Unraveling Protein Interactions between the Temperate Virus Bam35 and Its Bacillus Host Using an Integrative Yeast Two Hybrid–High Throughput Sequencing Approach

Bacillus virus Bam35 is the model Betatectivirus and member of the family Tectiviridae, which is composed of tailless, icosahedral, and membrane-containing bacteriophages. Interest in these viruses has greatly increased in recent years as they are thought to be an evolutionary link between diverse groups of prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses. Additionally, betatectiviruses infect bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group, which are known for their applications in industry and notorious since it contains many pathogens. Here, we present the first protein–protein interactions (PPIs) network for a tectivirus–host system by studying the Bam35–Bacillus thuringiensis model using a novel approach that integrates the traditional yeast two-hybrid system and high-throughput sequencing (Y2H-HTS). We generated and thoroughly analyzed a genomic library of Bam35′s host B. thuringiensis HER1410 and screened interactions with all the viral proteins using different combinations of bait–prey couples. Initial analysis of the raw data enabled the identification of over 4000 candidate interactions, which were sequentially filtered to produce 182 high-confidence interactions that were defined as part of the core virus–host interactome. Overall, host metabolism proteins and peptidases were particularly enriched within the detected interactions, distinguishing this host–phage system from the other reported host–phage PPIs. Our approach also suggested biological roles for several Bam35 proteins of unknown function, including the membrane structural protein P25, which may be a viral hub with a role in host membrane modification during viral particle morphogenesis. This work resulted in a better understanding of the Bam35–B. thuringiensis interaction at the molecular level and holds great potential for the generalization of the Y2H-HTS approach for other virus–host models.     

Enhanced Bone Regeneration in Variable-Type Biphasic Ceramic Phosphate Scaffolds Using rhBMP-2

Our aim was to investigate the bone regeneration capacity of powder-type biphasic ceramic scaffold (BCP powder), block-type BCP (BCP block), and collagen-added block-type BCP (BCP collagen) with different concentrations of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) in an animal model. Four rabbits were assigned to each of the following groups: no graft + rhBMP-2 (0.1/0.2 mg/mL), BCP powder + rhBMP-2 (0.1/0.2 mg/mL), BCP block + rhBMP-2 (0.1/0.2 mg/mL), and BCP collagen + rhBMP-2 (0.1/0.2 mg/mL), i.e., a total of 32 rabbits. Polycarbonate tubes (Φ 7 mm × 5 mm) for supporting scaffolds were fixed into a 7 mm round border. Subsequently, 0.1 mL of rhBMP-2 solutions with different concentrations was injected into the tubes. Both radiological and histomorphometric analyses showed that osteogenesis was not enhanced by increasing the concentration of rhBMP-2 in all groups at both 3 and 6 weeks. Radiological analysis showed that bone formation was higher in the BCP collagen group than in the BCP powder and BCP block groups at both rhBMP-2 concentrations at 3 weeks. rhBMP-2 enhanced bone formation; however, as the concentration increased, bone formation could not be enhanced infinitely. Collagen-added alloplastic graft material may be useful for mediating rapid bone formation in initial stages.     

miR-29b Regulates TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition by Inhibiting Heat Shock Protein 47 Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells

Tissue remodeling contributes to ongoing inflammation and refractoriness of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). During this process, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in dysregulated remodeling and both microRNA (miR)-29b and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) may be engaged in the pathophysiology of CRS. This study aimed to determine the role of miR-29b and HSP47 in modulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced EMT and migration in airway epithelial cells. Expression levels of miR-29b, HSP47, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and fibronectin were assessed through real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against miR-29b and HSP47 were transfected to regulate the expression of EMT-related markers. Cell migration was evaluated with wound scratch and transwell migration assay. miR-29b mimic significantly inhibited the expression of HSP47 and TGF-β1-induced EMT-related markers in A549 cells. However, the miR-29b inhibitor more greatly induced the expression of them. HSP47 knockout suppressed TGF-β1-induced EMT marker levels. Functional studies indicated that TGF-β1-induced EMT was regulated by miR-29b and HSP47 in A549 cells. These findings were further verified in primary nasal epithelial cells. miR-29b modulated TGF-β1-induced EMT-related markers and migration via HSP47 expression modulation in A549 and primary nasal epithelial cells. These results suggested the importance of miR-29b and HSP47 in pathologic tissue remodeling progression in CRS.     

Combined Protein and Alkaloid Research of Chelidonium majus Latex Reveals CmMLP1 Accompanied by Alkaloids with Cytotoxic Potential to Human Cervical Carcinoma Cells

Chelidonium majus L. is a latex-bearing plant used in traditional folk medicine to treat human papillomavirus (HPV)-caused warts, papillae, and condylomas. Its latex and extracts are rich in many low-molecular compounds and proteins, but there is little or no information on their potential interaction. We describe the isolation and identification of a novel major latex protein (CmMLP1) composed of 147 amino acids and present a model of its structure containing a conserved hydrophobic cavity with high affinity to berberine, 8-hydroxycheleritrine, and dihydroberberine. CmMLP1 and the accompanying three alkaloids were present in the eluted chromatographic fractions of latex. They decreased in vitro viability of human cervical cancer cells (HPV-negative and HPV-positive). We combined, for the first time, research on macromolecular and low-molecular-weight compounds of latex-bearing plants in contrast to other studies that investigated proteins and alkaloids separately. The observed interaction between latex protein and alkaloids may influence our knowledge on plant defense. The proposed toolbox may help in further understanding of plant disease resistance and in pharmacological research.     

(De)stabilization of Alpha-Synuclein Fibrillary Aggregation by Charged and Uncharged Surfactants

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. An important hallmark of PD involves the pathological aggregation of proteins in structures known as Lewy bodies. The major component of these proteinaceous inclusions is alpha (α)-synuclein. In different conditions, α-synuclein can assume conformations rich in either α-helix or β-sheets. The mechanisms of α-synuclein misfolding, aggregation, and fibrillation remain unknown, but it is thought that β-sheet conformation of α-synuclein is responsible for its associated toxic mechanisms. To gain fundamental insights into the process of α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, the secondary structure of this protein in the presence of charged and non-charged surfactant solutions was characterized. The selected surfactants were (anionic) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), (cationic) cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), and (uncharged) octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OG). The effect of surfactants in α-synuclein misfolding was assessed by ultra-structural analyses, in vitro aggregation assays, and secondary structure analyses. The α-synuclein aggregation in the presence of negatively charged SDS suggests that SDS-monomer complexes stimulate the aggregation process. A reduction in the electrostatic repulsion between N- and C-terminal and in the hydrophobic interactions between the NAC (non-amyloid beta component) region and the C-terminal seems to be important to undergo aggregation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements show that β-sheet structures comprise the assembly of the fibrils.     

Molecular Bases of Human Malformation Syndromes Involving the SHH Pathway: GLIA/R Balance and Cardinal Phenotypes

Human hereditary malformation syndromes are caused by mutations in the genes of the signal transduction molecules involved in fetal development. Among them, the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is the most important, and many syndromes result from its disruption. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms and role in embryonic morphogenesis of the SHH pathway, then classify the phenotype of each malformation syndrome associated with mutations of major molecules in the pathway. The output of the SHH pathway is shown as GLI activity, which is generated by SHH in a concentration-dependent manner, i.e., the sum of activating form of GLI (GLIA) and repressive form of GLI (GLIR). Which gene is mutated and whether the mutation is loss-of-function or gain-of-function determine in which concentration range of SHH the imbalance occurs. In human malformation syndromes, too much or too little GLI activity produces symmetric phenotypes affecting brain size, craniofacial (midface) dysmorphism, and orientation of polydactyly with respect to the axis of the limb. The symptoms of each syndrome can be explained by the GLIA/R balance model.     

银合金钎料对银触点钎着率影响的研究

以H85黄铜触桥和AgSnO2/Ag触点银层为焊接母材,两种银合金粉末为银合金焊膏的钎料,采用力学性能、金相显微镜、扫描电镜(SEM)和热分析等方法,研究Ag-20Cu-15Zn银合金钎料的粒径和含量,以及Ag-22Cu-17Zn-5Sn钎料对母材焊接钎着率的影响.结果表明,Ag-20Cu-15Zn钎料粒径为45～75...     

RON蛋白与CXC趋化因子受体4蛋白的表达与去势抵抗型前列腺癌患者阿比特龙耐药的相关性

目的：研究受体酪氨酸激酶（RON）蛋白与CXC趋化因子受体4（CXCR4）蛋白的表达与去势抵抗型前列腺癌（CRPC）患者阿比特龙耐药的相关性。方法：选取2017年1月至2020年2月我院收治的127例接受阿比特龙治疗的CRPC患者,根据是否耐药分为观察组（n=32,阿比特龙耐药患者）、对照组（n=95,缓解患者）。采用免疫组化与蛋白免疫印迹检测比较两组RON、CXCR4蛋白表达,采用Logistic回归分析进行RON、CXCR4蛋白与耐药的单因素、多因素分析,采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）及ROC下面积（AUC）分析RON、CXCR4蛋白预测耐药的价值,并在阿比特龙耐药细胞株中加入RON、CXCR4抑制剂,观察两者对阿比特龙耐药细胞凋亡指标［半胱氨酸蛋白酶（caspase）-3、caspase-9、细胞凋亡率］的影响。结果：免疫组化显示,观察组RON阳性表达率（71.88%,23/32）较对照组（27.37%,26/95）高;观察组CXCR4阳性表达率（65.63%,21/32）较对照组（12.63%,12/95）高;蛋白免疫印迹检测显示,观察组RON、CXCR4蛋白较对照组高（P<0.05）;RON、CXCR4蛋白与耐药均呈正相关（P<0.05）;加入RON、CXCR4抑制剂后,RON、CXCR4表达被成功抑制,且caspase-3、caspase-9、细胞凋亡率均高于阿比特龙耐药细胞株（P<0.05）;Transwell实验检测细胞迁移及侵袭显示,抑制RON、CXCR4表达,细胞迁移及侵袭细胞数目均显著降低（P<0.05）;RON蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.789,截断值＞4.11,敏感度为84.37%,特异度为61.05%（P<0.05）;CXCR4蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.825,截断值＞3.42,敏感度为75.00%,特异度为80.00%（P<0.05）;RON+CXCR4蛋白预测阿比特龙耐药的AUC为0.884（95%CI：0.815～0.934）,敏感度为87.50%,特异度为83.16%（P<0.05）。 结论：CRPC患者RON、CXCR4蛋白表达显著增加,与患者阿比特龙耐药密切相关,有望成为预测耐药的标志物,抑制RON、CXCR4蛋白表达,可促进CRPC阿比特龙耐药细胞的凋亡。     

巨磁电阻材料的研究与应用

介绍了一种新型的磁性功能材料－巨磁电阻材料，综述了其研究进展情况。并就它在巨磁电阻传感器、高密度磁记录读出磁头、巨磁电阻随机存储器以及自旋晶体管等磁电子元器件上的进行了论述。     

提高杂质泵过流部件品质的工艺技术

从杂质泵过流部件的需求现状和失效分析、材质和化学成分选用时的量化指数 ,介绍了护套、后护板、前护板 ,叶轮等铸造工艺 ,热处理工艺要点 ,提出了提高杂质泵过流部件品质的闭环系统。