[Update on autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH)-associated proteins].

Brain development diseases refer to a group of diseases that affect the development of the brain or the central nervous system. Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a typical neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a decreased brain size, mental retardation and abnormal behaviors. To date, at least 25 genes have been discovered to cause MCPH when mutated. These genes were named MCPH1-25 according to the discovery order. MCPH proteins play important roles in regulating brain developmental signaling pathways. Here, we provide a timely review of the expression patterns, cellular localization, molecular functions, phenotypes, as well as animal models of these 25 MCPH proteins that will expedite our understanding of the pathogenesis of brain disorders at both molecular and cellular levels.

Regulatory action of charred Gossamer urocteae on the functions of mouse oral fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of charred Gossamer urocteae (CGU) on the functions of primary cultured mouse oral fibroblasts and reveal its mechanism in wound healing. METHODS: CGU was extracted with different solvents and ethanol extract (EE), ethyl acetate fraction (EF), n-butanol fraction (BF) and aqueous fraction (AF) were obtained. The effects of different fractions on the proliferation, matrix metalloproteinase-2,9 (MMP-2,9) activities, synthesis of collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in the mouse oral fibroblasts were determined by MTT, gelatin zymography, chloramine-T method, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. RESULTS: EE, EF and BF at high concentrations could significantly inhibit proliferation of fibroblasts (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and at low concentrations EF and BF could promote proliferation of fibroblasts, and BF and AF could significantly inhibit collagen synthesis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EE, EF and AF at high concentrations could significantly increase the MMP-9 activity, and BF and AF could significantly inhibit synthesis of TIMP-1. CONCLUSION: CGU at high concentrations can inhibit the proliferations of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen, and in healing of wound, CGU at high concentrations possibly has the functions of anti-fibrosis and anti-scar, and the mechanism to promote degradation of collagen is possibly related to the increase in MMP-9 activity and the inhibition of TIMP-1 synthesis.

[Molluscicidal effect of endophyte LL3026 from Buddleia lindleyana against Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To research the molluscicidal effect, active components, thermal stability and light stability of endophyte LL3026 (Colletotrichum sp.) from Buddleia lindleyana METHODS: The molluscicidal effect of LL3026 against Oncomelania hupensis was determined as referring to the WHO guidelines for laboratory molluscicidal test, and the control experiments were performed with 1 mg/L niclosamide or dechlorinated tap water. The active components from LL3026 were extracted by different polar solvents. The thermal stability and light stability of its extracellular moiety was examined at different temperature (30-100 degrees C), different time (30-150 min) and different illumination time (1-9 d). RESULTS: Immersion test showed that the LC50 values for the LL3026 broth were 50.11, 3.43, and 1.55 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The ether extract of LL3026 broth showed the best molluscicidal activity compared with other fractions. Treated with 25 mg/L ether extract for 24, 48, and 72 h, the mortality of O. hupensis was 100%. The molluscicidal activity of LL3026 broth had no change at 80 degrees C for 120 min, and the snail mortality was 100%. A 48-h exposure to LL3026 broth which placed in an artificial climate box with 3 600 1x illumination for 9 d resulted in 86.7% snail mortality. CONCLUSION: The fractions extracted from endophyte LL3026 isolated from B. lindleyana shows molluscicidal effect to O. hupensis.