A Glutathione Peroxidase Gene from Litopenaeus vannamei Is Involved in Oxidative Stress Responses and Pathogen Infection Resistance

In shrimp, several glutathione peroxidase (GPX) genes have been cloned and functionally studied. Increasing evidence suggests the genes’ involvement in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)- or Vibrio alginolyticus-infection resistance. In the present study, a novel GXP gene (LvGPX3) was cloned in Litopenaeus vannamei. Promoter of LvGPX3 was activated by NF-E2-related factor 2. Further study showed that LvGPX3 expression was evidently accelerated by oxidative stress or WSSV or V. alginolyticus infection. Consistently, downregulated expression of LvGPX3 increased the cumulative mortality of WSSV- or V. alginolyticus-infected shrimp. Similar results occurred in shrimp suffering from oxidative stress. Moreover, LvGPX3 was important for enhancing Antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression in S2 cells with lipopolysaccharide treatment. Further, knockdown of LvGPX3 expression significantly suppressed expression of AMPs, such as Penaeidins 2a, Penaeidins 3a and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor 1 in shrimp. AMPs have been proven to be engaged in shrimp WSSV- or V. alginolyticus-infection resistance; it was inferred that LvGPX3 might enhance shrimp immune response under immune challenges, such as increasing expression of AMPs. The regulation mechanism remains to be further studied.     

Interplay between Selenium,Selenoproteins and HIV-1 Replication in Human CD4 T-Lymphocytes

The infection of CD4 T-lymphocytes with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), disrupts cellular homeostasis, increases oxidative stress and interferes with micronutrient metabolism. Viral replication simultaneously increases the demand for micronutrients and causes their loss, as for selenium (Se). In HIV-infected patients, selenium deficiency was associated with a lower CD4 T-cell count and a shorter life expectancy. Selenium has an important role in antioxidant defense, redox signaling and redox homeostasis, and most of these biological activities are mediated by its incorporation in an essential family of redox enzymes, namely the selenoproteins. Here, we have investigated how selenium and selenoproteins interplay with HIV infection in different cellular models of human CD4 T lymphocytes derived from established cell lines (Jurkat and SupT1) and isolated primary CD4 T cells. First, we characterized the expression of the selenoproteome in various human T-cell models and found it tightly regulated by the selenium level of the culture media, which was in agreement with reports from non-immune cells. Then, we showed that selenium had no significant effect on HIV-1 protein production nor on infectivity, but slightly reduced the percentage of infected cells in a Jurkat cell line and isolated primary CD4 T cells. Finally, in response to HIV-1 infection, the selenoproteome was slightly altered.     

The Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant System Response of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to Bisphenol-A Toxicity

The effects of environmentally relevant bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations (0.3, 1 and 3 μg L⁻¹) were tested at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days, on intermediate leaves, of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production, lipid peroxidation, protein, phenolic content and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated. Increased H₂O₂ formation was detected even at the lowest BPA treatments from the beginning of the experiment and both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms were activated upon application of BPA. Elevated H₂O₂ levels that were detected as a response to increasing BPA concentrations and incubation time, led to the decrease of protein content on the 4th day even at the two lower BPA concentrations, and to the increase of the lipid peroxidation at the highest concentration. However, on the 6th day of BPA exposure, protein content did not differ from the control, indicating the ability of both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms (such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phenolics) to counteract the BPA-derived oxidative stress. The early response of the protein content determined that the Low Effect Concentration (LOEC) of BPA is 0.3 μg L⁻¹ and that the protein content meets the requirements to be considered as a possible early warning “biomarker” for C. nodosa against BPA toxicity.     

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Peroxidase Gene Family and Verification of Lignin Synthesis-Related Genes in Watermelon

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an important horticultural crop worldwide, but peel cracking caused by peel hardness severely decreases its quality. Lignification is one of the important functions of class III peroxidase (PRX), and its accumulation in the plant cell wall leads to cell thickening and wood hardening. For in-depth physiological and genetical understanding, we studied the relationship between peel hardness and lignin accumulation and the role of PRXs affecting peel lignin biosynthesis using genome-wide bioinformatics analysis. The obtained results showed that lignin accumulation gradually increased to form the peel stone cell structure, and tissue lignification led to peel hardness. A total of 79 ClPRXs (class III) were identified using bioinformatics analysis, which were widely distributed on 11 chromosomes. The constructed phylogenetics indicated that ClPRXs were divided into seven groups and eleven subclasses, and gene members of each group had highly conserved intron structures. Repeated pattern analysis showed that deletion and replication events occurred during the process of ClPRX amplification. However, in the whole-protein sequence alignment analysis, high homology was not observed, although all contained four conserved functional sites. Repeated pattern analysis showed that deletion and replication events occurred during ClPRXs’ amplification process. The prediction of the promoter cis-acting element and qRT-PCR analysis in four tissues (leaf, petiole, stem, and peel) showed different expression patterns for tissue specificity, abiotic stress, and hormone response by providing a genetic basis of the ClPRX gene family involved in a variety of physiological processes in plants. To our knowledge, we for the first time report the key roles of two ClPRXs in watermelon peel lignin synthesis. In conclusion, the extensive data collected in this study can be used for additional functional analysis of ClPRXs in watermelon growth and development and hormone and abiotic stress response.     

白腐菌胞外酶降解木素的机制及其协同作用

白腐菌是唯一能完全降解木质纤维素的微生物,其分泌的胞外酶对木素的降解倍受关注。木质纤维素中木素的降解是多种生物酶作用的结果,文中叙述了漆酶、多种过氧化物酶、产过氧化氢的氧化酶等胞外酶的作用机制,以及这些酶之间存在的广泛而复杂的协同作用。     

Alterations in antioxidant status of rats following intake of ginger through diet

Ginger is known to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, in vivo studies in rats were initiated to investigate if ginger fed through diet can improve their antioxidant status. Inbred male Wistar/NIN rats were divided into four groups containing six animals per group. The 1st group received a stock diet whereas the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were fed with a diet incorporating ginger powder at 0.5%, 1% and 5% levels for a period of one month. After one month of feeding, rats were sacrificed and their livers and kidneys collected for the analysis of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and to estimate lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. The levels of all the three enzymes, which are the important components of antioxidative defenses, were significantly stimulated in the livers of groups fed with ginger. The significant reduction in lipid peroxidation in livers and kidneys and inhibition of protein oxidative products in livers indicated the antioxidant potential of ginger when consumed naturally through diet. The findings reported suggest that regular intake of ginger through diet can protect against oxidative tissue damage.     

酸处理对采后荔枝果皮色泽与生理活性的影响

以淮枝果实为试材,研究了酸处理对新鲜荔枝及冷藏过程中果实的果皮色泽、pH值、组织相对电导率、花色素苷含量、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)的影响。试验结果表明:酸处理使新鲜荔枝果实的色泽鲜艳,但并不能增加花色素苷的含量,同时,显著抑制PPO、POD酶活性(p<0.05);2%酸处理加速了冷藏果实的褪色与褐变,花色素苷含量较快下降,而4%酸处理2min的果实在冷藏过程中,果皮pH值缓慢升高,色泽指标及花色素苷含量维持在较高水平,PPO、POD酶活性明显低于对照,果实不表现明显冷害症状。     

雪莲果过氧化物酶的特性和抑制研究

以新鲜雪莲果为材料,对雪莲果过氧化物酶(POD)的特性进行了研究,并探讨了不同抑制剂及激活剂对酶活性的影响。结果表明:雪莲果过氧化物酶最适反应pH值为6.0,最适反应温度为35℃,最佳反应底物(愈创木酚)浓度为0.008mmol/L,最大反应速度Vmax=135U/(min.g),米氏常数Km=0.004182mol/L。在0~200mmol/L范围内,抑制剂对POD的抑制作用为NaHSO3>L-cys>柠檬酸>VC>EDTA。在0~10mmol/L范围内,激活剂对POD激活作用为CuSO4>FeCl3。     

进出口脱皮花生涉税归类鉴定快速检测方法

建立脱皮花生涉税归类鉴定的快速检测方法——过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶活性测定法。以pH 7.7的磷酸盐缓冲液提取花生中的过氧化氢酶,加入过氧化氢溶液后30℃水浴15 min,以0.1 mol/L高锰酸钾标准滴定溶液滴定剩余过氧化氢,通过高锰酸钾耗液量计算过氧化氢酶活动度;以pH 7.0的磷酸盐缓冲液提取花生中的过氧化物酶,25℃孵育30 min,加入愈创木酚和过氧化氢,在436 nm波长下,测定初始时和2 min后的吸光度值,计算两者之差ΔA,计算过氧化物酶活力。分别对鲜花生、出口生花生、干燥脱皮花生以及150℃烘烤30 min出口生花生和干燥脱皮花生进行过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶活性测定。对数据做方差分析,结果有显著性差异。鲜花生中2种酶活性最高,经干燥后活性降低,150℃烘烤30 min后,2种酶失去活性。     

啤酒生产过程中氧化还原酶系的研究

啤酒生产过程中的氧化还原酶与啤酒风味陈化紧密相关。低水分下，其耐温活性远高于其它几种酶，在麦芽中酶活升高比例最大（与大麦中的酶活相比），其在糖化过程中氧化多酚的能力远大于多酚氧化酶。糖化过程中迅速失活，而脂肪酸氧化酶在糖化起始的低温阶段仍有部分酶活，影响不饱和脂肪酸的氧化。焙燥过程中适当延长50～70℃温度段时间，可有效降低麦芽中氧化还原酶的酶活。结合这些酶的性质，从部分抑制它们的活性角度出发，在糖化过程中，于50～60℃进行隔氧处理，可经济、有效的减少影响风味氧化的前驱物质的含量。同一质量等级不同品种的麦芽的氧化还原酶系差别相当大，相应制得的麦汁中与风味氧化有关的物质含量也有较大差别，这可能是造成不同批次原料酿造的成品啤酒风味保鲜期不稳定的原因之一。