepressant activity, and the hypoglycemic effect as the target, the differences on the pharmacodynamics between the processed RPm and unprocessed RPm, for the first time, were investigated. The results obtained show that the antidepressant activity of the processed RPM is far higher than the ones of unprocessed RPm. As we know, the results were reported for the first time. The quality control systems (QCS) for the processed and the unprocessed RPm were founded. The HPLC-DAD was used in the systems founded on the basis of the toxicology and the pharmacodynamics experiments. As we know, the OCSs were reported for the first time. The above-mentioned experimental results confirm that the unique process theory of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for the process of the Radix Polygoni multiflori (RPm) is correct, i.e after being processed the toxicity of the RPm decreases and its Pharmacodynamic effects change. It is known to author that there have been no similar reports in the literatures up to now. The main experimental results are summarized as follows: 1 The results on the mice toxicology gene chip for the unprocessed and processed RPm The KM mice hepatotoxic model caused by the RPm at the different dosages was established in the present study. The results obtained show that the mouse average body weight obviously decreased in the groups at the different dosages of the unprocessed RPm: the 10 g/kg.d .group decreased 20%; 20 g/kg.d. group decreased 42%, and 50% mice died at 20 g/kg.d. group. The main experimental results on the mice toxicology gene chip The RPm is the CYP450 inhibitor. As compared with the processd RPm, the CYP3A4, CYP4A5 of the unprocessed RPm demonstrate the marked downregulation, which leads to the increase of the poison absorbtion into the body with the result that the unprocessed RPm yields the marked hepatotoxication. The hepatotoxication was produced because the following 6 pathways were affected: ①PPAR signaling pathway, the chief toxicity target genes are RXRB, CYP7a1, Acadl, Apoa2, Cyp4a, FABP2 and MAPKKK5 etc. ②Calcium signaling pathway, the chief toxicity target genes are CAMK2B, CACNA1F, S100A1, F2R, Ryr1,Slc8a2 and Camk4 etc. ③Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the chief toxicity target genes are Chrm4, Ntsr2, GABRR1, GRIK3 and F2R etc. ④Wnt signaling pathway, the chief toxicity target genes are Daam2, Rac1 etc. ⑤Complement and coagulation cascades, the chief toxicity target genes are F2R, Serpina1b, Cfi and FGA etc. ⑥Oxidative phosphorylation, the chief toxicity target genes are Atp5e, NDUFA1 etc. The above experimental results, for the first time , demonstrate on the gene level that the unprocessed Rpm toxicity is far stronger than the processed RPm one, and the toxicity of the water decoction of the unprocessed RPm is greater than the one of its acetone extracts, which shows that the chief toxicity components of the RPm are probably not only the anthraquinones, for example, the emodin, but the complex compounds produced by the interaction between the emondin and the stilbene glucoside which is the largest component of the unprocessed RPm. The result is accordance with the above effect of the RPm on the hepatic drugenzyme. Aftter being processed, in fact, the content of the stibene glucoside in the RPm markedly decreases. 2. The results on the pharmacodynamic differences between the unprocessed and processed RPm The results obtained show that the effects of processing on RPm pharmacodynamic behaviour received in the Chinese Material Medica are correct. It is known to author that this is the first experimental result in the research materials now available. The chief results are as follows: For the treatment of the antidepressant, the curative effect of the processed RPm is far better than the one of the unprocessed RPm. By contrast with the above results, the hypoblycemic effect of the unprocessed RPm is better than the one of the processed RPm. 3. The results on the Chemical Composition The results obtained by using HPLC-DAD fingerprint and by the determination of effective component content show that the main chemical components in the RPm after being processed do not disappear, but their contents change. The contents of the stilbene glucoside (SG) and emodin in the different samples were determined as follows: SG contents 5.512 % for the unprocessed RPm 3.811 % for the processed RPm (Steamed) 3.588 % for the processed RPm (black soybean) Emodin contents 0.094 % for the unprocessed RPm 0.119 % for the processed RPm (Steamed) 0.126 % for the processed RPm (black soybean) The combination of above experimental results on the toxicity, the pharmacodynamics and the chemical composition indicates that the changes of the content ratio of SG/emodin may be the substance base of the toxicity decrease and pharmacodynamic changes of the RPM by the processing.

Alleviation of pre-exposure of mouse brain with low-dose C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray on male reproductive endocrine damages induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation

Irradiation has been widely reported to damage organisms by attacking on proteins, nucleic acid and lipids in cells. However, radiation hormesis after low-dose irradiation has become the focus of research in radiobiology in recent years. To investigate the effects of pre-exposure of mouse brain with low-dose C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma (gamma)-ray on male reproductive endocrine capacity induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation, the brains of the B6C3F(1) hybrid strain male mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray as the pre-exposure dose, and were then irradiated with 2 Gy as challenging irradiation dose at 4 h after pre-exposure. Serum pituitary gonadotropin hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, testis weight, sperm count and shape were measured on the 35th day after irradiation. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in the levels of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, testis weight and sperm count, and a significant increase in sperm abnormalities by irradiation of the mouse brain with 2 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray. Moreover, the effects were more obvious in the group irradiated by C-12(6+) ion than in that irradiated by Co-60 gamma-ray. Pre-exposure with low-dose C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray significantly alleviated the harmful effects induced by a subsequent high-dose irradiation.

Chromosomal aberrations induced by C-12(6+) ions and Co-60 gamma-rays in mouse immature oocytes

The ovaries of Kun-Ming strain mice (3 weeks) were irradiated with different doses of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in metaphase II oocytes at 7 weeks after irradiation. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of C C-12(6+) ion was calculated with respect to Co-60 gamma-ray for the induction of chromosornal aberrations. The C-12(6+) ion and Co-60 gamma-ray dose-response relationships for chromosomal aberrations were plotted by linear quadratic models. The data showed that there was a dose-related increase in frequency of chromosomal aberrations in all the treated groups compared to controls. The RBE values for C-12(6+) ions relative to (CO)-C-60 gamma-rays were 2.49, 2.29, 1.57, 1.42 or 1.32 for the doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.07 4.0 or 6.0 Gy, respectively. Moreover, a different distribution of the various types of aberrations has been found for C-12(6+) ion and Co-60 gamma-ray irradiations. The dose-response relationships for C-12(6+) ion and (CO)-C-60 gamma-ray exhibited positive correlations. The results from the present study may be helpful for assessing genetic damage following exposure of immature oocytes to ionizing radiation.

Induction of cytogenetic adaptive response in spermatogonia and spermatocytes by pre-exposure of mouse testis to low-dose C-12(6+) ions

To investigate the effects of pre-exposure of mouse testis to low-dose C-12(6+) ions on cytogenetics of spermatogonia and spermatocytes induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation. the testes of outbred Kun-Ming strain mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of C-12(6+) ions as the pre-exposure dose, and then irradiated with 2 Gy as challenging dose at 4 h after per-exposure. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARPs) activity and PARP-1 protein expression were respectively measured by using the enzymatic and Western blot assays at 4 h after irradiation; chromosomal aberrations in spermatogonia and spermatocytes were analyzed by the air-drying method at 8 h after irradiation. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and significant reductions of PARP activity and PARP-1 expression level in the mouse testes irradiated with 2 Gy of C-12(6+) ions. However, pre-exposure of mouse testes to a low dose of C-12(6+) ions significantly increased PARPs activity and PARP-1 expression and alleviated the harmful effects induced by a subsequent high-dose irradiation. PARP activity inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) treatment blocked the effects of PARP-1 on cytogenetic adaptive response induced by low-dose C-12(6+) ion irradiation. The data suggest that pre-exposure of testes to a low dose of heavy ions can induce cytogenetic adaptive response to subsequent high-dose irradiation. The increase of PARP-1 protein induced by the low-dose ionizing irradiation may be involved in the mechanism of these observations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adaptive hormetic response of pre-exposure of mouse brain with low-dose C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray on growth hormone (GH) and body weight induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation

The brain of the Kun-Ming strain mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray as the pre-exposure dose, and were then irradiated with 2 Gy of 12C6+ ion or Co-60 gamma-ray as challenging irradiation dose at 4 h after per-exposure. Body weight and serum growth hormone (GH) concentration were measured at 35th day after irradiation. The results showed that irradiation of mouse brain with 2 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray significantly diminished mouse body weight and level of serum GH. The relative biological effectiveness values of a 2 Gy dose of C-12(6+) ion calculated with respect to Co-60 gamma-ray were 1.47 and 1.34 for body weight and serum GH concentration, respectively. Pre-exposure with a low-dose (0.05 Gy) of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray significantly alleviated reductions of mouse body weight and level of serum GH induced by a subsequent high-dose (2 Gy) irradiation. The data suggested that low-dose ionizing irradiation can induce adaptive hormetic responses to the harmful effects of pituitary by subsequent high-dose exposure.

两种保护剂对C离子诱导小鼠急性肝损伤的应答；Response of Two Protective Agents to Acute Injury Induced by ~(12)C~(6+) Ions in Mouse Liver

比较了N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)及乙酰左旋肉毒碱(ALCAR)对12C6+离子照射小鼠的损伤效应,并探讨了其可能的作用机制。利用4Gy剂量的12C6+离子束对预先给予NAC(100mg/kg)和ALCAR(100mg/kg)保护的昆明小鼠进行单次全身照射。随后检测肝组织中总抗氧化能力(TAC)、DNA单链断裂和细胞凋亡率。结果显示,与照射对照组相比,提前给予NAC和ALCAR均极显著地增强了肝组织的抗氧化能力(P<0.001),减轻了12C6+离子导致的肝组织中DNA断裂(P<0.001)和细胞凋亡(P<0.001)。此外,还发现ALCAR组抗重离子辐照损伤的能力显著地高于NAC组(P<0.05)。实验结果提示了NAC和ALCAR可通过抵御组织内的氧化胁迫,阻止DNA链的断裂和细胞的凋亡,实现对C离子辐照损伤的保护效应。而且ALCAR比NAC可能更适合成为有潜力、有希望的抗C重离子辐射药物。

Phosphoproteome analysis of mouse liver using immobilized metal affinity purification and linear ion trap mass spectrometry

Since protein phosphorylation is a dominant mechanism of information transfer in cells, there is a great need for methods capable of accurately elucidating sites of phosphorylation. In recent years mass spectrometry has become an increasingly viable alternative to more traditional methods of phosphorylation analysis. The present study used immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC coupled with a linear ion trap mass spectrometer to analyze phosphorylated proteins in mouse liver. A total of 26 peptide sequences defining 26 sites of phosphorylation were determined. Although this number of identified phosphoproteins is not large, the approach is still of interest because a series of conservative criteria were adopted in data analysis. We note that, although the binding of non-phosphorylated peptides to the IMAC column was apparent, the improvements in high-speed scanning and quality of MS/MS spectra provided by the linear ion trap contributed to the phosphoprotein identification. Further analysis demonstrated that MS/MS/MS analysis was necessary to exclude the false-positive matches resulting from the MS/MS experiments, especially for multiphosphorylated peptides. The use of the linear ion trap considerably enabled exploitation of nanoflow-HPLC/MS/MS, and in addition MS/MS/MS has great potential in phosphoproteome research of relatively complex samples. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Precipitation-use efficiency along a 4500-km grassland transect

National Natural Science Foundation of China [30590381, 40971027]; State Key Technologies RD Program [2006BAC08]; Chinese Academy of Sciences ; National Key Research and Development Program [2010CB833501]